I want to buy a BIG gun.

Any suggestions? I want to buy a BIG gun. Mostly for the sake of owning it...range shooting, etc.

try looking at a 300 ultra mag or 30-378 weatherby mag

[SdDoc]

what do you mean by big? 500 nitro express? Or 5o bmg? Please refine big? If you want King of the 30 calibers then what was said in last post is good, but forgetting one... Warbird. check out the lazzeroni site, you can get sll the big guns you want...Doc

[RANGER]

If you're going to go this way, get a muzzel break like a "BOSS" or the ones they sell/install at Gander Mtn. Those are the ones I have, the Gander breaks!- - .300 and 7mm Ultra Mags.

Why not buy one with a dream in mind? Why "just because I want one?"
It's cheaper to hunt plains game in Africa than going on a quality guided elk hunt in North America. "Google" JJHack. He's an American who's a professional African hunter. For his affordable hunts, he recommends Yanks bring their 30-06 and a 375H&H.
A 375 H&H has more utility than any high velocity 30 caliber. A crusty and experienced gunsmith in a nearby "big city" recommends a 375H&H for moose, bear, even elk.

Prairie dogs with a 338WM??? Okay, mine is accurate enough, but I thought I was nuts for shooting a half dozen deer with mine.

[Burr]

I hear ya about wanting to buy a larger caliber, just to have something different.

I bought a 338 RUM - kind of because I didn't have a larger bore rifle, and mostly cuz it was drasitcally reduced price, brand new, and left handed. I made an offer, they said yes.

It was most surprising to me when I shot it and learned, I really do not need to have a muzzlebreak on this gun. 5000 ft lbs at the muzzle, and the recoil is much tamer than I thought.

However, if I had my choice, and one day I will, it would be a 35 Whelan.

And I will suggest a 338 Win prior to a 338 RUM. The 338 Win, 35 Whelan, are both much more reasonable big bores. I would however get the 338 RUM before the 375 H&H.

We live in an age of bigger is better. Well, fifty years ago this might have been the case, but the world of munitions has come a long way since then. The availability of powders and bullets has moved many cartridges up a notch or two, and what might have been minimal yesterday is quite acceptable today. The venerable 06' looks more like a 300 H&H of the 50's with todays components. It's more than paper ballistics that gets the job done, and we don't have to go afield with a rife that resembles an artillery piece.
Want a big gun, get a 30/06 and put the right stuff through it, that's all the BIG gun you'll ever need.

Yours,
Matt TenEyck

P.S.
I've had a fifty + year love affair with the 270 Winchester, but I'm sensible enough to realize that cartridges have their limitations under certain conditions.

[schmidts]

Take a look at the Lazzeroni 7.21 Firebird. I have a Sako chambered in that caliber. Makes the earth shake when you pull the trigger. You definitly need to be into handloading as factory ammo is very expensive. It moves a 154gr Hornady at 3390fps with 87gr of 7828 powder. 2.5 inches high at 100 yds will reach out to 16 inches low at 500yds.
Jim

[Nodak7mm]

Suggest sticking with the classics for fun and nostagila.

.375 H&H, in a Ruger #1. Beautiful and far more pleasant to shoot than you think..
45-70 in the lever of your choice. Its a blast loading up in blackpowder and shooting milk jugs...

Rod