Another choice

[model 70]

I think i'm gonna put up my model 70 featherweight since they aren't making them anymore so i'm looking for another rifle for my big game hunting. here's my criteria:

-SOMETHING DIFFERENT! i would like to look past the .270, 25/06, 30/06, etc. even though they are all i need.

-something for blacktails, mule deer, coyotes, black bears

-something with a ready supply of factory ammo

i am partial to bolt actions but maybe something else might be worth a look

lately i've been wanting something bigger than faster if ya know what i mean.

any suggestions?

[PJgunner]

Model 70 said, "Lately i've been wanting something bigger than faster if ya know what i mean."

Yup, I surely do. ;) Have you considered a .35 Whelen? There's more to the round than what Remington loads. By that, I mean it's useful to at least 300 yards properly loaded and sighted in. I believe remington is making a bolt, pump and semi-auto in the Whelen now. I would stick with factory level ammo in the semi and maybe the pump, but the bolt will take hotter loads. Recoil is a bit more than a 30-06 but isn't all that bad. Ruger may still be making rifles in the Whelen as well.
Don't need all that much thump? How about a .358 Winchester. browning is making the BLR in that caliber. I can't say anything about the new ones, but my original all steel BLR is a tackdriver, surpisingly so for a two piece stocked lever action. Ruger may still be making that one as well, but I don't know.
The nice thing about both rounds is, if the factoried stop making them, brass can be made from .308 Win. and 30-06 wehich should be around forever.
I have rifles chambered to both rounds and I really do like them.
Paul B.

[rem 700]

Maybe a 7x57 Mauser? Not exactly a powerhouse but not something you see in every other guy's hands.

[model 70]

i'm thinking about something compact in 7mm-08. can anyone tell me the limitations of this round? would i be better off with a long action round for them looooooong shots?

[M.T. Pockets]

Bigger than faster you say ? I know what you mean.

Something different is easy, but a readily available supply of factory ammo is the hard part.

One of the .35's would be fun, like the Whelen mentioned above, or a .358 Win.

The new .338 Federal appeals to me a bit, as does the .338-06. They'd be good bear medicine and the smaller animals wouldn't complain.

Factory ammo for these rounds is available. I don't know how readily, but if you order a case and bring enough with, who cares.

I've got a buddy with a .35 Remington that he loves, he said it makes deer hunting fun again for him.

Want to be really different go with one of the 8 mm rounds.

[Classicvette63]

I second the .35 Remington. Plenty of gun for deer or blackies and it doesn't smash the beejesus out of you. If you reload, you can make some neat plinking and small game rounds.

[Jack]

"something for blacktails, mule deer, coyotes, black bears

-something with a ready supply of factory ammo "

Sounds to me like a 308 would fit the criteria nicely. You can find factory ammo for it nearly anywhere.
If you want a bolt gun, aoutoloader, lever, you can find 'em in 308.
308 isn't a real sexy cartridge, but it sure works :D

[model 70]

what are the outter limits of the .308? will it make hamburger out of deer at reasonable ranges like the faster .270win? a nice compact rifle would be good too. barrel length suggestions?

[ALVINNEV]

:) I have the three calibers you suggest and they are great. I also have 18 other calibers from 22-250 to 7mm mag and 30-06. If for some reason I had to sell all except one, I'd keep the 30-06. Talk about any caliber you want and I agree they all have their following, but the 30-06 shines the brightest. If for any reason on a trip you forgot or need ammo any back country store or city K-Mart store that sells ammo will have something you can shoot. And you can shoot anything in North America with it. Thank God and a Vet. I can own all the rifles I want. If it's only one, my vote goes to the reliable 30-06. Period.

[Jack]

The 308 will work very nicely without requiring a 26 inch barrel. 22 inches is plenty, and the 308 will perform well with a carbine barrel, too.
Any high velocity (over 2000 FPS) rifle at close range will give you some meat damage. The 308 would likely give you less than some of the 3000+ fps rifles like a 270 or 7mm mag.
The 308 is a good choice for a compact rifle. My 308 has an 18 inch barrel. I use a 165 grain Nosler Partition at a muzzle velocity of 2600 FPS, and find it very effective. I've used the rifle for deer since 1971, and I haven't had to shoot twice yet.