Help me pick a caliber for my next rifle

[jsmitt6]

Looking to build a long action 30 caliber hunting rifle. Planning on doing this on a Defiance AnTi action. I already have a 7mm Sherman Short and a 338 Sherman Short for hunting rifles but just sold a few unused rifles to give me a $3500 budget for the rifle sans glass. What cartridges should I be considering? Should I be considering something smaller than 7mm and in a short action? I know I don't NEED another hunting rifle but I WANT one. I enjoy the process of tinkering. I know it seems like there are 1,000 "what caliber threads" but here is another one tailored to fit a "gap" in my other rifles.

 

[Rick79]

I went 300WM over the PRC personally. At the moment, brass is easier to find and if you get off somewhere and lose your ammo you have a better chance of finding some box ammo to buy. I'd heard the PRC has a bit more felt recoil as well. While I am not very sensitive to that, I did want something my 120lb daughter could shoot comfortably as well. Even being less than 9lbs, she can shoot my WM for longer than I want to hand her rounds for it….

I don't know anything about the Sherman, but I'd bet all 3 would work just as well as the other. It does look like you have a thing for Sherman's too.

 

[RidgeTop]

6.5-06

 

[Plowboy85]

I was in a recent dilemma and decided on the 30 Nosler. The ole proven WM does a lot just fine but I believe the Nosler with the right throat is a good mix of performance and barrel life. I don't care to fireform brass for magnums because barrels go too fast as it is. The 30-28 Nosler from Wheeler or Piercsion are fine as well. I can't jump on the Crredmoor/PRC bandwagon so I avoid them lol.

 

[adk hunter]

If choosing new from scratch 300WM throated for longer bullets and 8 or 9'' twist. Opens the door for heavier pills and copper too. Mom and pop store ammo still in play anyplace you go.

*Darn, now I can't stop thinking of this for myself...

 

[FEENIX]

Looking to build a long action 30 caliber hunting rifle. Planning on doing this on a Defiance AnTi action. I already have a 7mm Sherman Short and a 338 Sherman Short for hunting rifles but just sold a few unused rifles to give me a $3500 budget for the rifle sans glass. What calibers should I be considering? Should I be considering something smaller than 7mm and in a short action? I know I don't NEED another hunting rifle but I WANT one. I enjoy the process of tinkering. I know it seems like there are 1,000 "what caliber threads" but here is another one tailored to fit a "gap" in my other rifles.

It seems like you already picked the caliber - .30. The chambering boils down to personal preference and intended purpose. I am a big fan of the .300 WM (I have 3 of them), and it remains my go-to chambering for antelope to elk size game up to 1KY, but if "I" am to consider another in .30 cal, it would be .300 NM/I, but that's just me.

 

[snox801]

I have a .300 win mag and am a big fan. That being said I went with my last eat light weight build as a .30 Sherman.
Simple for me really the PRC didn't gain enough performance for me to spend that much to gain so little over my win mag. But the Sherman gained just enough.
Brass was easy from rich. Loaded the first 150 brass and had some fun fireforming brass. It shoots factory ammo or about anything I loaded it with well under Moa. I don't start my load work till after the first 100 rounds on anything as it always speeds up and I'm doing it over again anyway.
I was able to get the hammer 214's going 3160fps pretty easy. And ram it out to 1308 yards. But I may play with the 199's and see if the speed doesn't help me out a bit more.

 

[FEENIX]

I have a .300 win mag and am a big fan. That being said I went with my last eat light weight build as a .30 Sherman.
Simple for me really the PRC didn't gain enough performance for me to spend that much to gain so little over my win mag. But the Sherman gained just enough.
Brass was easy from rich. Loaded the first 150 brass and had some fun fireforming brass. It shoots factory ammo or about anything I loaded it with well under Moa. I don't start my load work till after the first 100 rounds on anything as it always speeds up and I'm doing it over again anyway.
I was able to get the hammer 214's going 3160fps pretty easy. And ram it out to 1308 yards. But I may play with the 199's and see if the speed doesn't help me out a bit more.

Barrel length?

 

[jsmitt6]

Barrel length?

Curious to know this as well. Wouldnt mind hearing your what powder you are using as well!

 

[Orange Dust]

Looking to build a long action 30 caliber hunting rifle. Planning on doing this on a Defiance AnTi action. I already have a 7mm Sherman Short and a 338 Sherman Short for hunting rifles but just sold a few unused rifles to give me a $3500 budget for the rifle sans glass. What cartridges should I be considering? Should I be considering something smaller than 7mm and in a short action? I know I don't NEED another hunting rifle but I WANT one. I enjoy the process of tinkering. I know it seems like there are 1,000 "what caliber threads" but here is another one tailored to fit a "gap" in my other rifles.

Today, I would be shopping for Brass. Buy enough to last the barrel. Then build the rifle. That will form your decision on actual cartridge selection. All the .30 Magnums are good. I like my RUM. Others like the WM. There are several good ones in between and some wildcats bigger. I really don't think it matters all that much, they will all shoot in a good rifle. What really matters if you have the components you need to shoot and enjoy it in the first place.

 

[snox801]

Barrel length?

26" proof.
Running rl26

 

[Wolf76]

Given your 30 cal choices...300wm throated properly/fast twist barrel.

I'd look at a 257 weatherby for a super cool hunting cartridge that is very under appreciated. New heavier bullets only add to its capabilities.

 

[dogz]

You're looking for a "caliber" for your next gun, looks like you're after the 30's so I'd stay with that .30 caliber

Regarding the 3 rounds that you mentioned no doubt I'd make life easy and go 300 WM

 

[Aussie Hunter Steve]

If it's a hunting rifle go for something fast, like 300 RUM, 28 Nosler, 6.5-300, 257 WM... they offer a real advantage.