Next logical step up from a 308

[saturno_v]

Saturno, it is common to see a person highlight a certain load/round when comparing to a larger caliber but they will rarely post the same hot load potential for the caliber they are comparing against.
I am a fan of the 280 and know it can be loaded to near 7RM but when you maximize the potential of the 7RM the difference reappears. Handloading will raise the potential of all calibers.

You are perfectly right...What I meant to say, I correct myself, is that you can reach common commercial loading performance for the 300 Win Mag.
Of course you can stretch the 300 WM too.

However not all cartridges can be maximized in the same way (because of the cartridge itself, the actions that fire them, etc...), some have more leeway than others....for example the 30-30 is pretty much "tight" you cannot stretch it that much, conversely, the 45-70 (even within the modern loadings segment) is extremely "upgradeable"

 

[ArmedBear]

However not all cartridges can be maximized in the same way

Right. IMHO the .308 is one of these with some limitations. As you said the .30-06 can be "stretched" quite a bit (assuming you can get it to shoot accurately that way).

Given the same overall technology, same bullets, etc., the .30-06 is just like the .308 with more room for powder.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Lookit, you've already got a long-range "magnum" rifle in that .270 win. So if i were you, for that use, i'd step up to a bigger BULLET , not *necessarily* a larger case capacity- so i'd run with .338 win mag, .338-'06, .35 whelen, .358 win, .350 rem mag, 9.3x62mm, or .375 h&h mag.

 

[X-Rap]

Dr. those larger calibers you have sited are fine for large and dangerous game at close to intermediate ranges but really don't add much to the 270's ability within 200yds.
The 270 just doesn't allow the heavier weight bullets at greater distance to do the job (400-500).
The 270 is a great deer rifle even to 400 but I just wouldn't pick it as my magnum elk round.

 

[sleepyone]

Question... I read where the OP said they don't reload... did they mention a reason or something preventing it?

I ask because if they have a .243, .270, and .308, the next logical step would be to start loading for them. Handloading will allow wringing the full performance out of those rifles, and will go a huge way towards making a magnum more affordable in the long run.

If I had to get a magnum without reloading, it would be 7mm simply because it's the only magnum I know w/ ammo under $1/rd. at wal*mart.

As a reloader, I would look at some of the .338 or bigger, because if you are going to go crazy, go crazy with style.

I am not against reloading. I bet it is pretty fun. Just don't have the equipment or the knowledge. Maybe someday. The upfront cost are pretty steep from what I have read and been told.

 

[sleepyone]

Lookit, you've already got a long-range "magnum" rifle in that .270 win. So if i were you, for that use, i'd step up to a bigger BULLET , not *necessarily* a larger case capacity- so i'd run with .338 win mag, .338-'06, .35 whelen, .358 win, .350 rem mag, 9.3x62mm, or .375 h&h mag.

The more I shoot my 270 the more I like it. Today I dropped two doe dead in their tracks. Never had to worry about tracking a deer with it. I'm using 150 grains, which is probably overkill, but I like the results.

 

[sleepyone]

sleepyone,

You probably should just sit tight and not buy anything just yet and let the new Hornady Superperformance ammo catch your 308 up to a 30-06 with less recoil and no need for longer barrels.

Check this out -

http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?cid=24&id=1981

and the video -

http://www.americanrifleman.org/Video.aspx?vid=1988

This evolutionary ammo development is causing me to put off some decisions. This could change things.

Ed

Excellent! I have heard about this, but the guy at my local gun shop did not know anything about it. Thanks!

 

[Ed Ames]

Upfront reloading costs are all but guaranteed to be lower than a new rifle.

A perfectly reasonable reloading set-up for you:

Lee anniversary reloading kit: $90 (Cabelas price last time I was there...you will want to upgrade to a non-Lee press later on but it'll get you going...I gifted off my Lee press and some of the other starter gear from that set to someone just getting into reloading once I was done with it, so I don't think it was money wasted.)

Actually... just looked... I guess they aren't tossing the book in anymore. So add another $15 or so.

.243, .270, and .308 dies: $90 (buy Lee as they include shell holders and are good quality)
Bullets: $75 (an assortment of all your calibers)
Primers: $4-5/100
Powder: $30/lb (max...more like $20 usually)

You already have loaded ammo so you don't need to buy brass.

Total: about $300 to start. You can go cheaper (pick one caliber and equip for that alone) but I wouldn't try too hard. A pound of the right powder (buy after you have the book or at least the sheet that comes with the dies) will last you a long time.

You should add calipers ($15 if you have a Harbor Freight nearby) and you'll need a sturdy bench to attach the press.

The only way I'd suggest really going beyond that, to start, is if you are made of money get yourself a digital powder measure/scale set-up.