Personally, I'd make it a .300 Win Mag. Lot's of factory ammo available, in case you want to go that route. Lot's of choices available in components for reloading also. With reloads you can tame it down to low .30-06 range--not much recoil. Or you can crank it way up, pound yourself mightily, but also pound the animals just as mightily.

All in all, especially for a reloader, I think the .300 Win Mag is just about the most versatile cartridge out there.

If I was going to go with one rifle and one rifle only. It would definitely have to be 30 cal. (.308). As far as the round goes I would want something that shot efficiently through a 22" or 23" barrel, for general use under all hunting situations.

Short action - 300wsm

30-06 length action - would need to go with a 24" barrel - 300 Dakota

Long action - would need to go with a 26+" barrel - 300rum

As we speak I'm having a high desert/prairie rifle rolled up. Remington short 700 action, 29" Douglas XX premium barrel #5 contour in 270wsm. Stock is Remingtons factory BDL, but I have reshaped it. Replaced the plastic caps with an exotic wood and a satin finish.

This is the first one I've ever done. It keeps a smile on your face.

29" barrel whew!!! talk about your Long Gun!!!

Which eyelash are you gonna shoot at? :smile:

Third eyelash, unless there's a fly sitting on his nose.

You'll probably need to be able to shoot 2 weights and/or types of bullets, with accuracy, to cover all the game and ranges.

[ This Message was edited by: fuzzybear on 2004-04-07 19:56 ]

Ok Guys, its been decided.. I am going with a 24" barrel in 30-338. I like the slighly longer neck than the 300 win, it will fit my current action and the ole 270 Pre 64 is now officially in retirement. This after breaking the stock a few days ago and staring at that bore that has had thousands of rounds through it. Now the fun begins

[ This Message was edited by: rito5280 on 2004-04-08 13:01 ]

.30-06, sorry