Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles which 30 cal would best round out this battery?

I think that with todays premium bullets the difference between calibers is much closer than even ten years ago. I would also jump on the notion that a 30-06 or even a .300win is not enough of an upgrade over your .280. I would jump up to a .338 or .35Whelen, if you really want to stay in a .30 I was venture you would need to go 300Ultra mag to see a significant upgrade in field performance.

Currently Im reaching for a .260rem for most work and if I dont think it is enough the Whelem gets pulled out of the safe.

FWIW, do think about a Whelen...

the 300 win mag. it's a step up from what you already have.

The .280 is pretty close to a 30-06. I'd go 300 WSM, mine is more accurate than the 300 win I used to have.

From the looks of your current line-up your not a crazed magnum man. The .280 is pretty close to an -06 with say 160gr. partitions.

I love -06's but with what you already have I'd say either go .338-06 or .338 Federal.

-06 dose have great ammo avalibality.

Good luck and let us know what you deceide.

Old timer here, I would also go with a 300 Win, same trajectory as my 270 with 130 grain, with Win Mag using 165 grain and my main load is a the 140 grain which is about the same trajectory as the 300 with a 180, very close. I would say the 280 would push the 150 about that same as the 300 shoots a 180 and then the 300 will push a 200 grain about as fast as 270 with a 150 gr, or 280 with a 160 or the 30-06 with a 165, all shoot about the same trajectory. This is nice to have. My little 260 shoots a 120-125 about the same trajectory as 207 with a 150 and the 300 is close out 200 yards with 200 grain. Most are Nosler partitions or Sierra Game Kind, some Hornedy as that would be used in my 270. I like this same trajectory idea, save on having to adjust my shooting and settings as I move up and down for the long shots.
Therefore, I would go with the 300 Win. Mag.

.300 Win Mag. The .280 and .30-06 are very close.

Dogger, what would be the point of the rifle? Is it just to have a 30 Cal for paper punching or will this rifle be used for hunting bigger game not found in VA?

If it's for a trip out West after elk, I could see a 300 WM (sort of). Otherwise, I'd get a 308 Win bolt gun... the 308 will be more enjoyable to shoot and would be more appropriate for hunting Virginia IMO.

To me, the 300 WM is for BIG, big game and for shooting past 500 yards.

I'd go fer the Browning A-Bolt Medalion in .30-06 Springfield.

+10000

the 30-06 is a virtual twin to the 280.

Just keep in mind that many find the recoil velocity of the 300 magnums to have a critical mass in terms of pain. Some experts including the late Les Bowman found that most hunters can not handle that level as well as lighter kickers. Of course some can.

You did say that you wanted more power and the 300 mags will do that however a 270 WSM will kick less and range just as far or more in terms of bullet placement.

300wsm........Blake

Good thoughts here and thanks for them. I really like my current rifles, and I am not sure what niche I want to plug the .30 in. I see the .308 being a nice addition if it is in a weatherproof 20 inch carbine. Given I have the 7x57 and the .280 (the 280 is a 24 inch barrel by the way), the 30-06 adds benefit in a 22 inch barrel launching 180s as hard as I can push them. I am not sure I would be able to employ the 300 Winmag in a hunting situation where it could really strut its stuff. The .35 Whelen recommendation is an interesting one.

dogger,

you've got your bases covered already... can't think of what i wouldn't do with a 6mm , or a .280...
there is no rational need for another rifle... when it comes to fantasy time, i'd pick a favorite rifle from my collection and trick it out... stock, sights, barrel.....

If it ain't an -06 make it a 300saum

the 300 SAUM would certainly be an eclectic choice.

300 WSM in a short action or 300 RUM in a long action.

I could hunt happily with your 7x57 and 280 for just about everything . You don't really need anything, its totaly a want.If you really don't think you will be able to see the potential of a 300 then you really won't in a 35 either.However you asked what 30 cal would we pick , so if it was me I'd say a 300 either long and lean or short and fat what ever you like.

A .300 Weatherby Magnum... a half century old and still one of the very best .300 magnums.

I think 338 Win mag., if you are really looking for something more........