My guns were stolen and i have a reasonable amount of money from my insurance to spend on new equipment. The only purchase i am certain of is a sako 75 Hunter in 30-06 which i will top off with a zeiss conquest. i need advice on a smaller gun for varmints/antelope and a larger gun for elk and up. i am not partial to any brands or calibers. thanks

Varmints and antelope= .243 win or 2506
Medium size game=.3006
Heavy game = .338 win mag

1rst, how about a safe? Thieves aren't like lightning, they tend to strike twice, on occasion.

thats a nice custom closet for your safe.

If your dead set on an 06 go ahead, but I think a 243,25-06 or comparable for medium to small and varmits and a 300/338 mag of some kind for the big stuff. I'd get em all the same make/model so that regardless of which you shoot your still getting more and more familiar w/ all.

Varmints I would get either a .223 or .22-250.

For antelope and deer I would suggest a 6mm Rem, 25-06, .270 Win or a .270 WSM.

For elk and up a 338 WM, 35 Whelen, 338-06, 350 Rem mag or if big bears are on the menue I'd opt for a 375 of some variant.


The 30-06, while certainly capeable of hunting anything you would want is a "do all" cartridge. If you want to specialize I would just drop the 30-06 all together.

.257 Wby. Mag.
.30-06 Sprg.
.340 Wby. Mag.

Good luck.

.243 Win or 25/06

.270 or 7mm (Rem mag or WSM)

.300 WSM or .325 WSM

Have fun!!!