Hey all,
Quick intro. Grew up hunting in MT, primarily with a lever 30-30, 30-40 kraig, .308 and 7mm-08. Haven't hunted in many, many years. Been busy with kids, work and most of my shooting has been AR and pistol via tactical classes.
Oldest son is 8, and he and my wife have been watching hunting shows, and with 4 boys, I want them growing up hunting like I did. Plus I miss it. Live in AZ now, will hunt here and in MT etc.
Ok, I don't want a caliber war, it's all been said, but I do have some very practical, real life user experience questions for you, since I've been out of hunting for so long.
Goals for the rifle I build or buy -
1.) Capable of taking Deer/Elk at reasonable ranges (say deer to 500, Elk to 300-400) I can't see myself shooting further, and back in the day was a decent stalker so can usually close the distance, but AZ and MT can both produce some longer range shots so I do want to be able to push distance a little if needed. Being able to download to coyotes would be cool.
2.) Recoil low enough for woman/10-12 year old to shoot who are new to shooting (wife can run an AR), and for me to do a lot of range time to get the skills back. I can build a remmag or something in the future if needed.
3.) Efficient in a short barrel. I am planning some hunts that will be multi-day backpacking trips and/or lots walking/mountain hiking. I like to hunt that way, so I'd like to be at a 22" barrel. Maybe 24" tops, but prefer shorter.
4.) I am learning to reload, but don't want to HAVE to reload. I would like a caliber that has some reasonable ammo availability (doesn't have to be .270 or .308 type availability, but not super hard to find quality hunting loads either).
Ok, with those basics said, I'm really leaning towards the 7mm08. It ticks all the boxes, good BC and SD bullets available, efficient out of a shorter barrel etc.
That said, I'm open to thoughts. I've considered the following;
.284 Win - this seems like the perfect short action 7mm. A juiced up 7mm08. Few real life QUESTIONS about this round for you guys;
- Is it a hand loaders cartridge? Is there good commercially available ammo?
- How does it do out of short barrel? Efficient like the 7mm08 or does is it handicapped by 22"?
- Recoil?
.280 rem/.280imp - Sweet caliber. It's not a short action but I'm not that concerned, as you can build either to be handy and reasonably light. Seems like the 7mm08 but with a bit more velocity/range in a still light recoiling package.
QUESTIONS
- How much of a handloaders round is this? I've read "I wouldn't have bought one if I didn't reload".
- I'm guessing the .280 needs a 24" barrel to not be handicapped, probably loses it's edge in a 22" or shorter barrel?
6.5x284 - The 6.5's obviously have some impressive numbers and slipper high BC bullets. Same questions as above... needs a longer bbl? I've read it's a barrel burner, but not that concerned. Ammo availability?
Anything else I'm missing? Feel free to throw out a caliber if you think I'm missing a winner.
Ok, next round of questions. I've read that if you buy or ream to a .280 improved chamber or 7mm08AI chamber, that you can still shoot the standard round just fine, but not the other way around.
Presumably that would require a re-zero, but if that's true, why wouldn't everyone get an AI chamber and then be able to fire either? What's the story here?
Thanks!
Quick intro. Grew up hunting in MT, primarily with a lever 30-30, 30-40 kraig, .308 and 7mm-08. Haven't hunted in many, many years. Been busy with kids, work and most of my shooting has been AR and pistol via tactical classes.
Oldest son is 8, and he and my wife have been watching hunting shows, and with 4 boys, I want them growing up hunting like I did. Plus I miss it. Live in AZ now, will hunt here and in MT etc.
Ok, I don't want a caliber war, it's all been said, but I do have some very practical, real life user experience questions for you, since I've been out of hunting for so long.
Goals for the rifle I build or buy -
1.) Capable of taking Deer/Elk at reasonable ranges (say deer to 500, Elk to 300-400) I can't see myself shooting further, and back in the day was a decent stalker so can usually close the distance, but AZ and MT can both produce some longer range shots so I do want to be able to push distance a little if needed. Being able to download to coyotes would be cool.
2.) Recoil low enough for woman/10-12 year old to shoot who are new to shooting (wife can run an AR), and for me to do a lot of range time to get the skills back. I can build a remmag or something in the future if needed.
3.) Efficient in a short barrel. I am planning some hunts that will be multi-day backpacking trips and/or lots walking/mountain hiking. I like to hunt that way, so I'd like to be at a 22" barrel. Maybe 24" tops, but prefer shorter.
4.) I am learning to reload, but don't want to HAVE to reload. I would like a caliber that has some reasonable ammo availability (doesn't have to be .270 or .308 type availability, but not super hard to find quality hunting loads either).
Ok, with those basics said, I'm really leaning towards the 7mm08. It ticks all the boxes, good BC and SD bullets available, efficient out of a shorter barrel etc.
That said, I'm open to thoughts. I've considered the following;
.284 Win - this seems like the perfect short action 7mm. A juiced up 7mm08. Few real life QUESTIONS about this round for you guys;
- Is it a hand loaders cartridge? Is there good commercially available ammo?
- How does it do out of short barrel? Efficient like the 7mm08 or does is it handicapped by 22"?
- Recoil?
.280 rem/.280imp - Sweet caliber. It's not a short action but I'm not that concerned, as you can build either to be handy and reasonably light. Seems like the 7mm08 but with a bit more velocity/range in a still light recoiling package.
QUESTIONS
- How much of a handloaders round is this? I've read "I wouldn't have bought one if I didn't reload".
- I'm guessing the .280 needs a 24" barrel to not be handicapped, probably loses it's edge in a 22" or shorter barrel?
6.5x284 - The 6.5's obviously have some impressive numbers and slipper high BC bullets. Same questions as above... needs a longer bbl? I've read it's a barrel burner, but not that concerned. Ammo availability?
Anything else I'm missing? Feel free to throw out a caliber if you think I'm missing a winner.
Ok, next round of questions. I've read that if you buy or ream to a .280 improved chamber or 7mm08AI chamber, that you can still shoot the standard round just fine, but not the other way around.
Presumably that would require a re-zero, but if that's true, why wouldn't everyone get an AI chamber and then be able to fire either? What's the story here?
Thanks!
Last edited: