Tommy T
Well-Known Member
I would say go with a 30 nosler it will kill anything out there and I'm getting 3125 FPS with a210 gn. Berger elite hunter bullets this is a custom rifle by QMM
Advice on next rifle purchase
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sodakota
Well-Known Member
I have 280's, a 280AI, and 7mm RM's and a 300 Win Mag. The 7mm RM is a favorite rifle with more power than the 280.
The 300 Win Mag is a great cartridge.
I would consider also a 300 Weatherby.
If you buy a 7mm RM you're not really stepping up all that much - but that's no criticism.
My 300 Win Mag and my 300 Weatherby's all like a case full of RE 26 and 200 grain Nosler partitions - Good velocity and sub MOA GROUPS. I would not hesitate using them on any game in this hemisphere.
If I had to have two big game cartridges and never planned on shooting elephant, hippo's or Cape buffalo, I'd choose a 300 Weatherby to go along with the 280. But the 300 Win Mag would be good too.
The 300 Win Mag is a great cartridge.
I would consider also a 300 Weatherby.
If you buy a 7mm RM you're not really stepping up all that much - but that's no criticism.
My 300 Win Mag and my 300 Weatherby's all like a case full of RE 26 and 200 grain Nosler partitions - Good velocity and sub MOA GROUPS. I would not hesitate using them on any game in this hemisphere.
If I had to have two big game cartridges and never planned on shooting elephant, hippo's or Cape buffalo, I'd choose a 300 Weatherby to go along with the 280. But the 300 Win Mag would be good too.
First and Foremost you go to the store and look on the shelf for ammo. If they have it, then go to the reloading section and see if there are supplies to reload future rounds. Then look up the availability of accessories you can convert to or hang off the new rifle. That is the caliber rifle you purchase.
wkdwdg66
Well-Known Member
I can't speak to newer savages, but I've owned more than a dozen older 110, 111, and 112's. If you like Savage like I do, pick up an older one, put a trigger in it and whack animals.
After having built 7 different custom rifles and owning several dozen different higher quality factory made ones made by Sako and others, (primarily used for large game hunting and long range shooting /hunting over 50 plus years,) I went back to the 7mmRemMag. Here's why. I have a rifle with scope that shoots half inch groups that weighs less than 10 lbs, I can reload a bullet that can take out the largest game in America, I can find bullets anywhere that sells bullets and I can shoot game at up to 1200 yards accurately. Not many calibers, if any, will meet this criteria.
I don't understand why anyone thinks that the belted case has anything to do with the performance of this caliber. It was made by Remington for cosmetic purposes as a selling tool. I barreled mine with a 1-8.25 twist barrel so it can stabilize higher BC pills.
And if you reload, you have a huge variety of bullets and BC variables to choose from.
If you are going to have your new rifle for deer but, at some time in your life go elk hunting, then if you have a 7mmRemMag, you are good to go!
I don't understand why anyone thinks that the belted case has anything to do with the performance of this caliber. It was made by Remington for cosmetic purposes as a selling tool. I barreled mine with a 1-8.25 twist barrel so it can stabilize higher BC pills.
And if you reload, you have a huge variety of bullets and BC variables to choose from.
If you are going to have your new rifle for deer but, at some time in your life go elk hunting, then if you have a 7mmRemMag, you are good to go!
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jdavistx
Well-Known Member
And, Berger (for example) offers 12 different bullets ranging from 140-195gr.
Barkbuster20
Well-Known Member
Go 338 wm or 33 nosler. No point going 30 cal if you have and like your 280. 33 nosler because ammo has never not been available, 338 wm if your worried about popularity 20 years from now.
.284 pairs much nicer with a .338 than .308 - .308 is a good stand alone caliber but redundant when paired with .284
.284 pairs much nicer with a .338 than .308 - .308 is a good stand alone caliber but redundant when paired with .284
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Love my 300 Win Mag. Brass and ammo are readily available and it drops elk in their tracks for a long way out. My Longshot Custom Mod 700 blueprinted action with a Lilja 26" barrel on a McMillan stock rifle shoots sub MOA groups out to 1400 yards. However, I would not attempt a shot on an animal past 600 yards. Just too many variables to risk wounding one of those beauties. I'm old and can't make all day hikes carrying a rifle anymore. I'm grateful to have a tool that can reach out to make up for my infirmities. I've owned lots of magnums and they all kick. This one is heavy so recoil is tolerable. Unless you're willing to tolerate the noise from a muzzle break or own a heavier rifle with a premium stock, avoid the magnums. Shot placement is the most important part of harvesting big game and if your rifle beats you hard, shot placement will suffer. Set a realistic distance limit depending on your hunting area characteristics. Select a round that will delivery a minimum 1000 ft-lbs of energy at the impact distance for deer size game or 1500 ft-lbs of energy for elk size game with minimal recoil with sub-minute accuracy. You'll be happy! Good luck!!
Murph1951
Active Member
And spend $80.00 for a box of bullets.
Calvin45
Well-Known Member
Very sorry to hear that. I love my savages but none of them have been made in the last 5 years at least (one of them is a 99, from the 70s I think, the other a plain 111 package gun from 2005/2006, and the last a 111 long range hunter (but from 6 years ago, accustock but with the externally adjustable cheek riser, not the newer stocks they're doing now). No complaints about any of them but you're not the first person I've heard in recent days with these reports..,it's like they've tried to get fancy and lost their touch at being simple, accurate, affordable, no-nonsense workhorses, which is what I always liked about them. I've also been hearing that the quality of their barrel steel or bluing has gone to pot, been hearing about rust issues…none of mine have ever had even a hint of rust on them.
my vote then, if affordability is a factor, must go to the weatherby vanguard. Man I like those rifles! Don't currently have one, regret that
. I like the ergonomics, the solid feel of the stocks, and, free floated or not, can't deny that they plain shoot!I'll second something in 338. The 340 Weatherby is a fantastic cartridge and if you hand load it can be very versatile. There is a good selection of factory ammo from Weatherby and great factory or Norma brass. The 7 mag is still an excellent choice as well. It is relatively mild mannered and with several bullets it is fine from the muzzle to 600 yards without any more lost meat than any other rifle with purpose picked bullets. You don't need to shoot Bergers or ELDMs. Partitions, Accubonds, TTSX, Hammers, and the list goes on will work just fine inside 200 or 100 yards for that matter.
wonderman4
Well-Known Member
Since your desires are "something a little larger", get either a 375 H&H or a 375 Ruger. Both will get you to the next step. I have never regretted mine.
Web1350
Well-Known Member
Exactly!!! Too many guys get their panties in a bunch over belted magnums. I'm on my 2nd 7mm Rem mag and have fired many, many rounds through both and never had a problem. I've also never had even one issue on other belted magnums.
