[Gallo Pazzesco]

What is your choice as the largest caliber you shoot, and in what platform?

Also, are you thinking about anything larger?

I know a lot of people go no larger than 308 in one of its various forms. But I chose to step up to .338 XLR in a Marlin for Elk hunting, the potential of running across a griz in the process, and for simply having something a little bit bigger with a little more umpff when needed ... but still fast, light handling and accurate.

I've really been happy with the Marlin XLR in .338 and, to be honest with you, once I investigated the 338 calibers in their entirety, they really impressed me. The Lapua is legendary, the 338 Federal is strong, the 338 Win Mag is an all time favorite as is the 338 Weatherby Mag and some claim the 338-06 is the finest cartridge ever made.

There are tons of other "larger than 308" choices out there. Just wondering what your preferences might be and what you use to send them downrange?

Or perhaps you don't own one yet, but you're looking to step up one more size? What would that be?

Thanks in advance.

 

[janit0r]

i would go with the largest caliber readily available, and the 308 seems reasonable. 338 are a little expensive. this is of course if you don't reload.

 

[trouble]

Winchester model 70, 375 H&H with a Leupold scope on deck. I reload for it so ammo prices don't frighten me too much as I have lot's of components, it'll do ANYTHING that I need doing accurately and without ferocious blast/recoil.

 

[hawkbern]

.30-06 here...bolt-action Marlin.

 

[Jida]

In the same boat as OP, .338.

My Pop built everything around .30cal

I shot .30cal my whole life with the odd .444/45-70 thrown in.

When I got that .338fed rifle recently it sent me down the path of building around the round.

.338 Lapua is the next logical move. Going to invest in a real thumper.

 

[blue123]

not a glamorous answer but i have shot this cartrige for a long time

30 cal.311 dia 7.62x54r i have used this cartrige for years,standerdized on it...i have three platforms for this caliber, two bolt, one semi-auto...it does everything i need effeciently and accurately although after 9 years i have basicly retired my PSL......30 cal is for me the only choice, with bullet weight's from 115-220grn all that remains is how fast and were to use it...
''simplicity is often the name of the game''

 

[Jida]

That Mosin looks really nice man.

 

[LD 50/50]

45-70.

Now that I have one, I wish I had not spent 5 grand on 30-06 stuff.

recoil to kinetic energy ratio is unbelievable.

At 1000 yards a 45-70 has the energy of a 45ACP fired point blank.

Meat penetration, hows 8ft with bullets traveling a mere 1450fps.

straight walled cases are very easy to load, even during walk about.

From whimpy

To hefty

 

[SgtBooker44]

M-1 Garand in 30-06, but I'd like a Marlin lever in 45-70

 

[Jida]

45-70 is a really nice round overall. Back when we really depended upon our guns to live on we built up the 45-70 and it is still a very solid round.

Although the ammo is heavy, it does what it does extremely well so having a lot of it is not really the key.

My Pop got hold of a .577/450 Martini Henry and he loves that damn thing. Cartridge like a small broom handle.

 

[Gallo Pazzesco]

Buddy of mine who runs a lodge up in alaska, alaskalodge.com as a matter of fact, saying the 45/70 is the obligatory levergun of choice up there and he never leaves the lodge without his. It'll take any game in North America and then some ... but most importantly it will evidently knock Mr. Griz slap on his backside if needed. I've been thinking I might have to have one as my next Marlin.

 

[SeekHer]

My daily carry bolt action rifle was a .425 Westley Richards but I'm now carrying a .416 Rigby...Also had in double barrel SxS rifles a .476 Westley Richards, a .470 Nitro Express and a Krieghoff .500/416 3 1/4-inch NE ...One of my partners carries a .458 Lott, another carries an 1895 Winchester lever gun converted to .411 Hawk while another partner carries it in .375 Hawk/Scovill...There are also a .416 Taylor and .416 Hoffman (Rem Mag) bolt guns belonging to the last partner and his son and they sometimes bring their .378 and .416 Weatherby rifles up to the lodge...Their is a Browning BLR in .358 Win and .450 Marlin and a .45/70 Marlin Guide Gun as lever actions in the cook house...Lots of our guests bring their 9.3x62/64/74 (.366) rifles for moose

I shoot .30/338, .340, .338/378 Weatherby, .338 Lapua and a wildcat and a .408 CheyTac in bolt guns for long distance shooting...and use .45/90, .45/120, .50/90 and .50/120 Sharps in BPCR silhouette meets...

 

[Jida]

Damn man, were you attacked by a gang of bears before?

 

[shamalama]

I believe in the concept that you should shoot the largest caliber you can handle. And I prefer to stay with something that will be commonly available in case the SHTF. My two rifles are 7.62x39 (for short range crowd control) and .308 (for long range food gathering, although I would be happy with a .30-06 as well) ... yes, I still need a .22, don't remind me.

 

[Jida]

Dude, you need a .22 as well.

Might want to look into that.

 

[dan3]

My #1 favorite is .338 win mag - I have it in both Ruger M77RS bolt and No.1S single shot. the No.1S with 26" barrel is a sweetheart! The .338 win mag with 250gr to 300 gr slugs is fantastic as a long range cartridge. I also love my Marlin 1895 .45-70 -(have 2) they are real Thumpers - I load the .45-70 with heavy, hard cast lead slugs - and feel confident that it can take anything walking in North America. These 2 cartridges are my favorite "bigger than .308" calibers.

 

[OKGlocker]

Currently, my largest and favorite is a Weatherby Mark V in 300 Weatherby magnum... With my handloads of 150 gr, 180 gr, or 220 gr Norma or Barnes partition bullets covers a lot of ground as far as big game...

Now, would I like to have a 45-70? You bet! :thumb:

Karl

 

[sniperfx]

.338 lapua!!!!!:

 

[223shootersc]

Shoot 300 Win Mag in Savage Tac Elite or Ruger 77 for long distance and up to Elk hunting for bigger game 45-70 in a Guide Gun

 

[AKpredator]

.375 H&H has been king of the mediums for decades. My Steyr Scout in .376 Steyr. 100 fps off a 375 H&H and it's in a short action with 8 rds in the magazine. I would take on any critter in the world with the 300 grain solids I load for it.

I am not packing it but a Barrett M107 50 cal cuts through the horse pucky.