I would say it's a .300 Win. Mag. as you can shoot as low as a 110 grain bullet, and up to a 220 grain bullet with plenty of knockdown power for even an Alaskan Brown.
Most versatile caliber for North America?
- Thread starter nvarcher
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Montana
Veteran member
Only down fall to the .300 Win Mag is cost of ammunition. I am a WSM fan big time, everything I own. The 270 wsm is one heck of a caliber, just a bit light for some of the larger game. So I would have to say the most versatile caliber is the 7wsm, a step down from the cannon. But just like everything else in the hunting world, from shoes, jackets, sleeping bags to guns. It's only time before you realize that one is not enough. You just about have to have a couple items for different scenarios. So pick what you want to hunt the most and go with that first. Then over the years you will want to pick up something on the other end of the spectrum.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Full Draw
New Member
My vote goes to the 300 mag. You can somewhat bypass the cost by re-loading your own. Close 2nd is the 7mm. mag. great all around gun.
sjsmallfield
Veteran member
I am all for the 300 win mag but I wouldn't hesitate to say the 30-06 it is pretty tough to beat for an all around round. The rounds are pretty cheap also and have taken everything in North America.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I hunted with a 30-06 for lots a years and took a lot of game with it, but I am a big fan of the WBY .300 Mag. The ballistics in my handloads are wonderful, I use it on anything I hunt larger than deer. Everything else (deer, antelope, hogs, sheep), I use my 25-06. But I am sure my .300 will do a great job with lighter bullets for the smaller stuff, but why waste all that powder, my .25 gets them just as dead!
AvidHunterAbe
New Member
Since I believe you can never have too much gun....Id run a 300 Remington Ultra Mag. Will knock down anything, can eaisily be built to shoo 1k yards and you can buy a Sendero, float it, nice trigger and it will shoot a loooooong ways!
Pronghorn73
Member
Colorado Cowboy, Hey whats a good hand load for the .300 Wby. mag for elk? I just picked one up this year and so far I love it! I too have used a 30-06 for many years and it has served me well.
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Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
I always ran a 200 gr. Accubond over RL25 in my 300 Wby. I don't remember the exact load, but it was right at max. It was an excellent combo, and I killed my biggest bull with it.
I am also interested in what loads Colorado Cowboy runs.
I am also interested in what loads Colorado Cowboy runs.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I use 180 gr. Nosler Partition, Reloader 25 powder and magnum primers. My rifle ( a custom commercial mauser, B & C comp stock, Shilen SS match bbl) likes 86.5 grs. Sierra Game King 180 BT also shoot well, but the partitions group slightly better. Both do sub minuite groups out to 500 yds. Rifle is topped with a Leupold VXIII 4 x 14 40mm with a custom ballistic turret from Leupold matched to my load.
I plan on working up a 150 gr. load in case I ever get a sheep tag.
7mmsendero
New Member
- Aug 24, 2011
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I've used a 7mm Wby Mag and a 7mm Rem Mag, both are really good. I've made 5 consecutive one shot kills with the 7mm Rem mag. I switched to the sendero barrell in 2006, the accuracy is just too much too ignore. Plus, if you are ever in a bind, it would be much easier to find a box of 7mm Rem Mag ammo.
As far as the .300 Mags are concerned, great guns no doubt. However, I've shot and hunted with a .300 Wby Mag, the extra kick is pretty obvious. If you are a big dude, then it isn't as much a factor. However, for lighter folks, it can rock you pretty good. I think it can have an impact on accuracy. I've never noticed the recoil from the 7mm's.
As far as the .300 Mags are concerned, great guns no doubt. However, I've shot and hunted with a .300 Wby Mag, the extra kick is pretty obvious. If you are a big dude, then it isn't as much a factor. However, for lighter folks, it can rock you pretty good. I think it can have an impact on accuracy. I've never noticed the recoil from the 7mm's.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Not with a good muzzlebreak! My .300 Wby doesn't kick as much as my .25-06. Pretty noisy, but recoil is real low.
Pronghorn73
Member
Thanks, Colorado Cowboy and Bitterroot Bulls. I will see what I can work up for my .300 Wby. As far as recoil, I am impressed at how mild it is, I was expecting alot more. I have only shot Wby 180 gr. factory loads so far but what a smooth shooter! My 30-06 is a Win. model 70 featherweight and it kicks more.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Most Weatherby rifles in 300 Wby. are a little bit heavier guns. A heavy gun tames recoil pretty nicely. My Remington Sendero 300 RUM is a pussycat to shoot.
It seems like Weatherby rifles with their monte carlo stocks also make recoil a little easier to take for a lot of people.
You should post your handloading results!
Elkoholic307
Banned
MOHunter
Member
I have a 7 Mag and am perfectly happy with it. However, if you're talking most versatile I would have to say one of the .30 calibers - probably 300 Win. Especially if you're a reloader, the range of bullets available is just much greater than a 7mm.
I just don't anticipate hunting anything that would call for more than my 7 Mag - at least any time soon. If that time does come I'll have an excuse to get another rifle!
I just don't anticipate hunting anything that would call for more than my 7 Mag - at least any time soon. If that time does come I'll have an excuse to get another rifle!
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
30-06 with either a 180 gr. Partition or Accubond. Possibly a 300 WSM with same bullets. My picks anyway.
anglinarcher
New Member
My vote is for the 30.06 or the 7mm.
I've got a 270win and a 300win mag. Not being a big feller the 300 kicks a bit much for myself, and the 270 is a great gun. With a Barnes brass 150 gr tip it's enough medicine for elk or moose but that's as high as she would go IMO.
I've got a 270win and a 300win mag. Not being a big feller the 300 kicks a bit much for myself, and the 270 is a great gun. With a Barnes brass 150 gr tip it's enough medicine for elk or moose but that's as high as she would go IMO.