Caliber Creep

[338weatherby]

I'm thinking about ordering a MK X from shaw and I can't help but get a strong case of caliber creep. I'm wanting a step up from my .243, which is perfect for the Texas deer I currently hunt. In the next couple years I want to hunt aoudad and antelope. At first I was stuck on 280ai, then I shot a 270, and kind of started to like that one. More looking and researching made me think 300WM or 338-06. So for everyone that has been down this road, what made you finally decide what you wanted?

I'm laughing at the similarities here.

I started with a .243, went to .270. I ran the .270 for 15 years. Then 338/378, 338-06, 300wsm, 7x57AI x 2, 7RM, 45-70, and ............

Just saying that nothing really help me decide on anything other then good ole gun lust ! I'm still buying a few a year and need a third safe. If you have a good idea on what you plan on hunting, base it off of that. For instance, if your planning a antelope hunt, the 338-06 wouldn't be the best choice but the others you mention are great. Assuming you reload if you thinking 338-06, but if you don't, look for ammo availability. Have a rifle that will take antelope/deer - elk would be my thought if trying to decide. The .280AI or 300WM are both fine and I'd take over the .270 only if looking for larger game.

 

[Treeslug]

I'm thinking about ordering a MK X from shaw and I can't help but get a strong case of caliber creep. I'm wanting a step up from my .243, which is perfect for the Texas deer I currently hunt. In the next couple years I want to hunt aoudad and antelope. At first I was stuck on 280ai, then I shot a 270, and kind of started to like that one. More looking and researching made me think 300WM or 338-06. So for everyone that has been down this road, what made you finally decide what you wanted?

You are right about the .243 being good for Texas deer. For antelope, I guess you are referring to the pronghorn, not antelope from an exotic game ranch, the .243 is still good. Bringing aoudad into the equation brings on a new challenge. Aoudad are very tough in their construction. Even a 100 gr. bullet will be a wee bit light for one of those beasts. I won't suggest a particular caliber, but if aoudad is on the menu, I would start looking for something that handles a hunting bullet in the 140 gr. or heavier range. I love BIG magnums so you can't ask me for any more information than that.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Pin a handful of cartridges from .257 - .284 on a wall and throw a dart ... they'll all do what you're asking and it's probably the only "easy" way to pick.

There are so many factors that go into picking a cartridge that I'd bet most of us here have a hard time deciding on the next one to get ... which is why a lot of people also end up with a huge safe(s) full of rifles (that too often rarely get shot). Personally I think a good 7mm is a perfect "do it all" caliber until you get into big / dangerous game, as such I'm just finishing up a 7SST build.

This, while made tongue in cheek to some degree, is very true. I'm partial to 25's but own/owned 6s, 6.5s and big 30s for the same purposes your stating. All will do the job. That being said let me throw another one out there for you:

7-08. Prob one of my favorite cartridges ever and I don't even own one currently, but that is about to change!! The AI version for me though

 

[manitou]

I have been up and down the scale over my years. With nothing left to prove to myself or anybody else, I have settled on .280s and 280ai. Nothing on the North American continent I wouldn't hunt with them. And... I throughly enjoy shooting without a headache. (Neck injury)

 

[Frog4aday]

I'm voting .270 Win because it will do it all, not beat the heck out of you, ammo is everywhere & very affordable, it shoots flat, it hits hard enough to do the job efficiently & effectively. For lower 48 & Hawaii, just can't go wrong. If forced to settle on just one rifle, it's the one I would keep.

 

[slv hunter]

I love my 280ai. I've taken antelope, deer and elk 25yds to 700yds with the 168g berger classic hunter.

 

[Savage 12BVSS]

I would second the 7mm-08 suggestion in AI is even better if you handload. 280AI if you like the longer actions, Good Luck and Good Shooting

 

[BRIT]

Hi.
I will wager that you have no box that can't be ticked with a 30-06. I know, it's a really boring answer.

 

[docdempster65]

Despite the surge of the popularity of the Creedmoor (inferior to the
.260 Remington by 50 to 100 fps), take a long hard, and very
serious look at the 120 years yoiung 6,5 x 55 SE ("SwedishMAuser"). Look
especially at Norma (143 BondStrike and 156 Oryx) and Lapua 156-Mega
factory loads as well as reloading data which again equals or exceeds
the bally-hooed Creedmoor ballistics! Again, thus year, many thousands of
Scandinavian Moose (up to a ton in weight) re-discovered the lethality
of 'the Swede!' Doc D

 

[SEGARE]

.260AI

 

[066wally]

I'm thinking about ordering a MK X from shaw and I can't help but get a strong case of caliber creep. I'm wanting a step up from my .243, which is perfect for the Texas deer I currently hunt. In the next couple years I want to hunt aoudad and antelope. At first I was stuck on 280ai, then I shot a 270, and kind of started to like that one. More looking and researching made me think 300WM or 338-06. So for everyone that has been down this road, what made you finally decide what you wanted?

I just got them all.

 

[jvr]

One rifle to rule them all. Hard to beat a 7 mag.

But that would take the fun out of buying rifles

 

[doubledoc]

I am distinctly old fashioned here, but for deer or antelope or anything similar I love my 25-06s.... Granted, there's a lack of high BC bullets, but its velocity with 110-115 gr bullets makes it a killing wonder, at least for me. And, it's just plain fun to shoot. I have a beautiful Sako as well as Classic Kimber in 25-06 and can use planned "holdover" to 500 yrds easily... Most, DRT.

 

[softtail103]

Tough to beat the 280ai as the best all around cartridge. But it's all about what you want it in a rifle cartridge.