Most versatile chambering for handloaders?

[Orange Dust]

You are not likely to hunt brown bear/polar bear. So 7mmRM, 300 WM, 300 WSM, 30-06 1st tier 308, 7-08, 35 whelen, 280 2nd.

No one is, nor are they likely to go to Africa, unless they really want to. However, we all have dreams, and they are more likely to come true if plans are made over time. Everyone NEEDS a big rifle if those are your dreams and expect to make them come true someday. Buy the rifle, enjoy shooting and hunting with it, and put a little back each year, and dream. Anyone can go if they really want to. Having and using the rifle will make it more likely to happen. Most of the hunters that go up north are not wealthy. They save for years for a once in a lifetime adventure. Dreams like his are what gets all of us up in the morning for work.

 

[therifleman556]

^^^^^ This! ^^^^^

 

[SMK1000plus]

No one is, nor are they likely to go to Africa, unless they really want to. However, we all have dreams, and they are more likely to come true if plans are made over time. Everyone NEEDS a big rifle if those are your dreams and expect to make them come true someday. Buy the rifle, enjoy shooting and hunting with it, and put a little back each year, and dream. Anyone can go if they really want to. Having and using the rifle will make it more likely to happen. Most of the hunters that go up north are not wealthy. They save for years for a once in a lifetime adventure. Dreams like his are what gets all of us up in the morning for work.

Well stated Orange Dust! Right in line with my thinking. That's why I've had, and practice often with, my two 375 H&H Mags and one 416 Rem Mag, that I purchased some 20+ years ago.

If I live long enough, and my health holds out, I will one day wreak havoc on some of the large critters up there in the Alaskan outback!

 

[memtb]

Well stated Orange Dust! Right in line with my thinking. That's why I've had, and practice often with, my two 375 H&H Mags and one 416 Rem Mag, that I purchased some 20+ years ago.

If I live long enough, and my health holds out, I will one day wreak havoc on some of the large critters up there in the Alaskan outback!

Yes, very well stated! I bought my first .375 H&H for Alaska and Africa around 1982. In 1990, I had a semi-custom .375 AI built.....continuing the dream. The .375 caliber has been my "only" hunting rifle since that first .375 H&H. I still haven't made it to Alaska or Africa.....but, I still have the dream! memtb

 

[Orange Dust]

They are great hunting rifles. Don't bloodshot as bad as really HV magnums. And they do kill quickly. Never give up on your dreams guys. Someday, somehow, they will come true.

 

[John Klingenberg]

300 Win Mag. Easy to load for. Great bullet selection.

Cast loads in win mag are tricky. Lots of empty space in that case

 

[memtb]

Cast loads in win mag are tricky. Lots of empty space in that case

You just have to use a filler, to use up excessive space. I've always used Dacron (pillow material), and had good luck.....though there may be better fillers.

While I haven't done it yet....will be "powder coating" my rifle bullets. Nothing but "rave reviews" on powder coated bullets....hopefully my results are the same! memtb

 

[John Klingenberg]

For the handloader with cast lead, jacketed and solid projectiles to choose from, not relying on manufactured ammo.

From distances of 25-50 yards to say 400.

If you could only choose one rifle (chambering) for an all-around hunter (moose, elk, black/brown bear, deer and hogs), what would you choose?

30-06 for sure. It's not romantic like the new stuff or flashy like the magnums but its track record speaks for itself. Its spilled blood world wide, fed millions of people fresh venison for over a century. That's hard to quantify. I've been poor and I've been comfortable. When I was down to a couple rifles a 30-06 was always in the battery. Load data and volumes of stats to back it up. Cast loads, reduced loads, varmint loads, solids etc. If you poke any big game well with that round nose 220gr pumpkin it's dead. I even have a vintage box of Kynock solids, so somebody in Africa thought it was good enough.

 

[Rick_W]

You just have to use a filler, to use up excessive space. I've always used Dacron (pillow material), and had good luck.....though there may be better fillers.

While I haven't done it yet....will be "powder coating" my rifle bullets. Nothing but "rave reviews" on powder coated bullets....hopefully my results are the same! memtb

I use nothing but coated bullets in my cowboy guns - while I'm not trying to get high velocity out of those guns, they're cleaner shooting (and handling) and the Hi-tek coating is tough stuff.

 

[30calyooper]

I've taken many "Pronghorns" with my .375 AI....and never felt "overgunned" or committed the unforgivable act of "overkill"! memtb

Amen to that! When something works, I tend to avoid thinking I need to fix it!

"Beware of the guy with only one gun...good bet he knows how to use it!"

 

[30calyooper]

30-06 or .280 Remington - then maybe Ackley Improved.
https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2017/8/25/behind-the-bullet-280-remington/

.270 Winchester (Ackley Improve that?)
https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2019/1/4/head-to-head-30-06-springfield-vs-270-winchester/

LOL - I've often thought the same about the 270 and '06! Yep maybe I'm a simple kind of guy, but when the numbers are compared....could not resist thinking "Now why did those need improving? And what did they gain?"

That said, seems as though the 280 Improved does crank it up a notch. Especially with some of the newer powders and higher BC bullets available these days. I haven't worked with this one directly but it just might be in my future...retirement age is approaching!

 

[memtb]

LOL - I've often thought the same about the 270 and '06! Yep maybe I'm a simple kind of guy, but when the numbers are compared....could not resist thinking "Now why did those need improving? And what did they gain?"

That said, seems as though the 280 Improved does crank it up a notch. Especially with some of the newer powders and higher BC bullets available these days. I haven't worked with this one directly but it just might be in my future...retirement age is approaching!

Well....you better "gitt'r done" before you retire. Recently retired, I'm falling farther behind everyday! memtb

 

[engineer40]

While I haven't done it yet....will be "powder coating" my rifle bullets. Nothing but "rave reviews" on powder coated bullets....hopefully my results are the same! memtb

I had good luck with powder coating some non gas checked 340gr lead bullets for a 460SW Mag rifle. Pushed them hard. Even with no gas check they didnt lead the barrel.

 

[30calyooper]

Well....you better "gitt'r done" before you retire. Recently retired, I'm falling farther behind everyday! memtb

Yep, I hear ya! Could go next year but I'll hold on a couple more until SS kicks in. Got a good boss and still like my job...what else can you hope for?

As for the 280 AI, it's always fascinated me. Guess I never jumped because the 7mm Remmag makes it too easy when I'm looking at the 7mm class...

Also - the 7mm-08 never ceases to surprise me, either. Definitely enjoy my 6.5 Creedmoors too, but I have to say - the 7mm-08 has been around doing a lot of the same things for more than a few years now, and I've trained more than a couple of new shooters/hunters with it. Only reason I didn't list it (or the 6.5 creed) as honorable mentions on my first post in this string is simple - I really don't think either has got the horsepower for elk at 400. Deer and pronghorn, no problemo...but just not where I'd send anyone for elk, and definitely not for big bears!