Yep, another “Which cartridge?” thread.

[SpeedGoatShooter37]

I've got the itch to build a new rifle again. This time I think I'll depart from my usual style and build something with a nice wood stock and perhaps with a CRF action. The question is what cartridge? Ideally it'd be a general purpose rifle, capable of taking up to a moose. Shots wouldn't be over 350 yards. Again, ideally I would pass it on down to a relative, regardless if they hand loaded or not. What comes to mind is the 308 Win. However, I currently a 22-250, 243 Win, 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag. What do you all think? Should I just build another of what I already have, or have I over looked a cartridge?

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

What about a 35 whelen? Under 350 that wouldnt be a bad option. You seem like you have a pretty good all around arsenal it's hard to add anything to that

 

[jebel]

Given your intended range and wanting to avoid something that needed to be handloaded, I would have said 7mm-08. But you have one. 35 Whelen was a good suggestion from Creedmoor Shooter. Your own suggestion of 308 Win is a good idea, making sure you give it enough twist to throw the bullet you wanted. Though the 308 Win wouldn't really be filling a slot that you're currently missing, in my view.

 

[Orange Dust]

what about a .375. Everyone NEEDS a big rifle. Just because.....

 

[Rhett Crider]

With Moose on the table, 30 Nosler or PRC would be a nice addition to your arsenal. Or another 300WM . 300RUM might be more than you need.

 

[BoomFlop]

338 Federal would be a good option in my opinion. Would fill a void, as you don't have a .338 caliber. Less recoil than the Whelen and 375 too.

 

[AFraser]

To complement what you already have and really perform on Moose, how about a .338 Federal? It would make you a lot more comfortable if any big bears came nosing around.

 

[SpeedGoatShooter37]

The 338 Federal definitely came to mind. However the lack of factory ammo and components knocked it down several pegs. Thoughts on the 270 Win or 270 WSM?

 

[06mauser]

338-06 A Square could be pretty cool.

 

[Salmonchaser]

280AI; 35 W; 375 H&H

270 is so over rated....... just kidding.

 

[TwoMore]

338 Federal would be a good option in my opinion. Would fill a void, as you don't have a .338 caliber. Less recoil than the Whelen and 375 too.

that .338 fed with a can on it would be quiet

 

[98dyna]

I'll throw on out there not to many talk about but I killed a cow elk at 650+ yards and several bulls with it. My elk/moose rifle is a 8mm Rem Magnum Remington 700 BDL.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

As you have the smaller carts pretty well covered .
I would suggest the 375 H&H. In a nice wood stocked rifle with a controlled feed , fixed ejector , non rotating extractor action. Its pretty hard to beat. Lots of people in Alaska use it as their moose cartridge. It works great. Isn't bad on the recoil . With 250 -270 gr bullets it really is an all around rifle.

 

[Milepost]

Surprised no one mentioned the good ole 30-06. You didn't mention if you hand load but if you do then pick the AI version and push those 215 Berger pills @ 2750 fps out of a 24" barrel. Lapua Palma brass is about as good as you can get.....