fun caliber and gun model to add to the collection

[the elton]

first off i have been lurking here for close to a year reading the archive posts and current discussions and this seems to be a very active, opinionated, and sometimes wise community. that said i finally came upon a subject of interest that i felt was important enough to me to ask.

now im no crack shot to say the least but i know my way around shooting, i particularly like shooting my .300 win mag out around the 600 yard range so my next purchase is something i hope to use at a distance and that can be applied to a hunting situation.

i also have a .30-06, 5.56 AR, a .204 upper, and some assorted rimfires in .22 and .17hmr in my rifle collection

my question is though, what round would be a good addition to my collection?

ive considered the .243, a .260 rem, 6.5 grendel, 6.8 spc, .338 win mag and lapua mag... pretty much anything in the 6mm to 8 mm range

im sure this wont be the last gun i buy but im wondering which one you think would be most enjoyable for long range shooting, and use on antelope...ive had previous experience with the .243 but would be curious to learn more about the .260s long range qualities and anyone that knows, or about the assorted quarterbore .250s; my local shop owner never even heard of a .25 caliber other than in pistols.

so long story short im looking for something that you find fun to shoot. that has decent ballistics and accuracy out near 600 yards. and could be used on antelope....and if its not too much trouble would you throw in a model you know of that is good with that caliber, my centerfires are either remington or DPMS so thats all i really know quality wise

 

[Maverick223]

The .260Rem. is an outstanding cartridge, as is the similar 7mm-08 (which is easier to find rifles chambered for, but I prefer the .260), and either would fill your gap pretty well. Other rifles you may want to consider is the venerable .30-30Win. (or the similar 7.62x39mm) and the .45-70Govt. for large game, short range applications in a handy carbine (lever rifle). Another option would be to go big, something like a .375H&H or a .338WM would be good for the larger beasts that roam NA, though be aware that such a rifle will likely see little service unless you live in the great north or are a recoil junky (like myself). Also make sure and shoot a magnum before purchasing it, to be sure that you are alright with the recoil; not saying that you aren't, just something to consider as most folks don't care for rifles above the .30-06 recoil level.

The rifle will depend upon too many factors to really make a good suggestion, but the new Winchesters are very nice if you have a moderate budget. Marlin makes great lever rifles and a good quality, budget bolt gun as well.

 

[the elton]

well as i said i have a 300 win mag so magnums are not a stranger to me...as for the .45-70 and other short range cartidges that isnt really what i enjoy. i like the long range and practice it because here on the eastern plains of new mexico and west plains of texas the antelope and mule deer are smart enough that you dont get within 300 yards often so i like to be able to reach out at 400 yards if i need....the .260 is supposed to be a high BC round correct? do you know how many foot pounds it retains out past 400 yards?

 

[juk]

If the 6.5 Grendel is anything near what the charts and ballistics claim, that would be a great round for you. Very little wind drift, good to 1200 yards, can shoot the very sleek 144 bullets, and shoots much flatter than a 308. It retains its energy better than a 308 too, so It could be used for hunting. I would also look at the 25-06.

 

[the elton]

the .260 is a 6.5 too does that mean it can use the 144s as well? if so then i suppose whichever packs more powder would be superior

 

[Maverick223]

well as i said i have a 300 win mag so magnums are not a stranger to me...

Forgot that you mentioned that, the .338s and .375s are a bit more stout, but in the neighborhood when compared apples to apples (weight and fitment being the biggest concerns). If you want to hunt long range the .260Rem. doesn't have a great deal of energy, but it has enough and retains it very well due to the favorable BC. You can use any 6.5mm bullet and expect a healthy increase in velocity and energy compared to the Grendel (great round for a compromising platform like the AR-15, not so great for a bolt gun IMO). It still has over 1000ft-lbs of energy at 500yds so I think it will do everything you ask...and more. It is a great cartridge for LR target as well, nearly matching the range of your .300WM with less cost and recoil due mostly to the great bullets available for it.

 

[the elton]

well 800 foot pounds is what is commonly required for expanding bullets to work so 1000 ft-lbs at 500 yards should be plenty acceptable for my uses...you mentioned the 7MM-08 do you know how that compares to the .260 for just long range paper punching(distance) that is this rifles main use is target practice and muscle memory development without magnum punishment

 

[Maverick223]

The 7mm-08Rem. is neck and neck with the .260Rem., however I give the .260 the edge due to velocity and equally well designed bullets that are available for it giving it just a little more range. The 7mm-08 has the edge of more rifles chambered for it, and is a little more accepted (for what reason I don't know). Both would do equally well for hunting, and honestly I would have to give a slight edge to the 7mm-08 just due to the slighter larger caliber (more blood loss, crushed tissue, and slightly greater chance of hitting vitals). For me I would choose the cartridge based upon the rifle, if the .260 were available I would take it, if not go with the 7mm-08 instead. Reloading is very helpful, but not mandatory, for both (if you don't handload there are better choices than either IMO). Both are great alternatives to a heavy hitting (on both ends) magnum, and have roughly equivalent recoil.

 

[the elton]

very helpful, im definitely going to start checking out manufacturers for these two calibers then...though i reckon it will wind up a remington 700, love those things or maybe a thompson center

 

[XxWINxX94]

I know you said in the 6-8mm range, but......
The M1 Carbine in .30 Carbine probably the funnest 'rifle' I own. Hardly any recoil, very small gun, American made, one of the best plinkers ever in my opinion. If you get a GI-Issued one, you can add the element of history to your gun collection.

 

[Hansli]

that has decent ballistics and accuracy out near 600 yards. and could be used on antelope

I think he asked for a hammer not a bicycle.

 

[Dr T]

You left out the 270 Win and 25-06...

Just make your wish list and start looking for a good deal. You will eventually acquire everything...

 

[the elton]

the wish list i have. i just wanted a good caliber to put on top of the list

 

[devildog32713]

7.62x54R, a man's mans caliber

 

[Arkansas Paul]

If you're no stranger to magnums and want long range how about something that not just everyone has. Maybe a .270 Weatherby Mag, or a .257 Weatherby Mag. Of course you don't HAVE to have a magnum to kill something at 600 yds, but you seem to like them, and the extra power isn't wasted at that distance.

 

[the elton]

how is the 7.62x54r a "man's man's" cartridge? percieved recoil in a mosin nagant 91/30 is minimal compared to the .300 or .338 win mags; and considerably childish compared to a browing in 10 Ga..... however im not sayin the 7.62 isnt fun, ive shot my friends many times it just isnt as interesting (accurate) as i like, especially with a 7.62x51 (.308) and the .30-06 (a 7.62x63) both being readily available along with multitudes of loading data charts available... if you know of a company that produces a rifle in 54R other than a mosin nagant or PSD that would up the rounds coolness factor...

as for the suggestion about the .270 and .257 weatherby mags. this is a rifle i hope i can loan to my nephew when i take him out hunting, and give to my kids to learn on when they get old enough to shoot so unneeded recoil is a turn off, i dont want him to develop a flinch from range time

 

[GooseGestapo]

If I was in your position, I'd look at either the Savage M200 or the Marlin XS7 in 7mm08.

I've got a Remington M7 in 7mm08 w/20" bbl.

It's my favorite rifle (and I've got a bunch!). Including other Rem. M7 in another "useful" caliber, the .223Rem.

I've taken deer and pigs with it (7mm08), and a friend took a 1,200lb 6x6 elk in fall of '05 with it in Colorado. It has all the features normally desired in a custom rifle in that it has a laminated stock, adjustable trigger, light weight, ect. ect. ect.

I differ with one of the previous posters regarding velocity. With all bullet weights the 7mm08 will have a 100fps advantage over the .260. Before getting the 7mm, I perused many different loading manuals, and ballistic charts and didn't find a single area where the 6.5 held a commanding advantage. Mostly only dissadvantages. The high ballistic coefficients and high rate of twist also apply equally to the 7mm. Normal twist for the .260 is 1/9" whereas the 7mm08 has a 1/9.5. Note however that Savage has gone to a 1/11" twist for it's 7mm08, due to most factory ammo haveing only 140gr bullets.

The two rifles mentioned are both value priced firearms with a reputation for accuracy and decent ergonomics. Either will fill the bill for what you desire.

About a year ago, I bought 500 Hornady "blem" 139gr BTSP's. I had already used this bullet several times to take deer and find it hard to improve over for anything elk or smaller, with the 7mm08. My other favorite bullets for this cartridge are the 140gr Nosler Part., Remington 140gr CorLokt, and both the 140 and 150gr Ballistic Tips as well as the aforementioned Hornady bullet as well as both flat-based and boat-tail Sierra 140gr bullets.

The only bullet failures I've had with this cartridge were some Hornady 140gr SST's that on three deer failed to expand. Two were lost. The one taken was shot face-on with his head down feeding and the spine was broken at a range of 40yds. The bullet severed the spine and exited the lower chest through the sternum and left a .284" hole through the deer. No yaw or expansion noted....... Just a drilled hole !

Favorite powders are BLC2, RL15, H414, and both IMR4350 and H4350.

Brass is also easily formed from either .243 or .308 brass. I've done both, and neither offered any particular issues.

 

[wgp]

No one has mentioned it, and I don't know about 600 yards, but I have for years enjoyed my .257 Roberts. Light recoil and plenty of rifle for deer. You won't always find ammo at WalMart, but it is out there. Mine is a Ruger 77 Ultralight.

 

[the elton]

solid argument for the 7mm-08...its seems either would be an excellent round, i think by this point unless something else comes up offering better flight patterns im now going to be looking at the round that i can get in the best rifle for under a grand

 

[courtgreene]

"however im not sayin the 7.62 isnt fun, ive shot my friends many times"

Please don't shoot your friends. Other than that, I agree, the 7.62x54 is not something special like it was in its day.

 

[rangerruck]

First off; my fave-- 17 mach 2 , anything by anyone. they can also shoot the 17 aguila bullets, and both are just a laugh riot scream in the fun department, and are about 1/3 the cost of the 17 hmr.
Now then, if doing a 6 and if you reload, you proly can't beat the old 6mm remmy; such a great supercharged cartridge, and with a nice long neck on the brass, not as bad a throat burner, especially with new made bbls.
I would next look at anything in the 7's, they really seem to be doing some fine things now; I like the 7.08's and the 7mag of course. But really I am digging on a 300wsm/7mm , which is a 300 wsm necked down to 7, and also anything in the 270 range is fabulous, especially the 270 wsm; this so far has been the best of the wsm cartridges, making up the most speed. Also if handloading, I would think the good old 280, which is a 7mm. 06 basically, would have to be a killer, if done right.
actually , if reloading, I would think all of the above would be great, and if not, I would give a good hard look, at the 270 wsm, and the regular 270.

 

[Maverick223]

I think if I were in the market for a Moderate-Long range precision rifle for sub-$1k I would look closely at the new Winchester M-70 Stealth...but it is unavailable in a good chambering (.308Win. only IIRC). It might be worth a call or e-mail to see if they have a custom shop that will chamber it in the .260Rem. or 7mm-08Rem. (which is available on several other M-70s so shouldn't be that difficult). If that isn't possible I would have a Savage Model 10 made in .260Rem.

 

[SpeedAKL]

Given the calibers you already own and your criteria, I'll echo a good 6.5mm or 7mm bolt-action rifle. If cost isn't a concern, given GA Precision, American Precision Arms, Surgeon, etc. a call and they will build you a blisteringly accurate rifle in a relatively compact package. A short-action 6.5 or 7 can be utilized effectively in a 20-24 inch barrel out to the ranges you describe and will be great for accurate shooting while staying handy for hunting.

A second option would be the 7mm Rem Mag, a real burner with more oomph to it than a short-action 6.5 or 7 cartridge should you decide to go big-game hunting. Recoil will be a little more than .30-06. A custom bolt gun would be ideal for this cartridge; if not, Remington's 700 Sendero offers outstanding accuracy in this caliber.

A third option you may want to look at is a semi-auto in .308. A good AR10-type rifle will be very accurate at the ranges you describe and, while a bit heavy, can still be taken in the field. They are pricey but very fun to shoot!