What caliber?

[mallard79]

I have decided to retire my old Rem 788 in .308 until I hand it down to one of my boys. Sooo, I will be in the market for a new rifle soon and want something bigger (read....more power....). I want to use it primarily as a bear gun and long range all around gun. What is everyones opinion on caliber?

Looking at going with a stainless steel Savage with this rifle but am open to opinions on that as well.

Lets hear it.

[3nails]

 Oh and let it begin!
Tikka T3 .300 wsm for me!

[coyotewallace]

Define "long range"......

[JimmyHoffa]

.408 Chey-Tac

[Huntbear]

.338 WM will take everything from deer to Grizzly Bear...  Shoots flat as heck with 210 gr. bullets.   Will knock elk flat at 400 yrds.   If I could only have one hunting rifle, that would be it.

That said, there is so many what caliber threads on here, do some searching...  everyone has a favorite, and reasons why...   it is worse than the Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge threads....   

[rock]

 
 
I hope you get my point...

[SkookumJeff]

The .308 is pretty good cartridge.  How much are you willing to pay for ammo?   

[carpsniperg2]

Any of the 300's wm wsm ultra all good guns and fits your wants pretty well.

[CAMPMEAT]

Just get a 338 Lapua. Thread closed...........

[bobcat]

Since you have a 308 and want something for long range, and an "all around" cartridge, I would have to say either the 7mm  or the 300 Remington Ultra Mag. Yes you could go with one of the Short mags, but in my opinion you wouldn't be gaining significantly more "power" over the 308.

The 338 Win Mag that was already suggested wouldn't be a bad choice either.

[CAMPMEAT]

My Savage Model 10 LE 308. Shoots 877 yards with hunting ammo. I like it !!!!!

[marty]

7mm Mag! Nosler bullets. 

[carpsniperg2]

My Savage Model 10 LE 308. Shoots 877 yards with hunting ammo. I like it !!!!!

Point it at a 45deg angle and it will shoot farther then that LOL just because something shoots far doesn't mean anything. With the low energy at that range from a 308 I would never shoot a bear with at round at even close to that far.

[FALFire]

I don't know about all those choices there guys.

 I've heard that the 17 HMR is the one to beat, 1/2" groups at 1000 yards and can easily take down a charging Rhino at over 500 yards with one shot! Plus it doubles for home protection way better than any 12 gauge could even dream of.

[CAMPMEAT]

My Savage Model 10 LE 308. Shoots 877 yards with hunting ammo. I like it !!!!!

Point it at a 45deg angle and it will shoot farther then that LOL just because something shoots far doesn't mean anything. With the low energy at that range from a 308 I would never shoot a bear with at round at even close to that far.

Who said I was shooting at a bear ? Read my post............