Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Looking for something with a little more horsepower.

Hey guys,
In the middle of the great 6mm / 85 Grain TSX test this hunting season, I have become aware of what I feel is an opening in my hunting battery.

At present, I have a .280 bolt gun and a .30-06 autoloader in the safe. I own another .30-06 in a bolt gun, but my little brother has carried it off.

Anyway, I am thinking about bringing home a new rifle chambered for a cartridge with a shade more horsepower. There are three cartridges in the running, and I will list them in their present order.

1. 7mm Remington Magnum. As common as dirt. Has the ability to reach 3,000 fps with a 160 grain projectile. High BC, strong velocity, should equal a very good hunting cartridge. I am thinking about one of the sps models with the 26 inch barrel, that should help squeeze all the potential out of the cartridge.

2. 300 WSM. This cartridge has a great deal going for it as well. The short action is a good thing in my opinion. Factory ammunition is a tad more expensive than 7mm rem mag, but available. I like the fact that I could run 165 grain bullets at 3,000 plus, and still be under the ceiling for the rifle.

3. 270 WSM. Much like the cartridge above, except the ability to load 110 grain accubonds or TSX's to scary velocity. I am talking whitetails here.


I am interested in a cartridge that factory ammunition is readily available for. I handload now, but I have no idea whether my son will ever pick up the habit.

#2

Go with the big 7. It will do everything you need and factory ammo is available pretty much anywhere.

300 WSM - it has all the horsepower ya need!!

If I wanted more than a 30.06, I would not be looking at .270s and 7 mms. Think .338 WinMag in your favorite rifle- make mine a Model 70 please.

+1 to that

Go 300 RUM - what the hell!!

300 wsm

.280 and 7mm RM are too close in performance to justify getting one if you are looking to broaden your rifle selection. If you are mainly hunting whitetails, there is absolutely no need for a .300 WSM, Win Mag or the .338. That's like driving a tack with a 10 # sledge...way overkill.

If you are looking for something to fill the bill for elk, then yes a .300 WSM/Win Mag or .338 would be a good choice. I had a .300 WM for hunting whitetails and traded it off. Way too much gun for our area. A whitetail around here (NC) goes 175# for a mature buck and 200# is rare.

I think a 25-06 would fill your needs nicely if you are strictly hunting whitetails. Flat shooting and kills like lightning, plus you can use it for yotes and other varmint with the right loads.

Out of those 3, I'd go with the .300 WSM though...if I had to choose between those only.

I'm with a couple others with the "If you already have an '06..." angle. If you want to do something other than an '06 just for the hell of it what you listed seems a little, well, redundant. Fine cartridges all to be sure but if you're going to upgrade from 'Ol Reliable there doesn't seem to be much point in being incremental about it. As others have said a .338 is one option. (I actually went for the steroid version .340 Wby)

Other interesting options could be a .338/06 or .35 Whelen. For that matter if you handload a .375 H&H has lots of panache and can be loaded down to your needs. There's even a thread about the .375 and deer here:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3429755/375_H_H_for_deer#Post3429755

Have fun regardless! (any reason is a good reason to need another rifle)

325 WSM seems to get good reviews from most big game hunters.Accuracy and knock down power in a short action.

300 wsm

i have two and really like em.

Why didn't the 7 WSM make your list?

Thanks for the replies, men. I realize that the 7mm Rem Mag is very close to the .280, and I also realize that the .300 WSM is more than is needed for a whitetail deer. I am beginning to lean toward the .300 WSM. For intents and purposes, it is a .30-06 on steroids. I keep reading that it has a very high potential for accuracy as well.

CrimsonTide

You'll be happier down the road with a 300 Winchester Magnum.

Utah,
I didn't include the 7WSM because of the potential for limited factory ammo availability. All the cartridges I mention are readily available even here in Podunk.

7stw,

I have to admit that I didn't recognize you or your posts without a vintage Kraut Pic.

I think that the Weatherby Vanguard in .300WBY is one of the best buys out there right now. I am also reading very good reviews on the .325WSM, as has been posted before. I have a SS/Syn Howa in 7mmWSM. I like it. Good luck.

#4. 300 Winchester Magnum, 300 HH or 300 Wtby.

croldfort,
I have owned a couple of .300 Weatherby's. They were fine rifles, but I am looking for a slot between the springfield and the Roy. RUM is definitely more than I am looking for.