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.

[Rocky Raab]

Well then, it's absolutely the best rifle - in your safe!

BTW, I believe that the 300 Win Mag is considered too small a gun for many African animals, with the exception of plains game. But since your trip is only a "someday" thing I wouldn't worry about it yet.

[M.T. Pockets]

Plains game only, Kudo, Gemsbock...

I've always wanted a .375 though.

[Andy L]

MTP,
I feel the same as you about my 300Win. When I got married, I had this 300 Win, a 22lr and a Mossburg 12ga pump. Im not too sure Im any better off now than I was then, and I got a house full of guns. 300 Win will do anything you wanna do. A freind of mine went to Africa last fall. He didnt hunt any "dangerous" game, but killed 6 animals, most different kinds of antelope, and the 300 Win did him proud.

I wouldnt feel over or under gunned anywhere with deer size game on up.

With any luck on drawing, Im going to try mine out on moose this fall..

Andy

[Cossack]

I shoot 2 out of 3 now. The 280 is my idea of a 'deer rifle' that can be 'stretched' both for distance and weight of bullet. Mine is a Remi Mt Rifle, loaded with 150 Barnes X it will do justice to your elk rifle need . And with 120's would be about right for antilope. Weighs 7.8 lbs trailside, with 2-7 Leupold VXII and 5. Been used on deer, elk and (would you believe) Ibex. Accurate, handy and versatile.
The 7/08 is a pure deer rifle. It's a Kimber Montana and weighs in at 6.5 trailside, with 1.75-6 Leupold VXIII and 5. A pure pleasure to shoot (I too don't like recoil) and to carry. I load it with 140 Barnes TSX for 2950 fps. It's new so only one kill but that was very telling. Only problem is that it's a short action and smaller case so bullet weight options are limited.
Shot a 308 for a while too, unremarkable.

Bottom line of 3 you specify=280.