For an all around big game caliber I'd choose the .300 WSM or .300 Win Mag. I prefer my WSM over my Win Mag because of the short action, shell size and recoil. The WSM doesn't seem to hurt the shoulder as much as the Win Mag on the bench. Both are very accurate calibers. For smaller, midsize and some big game you can't go wrong with the .25-06 Remington. I just got mine at Christmas, put a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-10x40 scope on it and let me tell ya, that thing is a tack driver!!!

Speaking of fun, I have a Marlin lever gun in .44 MAG. Seems to have better knockdown power than the old 30-30, and can shoot 44 Specials interchangably, just like a revolver. I have added a Williams apeture sight, and it is VERY accurate to 50 yards or so, if you take time to center the front bead, and also VERY fast to aim at short range. You've never seen a skunk expire quicker (or stinkier) than when hit with a .44 Mag hollow point at about 20 yards.

wild1 wrote:

I do like my .308's. But what I would like to try is a .338 lapua for long range.

I thought about the .338 Lapua. However, from what I was told it is way to much for sheep and caribou etc.......sort of game.

Also, as you stated the rounds are super expensive, at least at this point.

Now, the .338 in general is on my radar.......I just may go with this round, as it seem to give one just about everything they want. From ballistics, it appears to be at least more accurate then the .300's until after 500 yards.....then it starts to drop a bit faster due to more drag.

Other then that......I love this discussion. There is no perfect round, but tons...scratch that.....a wealth of knowledge from folks in here.


THANKS and keep'em coming,

Weasel

.338 Lapua is great for hunting......coyotes...lol. I have a picture of a coyote that was shot from 6-700 yrds. Left a huge hole in its back. Might be a bit big if you want to save what you shot......

ok Weasel I'll bite...I went to a 300win mag for moose for the following 3 reasons 1) flat shooting
2) hard hitting, there isn't a critter on this continent it won't stop with a properly placed shot.
3) oh my, I didn't pack my shells, dose anyone have a extra .338 Lapua on them, how about a extra 375 H&H etc. etc.etc. but thats just me.

I know you hunt sheep at long range, so I guess what it boils down to is like what wild1 said all depends on what your doing with it.....

All this talk is making me a little ticked off with the weather we are getting here. I wish it would warm up here more and get rid of this snow.

Weasel,

I'm getting in on this thread a little later than usual, but here goes my thoughts.

The 308 Caliber is truly the best all around caliber for MOST situations. The ballistics are about the same as the 30-06, and it doesn't have the recoil the 06 does. You also have the same bullet weigh choices you have in the 06.

The WEATHERBY 300 Mag is the best in the 300 catagory, simply because it allows you to handload down to an 06 and up to a 338, depending on what you want to do. Other 300's do not.

In smaller calibers, I prefer the 257 Roberts. Flat shooting, fast, and larger bullet weights available than a 243.

In a very small caliber, I prefer the 223. Availability of ammo ANYWHERE if I run out of handloads is a big plus.

As always, great information unclebuck257.......! Much appreciated and I have to admit. I never even thought of the 257 Roberts. I'll have to look into that some more.


Weasel

My former hunting partner has a 338 and he shot a lot of animals with it. But when it came to crossing fences and he handed it to me for a moment I was glad he was carrying it and not me. It was significantly heavier than my -06 in a fiberglass stock. Something else to consider with the bigger cannons if you are going to carry it very far. Check out a 280 Reminton. Accuracy with the right hand loads is second to none and they are nice guns to boot. After all ins't bullet placement what it's all about?

Yes, bullet placement is the main component in bringing down game. However, I would much rather place a bigger bullet in the same place as the small one if what I am placing the bullet in is fixin' to eat me......:-)

My all-time favorite big game round is the .280 Remington. I carry it 99% of the time unless I am in big bear country. Then, my .338 or .375 is my companion.

The .280 is extremely accuate in modern guns and is the ballistic equal to the .30-06. It shoots as flat as a .270.

I shoot 160 grain Nosler Partitions in mine, and it has cleanly taken a griz, numerous moose, blacktail deer, caribou, wolves, black bear and more. Love it.....

akbrownbear,

Your selection in best caliber, the 280, is truly a good round and is everything you said it is. Forgotten by most, except handloaders, availability of factory ammo is difficult to find sometimes and impossible at others. That is why I left it off my list, even though I handload for everyone of my rifles.

Another cartridge to look at if you arre not looking to get a big magnum would be the 7mm08. Plenty of juice for deer sized game, and not to bad on the recoil side.