[Windwalker]

I agree with the theory that if I am hunting in an area where animals that can hunt and kill you roam, there is no such thing as too much gun. Even if I am only hunting deer or elk in an area where bears, moose or Russian boars roam I will be carrying a Marlin 45-70. Even if your shot placement is not exactly perfect it will do the job and give you time for another shot if necessary. While the full load buffalo bore will kick the snot out of you on the range, if a Grizz or Russian Boar was charging you I doubt that you would notice the recoil at all. Do wear ear protection at the range and even while hunting. Use the electronic type which allows you to hear normal sounds but blocks out the loud noise. Firing the short bbl. Marlin Guide Gun will damage your hearing without hearing protection and I imagine this would be true with any 45-70.
If you want no more recoil than the .308 and already own one then you are as good as you can get. Any increase in caliber will bring an increase in recoil. What ever rifle you choose to hunt with, practice, practice, practice. Shot placement is the key to success and with some of the large predators, may determine if you live to hunt another day. Good luck.

[dmsbandit]

If range is not a limiting factor, then I live by this motto "There's no replacement for displacement"

Bigger bullets kill big nasty critters better. If you want a "standard" cartridge for anything big mean and nasty in North America and most of the rest of the world, the 35 Whelen is hard to beat. At 300 yds, good 250 grain handloads have more energy than many factory 338 Winchester Magnum loads.

If you what bigger than a 35 Whelen, I'd give serious thought to the 375 Ruger. It fits in a "Standard" length action and is chambered in the excellent Ruger 77 with it's controled feeding. The 375 Ruger is the equal to the 375 H&H in every respect and it comes in a gun the common blue-collared worker can afford.

[moosemike]

9.3x62

[7mm fan]

as a all around big game rifle for NA, you have a few options.
270 is great but i'd go for 30 caliber.
30-06 will do just about anything ya want for practical huntin purposes.
the 300 min mag is badass that'll take anything in NA
or the 338 is even better.

[Metronome]

Your collection of rifles will not be complete without a .35 caliber - I vote for the .358 Winchester (since you already have a nice assortment of short actions) but the .35 Whelen would be just as nice.

.338 Federal would occupy the same niche, but I prefer the .35 for being able to reload .357 cal pistol bullets for plinking and light target loads.

[Lobo0311]

sinc eI am the new owner of a MN M44, what (if any) ballistic benefits does the 7.62X54 hold over the 7.62X51 (.308 win)? I was figuring on taking my M44 to CO on an elk hunt sometime in the not TOO distant future ( i didnt figure the 7.62X39 would cut the mustard).

[308win]

I would say you are OK with 308win. As it was already mentioned bullet placement is important, so try to shoot closer than 300 yards. Then you need good ammo like Federal Vital Shock 308 Win. (7.62x51mm) Barnes® Triple-Shock® X-Bullet, 165 grains - will do the job for moose and smaller animals. And a step up would be ammo Federal Vital Shock 308 Win. (7.62x51mm) Barnes® MRX 180 grains, it would be for grizzly, moose.

[Tack Driver]

Get a .300 Win Mag.

[jaeger]

I would personally say .300 wm. Mainly because like moose said you can load it to .308 ballistics (and recoil) or charge it up for bear. I use a .308, but then again the largest game I took was a small bull moose in maine last year. 180 gr partition, dropped him in his tracks. Unless you want a larger caliber the .308 will serve you well until you get to the larger bears. Then you bring a howitzer with a stock on it.

[BigJ]

7.62x54R/END THREAD

[thrillbilly]

I would be perfectly content with my humble little .270Win for anything in NA except for the grizzlies, brownies, and polar bears.

[moosemike]

Quote:       Originally Posted by thrillbilly

i would be perfectly content with my humble little .270win for anything in na except for the grizzlies, brownies, and polar bears.

+1

[RackHunter]

"A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." -Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution..