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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,179 Likes: 19
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,179 Likes: 19 |
My guide showing off my Colorado bull shot with .338 Win Mag with Texas heart shot running away beyond 100 yards. The same rifle and Winchester 230 grain ammo did well in RSA too, making one shot kills on7 critters from Impala to Eland. I also love the 338wm. It was made for elk hunting. However, it was not on the list the op wanted. I believe he mentioned the 308 Norma magnum (also not the 300 norma, like someone else mentioned in a recent post^^^^) and the 358 Norma.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,341 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,341 Likes: 6 |
358 Norma for me. Just for grins. Love the big 35’s. +1. Can get some good heavies such as the 275 or 310 Woodleighs or a 275 A-Frame. I'd bet the 225 TSX would be a damn good one too. That 225 TSX worked plenty well from my Whelen. It’ll penetrate quite far. Out of a Norma it should be a rocket ship.
Semper Fi
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,362 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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A .30 Mag with today’s bullet choices, especially with 180-220 gr .550 - .700 G1 BC along with their high SD are IMO the best NA heavy game magnum caliber that offers the most versatility that can be had. From any range, especially from 400-800 yards and properly scoped the .30 Mag combines ballistics and power that can’t be matched by a .35 way out there. The .35, while potent, can’t hang with the long range capability of the .30 Mag, mostly due to the bullet technology available in the .30 and that lacking in the non sweet spot .35. For plains and mountains on smaller game up through elk, moose and mountain grizzly you would be hard pressed to find a more shootable, potent and versatile setup for an all around NA big game rifle. The 308 Norma can push a 212 gr high BC (.660) bullet easily at 2,850 fps from a std length long action magnum bolt face, that’s some serious big game lights out, especially way out there if you’re good enough to make shots way out there. Only one man’s opinion.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,988 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,988 Likes: 3 |
Well, this is the campfire so why not go off the reservation?
With the choices referenced, the 338 makes a lot of sense. Will fit in an 06 length action, components are comparatively easy to come by, ballistics match up very well with the 300 WM out to great distances, and a great selection of bullets these days to do anything you need or want to do... what's not to like? In grizzly country any of your choices would be fine and the .338 would be another fine choice to consider. Flip a coin and you still wouldn't be wrong with any of them...
Never underestimate your ability to overestimate your ability.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,179 Likes: 19
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,179 Likes: 19 |
A .30 Mag with today’s bullet choices, especially with 180-220 gr .550 - .700 G1 BC along with their high SD are IMO the best NA heavy game magnum caliber that offers the most versatility that can be had. From any range, especially from 400-800 yards and properly scoped the .30 Mag combines ballistics and power that can’t be matched by a .35 way out there. The .35, while potent, can’t hang with the long range capability of the .30 Mag, mostly due to the bullet technology available in the .30 and that lacking in the non sweet spot .35. For plains and mountains on smaller game up through elk, moose and mountain grizzly you would be hard pressed to find a more shootable, potent and versatile setup for an all around NA big game rifle. The 308 Norma can push a 212 gr high BC (.660) bullet easily at 2,850 fps from a std length long action magnum bolt face, that’s some serious big game lights out, especially way out there if you’re good enough to make shots way out there. Only one man’s opinion. Good post Ross, and like I said in an earlier post if you use a bullet like a 200gr partition, it's going to do a damn lot of penetrating. I would not feel undergunned while carrying my 308 Norma magnum and shooting 200gr partitions. My rifle also holds 5 of those beasts, but that is neither here nor there as compared to the OP's rifle... I like the idea of extra firepower, not that you would necessarily need 5 shots, but in a stressful situation you never know what's going to happen. I've had buddies fling 5 shots at a deer and miss, now try that on a bear running right at you... I'd probably even take a 35 Whelen, that holds 5 in the box, over the mighty 358 NM... Quicker follow up shots, easier to handle and shoot well and more in the magazine all have their benefits..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 792
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 792 |
The .308, You are not hunting elephants or cape buffalo.
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,929 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,929 Likes: 3 |
300 WBY AND 168 TTSX. DEAD ELK That’s my primary elk rifle, too. In answer to the OP, I would likely choose the .308 Norma Magnum. I’m a .35 fan but the Norma might be a bit harsh on the recoil.
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 975
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 975 |
358 Norma has some serious ballistics going for it and fairly heavy bullets, too.
Sherwood
FIRE UP THE GRILL - is NOT catch and release!
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,364
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
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If you were gonna build an elk rifle on a Husky small ring commercial Mauser, would you go with a .308 Norma Mag. or .358 Norma Mag.? Those are your only two choices. Might double as a grizzly rifle in a few years too. Opinions wanted. TIA. If you’re changing bolt face and feed rails, 33 Nosler would get it done
History May Not Repeat, But it Rhymes.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8,930 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8,930 Likes: 5 |
Go past go change the rules leave the bolt face alone and the rails too. 338-06 for the win 210 partitions for the gold. My Redding dies ihave a tapered expander ball that takes once fired 30-06 out to .338 in one pass. Kiss principle. Mb
Last edited by Magnum_Bob; 09/23/21.
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,936
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
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308 from your choices.
I would do a 338-06.
Arcus Venator
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Joined: May 2020
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Campfire Regular
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Out of the two choices first given, I would go with the .308. BUT, if I were truly doing a custom build for an Elk rifle, I think I would choose a 35 Whelen. Just my two cents....
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5,706 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5,706 Likes: 2 |
I'm sure I wouldn't pick either one given your criteria. I would go .338 win mag! As good all around cartridge as any for what your asking the new rifle to accomplish!
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,746
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,746 |
In a small ring mauser, I think you would enjoy either the 338/06 or 35 whelen with a 24 inch barrel. With todays newer powders and good bullets, you are "right there" with the killing effect of the older bullets/powders in the magnums of the time. If you hunt places where 350-400yds are more common, lighter weight monos or Premiums. I shot a Black Wildebeest at a laser ranged 347yds with a 200X from a 35 Whelen AI, zeroed just +2"@100. A zebra at 250yds same load/hunt. A 185 or 210 in the 338 and the 200 to 225 in the whelen, youre gold! BUT...there is much "pinash" in having the only 358 NM on the Mountain, ha? Have a ball friend, jsut let us know what you decided, we "need that closure",
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,046 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,046 Likes: 4 |
308 for multi use. A 200g partition in 308 can do amazing things. I'd not feel undergunned with one. I'm hunting elk in an area filled with grizzly, island park, again this year.
Last year I had the cow tag and took a light 7-08 with a lighter load. While walking through some thick trees I kept thinking about the grizzly that cleaned up an entire bull elk gut pile there within 30 minutes of us cleaning it 2 years prior.
With that in mind and the fact that I have the November bull tag I'm probably mostly going to carry my old stand by 300 wsm with 215g hybrids this year. That load has proven very deadly on deer and elk and I'm more confident with it in a hostile bear area.
Reminds me that I need to finish up a load for my 44 mag 329 pd with the Lee 310g cast because I'd like to have that on my hip when I clean this year's elk. Seeing how quick a grizzly ate an entire large bulls gut pile left us wonder if it was watching us gut and load that bull.
Bb
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Campfire Tracker
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Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 25
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 25 |
I will just do the 308 Norma Mag without stress
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Campfire Tracker
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I love the 300WM and similar, I personally think they give you an edge with good bullets. From near (lots of power/penetration) to far (easier to hit with, again with power.) While I know lots of guys who use smaller calibers on big game, I "like" how a big gun works on big animals, especially with a less than perfect shot. I tell guys just use a rifle style/weight/handling that you are comfortable with and go for it! A 308 Norma with todays powders, shucks, you are Gold! Have fun pard.
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Joined: May 2016
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Campfire Tracker
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What did the OP decide? I'm curious????
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Just bump up to the 9.3x62 Mauser and call it good or perfect which ever is best.
"When guns are outlawed,only the outlaws will have guns".
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