338-06 is extremely under appreciated. You can shoot 180gr bullets at 3000+ fps and load big bullets for bear.
I agree with one exception, standing to a coastal brownie at 4+ feet at the hump, 1500 plus pounds, long white chiseled down claws, there is a reason 416s come into the conversation especially after you have to go into a thicket after a wounded brownie that is ripping arm sized alders out of the ground like a human does tooth picks, fling a bowling ball sized rock 50 yards while roaring and biting at its wound. I took a long hard look at my 340 in my hands and I did question its fire power at the time.
Its one thing I would do all over again if I had the chance, 338.06 for pure performance and the other is a 375HH for what is was and is.
I still haven't decided on a 'one top tier all around rifle' but I couldn't resist the temptation of a 264 win mag. I had been searching for brass and looked on gunbroker and a dealer had just listed. 5 boxes of Winchester power point for $25/box ($40+ a box everywhere else) so I snagged it. I'm going to pick up a Winchester featherweight and set it up after the holidays.
Considering this will be a blued gun and is in a somewhat oddball round whatever I choose for the other rifle will need to be in a common general purpose round (270, 30-06, 7mmRM, 308) and all weather. I'll have about $1500 for it.
So much for one all around rifle.
Why isnt a blued gun not an all weather? My Wby are wood blued, rain hunted, snow hunted, coastal hunted, boat hunted, for some odd reason no rust and it always hit where I aimed, not necessary one shot kills but it did hit where I aimed touched off the trigger.
I have many but I settle on just one, 340Wby for hunting rig. I do not understand those around me that use a different rifle, different caliber, different load for hunting, even know those who bring more than one on a single hunt.
Play time a different story.
Anyone have any experience with Cooper Rifles of Montana? I am considering a model 54 Excalibur, but can't find much info.
They got into a bit of a snaggle with their political views 2008 and many gun lovers soured on them. Never owned one but the supplied target at the time was not 100 yards, it was 25 I think and another discovered issue with them that tainted them. I know very few guys who swear by them, not many though, but countless that swear at them. For you to decide.
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