Interested in new calibre

[shleebs]

Hi all,

I have always shot a 7MM rem mag and have two tikkas. Generally, I'm just hunting deer, but will occasionally get a moose. I'm looking to get a rifle that is a bit lighter shooting. I'm thinking about getting a 270, but am open to suggestions. Calibre and brand... something in the $1,000 - $1,500 price range +/-

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

[Brew]

I think if you’re shooting a 7mm mag now the 270 isn’t a big enough step away from your current cartridge. If you want something smaller the 6.5 creedmoor or the 25-06.. Even a 243 or 6mm creedmoor would be great.
any of those will take deer with ease and be light recoiling rounds.
for your price range I would just stick with tikka.

[stoneramhunter]

Hi all,

I have always shot a 7MM rem mag and have two tikkas. Generally, I'm just hunting deer, but will occasionally get a moose. I'm looking to get a rifle that is a bit lighter shooting. I'm thinking about getting a 270, but am open to suggestions. Calibre and brand... something in the $1,000 - $1,500 price range +/-


Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

What about staying with the 7mm but going with a much lighter load? I shoot a 7mm mag and thats all i use for hunting all my game

[Bustercluck]

So many choices. The 6.5 creed and 7-08 are the first to come to mind. If you want something really nice to shoot would be the 6arc or 6.5 Grendel would be fine for most deer hunting.

[Weatherby Fan]

The 6mm Creedmoor is an outstanding cartridge, a pleasure to shoot, excellent for long range target shooting as well as a great hunting round.

[sako79]

7mm08 would be my choice

[Hunter gatherer]

270 is a great choice. Availability of ammo today is limited and 270 win is one that seems to be available and relatively inexpensive. A look on any website for prices and stock should confirm this.

[WWBC]

I would look at a 6.5 cm.
Ammo is plentiful and reasonably inexpensive and is still a viable hunting round.

.243 is a little light for some hunting scenarios and the 25-06 and 7-08 are less supported with off the shelf ammo and rifles.

[MRP]

In today's price gouging economy good used can be hard to find in popular models and cartridges, but there are good deals out there if you step off the popularity train. Creedmoor is the standard answer the last couple of years. Id go 260, 6.5x55 or 6.5x06. In deer country probably a few of these kicking around 250-3000 or 257 Roberts. Seen several deals on these "old outdated cartridges" on here and other canadian sites I would have love to get but my space is somewhat limited.

[Night Hawk 3]

7-08 = harder to find good ammo options, ammo tends to be pricier
6.5CM = low recoil, lots of ammo options, but ammo tends to be somewhat more expensive than others
6.5x55 = a classic option but ammo is hard to find and very limited options (Hornady Superformance SSTs are excellent), ammo is expensive
.260 REM = hard to find ammo, ammo tends to be more expensive
and blah, blah on down the list.

.308 Win. Lots of excellent ammo options, ammo prices are good, ammo availability is usually very good, recoil is generally quite modest depending on bullet weight chosen.

Currently, a 308 is a very sensible choice for a general shooter. Not the new kid on the block by any stretch.

Otherwise get a smaller cartridge size like a .243 or a .223 and use it accordingly.

NH3

[SSG-man]

A 270 could very well keep the 7mm mag sitting most of the time, with deer and moose at moderate ranges.
But I like the .308 or 7-08 too.

[MRP]

7-08 = harder to find good ammo options, ammo tends to be pricier
6.5CM = low recoil, lots of ammo options, but ammo tends to be somewhat more expensive than others
6.5x55 = a classic option but ammo is hard to find and very limited options (Hornady Superformance SSTs are excellent), ammo is expensive
.260 REM = hard to find ammo, ammo tends to be more expensive
and blah, blah on down the list.

.308 Win. Lots of excellent ammo options, ammo prices are good, ammo availability is usually very good, recoil is generally quite modest depending on bullet weight chosen.

Currently, a 308 is a very sensible choice for a general shooter. Not the new kid on the block by any stretch.

Otherwise get a smaller cartridge size like a .243 or a .223 and use it accordingly.

NH3

Ya I should have added 308win. Haven't got to it yet but a 125gr load is in the plan in a .308 compact. Good for dogs deer and up close moose.

[RackStar]

270 is pretty much a 7 mag

243 if your looking for just a deer rifle. They don’t go far hit with a 243

[KodiakHntr]

270 is pretty much a 7 mag

243 if your looking for just a deer rifle. They don’t go far hit with a 243

Not much I wouldn’t hunt with a 243 and good bullets… Sure wouldn’t limit myself to deer.

[338edgehunter]

A 6.5 prc with 140 berger vld would be a top tier choice and going the other way a 300 prc with 212 eldx or 215 berger would be absolutely deadly I own both and have taken elk and moose with both.

[BradC]

I love my 7-08 but 9 times out of 10 I grab a 6.5 Creedmoor. I’d go 6.5 cm, 308 or 243 for ammo availability and price.

[moosinaround]

custom barrelled 303 british? mighty fine cart. classic!! moosin

[RackStar]

Not much I wouldn’t hunt with a 243 and good bullets… Sure wouldn’t limit myself to deer.

agree with you there. Shot my biggest mule deer buck with a 243 at 200Y, dead right there. 85 grain fusion

[RobTurbo]

First thought was 7-08 since you're a fan of the .284 caliber, but you did say you were looking for a new caliber soooo I think you'd do very well with a .308. Ammo is inexpensive relative of course to everything else, and easy to find. I've seen a number of moose taken within 200 yards and they didn't go far at all with well placed SST's.

[Kootenay338]

6.5 PRC. Lots of projectiles and factory ammo available, being a Hornady caliber. Designed for todays high BC bullets, fast and flat with manageable recoil

[Bustercluck]

custom barrelled 303 british? mighty fine cart. classic!! moosin
A guy I shoot with has a ruger no1 in 303 Brit. It’s been completely worked over and the action smoothed out.

[Kill-da-wabbit]

Nobody going to bring up the 270 on steroids - 6.8 Western?...

[HappyJack]

I'd put more focus on the rifle and scope than the caliber, 243/25-06/6.5cm/308/270 are all pretty much in the same ballpark if you're hunting like a normal person. In other words I'd suggest you keep your options open on the caliber and hunt for a real bargain on the rifle/scope combo.

[justachip]

You could always go "Old School" 257 Roberts or 250 3000 or 7x57 there is something to be said for the older experienced calibers. They are not as common anymore but nice to own a piece of history instead of the the new flavour of the week.

[koothunter]

6.5CM in a Tikka. Easy choice.

[jlirot]

I'd put more focus on the rifle and scope than the caliber, 243/25-06/6.5cm/308/270 are all pretty much in the same ballpark if you're hunting like a normal person. In other words I'd suggest you keep your options open on the caliber and hunt for a real bargain on the rifle/scope combo.

I'm taking this advice. I'm waiting to see how my taxes boil down but I've been wanting a lighter rifle. I pondered greatly over caliber. I think I would prefer a 6.5 CM just to mess around with it. But, after much reading - and shooting 270 (my go to), 308 (my fun BLR), and a 243 (Savage 110 - I bought cheaply in case my son wants to come with me but I don't really like the gun and will probably sell sometime soon. caliber is fine - gun kind of tinny) - I have realized that at real hunting ranges they are all pretty competitive.

Yes, someone is going to jump on here and extol the benefits of the 308 over the 270 or 7mm08 over the 243 - but in real life they will all get the job done for real people at reasonable hunting ranges.

For my personal needs - HappyJack for the win. :-)

[Romain]

280 Ackley Improved. You might even be able to get one of your Tikka's re-barreled or rechambered depending on what they already are. 7mm performance out of a smaller cartridge.

[Redthies]

7-08 or .270 would be my choice.

[BornNRazed]

+1 for the 7mm-08 but only if you reload. factory bullets really are poor for this cartridge, but handloaded you should be able to get a 140 ttsx going 2900+. Also staball 6.5 shows promise of getting a 150 ttsx (proven moose medicine) going 2850+, but the stuff could be pixie dust... have not had the time to try it yet. Maybe somebody else who has could correct me.

[dd3boss]

I only saw one other person mention the 280. It is basically the 7mm magnum without the kick. It is a hard caliber to find though so probably only good if you reload. If you do, as the other person mentioned, the newer 280 ackley improved is a great caliber.

[browningboy]

In your price range and with consideration of ammunition, the 6.5 CM is an awesome choice, go grab a browning hells canyon…

[Redthies]

There are so many calibers I’d love to try, many Weatherby wildcats and many Ackleys, but not being a reloader anymore keeps me sticking to the “tried and trues”. I think that’s the big question when considering which cartridge to shoot. Where/how will you be getting your ammo supply?

For an action, there are plenty of options, but the Tikka T3 and Weatherby Vanguard are great “basic” platforms. Not the lightest or strongest or most drooled over, but definitely tested and proven. For the $1000-$1500 range, I don’t think you can do better.

[spreerider]

i switched to 270 and love it so far, ammo is easy to find in just about any brand or bullet config, shoots great and with bullet choice its easy to get a smaller bullet that doesnt blow huge chunks out of deer but still take down elk and moose with a different cartridge.

[kolofardos]

I see some recommendations for the the Creedmor, but if you choose that, make sure you're able to grow a man-bun.

[moosinaround]

A guy I shoot with has a ruger no1 in 303 Brit. It’s been completely worked over and the action smoothed out.
I have a lee enfield in 303 brit. Shoots quarters at 100 yrds! Mighty fine for a 75 year old rifle!! moosin

[mike31154]

With the current anti-gun/hunting culture in the country I'm content to stick with traditional cartridges. Moderately priced & abundant at most retailers that still cater to our pursuits. It's getting difficult to even find reloading components for a lot of stuff, bullets & brass being the exceptions.

.22, 270Win, 30-06, 12 ga..... 20mm M61 auto cannon dummy round for scale haha.
https://onedrive.live.com/embed?resid=A0157E1B64909474%2147904&authkey=%21AGC_khhFYamfwuU&width=614&height=937

[todbartell]

6.5 Creedmoor is the default answer here

[todbartell]

I have a lee enfield in 303 brit. Shoots quarters at 100 yrds! Mighty fine for a 75 year old rifle!! moosin

how many shots before you can hit the quarter? :mrgreen:

[todbartell]

Nobody going to bring up the 270 on steroids - 6.8 Western?...

Basically the ballistic twin of the 7mm Rem Mag, so fairly redundant in this case. My 6.8 shoots 170gr @ 2950 fps

[MRP]

how many shots before you can hit the quarter? :mrgreen:

Hay don't nock the 303 or my buddy. :mrgreen:

[HappyJack]

I see some recommendations for the the Creedmor, but if you choose that, make sure you're able to grow a man-bun.

I got the Creedmor but my bald patch won't support a man-bun, so will just have to settle for big balls and good looks.

[Redthies]

I will just have to settle for big balls and good looks.

Funnier if you remove a few words. :lol: :lol:

[Muledeercrazy2]

I'd put more focus on the rifle and scope than the caliber, 243/25-06/6.5cm/308/270 are all pretty much in the same ballpark if you're hunting like a normal person. In other words I'd suggest you keep your options open on the caliber and hunt for a real bargain on the rifle/scope combo.

I would do the opposite of this, lol. The newer cartridges shoot higher bc bullets in low recoiling, more inherently accurate cartridges. It really seems like a cheap rifle is more likely to shoot a 6.5 cm more accurately than a 30-06.

Over the last 3-4 years I have never not been able to buy a box of 6.5 cm or prc, but have often seen no ammo for a .243 or even an 06.

Also with the influx of new guns chambered in the new cartridges (6.5cm, 6.5 prc, 300 prc specifically) there are rifles to be had for a good price.

I wouldn’t sell a good rifle to buy a rifle chambered in something “modern”, but I sure wouldn’t buy a 300 win mag (I hunt with one myself) instead of a prc unless it was a fierce with a .5 moa target specifying the ammo. Or something similar, if that makes sense.

As far as I remember a 6.5 cm has similar energy to a 270 at 3-400 yards and doesn’t really kick at all. A prc with a muzzle brake and recoil pad is a joy to shoot, just really loud

[Blacktail]

Go with a 280 REM
anything a 270 can do the 280 does just a little bit better.
I have four of these and in mine I get the same performance as a 7 mag with half the recoil.
I reload for mine and am getting around the 3000 fps mark with 150 and 154 grain pills
Have taken moose, elk , deer, antelope, coyotes

[MRP]

Go with a 280 REM
anything a 270 can do the 280 does just a little bit better.
I have four of these and in mine I get the same performance as a 7 mag with half the recoil.
I reload for mine and am getting around the 3000 fps mark with 150 and 154 grain pills
Have taken moose, elk , deer, antelope, coyotes

Your second statement is not possible. The laws of physics can not be altered by us mortals.

[Blacktail]

Your second statement is not possible. The laws of physics can not be altered by us mortals.


the 270 was originally based around the 130-140 grain pill
The 280 does that same ballistic uniform but with heavier 150-160 grain pills
I have owned and shot both over the last 40 years
Come back and have a constructive conversation when you have done the same

[moosinaround]

how many shots before you can hit the quarter? :mrgreen:

10 shot magazine bro!!!

[RackStar]

I chose a 270 with 150 partitions for my main rifle. Should work great on elk moose and deer I hunt here in AB, I heard the 270 makes a ok sheep rifle too for these big horns. Used a 308 last season worked good on elk and deer but my rifle wasn’t a shooter so sold it.

I think any common caliber is so close together any difference will be a figment of your imagination

[stoneramhunter]

I chose a 270 with 150 partitions for my main rifle. Should work great on elk moose and deer I hunt here in AB, I heard the 270 makes a ok sheep rifle too for these big horns. Used a 308 last season worked good on elk and deer but my rifle wasn’t a shooter so sold it.

I think any common caliber is so close together any difference will be a figment of your imagination


JacK O'conner used a 270 on many of his sheep hunts. My son hunted sheep with a 270 husquvarna. I had a 270 as well but always favored my 7mm mag husquvarna for sheep and other big game.

[todbartell]

Go with a 280 REM
anything a 270 can do the 280 does just a little bit better.
I have four of these and in mine I get the same performance as a 7 mag with half the recoil.

apples to apples, the 7mm Rem Mag will run about 175 fps faster than a 280 Rem (same load pressure, same barrel length). 280 will give 20% less recoil in the same weight rifle

[Elk_Valley_Hunter]

I would take a serious look at some of the newer PRC calibers. They are fantastic from a ballistics perspective and ammunition is quite easily obtainable. I also think these are calibers that are going to be around for quite some time, opposed to other "fad" calibers that are quick do die off after a few years. 6.5PRC, 7MM PRC and 300PRC all good choices.

If you currently shoot a 7mm rem mag and want something a little bit lighter, the 6.5PRC would be a good bet. If you take a look at ballistic tables you will see the 7 rem mag has more energy at the muzzle than a 6.5prc will, but that the 6.5 will hold its energy a lot better and take over the 7mm energy wise at a certain distance.

[MRP]

the 270 was originally based around the 130-140 grain pill
The 280 does that same ballistic uniform but with heavier 150-160 grain pills
I have owned and shot both over the last 40 years
Come back and have a constructive conversation when you have done the same

Nope, haven't have two years to explain basic math to you.

[Redthies]

anything a 270 can do the 280 does just a little bit better.

Except for being available at pretty much any tiny supply store in the middle of nowhere when you forget to pack your ammo, and only realize your mistake when you are long gone from civilization.

[Squire]

I have four of these and in mine I get the same performance as a 7 mag with half the recoil.


It is this statement MRP challenged and I agree with him that this is physically impossible (as in physics).
See post #50 by todbartell
The 280 is a great cartridge but doesn’t rate the hyperbole.

[high horse Hal]

JacK O'conner used a 270 on many of his sheep hunts. My son hunted sheep with a 270 husquvarna. I had a 270 as well but always favored my 7mm mag husquvarna for sheep and other big game.Then later when the 280 came out , ol' Jack O' took a shining to it, said he liked the heavier loads for some game


I think any common caliber is so close together any difference will be a figment of your imaginationeven less difference to the target critter, dead is dead

[Pooh]

You said new caliber so why not get a modern (new) caliber. Look at 6.5 prc.

[HappyJack]

You said new caliber so why not get a modern (new) caliber. Look at 6.5 prc.

Biggest reason? Look at how hard it is to find ammunition for a WSM.

I personally wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole for that reason alone.

[Muledeercrazy2]

I would take a serious look at some of the newer PRC calibers. They are fantastic from a ballistics perspective and ammunition is quite easily obtainable. I also think these are calibers that are going to be around for quite some time, opposed to other "fad" calibers that are quick do die off after a few years. 6.5PRC, 7MM PRC and 300PRC all good choices.

If you currently shoot a 7mm rem mag and want something a little bit lighter, the 6.5PRC would be a good bet. If you take a look at ballistic tables you will see the 7 rem mag has more energy at the muzzle than a 6.5prc will, but that the 6.5 will hold its energy a lot better and take over the 7mm energy wise at a certain distance.

I agree with the recommendation but the 7mm shooting 165 gr or equivalent bullets are so close to the same ballistic co efficiencies as the 6.5 mm I don’t think it gains an advantage at less than about a km or so, if at all

[MRP]

You said new caliber so why not get a modern (new) caliber. Look at 6.5 prc.

If I was in the market, there are 100s of new to me cartridges out there. The new stuff on the market stuff does little to excite me and most do very little to make a difference in performance eather.

[ryanonthevedder]

Seeing a vote for the .303 I'll chime in with mine for the .300 Savage.

Its my go to in the BT woods

[moosinaround]

Seeing a vote for the .303 I'll chime in with mine for the .300 Savage.

Its my go to in the BT woods

I have an old 303 brit. I will always have a 303 brit, and my 12ga winchester pump, and my Lakefield 22lr!!! moosin

[35rem]

Surprised nobody mentioned the 30-30 yet. An even better choice would be the 35 Rem :smile:. Not much recoil and excellent for deer and moose with the 200gr bullet.

[Redthies]

Surprised nobody mentioned the 30-30 yet. An even better choice would be the 35 Rem :smile:. Not much recoil and excellent for deer and moose with the 200gr bullet.

.30-30 is my go to for deer, with .44mag in the backup spot as I have a huge love of lever actions. 35 Rem is a great caliber “if” you can find ammo. To meet the “ammo available easily” criteria, .30-30 gets the nod.

[mooze]

7mm08 would be my choice

7RM can easily be downloaded to 7-08 specs e.g.a 140 gr bullet at 2700 fps, so unless you want a new gun, it likely is all you'll ever need.