Opening a can of worms....

[BULLBLASTER]

Your starting at the wrong end.  Which bullet do you want to shoot? How fast do you want to push it? Which cartridges will get you to that point?

This is why I started this thread...I'm honestly not sure. I'm just starting to get into reloading and have only done 2 different calibers and both partitions. I've read great things about the Berger's, figured I'd start with those and see how those shot

.264, .284, .308, .338 all have excellent choices for high bc target and hunting bullets.

[syoungs]

That does work a bit, but if you know you want to push the real heavy 7mm bullets, a 7mm-08 would be a poor choice over a 28 nosler, and a 1-12 twist wouldn't be ideal.

Gotta have an idea with what you want the end goal to be.

I'm building a rifle for deer, elk, bear and antelope. My choice was a 300wm shooting 215 bergers. Knowing I'm pushing heavier bullets I'm going to ensure j have at least a 1-10 twist, and a mag setup that will let me seat long enough without eating case capacity.
And yes I know its overkill for antelope and most deer, but I've also got a 6.5 creed to use when I dont need the 215s and long range.

[deerhunter_98520]

I don't think I'll need anything that big, I want something I'll enjoy shooting bot getting punished at the range   

[carvermoe]

300 WSm with a brake and bergers

[Karl Blanchard]

280AI

[KFhunter]

6.5-300 weatherby


north 40 has one on sale 

[deerhunter_98520]

So basically what I'm reading is pick like 6 calibers I like, put them in a hat and pick one out  man this is going to be harder that I thought to pick out

[NWShooter]

Your starting at the wrong end.  Which bullet do you want to shoot? How fast do you want to push it? Which cartridges will get you to that point?

 

I would start with a 215gr .30 Cal Berger and go from there.

[jrebel]

I ended up with a 300 win mag and love it.  I was reminded of why I didn't like the 7 mag this year when my neighbor shot his deer.....man the blood shot was something else.   Never seen a 7 mag not make a mess of a deer.  Effective but a mess....and my 300 pushing heavies a little slower doesn't make near the mess. 

Good luck finding your caliber...there are many that will fit the bill. 

[Taco280AI]

I ended up with a 300 win mag and love it.  I was reminded of why I didn't like the 7 mag this year when my neighbor shot his deer.....man the blood shot was something else.   Never seen a 7 mag not make a mess of a deer.  Effective but a mess....and my 300 pushing heavies a little slower doesn't make near the mess. 

Good luck finding your caliber...there are many that will fit the bill.

What bullet? That matters far more important than the cartridge

[jrebel]

I ended up with a 300 win mag and love it.  I was reminded of why I didn't like the 7 mag this year when my neighbor shot his deer.....man the blood shot was something else.   Never seen a 7 mag not make a mess of a deer.  Effective but a mess....and my 300 pushing heavies a little slower doesn't make near the mess. 

Good luck finding your caliber...there are many that will fit the bill.

What bullet? That matters far more important than the cartridge

Not sure what bullet they were using but I have never seen a bullet out of a 7 mm not destroy meat.  This deer was shot behind the shoulder and it still blood shot 3/4 the off side shoulder. 

[NWShooter]

I ended up with a 300 win mag and love it.  I was reminded of why I didn't like the 7 mag this year when my neighbor shot his deer.....man the blood shot was something else.   Never seen a 7 mag not make a mess of a deer.  Effective but a mess....and my 300 pushing heavies a little slower doesn't make near the mess. 

Good luck finding your caliber...there are many that will fit the bill.

What bullet? That matters far more important than the cartridge

Not sure what bullet they were using but I have never seen a bullet out of a 7 mm not destroy meat.  This deer was shot behind the shoulder and it still blood shot 3/4 the off side shoulder.

Hmmmmmmm. Can't think of a bullet that hasn't destroyed meat. On at least three continents .🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

[Reidus]

280ai is an awesome round!

[NWShooter]

280ai is an awesome round!

Almost on par with a super efficient, superior case design 7mm WSM.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'd go 7saum over 7wsm.