What to buy next

[Diddums]

Ive got a Cat B permit sitting in my drawer and I've got an inch to buy a gun.

I mostly do varmint hunting and use either 22-250 or 308, I've also got 22LR, 22 mag, 12g, and 45-70.

I'm tossing up on getting another rifle to use for varmint hunting like a 243 or 25-06 but I'm also thinking of getting a high powered calibre like 300WM or 338WM, maybe even 338Lap if I can afford it to do some long distance shooting.


I know this is a broad question but what's everyone think.

[bigrich]

something between 22-250 and 308 , 243 the classic all rounder , would fill that spot nicely . i'm a 6.5x55 fan, so one of these would fit in the middle as well , i don't have much practical use for high power stuff like 300WM , but 45-70 is fun isn't it ?

[TassieTiger]

I’ve always wanted a 338 lap - but I know after 3 months it would be a safe queen...
Maybe something completely different might scratch the itch - rifle/shot combo or triple barrel shot or pump action 06 or...

[tom604]

243/270 ooooohhhh the list could go on and on but those two fill the gap,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but a win mag would be nice

[Diddums]

something between 22-250 and 308 , 243 the classic all rounder , would fill that spot nicely . i'm a 6.5x55 fan, so one of these would fit in the middle as well , i don't have much practical use for high power stuff like 300WM , but 45-70 is fun isn't it ?

Lol, 45-70 is just a must have

[SCJ429]

300 RUM or 300 WSM are pretty handy. The 338s are great but you cannot take then to most ranges. 300 Lapua or Norma?

[bigrich]

I think the biggest thing I do now is to ask myself “am I going to use it “ , before considering a purchase. I’ve bought stuff in the past that after the “new toy” buzz has worn off, hasn’t been a practical choice. That’s just me

[bigfellascott]

My vote goes to the 50BMG

[Diddums]

300 RUM or 300 WSM are pretty handy. The 338s are great but you cannot take then to most ranges. 300 Lapua or Norma?

I'm lucky that I have big properties I can get onto and do whatever i want so ranges are an issue.

[Diddums]

I think the biggest thing I do now is to ask myself “am I going to use it “ , before considering a purchase. I’ve bought stuff in the past that after the “new toy” buzz has worn off, hasn’t been a practical choice. That’s just me

I am leaning more towards a 300WM, it's still useable around where I go, and will give me another choice when it comes to sambar.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Love my 243 can load them light 58g for those explosive headshots/bunnies and can load them with the 100s for the bigger pigs. As i said just cant go wrong. Also alot more available in the way of bulk ammo deals also. The 87g vmax are dirt cheap as a great all rounder.

[Bill]

so varmint hunting hey....sound like you need a 458 WM, load it up with 300gr's and let it rip.

I recently bought a 510 cal and its most likely quarry will be a fox or 3.

[Diddums]

so varmint hunting hey....sound like you need a 458 WM, load it up with 300gr's and let it rip.

I recently bought a 510 cal and its most likely quarry will be a fox or 3.

There's nothing better than a caliber that disposes of the carcass after you shoot it.

[solarpak]

Diddo,

if your throwing sambar into the mix the 300Win Mag or 300WSM would be the mustard ....just make sure what you choose has some weight behind it or it will kick the snot out of ya!!!!

6mm/25 calibre .....the 25-06 is sweet as you can shoot 100 -120 gr factory loads thru it just the ticket for pigs and fallow /red deer .

CK

[marksman]

build a 6mm br or 6mm dasher with 1 in 8" twist for 105 bergers to varmint shoot and you will never look back
fallow legal and very very precise
as I said you will never look back

[solarpak]

build a 6mm br or 6mm dasher with 1 in 8" twist for 105 bergers to varmint shoot and you will never look back
fallow legal and very very precise
as I said you will never look back

Or buy a Howa 243 and shoot factory GECO 105 gr Teilmantel Soft Points...........

Goodnight dick to anything up to the size of red deer!!

Rifle builds are neat .....but not my cup of tea!!
CK

[SCJ429]

build a 6mm br or 6mm dasher with 1 in 8" twist for 105 bergers to varmint shoot and you will never look back
fallow legal and very very precise
as I said you will never look back

Or buy a Howa 243 and shoot factory GECO 105 gr Teilmantel Soft Points...........

Goodnight dick to anything up to the size of red deer!!

Rifle builds are neat .....but not my cup of tea!!
CK

Why are rifle builds not your cup of tea? The running around and waiting for things to happen, the expense or something else?

Will a factory Howa barrel have the twist rate required to stabilise a 105 grain bullet?

[duncan61]

Howas are usually 1:10 which is borderline for 105 but O.K. for lighter pills I only shoot 80gn from my 22 inch barrel .243 and they are accurate.I have 100gn Game kings in 7mm Rem Mag doing 3300 fps so I would switch rifles before trying 100gn plus out of a .243.I found half a box of nylon tip 80gn .243 when I was sorting gear today and there is room in my case for 15 more rounds so they are next on the reload schedule

[SCJ429]

I have tried pretty hard to get the most out of a 243 but at the end of the day a 6mm BR is so much easier to get good results out of.

[duncan61]

Yet 6mm BR seems to have less case capacity and shoots exactly the same weights.I have seen one and the team I used to deliver roos to had 6mm BR and swore by them they also tumbled the projectiles in some sort of graphite powder to cut down on cleaning and for lubrication.It must be cos they are short fat bastards