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Post by whiterabbit on Apr 5, 2018 3:23:32 GMT -5
Disagree! I want to keep DG on the list, and that strikes 308 off the list entirely.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Apr 5, 2018 5:50:09 GMT -5
My 2 Brownings are in 338 Win Mag, & in 375 H&H, & in informal penetration tests back 15-20 years ago using same brand premium factory ammo ( Federal Safari loaded with Trophy Bonded Bear Claws ) the 338 easily out penetrated the 375 H&H... test media back then was an old huge freezer 24" thick, that had sheetrock sheets stacked into it solid... the 375 H&H went into the sheets about 18" from 100 yards... the 338 blew through the freezer front & back all but once or twice where the bullet was up against the back wall, at the same distance... if dangerous game / penetration is required, IMO, the 338 might be a better performer... & if you needed to throw in longer range hunting, it'll have a flatter flight plan... not saying the 375 is over the hill ( I'm keeping mine, & still love the round ) but if you're pairing down to 1 rifle & are looking for best versatility... the 338 could be loaded with Trailboss, & be less overkill on bunnies, than the 375 back when I 1st started getting into guns, I bought a Ruger 77 in 243, but then my new FIL had anything else I might need to borrow, & I never really considered dangerous game back then... I felt it offered the best compromise between Prairie Dogs, & White Tail Deer... still think it's a very versatile round, but these days I think bigger than White Tail... so it doesn't get out to play as much as it did back when it was my only rifle
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Post by dougader on Apr 5, 2018 17:52:13 GMT -5
Some SA countries still have a minimum caliber requirement of .40, so perhaps the 416 Ruger?
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Post by bigbrowndog on Apr 5, 2018 18:40:02 GMT -5
Well for the last couple of days, Coldtriggerfinger and I have been discussing a trade. He has a rifle that is in a caliber I have wanted for many many years, and he was willing to take something in trade. So a trade was finalized in probably two of the most useful calibers for worldwide use, he wanted a 375 Ruger, and I wanted his 9.3x64. Both are outstanding big game rifles, and both are legal for DG in many African countries. Plus being completely suitable for large and DG in the rest of the world, while providing excellent trajectories and having suitable bullets. Consequently my SS m70 in 338WM now needs a new home, and the big 9.3 will probably push a couple more rifles out of the safe,
So my pick for GP use worldwide is 9.3x64!!!!
Trapr
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Post by azshaun on Apr 5, 2018 19:40:02 GMT -5
Well, I have an anti-gun wife and I HAVE to consider the idea of paring down all life to one rifle (and one shotgun). If we consider the perfect rifle may not be perfect at anything but has to be suitable for EVERYTHING, how does that change your thinking? I have to honestly consider a 375 H&H magnum, in a controlled round feed fine action, with a fine wood stock finished only in a hand rubbed oil finish. Such a rifle: 1. Can be handloaded to 38-55 levels 2. Can shoot cast bullets or banded solids 3. Maybe overkill for bunnies, but fine for CXP2 up to Elephant. 4. Instills confidence that what gets shot, dies. 5. Can be used for target shooting. 6. Can be shot prone at fairly long ranges. 7. Can be shot cheaply via handloads (see #2, cast bullets) 8. Has elegance and pedigree via CRF and wood stock. 9. Can be easily repaired of dings and scratches at home due to the simple stock finish. 10. Can be set up with safari-type irons, then given a good base and QD scopes mounted for specific purposes (target, hunting, DG, etc) 11. Not TOO obviously overkill for any purpose, especially when loaded way up or way down. I'm not sure any other choice can check the box on every category. Nearly any rifle can do one or two things better, but at the cost of not being able to do something else at all. If I had to sell everything (or lose everything) and replace with one very, very nice (but only one) rifle, I would be hard pressed not to have a fine 375H&H custom built. Of course if we strike DG off the list the possibilities open up bigly. BUT.... can one find appropriate ammo on any continent or location like one could with the 30-06? 30-06 has taken the DG for decades before they grew armor. Plus, with a .30 cal round ball and a load of unique. .. you could easily make a rabbit/squirrel gun... ;-D
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Post by kaytod on Apr 5, 2018 20:35:14 GMT -5
I guess I'd pack around my 450 Alaskan until I can't. It's a model 71 Winchester with a full magazine and really nice wood. The only thing better would be a 6.5 creedmoor lever action because all the cool folks say so........ Yep, my Bro-in-law is having his Savage 99 re-barreled in 6.5 Creedmoor.....just for you to muse over.
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450ak
.30 Stingray
Posts: 458
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Post by 450ak on Apr 6, 2018 7:51:22 GMT -5
On my daily walkabout Wednesday, I found a 6.5 creedmoor case!!!!!! and a 45 case that was mine. Dang difficult to beat the 30/06 loaded with a 200 grain partition or a 220.
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nicholst55
.375 Atomic
Retired, twice.
Posts: 1,047
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Post by nicholst55 on Apr 6, 2018 19:27:49 GMT -5
Push feeds are more reliable than gun scribes have ever given them credit for. The push feed 700 was the basis of the USMC M40 rifle almost since introduced with no changes to the receiver or extractor. The 700 is the choice of more sniper units than any other rifle. Writers have written since dinosaurs roamed the earth that push actions are not suitable for dangerous game, but some how it doesn’t seem to matter that the M1, M14, M16, and AK47 which were designed for war are all push feed. I can appreciate a nice Mauser style control feed action and it’s function but I don’t get hung up on it. Since arguing was mentioned in the title of this thread. The model 700 is the military bolt action because of gubmint contracts. No other reason on earth. So and so's rich country club buddy made a deal and that's that. There ain't 1 thing superior about the model 700 action. The way they are kept working is thru the armory. 1 goes t.u. it gets turned in and the guy is handed a new or fixed one. And it just goes on and on . All the while the American public thinks , model 700 is THE GREATEST cause the Marines use it. The Marines use it because that's what they are allowed to purchase. If they wanted the best. They would be shooting the Mausingfield ! The 'new' USMC sniper rifle, the Mark 13 Mod 7 in .300 Win Mag, which has actually been in use by the Navy SEALs for several years, will be built on a Stiller action for the Marines. The Navy versions were built on Remington actions, as are the first Marine rifles. The Marines expect to (finally) put the M40 program to bed, once the Mk 13 is completely fielded. start.att.net/news/read/category/lifestyle/article/popular_mechanics-us_marines_are_finally_getting_a_new_sniper_rifle-rhearst
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eskimo36
.375 Atomic
Oklahoma
Posts: 2,049
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Post by eskimo36 on Apr 6, 2018 19:47:16 GMT -5
If I’m not mistaken, the Stiller action is a highly refined 700 type action. Push feed, same footprint, same triggers, etc The mark 13 mod 7 also seems to be a long action 700 in a modern chassis.
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Apr 6, 2018 20:34:40 GMT -5
Yup, they gotta keep their armorers employed!
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Apr 6, 2018 20:37:02 GMT -5
On my daily walkabout Wednesday, I found a 6.5 creedmoor case!!!!!! and a 45 case that was mine. Dang difficult to beat the 30/06 loaded with a 200 grain partition or a 220. It's as easy as fallin off a log to beat the 06 loaded with ANY weight bullet ! ;-)
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Post by Cholla on Apr 6, 2018 21:27:31 GMT -5
My bail-out-of-the-pickup-and-and-shoot-a-hog(or deer) rifle, and yes, it's a .308. I used to hunt with "specialty" rifles in "kewl" caliber like 257 AI, 220 Swift, and others, but as I grew older I found less and less need for them. So, the little Scout rifle is now my pickup truck companion and goes on most deer hunts. It's light, short VERY accurate and easy to handle. I really like the .308 for which it is chambered, and although I shoot handloads exclusively, I like the idea that I can buy a box of cartridges at Jim Bob's Feed Store and Used Car Lot, if need be. Likewise, I once used kewl, trendy bullets with partitions, bonded cores, boat tails, plastic points and some of the monolithic hollow point variety, but soon came to realize that a handloaded 150 or 165 gr. hunble Remington Core-Lokt bullet @ 2700 fps would kill anything in Texas. In this same rifle loaded home-cast hollowpoints to under 30-30 ballistics to get my oldest daughter started killing deer. Good luck with your choice.
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Post by bigbrowndog on Apr 7, 2018 9:29:31 GMT -5
Agreed, Cholla!! I used to use premium bullets for hunting in Texas when I was shooting 300’s, 338’s, and big 358 mags. When I started using 308’s and Swedes, just like you I discovered standard cup and core bullets performed beautifully. I started saving the premiums for the big mags and bigger animals, if you don’t push them at max speed standard bullets perform great, provided you select the right weight. My 96 Swede, started out just like your 308, chopped military stock and XS Scout mount, still have it and it’s killed a lot of stuff. I’ve got two more sitting in the closet waiting for? Trapr
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Apr 7, 2018 10:30:24 GMT -5
In my wife's Ruger M77 Mk2 Stainless Laminate Compact rifle. I found I got 2700 fps with moly tumbled 150 gr Core Loct . And it produced 3 shot groups in the .6s when I did my part. For summer time I load it with 180 gr moly tumbled TSX as my goal is expansion with max penetration at point blank to close range. , Bear in the yard for her to use. But this year I'm going to try some 165 TSX HBN tumbled for her. I think they will go a bit over 2600 fps. The 180s are only just beating 2400 fps. She's had this rifle since 02 . For caribou I have some 110 gr TTSX for it. Hopefully this fall she will be able to score with it. She's not really a huntress but rather a rural Alaskan. The only reason I use premium bullets in it is the bear thing. And with the 110 gr TTSX. Its a light for caliber bullet that will actually hold together. Reduced recoil.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Apr 7, 2018 11:29:23 GMT -5
I am in total agreement on the "boutique" bullets. I just use a standard Sierra or Nosler for everything. If I need more, I get out a bigger rifle.
Let me edit in my reasoning here since somebody is sure to ask why....
It's about volume. You can AFFORD to shoot the number of standard bullets you need to shoot to verify your abilities as well as what your rifle is doing. I tend to shoot mine all the way to well farther than I want to try on a game animal because you just never know. I like to be ready. Besides, The better you are at 600 the easier a 300 yard shot is.
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