[Arkansas Paul]

Hey guys. I've had an infactuation lately with obscure calibers. I think the next rifle I get will be something different, like a .280 AI or a .308 Norma Mag or something like that. There's really no need, it's just something I want. I already have a .280 Rem and a .30-06, so I can pretty much hunt anything I want now with the exception of the big bears and I'll probably never do that anyway. I handload, so that's pretty much the reason I want to do this. If I didn't, there's no way I would inccur the extra expense of ammo, but it won't make that much difference if I can get the dies. Anyway, give me some ideas. What are some other fairly uncommon calibers that you can think of? I hunt mostly whitetail by the way, but I have nothing against magnums. Thanks.

[52grain]

One of the 6.5mm or .260 calibers?

[Arkansas Paul]

I certainly wouldn't mind having a 6.5x55 Swede.

[52grain]

I wouldn't mind having a nice Swedish Mauser, but I don't think that the wife would be happy about bringing it home.

[Arkansas Paul]

I looked at some of the Swedish Mausers on Gunbroker today. Tikka makes the T3 in 6.5x55 though and it looks good.

[viking499]

The Tikka shoots better than it looks.:D I have a Tikka and a CZ in 6.5x55. Love them both.

[Captcurt]

I certainly wouldn't mind having a 6.5x55 Swede.
Paul,

I've had them both and they are dynomite on whitetails. I had a 700 Classic in the Swede and a Compact Ruger in 260. Both worked well with 120 gr but Nosler makes a 100 gr partition now. You can make it sizzle in the 260.

[Uncle Mike]

6.5 X 68mm.....

It's obscure...and it burns up barrels fairly fast, so the info says.

But it is, different!

[greyling22]

.257AI? .223AI? I like the AI's because you can shoot normal ammo in them in a pinch, but they're still different.

[Justin Holder]

Get a 6.5-06

[52grain]

Get a 6.5-06

That would be something different. Never heard of putting a 6.5 mm projectile in a .30-06 case.

[Rokman]

I don't know how obscure or different, but I would like to have a 6.5 Creedmore, .260 Remington, or maybe 7mm08 to add to my collection. Maybe a 6.5 Grendel AR upper since Hornady is making that ammo and reasonable brass may be available.

[52grain]

Saw 300 RUM at the store today. Talk about a huge round. Probably overkill for Bambi.

[Arkansas Paul]

I don't get too excited about the new super duper ultra short magnums. Power really isn't the issue here, just something different. I'm leaning towards .280 AI because I really like 7mms. Now, if I can just find a rifle chambered for it that doesn't break the bank.

[Robert]

35 Whelen (think of it as 358-06), 45-70, 45-110... Man I tend to fall for old calibers...

[Rokman]

Good luck with the not breaking the bank part.

[HOOfan_1]

How about something like the 7mm Shooting Times Western?

[esheato]

Personally, something not in the mainstream is ok....obsolete isn't.

For me, and I own two Ackleys, brass availability and/or difficulty in forming it is one of the criteria that keep me from going gonzo on the weird calibers.

Ackleys aren't bad, really easy to load for and an abundance of brass (I have 223 and 243 AI)....but you have to be careful, some are better than others as far as the advantages.

[Arkansas Paul]

7mm STW is definately cool. I checked and brass isn't that expensive or hard to come by either.

[S. Hill]

One question that hasn't been asked is, "What type of rifle do you want to build?" I would have totally different answers to the cartridge question if you were going to build your next pet rifle on a Ruger #1 or a Remington 700.

[Arkansas Paul]

It doesn't necessarily have to be a build. I wouldn't be opposed to buying a complete rifle. This is just an idea at this point. It'll be several months before I have the funds for such a project. I just like to plan ahead you know.:) I would like it to be a bolt though.

[wombat13]

It doesn't necessarily have to be a build. I wouldn't be opposed to buying a complete rifle. This is just an idea at this point. It'll be several months before I have the funds for such a project. I just like to plan ahead you know.:) I would like it to be a bolt though.

Too bad. I was going to suggest the Browning BLR chambered in .358 Win. You've got a couple flat shooters, particularly with the .280. Why not go for something that makes a bigger hole using a smaller package?

[dogsoldier0513]

+1 for the 6.5x55 Swede! It is an AWESOME round. Using quality brass, IMR3031, 120gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips and CCI benchrest primers, the 6.5x55 Swede is a SUB-moa rifle. Reloadable brass is much more plentiful than when I built my 6.5x55 20 years ago.

[Arkansas Paul]

Too bad. I was going to suggest the Browning BLR chambered in .358 Win.

I didn't think about the .358 Win, but it's a good idea. It would fill a niche that I don't currently have filled. I want to do some hog hunting soon and I bet that big bullet would be the cat's meow for that. Ruger makes the M77 in it too, so it would be a reasonably priced endevour. There's a stainless one on Gunbroker right now for $550.

[NCsmitty]

The 6.5x55 Swede cartridge in the original Swede Mauser rifle is a wonderful combo, and usually very accurate. The Swede rifle does have to be kept to it's design level pressures, for all the right reasons.

In a modern rifle, the potential of the 6.5x55 round becomes apparent at the higher pressures that can be used, and the performance of the Swede can exceed the 260 Rem due to the 3gr powder advantage of the Swede case.

Some Lapua cases, some A-max or VLD bullets and using some slow powder will make a believer out of most shooters.



NCsmitty

[Maverick223]

I wanted something different too...so I decided that I would design my own. Based upon the .45-120 BP cartridge from a bygone era, I christen my version the .458AmEx (American Express). It is a nitrocellulose version that promises to mimic the .450NE-No.2 that was somewhat popular for large/dangerous game hunting (plan to chunk 465gr. solids at around 2200fps). Mine has the advantage of using far less costly brass (that will hold up just fine), having a standard .45-70Govt. rim (rifle is currently chambered for this cartridge), and plenty of load information for powderpuff and even BP loads (which undoubtedly will be the primary ammunition for the rifle).

I have also considered rechambering my 1895 for .35Whelen, but that is a somewhat difficult and costly task (despite it currently being chambered for .30-06Spfd), so I don't know if I will get around to that project...but it would definitely be different.

:)

[car15bill]

.225 winchester, it doesn't break my bank and mine shoots really well.....

[Arkansas Paul]

The .225 is interesting but I don't do any varmint hunting. If I get to go through with this it'll be a 6mm minimum.

[HOOfan_1]

If you can even find a .225 Winchester anymore. Some jack leg gunsmith ruined my dad's Savage 340 .225 and he gave it to another gunsmith to find a new barrel, he's been looking for nearly a year now.

[Maverick223]

HOOfan_1, depending upon what the gunsmith did you might not need a new bbl, a cut & crown job (or other simple operation) might be all you need. Even if that isn't the case, I don't see why you couldn't purchase a generic .224cal. bbl and have it threaded, chambered, finished, and installed.

:)

[HOOfan_1]

HOOfan_1, depending upon what the gunsmith did you might not need a new bbl, a cut & crown job (or other simple operation) might be all you need. Even if that isn't the case, I don't see why you couldn't purchase a generic .224cal. bbl and have it threaded, chambered, finished, and installed.

:)

he re-chambered the barrel crooked. The next gunsmith my dad took it to said the gun is a paperweight until it gets a new barrel

[Maverick223]

Well it sounds like a new bbl is in order, but I still don't see why a generic bbl in the proper caliber (.224) couldn't be threaded to match the action, chambered for the appropriate cartridge (rough then finish reamed for headspace after installation) , finished (unless stainless), and installed.

:)

[HOOfan_1]

I'm nothing close to a gunsmith, so I have no idea. Might have to do with the savage barrel system?

[Aren't we all]

:)How bout .401 WSL? obscure enough for ya?

[Maverick223]

I'm nothing close to a gunsmith, so I have no idea. Might have to do with the savage barrel system?Not sure, but I don't believe it is a problem on your particular rifle, though I don't own one to take a look at to be certain.

:)