Want another cartridge.....but which one?
 

Hey all,
Wanting another rifle/caliber/cartridge for no other reason than "want".

Currently have a 257 Roy that does everything I need it do on Texas deer, pronghorn, and hogs. (also have a 17hmr and 22lr for plinking).

Wanting a cartridge for the off chance of a nilgai, gemsbuck, elk...type round.

Thinking a 280, 7mm mag, 300 (mag of some variety), or a 35 Whelen.

What say y'all?

Sounds like you need one of the 338s. Winchester, RUM or 340 Bee.

9.3 x 62 with a 286 grain partition

.300 winny with a 215gr Berger

Since your comfortable with the .257 on all the light stuff then I would make a signifigant step up for heavy stuff. That rules out your .280 and the 7mms. Ya, they'll do more, but it's not that big of a jump.


The .300 mags are a step up. But they don't tickle my fancy really. They do what a .30-06 can do they are just able to do it a little farther out than an '06.


On your list that would point me to the .35 Whelen. It's a good thumper for heavier game. And would be good for anything on the N.A. Continent. I'd also take a long look at the 9.3X62 and the .338 Win Mag.


All three of those would be great options for your needs.


-Jake

TX.Hunter,

I mentioned the 9.3x62 cause I think it would be a real good complement to your 257B.
You have long-range flat shooting covered with the 257B.
The 9.3x62 loaded with 286 NPTs adds some formidable Ump your 257B doesn't have.

I built a 9.3x62 from an old 8mm VZ-24.
With the 286 gr Sighted-in at 150 yds, it is:
1.3" high at 100,
3.3" down at 200,
9" down at 250!
And will hit with authority anywhere along its way.
AND - Its my only 100% DRT rifle of all time.

I've never considered it "Too Much Gun" for deer or hogs.
Yet is very adequate for Moose and Bears.
To me its also a comfort in Alaska when blood in the air from skinning.

I've never found a bullet.
That 286 NPT goes straight thru from any angle.
Bullet size entry hole - 1.5" round exit hole every time.

Sounds good if you can handle the recoil.

Since it's just a want cartridge, I'm kind of with Jake on this. Get something 33 caliber or bigger, provided you're ok with the recoil. All of the cartridges listed are good. I favor the 338WM although I have a 45-70 also. Now that is a real thumper with bear loads.

300mags, in various flavours, will manage any of the "off chance" game you've mentioned, and I'm a fated lover of the .300win mag, for better or worse. However, I tend to lean with the others here; it seems as though you're looking for a novelty rifle, something to have on hand with a little whimsy to it, praying some day it will get called into service. The .300's won't draw the ooh's and ah's from your buddies like a 338 might. The easy route, of course, is 338win mag, but there are some fun rounds in the class worth a look as well. 338-06 is a personal favorite. 338 RUM or the 338 Edge/Pedge, or the 340wby certainly have an aire about them as long range power hammers. The 9.3 has an almost cult-like following, for good reason, carrying a mystique of European hunting tradition (right or wrong). The 35 Whelen is a bit of an obscure novelty, but fading into the abyss of lacking popularity doesn't make it any less potent, and it certainly does carry an "old school" nostalgic flair.

A guy in your shoes should consider the ammunition options for their desired cartridges also. The 338wm has the best availablility of any, so it likely makes the most sense, with a nod to the 9.3 as well. This doesn't sound like a high volume rifle for you, only coming out of the safe a few times in its life, so most likely, it doesn't make sense to get geared up to reload, whereas these other rounds will all need to be reloaded to have a reasonable availability or variety. Any of these other rounds have low availability and low variety, or are near-wildcat rounds, so you're really stuck fending for yourself, which is a pretty big burden for a rifle which might only eat a few boxes in its entire life.

Personally, just as a hunting rifle, I'd get the 338wm and live life to the fullest.

Id go with the 35 whelen. It’s a bit big for deer and hog but i do use mine often and love how it shoots. I have a ruger m77 Hawkeye it carries well and recoil isn’t bad either . When i get to hunt in Alaska it’s the one I’m taking