If you could choose........

[Heredoggydoggy]

I voted other.  If I was going to hunt the modern season again, I'd get a 7mm-08.  Short action, and all the power I would need for deer sized animals.  I've seen too many "older" shooters have to go in for a Detached Retina from shooting the big blasters, and at my age I don't want to risk it.

[bobcat]

I voted 7mm Rem Mag and I'm not even a big fan of that cartridge. But I don't think a 257 Weatherby does anything any better than the 7 Mag. I just don't think the Weatherby will gain you anything over the 7 Mag, and you will pay a lot more for the Weatherby cartridges. I know you said it's not much of a factor but still, why pay more for something that doesn't perform any better? The 7 Mag you can shoot 140 grain bullets plenty flat and recoil shouldn't be an issue. I guess the 257 would have a little less recoil shooting the 100 or 120 grain bullets.

I don't know- really either cartridge would be fine. If it were me I'd go with a 270 WSM over either of those, if that's possible.

[Wazukie]

I voted other because I like my 300wsm  Pretty much same velocity as its big brother but less powder to get there.

[Lowedog]

7mm Rem Mag for the simple fact that you can find ammo anywhere and at a better price. 

If you were to switch out the bolt to go with a non belted cartridge I would go with 25-06. 

Savage rifles are fun!  I have a 110 that started out as a 30-06 and I turned it into a SS heavy barrel 25-06 varmint/pronghorn/deer rifle for less than $200. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

He's got an Ought 6, and a 300win mag.  No need for a 7rem mag at all.

You mention that the barrel swap allows the list of cartridges in your poll.  But, the Savage 116 is based on the 110, which has a replaceable bolt face, No machining required.  So, your only limitation is the magazine length.

If you didn't have to pay for bolt machining of the face, would you consider 7mm/08 or something that doesn't require something with such a large breechface? Your choices really are nearly endless.

-Steve

[bobcat]

He's got an Ought 6, and a 300win mag.  No need for a 7rem mag at all.

I didn't realize it was about what he "needed."   

[JackOfAllTrades]

I'm a realist without excess income. So filling gaps seems more in order.

-Steve

[bobcat]

Yeah, actually I agree, the 7 Mag wouldn't really fill a "gap." But really, with a 30-06 and a 300 Win Mag he doesn't "need" a 257 Weatherby either. The 7 Mag could be strictly for long range deer hunting. Find a good 140 or 150 grain boattail bullet that it "likes" and sight it in at 300 yards. Sure the 300 Mag would be similar in performance but the 7 Mag would recoil less.   

[Bofire]

458!!!!!!!!!!! just to have it, killer brush gun!
Carl

[jackelope]

I'm not really trying to fill a gap or fill a need. I have this rifle sitting here. I could sell it or trade it or turn it into a caliber that is more desireable for me to use/shoot. I'm not much into the big boomers. Hell I have a brake on my .300. I'd venture a guess that most 7mag's unless they're "broke" are gonna kick a lot more than my .300. Maybe I should sell the rifle and buy a pistol or a scope or something. I dunno.

I voted other because I like my 300wsm  Pretty much same velocity as its big brother but less powder to get there.

Short fats won't work without mods to the action...that equates to money  I don't want to spend.

I voted other.  If I was going to hunt the modern season again, I'd get a 7mm-08.  Short action, and all the power I would need for deer sized animals.  I've seen too many "older" shooters have to go in for a Detached Retina from shooting the big blasters, and at my age I don't want to risk it.

Pretty sure this would require some mods too... $$ although I'm really intrigued by that round lately too...buttt.....then there's the issue of a short action round in a long action. I think I'd rather have the short round in the short action...take advantage of the weight savings via the short action. Just thinking on the screen here...

[bobcat]

A 7 Mag shouldn't kick "a lot more" than a 300 Mag.  Probably pretty close if you're comparing similar bullet weights. Is the 270 WSM an option? (or 7mm WSM)

[yorketransport]

Pretty sure this would require some mods too... $$ although I'm really intrigued by that round lately too...buttt.....then there's the issue of a short action round in a long action. I think I'd rather have the short round in the short action...take advantage of the weight savings via the short action. Just thinking on the screen here...

The 7mm-08 would work, and if you handloaded you could load the long heavy bullets to take advantage of the extra mag length. Since you want to run factory ammo, this is meaningless to you. And like you said, a short action round makes more sense in a short action. If I wanted a long action non-magnum 7mm I'd get a 280 Rem.

Like you said, the 7mm-08 would require some extra modifications. Granted a complete bolt head is only about $40, and the magazine box and follower are another $20. Heck, I have all the parts that you need sitting in a drawer out in my garage right now,  including a 7mm-08 barrel. But it wouldn't be as cool as a 257 Weatherby! Go Weatherby and never look back!

Andrew

[Bluemoon]

I shoot a Weatherby 270 mag.  I love it, it's all I shoot anymore for deer.  (I freezer hunt larger game from my neighbors),  I have never had a deer run,the energy it hits with is amazing.  Very flat shooting 417 yards longest shot on a coyote with nossler ballistic tip 140gr.  Used Barnes X 150gr. for my only elk.   

[Boss .300 winmag]

Voted other, .300 winmag because I like to reach out and touch stuff.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Sell it and buy an AR!   

-Steve