You be the Judge! Caliber Question

[Scrumbag]

@Scrumbag
Keep ir simple Scrummy. 35 Whelen and 10 gauge mosberg goose gun. SIMPLES MATE

Simple and agricultural grade, Bob. Just like your good, honest, self

(I can't talk, I have a 12g Mossberg 535....)

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Simple and agricultural grade, Bob. Just like your good, honest, self

(I can't talk, I have a 12g Mossberg 535....)

@Scrumbag
Scrummy all you need now then is a Whelen. Problems are gone. Never professex to be a brain box, simple and agricultural does me just fine. Simple problems simple solutions. Complex problems simple solutions if you think about them logically.
Bob

 

[Marcos Rodriguez]

A 308 will kill everything on your list. I vote for the 30-06.

RIGHT to the point!...
But, He don´t have a 308 (pity....) so, the 3006, the old trusty 3006!!!

 

[MISportsman]

Well because draw results are in, and it's a slow Friday, it seems like a good idea to pick the memberships brain for some fun.

This season I have drawn the following tags (a grand slam as far as I'm concerned):
-Antlered Moose
-Antlered Elk
-Antlered Mule Deer
-A Special Whitetail draw
-Merriams Turkey

The moose/elk/mule deer are all in the same zone, or at least adjacent zones where I grew up, id say 80/20% mix of field/bush, and shots wouldn't be over 300 yards. I'd love hear what you guys suggest I take out with me for a rifle. And please don't let common sense cloud your judgement!

-Weatherby Vanguard 270-This was the first rifle I bought. I have plenty of 130gr TTSX's loaded up.

-Sporter Mauser 7x75-The only ammo around for this is Cor-Loc’s

-2x Brno 30-06- I have Leupold VX-R 3x9's on top. I have 165 or 180gr Barnes Ammo for them.

-FN 300H&H- I'd love to put a Meopta 1.7-10 on this rifle, but new guns seem to take precedence, and could throw one of the VX-R's on it. I have some TTSX's (180gr I believe) loaded up to start finding one that works.

-Mauser Actioned 8x68s- I'm getting the safety swapped out so I can mount a scope with the existing EAW mounts. I have two boxes of 200gr A-Frames loaded from Norma. I also have 175gr CEB Raptors that I am really interested in testing, but would need to get some dies.

-CZ550 375- This one took my last moose four years ago with 250gr TTSX's.

-Ruger No1 450/400- I wasn't expecting to get drawn for moose this year, and was hoping to have time to play with cast bullets in this rifle. I'd think that would make a fun moose gun. That being said I do have 400gr Hornadys, but I believe they are solids.

-The one rifle that I really would love to use is my Ross M-10 in 280, but I'm waiting on brass for it, and also to get it to a good gunsmith so we can come up with a means of mounting and optic. Maybe it will be ready to go next fall.

I'd go with the .30-06. there's just not a better all around caliber for. Mixed bag big game hunt. It just gets it done!

Anyway, let's have some fun and hear some opinions!

 

[F. Vaccaro]

I'd go with the .30-06. there's just not a better all around caliber for. Mixed bag big game hunt. It just gets it done!

And I’d use a good 180gr bullet, sweet!

 

[Aaron N]

I’m leaning towards the 8x68 or the 300H&H.

 

[BeeMaa]

I’m leaning towards the 8x68 or the 300H&H.

One of each would be even better.

8x68S would be perfect for all Bear species (except possibly Polar Bear) along with Eland and larger antelopes. Not to mention all the animals from your original list, 5 pages ago.

In reality...the 300H&H will cover your entire wish list with a proper bullet and shot placement. Less powder, less recoil and more bullet selection. Not sure about ammo availability, but even that can be mitigated to some extent.

Just to throw a wrench in the works...upsize the 8mm to a 375H&H to go with the 300H&H. That would be an amazing pair of rifles. Plus you would be legal everywhere for DG with a 375. I foresee lots of different rifles in your future. Best of luck making room in the safe.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

One of each would be even better.

8x68S would be perfect for all Bear species (except possibly Polar Bear) along with Eland and larger antelopes. Not to mention all the animals from your original list, 5 pages ago.

In reality...the 300H&H will cover your entire wish list with a proper bullet and shot placement. Less powder, less recoil and more bullet selection. Not sure about ammo availability, but even that can be mitigated to some extent.

Just to throw a wrench in the works...upsize the 8mm to a 375H&H to go with the 300H&H. That would be an amazing pair of rifles. Plus you would be legal everywhere for DG with a 375. I foresee lots of different rifles in your future. Best of luck making room in the safe.

@BeeMaa
Mate I am very disappointed in you suggesting that man buy a lot of rifles in the future.
Have you forgotten about your beloved R8 and all the possibilities you can have with all those different barrels and bolt heads on the ONE rifle. Just imagine him having to choose a rifle for a safari with a lot to choose from.
Instead he could take ONE R8 and THIRTY SIX BARRELS as well as 3 boltheads and shoot the world over with one gun case.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen - Don't be scaring him off like that you bloddy Dag. Need to leave some bait on the hook for future enabling.

LOL. No worries mate. Plenty of time for Blaser R8 discussion later.

 

[dchamp]

@BeeMaa
Mate I am very disappointed in you suggesting that man buy a lot of rifles in the future.
Have you forgotten about your beloved R8 and all the possibilities you can have with all those different barrels and bolt heads on the ONE rifle. Just imagine him having to choose a rifle for a safari with a lot to choose from.
Instead he could take ONE R8 and THIRTY SIX BARRELS as well as 3 boltheads and shoot the world over with one gun case.

Bob to try and sooth your angst about the Blaser R8, my pairing would be the .375H&H and the 8x68s or 8x57. I have those in the Blaser R8 and they would be my preference. Unfortunately for '@Aaron N’, and others I think, Blaser does not offer the .300H&H, a classic caliber. But he should not consider it a loss, the loss is Blaser’s in my mind.

Nothing against the Classic Mauser Action or any other Controlled Round Feed or Push Feed action, I too like them equally as much. Blaser is not perfect, in my opinion, their 30 cal’s are manufactured in 1:11 twist. I am of the opinion that the 1:11 twist rate limits the use of mono solid bullets you can use. But Blaser R8’s is still an extremely good rifle system. It is unfortunate Blasers are as expensive as they are thus limiting its market.

As you may know I am a fan of the 8mm, as much as you are with the .35 caliber. All calibers are good. While the .35 caliber’s may not be as popular as some others, neither is the 8mm, they are still a very good caliber.

 

[Aaron N]

One of each would be even better.

8x68S would be perfect for all Bear species (except possibly Polar Bear) along with Eland and larger antelopes. Not to mention all the animals from your original list, 5 pages ago.

In reality...the 300H&H will cover your entire wish list with a proper bullet and shot placement. Less powder, less recoil and more bullet selection. Not sure about ammo availability, but even that can be mitigated to some extent.

Just to throw a wrench in the works...upsize the 8mm to a 375H&H to go with the 300H&H. That would be an amazing pair of rifles. Plus you would be legal everywhere for DG with a 375. I foresee lots of different rifles in your future. Best of luck making room in the safe.

The good thing is that all of these rifles are already in the safe! Maybe I’ll rotate through every trip out and enjoy them all?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob to try and sooth your angst about the Blaser R8, my pairing would be the .375H&H and the 8x68s or 8x57. I have those in the Blaser R8 and they would be my preference. Unfortunately for '@Aaron N’, and others I think, Blaser does not offer the .300H&H, a classic caliber. But he should not consider it a loss, the loss is Blaser’s in my mind.

Nothing against the Classic Mauser Action or any other Controlled Round Feed or Push Feed action, I too like them equally as much. Blaser is not perfect, in my opinion, their 30 cal’s are manufactured in 1:11 twist. I am of the opinion that the 1:11 twist rate limits the use of mono solid bullets you can use. But Blaser R8’s is still an extremely good rifle system. It is unfortunate Blasers are as expensive as they are thus limiting its market.

As you may know I am a fan of the 8mm, as much as you are with the .35 caliber. All calibers are good. While the .35 caliber’s may not be as popular as some others, neither is the 8mm, they are still a very good caliber.

@dchamp
Nothing wrong with with a good 8mm. Even the 325WSM is very underrated. Some people just don't understand class like we do.
Bob

 

[Wyatt Smith]

The 8x68s is giving me an itch that may need scratched one day. I do like the old 8x57, never hunted with one, but I’ll fix that one day.

 

[freefall]

I only used the underpowered 8mm factory fodder. So sold that dog.

 

[MS 9x56]

Bob to try and sooth your angst about the Blaser R8, my pairing would be the .375H&H and the 8x68s or 8x57. I have those in the Blaser R8 and they would be my preference. Unfortunately for '@Aaron N’, and others I think, Blaser does not offer the .300H&H, a classic caliber. But he should not consider it a loss, the loss is Blaser’s in my mind.

Nothing against the Classic Mauser Action or any other Controlled Round Feed or Push Feed action, I too like them equally as much. Blaser is not perfect, in my opinion, their 30 cal’s are manufactured in 1:11 twist. I am of the opinion that the 1:11 twist rate limits the use of mono solid bullets you can use. But Blaser R8’s is still an extremely good rifle system. It is unfortunate Blasers are as expensive as they are thus limiting its market.

As you may know I am a fan of the 8mm, as much as you are with the .35 caliber. All calibers are good. While the .35 caliber’s may not be as popular as some others, neither is the 8mm, they are still a very good caliber.

Except the 243! Unless you are using it for gophers and bunny’s. Then it too is a good caliber though not suited to big game

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I only used the underpowered 8mm factory fodder. So sold that dog.

@freefall
If only it was loaded to its potential may be you would still have it.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Except the 243! Unless you are using it for gophers and bunny’s. Then it too is a good caliber though not suited to big game

@MS 9x56
The 243 is only good if you want to become the but of every joke in a hunting camp I'm in. Apart from that stick with punching paper with one.

 

[freefall]

@freefall
If only it was loaded to its potential may be you would still have it.
Bob

Quite possibly

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Well because draw results are in, and it's a slow Friday, it seems like a good idea to pick the memberships brain for some fun.

This season I have drawn the following tags (a grand slam as far as I'm concerned):
-Antlered Moose
-Antlered Elk
-Antlered Mule Deer
-A Special Whitetail draw
-Merriams Turkey

The moose/elk/mule deer are all in the same zone, or at least adjacent zones where I grew up, id say 80/20% mix of field/bush, and shots wouldn't be over 300 yards. I'd love hear what you guys suggest I take out with me for a rifle. And please don't let common sense cloud your judgement!

-Weatherby Vanguard 270-This was the first rifle I bought. I have plenty of 130gr TTSX's loaded up.

-Sporter Mauser 7x75-The only ammo around for this is Cor-Loc’s

-2x Brno 30-06- I have Leupold VX-R 3x9's on top. I have 165 or 180gr Barnes Ammo for them.

-FN 300H&H- I'd love to put a Meopta 1.7-10 on this rifle, but new guns seem to take precedence, and could throw one of the VX-R's on it. I have some TTSX's (180gr I believe) loaded up to start finding one that works.

-Mauser Actioned 8x68s- I'm getting the safety swapped out so I can mount a scope with the existing EAW mounts. I have two boxes of 200gr A-Frames loaded from Norma. I also have 175gr CEB Raptors that I am really interested in testing, but would need to get some dies.

-CZ550 375- This one took my last moose four years ago with 250gr TTSX's.

-Ruger No1 450/400- I wasn't expecting to get drawn for moose this year, and was hoping to have time to play with cast bullets in this rifle. I'd think that would make a fun moose gun. That being said I do have 400gr Hornadys, but I believe they are solids.

-The one rifle that I really would love to use is my Ross M-10 in 280, but I'm waiting on brass for it, and also to get it to a good gunsmith so we can come up with a means of mounting and optic. Maybe it will be ready to go next fall.

Anyway, let's have some fun and hear some opinions!

If it were.me, I would go with the .300 H&H and 180 grains. I would also take a .30-06 with 165 grs. My one experience with loading mono metal bullets was a serious disapointment, so I would swap those out for Nosler AccuBonds.

 

[Aaron N]

If it were.me, I would go with the .300 H&H and 180 grains. I would also take a .30-06 with 165 grs. My one experience with loading mono metal bullets was a serious disapointment, so I would swap those out for Nosler AccuBonds.

The 300 was shooting 3/4" groups with 165(?) grain Speers. I'm hoping to have a minor trigger issue fixed in the next day or two, and see what it will do with 180gr TTSX.

Unless I can get the mag box on the 8x68 machined out in a timely manner, it looks like the H&H is the winner!