Yep, another “Which cartridge?” thread.

[Wolf76]

I've got the itch to build a new rifle again. This time I think I'll depart from my usual style and build something with a nice wood stock and perhaps with a CRF action. The question is what cartridge? Ideally it'd be a general purpose rifle, capable of taking up to a moose. Shots wouldn't be over 350 yards. Again, ideally I would pass it on down to a relative, regardless if they hand loaded or not. What comes to mind is the 308 Win. However, I currently a 22-250, 243 Win, 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag. What do you all think? Should I just build another of what I already have, or have I over looked a cartridge?

The 308 will serve you well. But it is very similar to 7mm/08 and the 30.06.
I consider the 308 to be the most drama free cartridge I've ever shot. Easy to find ammo or handload, mild recoil, very versatile with bullet weights and terminal performance.

 

[Pro2A]

I've got the itch to build a new rifle again. This time I think I'll depart from my usual style and build something with a nice wood stock and perhaps with a CRF action. The question is what cartridge? Ideally it'd be a general purpose rifle, capable of taking up to a moose. Shots wouldn't be over 350 yards. Again, ideally I would pass it on down to a relative, regardless if they hand loaded or not. What comes to mind is the 308 Win. However, I currently a 22-250, 243 Win, 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag. What do you all think? Should I just build another of what I already have, or have I over looked a cartridge?

Fortunately, there are many interesting options for you. Comparing my spread, it might just bring question onto your character not to have a .308Win. And, you might just squeeze a .25-06 into that nice array. A classic wood stock with CRF in a 270Win would make Jack O'Connor smile in his resting place. Then, there is the 7mm Rem Mag for that moose. I'm becoming a fan of the .264Win Mag. What about the.....Uh, this isn't helping is it? So many calibers; so few heartbeats. Sounds like there should be more than one build in your future. You have a nice dilemma. Hope your are like me and "have no adult supervision in your life." And, then there is the question of which scope......

 

[Gobears16]

270 win. Could buy a Kimber super America or Winchester M70 super grade for a great piece of wood and have CRF. The 270 has a huge range of weights and recoil is light which always equals more accurate.

 

[hthunter]

358

 

[Gibbshooter43]

Aside from the Moose possibility, and given the nice coverage you have, I would strongly consider the 25:06. It is easily overlooked, but highly underestimated. And you need a 257 caliber to fully cover to options. It doesn't appear that you're looking to go really BIG calibers, and if you wanted a little more than the 25:06, you could AI it. Mine is a very effective tack driver.

 

[jpope02]

280 A I

 

[dfitz7604]

Can't go wrong with the 280ai. With the 160-180 class bullets.

 

[112Savage]

My suggestion would be a 9.3x62 or the 35 whelen. Both can be handloaded to great sub-500yd cartridges. Both will fit into standard actions and give 3500+ ft/lbs

9.3x62 has the African history and romance. 35 Whelen has a good American history. Check out the bullets on Hammer's website. Steve and Brian custom designed the 9.3 bullet for me. Their 35 cal hammer hunter looks pretty slick too.

 

[Milepost]

Totally agree! I'd go a 35 Whelen AI though...just because. LOL Both are great bear calibers and are suitable for a bucket list African plain's rifle too.

 

[112Savage]

Totally agree! I'd go a 35 Whelen AI though...just because. LOL Both are great bear calibers and are suitable for a bucket list African plain's rifle too.

I have loads for 9.3x62 250gr going 2600 and 286gr going 2500. These are above book but were taken from John Barsness in handloader magazine and he had them pressure tested by Sisk Rifles. This really changes the 9.3x62 to a different cartridge than older loads.

 

[BoomFlop]

Why are people recommending cartridges that are only available to the reloader? He clearly stated he doesn't reload.

 

[Frog4aday]

I've got the itch to build a new rifle again. <SNIPPED STUFF> Ideally it'd be a general purpose rifle, capable of taking up to a moose. Shots wouldn't be over 350 yards. Again, ideally I would pass it on down to a relative, regardless if they hand loaded or not. What comes to mind is the 308 Win. However, I currently own 22-250, 243 Win, 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag. What do you all think? Should I just build another of what I already have, or have I over looked a cartridge?

When I read your post, and looked at what you had already my very first thought was, "He needs either a .25-06 Rem or a .338 Fed." And since you want 'moose capable', that left me with .338 Federal. And I was sure I'd be the first to recommend it, but was pleasantly surprised to see many folks chiming in with that suggestion. It's a great round for 350 yards or less. Mild recoil. Very good game killer. Factory ammo is available.

You've got the spectrum pretty well covered with what you already own, so if you are going to do a new rifle, why not get something fun and different? For what it is worth, I liked the .35 Whelen and .375 H&H suggestions, too.

 

[rbTanzan]

The 338 Federal is cute, the 338 Win Mag is versatile. It does it all in North America.

So for a wood stock Control-Round-Feed, you might either fill in your smaller calibers with a classic 270 Win, the poor-man's magnum, or else get something with more punch like the 338 WinMag. I do my US deer hunting with a 338 and it does provide for easier game recovery with proper bullets. 185 TTSX is fine for deer, while you might want a 225gn TTSX for moose and elk from all angles out to 400 yards.

 

[112Savage]

He never said he doesn't reload, just that he had reservations about lack of factory ammo. In fact he said "pass it down whether they reload or not"