Yet another caliber question - first rifle

[LiftAndShoot]

Hey tribe -

So, little bit of a deceptive title, but let me explain. I've never bought a rifle for myself. Never had to. I used my grandfather's when he passed away, and I've had my dad's collection since he moved on. I've got pretty much everything covered in terms of caliber. I have a fun lever action .38/.357 that I've killed many a hog with. A .243 bolt, .270, and the prize of the collection - my old man's .300 win mag.

All that said, I'm getting this strange itch to put my mark on the collection that I will ultimately hand down to my kids. I have an AR that I put together for fun, sure, but that's not a hunting gun. I want to put some memories through something that I've saved for, earned, and put along side the family guns with stories.

Here's the caliber question - I don't want a specialist gun; I'm not a specialist hunter. I will shoot hogs at 15 yards, deer at 40 all the way out to 300, and whatever else I can. I want a bit of a do-it-all without worrying about being underpowered.

Options in this rifle are:
6.5 creedmoor
300 weatherby
.308 winchester
6.5-300 wthby mag
7mm rem mag

Right now I'm leaning toward the .300 weatherby and .308, in that order. I know everyone is in love with the creedmoor but I just don't see the advantage at distance over the other available calibers. The last two I know nothing about.

Any constructive advice?

Thanks,
M

[Artos]

Seems to me you need a good varmint rig...if your .270 & Dad's 300 are good shooters I see no reason for a 308 or wby.

If I were in your shoes, I would get a 22-250 or a 220 swift to round out the calibers...nothing funner than speed demons.

[TacticalCowboy]

Seems to me you need a good varmint rig...if your .270 & Dad's 300 are good shooters I see no reason for a 308 or wby.

If I were in your shoes, I would get a 22-250 or a 220 swift to round out the calibers...nothing funner than speed demons.

This.

But if you want something off that list, I’d skip the weatherby.

[twosixteens]

Yep I agree with Artos the nod going to to 22/250 if you don’t reload

[kkp005]

For hogs and deer in Texas it’s hard to beat the boring 308
-A gazillion bullets options that are readily available
-not much recoil

*disclaimer- I’ve got a plenty of calibers, but I’m a 308 fan boy. In my opinion it’s hard to beat a 308 bolt gun with a 20” barrel for Texas critters

[HighwayHunter]

Second vote for a .308. Love my ruger American. Great gun that won’t break the bank.


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[MadHatter]

I agree on the 308.
Ammo can be found anywhere, and it won't break the bank when you find it like WBY.
You have a .300 so we can eliminate the 7mm.
6.5 well, it's all been said already

[30-30]

308 or a classic 30-06.

[TX03RUBI]

6.5 PRC is a good in between for what you have, or a fast 22 varmint gun.

[okrattler]

.243 will do what you're asking and you can even shoot lighter 58 grain bullets at varmints out of one. Light recoil for people that are recoil sensitive and hits hard enough to kill any deer or hog in Texas at 300+ yards if you do your part.

If you just want something different the 22-250 is a good one. I wouldn't push it too far on deer sized animals but there have been deer killed with that cartridge.

[sierracharlie338]

I’m of the opinion that everyone should have a 308. It’s a good mid range utility cartridge. It can do a lot from a 16 to 24 inch barrel.

The 6.5 prc is a good alternative but not near as many factory options in ammo.

If it were me I’d build a 308 in a custom action (defiant, kelbly, impact, etc)


Sierracharlie out…

[TX03RUBI]

I’m of the opinion that everyone should have a 308. It’s a good mid range utility cartridge. It can do a lot from a 16 to 24 inch barrel.

The 6.5 prc is a good alternative but not near as many factory options in ammo.

If it were me I’d build a 308 in a custom action (defiant, kelbly, impact, etc)


Sierracharlie out…

That’s like putting nitrous and a cage on a V6 mustang

[sierracharlie338]

That’s like putting nitrous and a cage on a V6 mustang

Lmao I guess that’s true but I’ll clarify that by saying if I was looking to build a gun to hand down that’s the route I’d go. Otherwise I would agree!!


Sierracharlie out…

[kenner27]

Stick with a round where ammo is readily available and affordable.

[kae006]

I don't think any of the calibers you listed are going to be "do-all" guns. Maybe look at 28 Nosler?