Caliber Creep

[5gauss]

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?

All depends on what you want to do with it. I went .338 WM because I will be hunting in Griz country and wanted some extra punch/confidence but the 30's are probably just as good now with all the great bullets. I am not a large person and the .338 with no brake is no problem. Good "enough" for long range work, just a bit slower is all. Pretty sure the animal does not know the difference. To each their own...get what you want and practice a lot if you intend to go long range with it. The practice some more. You get one load, one gun for long enough...you become a "specialist"...so to speak....have fun....

 

[richhymas]

6.5 prc is a good option for what you've mentioned. Shaw makes them in that cartridge too. It is sufficient for the lower 48. It really makes water at extended ranges too. I was comparing data and realized that at 1000y a 147gr eldm is almost exactly where my 300 Weatherby 200gr eldx is in velocity and energy. That doesn't account for projectile diameter, but it is still above 1,600 fps which is where hornday says their eld line won't reliably expand.

A few points.... I reload exclusively, no factory ammo for me. Had a 300WSM 30-06, 308 and 444 in the past, so not new to big(er) recoil, but at some point the joy of shooting diminishes. I'm often drawn to "different" cartridges, and when someone asks me what I'm shooting it's kind of nice to throw something out there that no one has heard of; 444, 41mag, 356gnr for example.

So far 280ai is really calling my name. For me researching the cartridge is half the fun of getting a new gun. This will be the most expensive gun in my collection so far, so I want to do it right.

I have to agree with you. Something in the 7 mag range will give you enough energy and BC to shoot Aoudad at distance without overdoing the recoil. You can't go wrong with a 280 AI.

 

[ZAK13]

For what it's worth, I too started out with a 243, still use it today, but honestly my 270 loaded with 130gr Barnes TTSX is all I ever use anymore. I've taken whitetails, hogs, and bear with it. From ranges as low as 10 yards, out to as far as 485 yards. It does the job for me.

 

[tndeputy]

Another vote for a 270 win