7mm08 or .280 or .308?

[M.T. Pockets]

Rocky, I hate to admit it but I only have one centerfire rifle. I have several shotguns and a few .22 rimfires, but I ask one centerfire to do everything, it's chambered in .300 Win. Mag.

I bought it primarily with elk in mind, but have also used it for whitetail, muledeer and caribou, and plan on using it for bear, antelope and moose. It feels good in grizzly country. When I retire from the Fire Dept. I hope to go to Africa and this rifle will likely be the one I take.

I'm a one load guy, 180 grain Fail Safes. (used to be 200 grain Noslers) Funny rifle, it groups most factory loads within 1.5" but on different places on the paper. So just changing ammo isn't an option without resighting so I don't. Very confident with where the bullet will go out to 400 yards.

Overall I'm satisfied with one rifle doing everything but it's less than ideal. I think I'd be better off with a rifle in the 7-08 to .280 range for deer/antelope and a .338 or so caliber for elk & moose, maybe a .338-06 or .35 Whelen.

Just thinking outloud on the subject. My opinion on the original question ? Since elk are in the picture, I think a .280 with 160 Fail Safes or a .308 with 165 or 180 Fail Safes would be great. Plenty of choices for all three of them for other game.