Recommend a new rifle caliber for me

Status
Not open for further replies.
Ru4real said:
I suggest the 7mm-08 because it definitely punches above it’s weight and it’s soft shooting.
Click to expand...
Lots of good recommendations. I didn't see 300 blackout on the list but it seems pretty ideal for what you're describing-mostly inside 200 yard shots, it's unique and practically designed for reloaders, it's mild in recoil, it is well supported by the industry, it's versatile, in a 16" barrel, it can deliver more energy at 100 yards than a 200 gr JHP fired from a 4" .44 magnum at the barrel.
 
Last edited:
7mm-08 or 308 for short action bolt gun options

270 Win, 30-06 for old school long action bolt gun options

30/30 or 35 REM levers could be fun, or maybe single shot 35 Whelen…. Like a CVA Scout or something.

Nothing wrong with wanting to try something different!
 
If I were in your exact position, 200 yd. and under shots, wanting something low in recoil, open to a lever rifle, AND a handloader, I'd get something REALLY different-

CJYbAbBl.jpg
h88jzA3l.jpg

h88jzA3l.jpg

Admittedly, it's not much different than a .243, but it will handle bullets that are significantly heavier, and most importantly, it's not another vnUj1kFs.jpg AR-15.

35W
 

Attachments

  • CJYbAbBl.jpg
    CJYbAbBl.jpg
    33.3 KB · Views: 1
  • vnUj1kFt.jpg
    vnUj1kFt.jpg
    2.6 KB · Views: 1
  • h88jzA3l.jpg
    h88jzA3l.jpg
    29.9 KB · Views: 1
When I read "caliber that punches above its weight", I immediately thought of the Swedish 6.5x55. It's one of my favorite cartridges. I don't like shooting my .308 because of the recoil. 'Never touched a magnum level gun. 7mm-08 is another good choice.

Because of your range, there is no reason to chase 3000+ FPS calibers.

This might help: https://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
 
I also have been a 243 user for over 20 years. My Ruger American in 6.5 CM is much like the 243 on the shoulder, with more bullet weight (140 grains) going downrange, and unbelievable accuracy.
 
If you aren't shooting over 200 yards a 30-30 would be a great choice, with the fun factor of a lever rifle. My 94 carries better than any other rifle I own although if you're going to scope it a Marlin is an easier option (I own both - prefer the 94 but the 336 is a better practical hunting rifle).

If you're wanting a bolt action the 7-08 is my favorite mid caliber choice.
 
A 250-3000 with a fast enough twist to handle all the .257 bullet weights . A 99 A model savage can be scoped . My ideal would be a model 70 Winchester featherweight carbine 22-250 , bored out to 250 sav. with a 2x7 light scope , light and handy , classy good looks .
 
6ARC or 6.5Grendel would be good choices for <200yrd shots and low recoil.

You can build an AR pretty cheaply, or Savage is building bolt guns in both, Ruger is building stick shifts in 6.5G, maybe 6ARC in the near future. There's always the HOWAs too.

If you want a little more power than the 243Win, 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm-08 are great choices with just a little more recoil. The 7mm-08 will do just fine up to any of the larger critters on the continent with the proper bullets.
 
Big .243 fan here as well. Like the light recoil, but also I do not reload, and the gun I found just happens to love the 95gr Winchester Deer Season, so I have a factory rifle that shoots factory ammo very well. In fact, my .243 is the single most accurate rifle I own.

As for something else, I'd second the votes on the 7x57 or 6.5x55. I have these as well, and also love them. I'd lean toward the 7x57, but either will work. It's just easier for me (who don't hand load) to find ammo in 7mm Mauser, than it is in 6.6 x55 so I have more of it, and shoot them more.
 
Years ago, my daughter decided she wanted to deer hunt with me. I shot large caliber rifles, so I didn’t have anything she could use. I did a little research and decided a 7mm-08 would be a good caliber for her. I looked a round and found a Kimber model 84M in 7mm-08. She hunted a few times and decided hunting was not for her. The little Kimber was a dream. It will not wear you out carrying it and there is something magic about a 7mm 140 grain bullet. I hunt with it a lot, and if you do your part, it’s lights out for a deer. I have never had a deer go more than a few steps. It will not beat you to death with recoil. It’s just an idea little caliber.
 
You like woods hunting. You like mild recoil. You like a punchy little caliber. .300 Savage had this figured out in the 1920s. That leaves you with 3 solid options that are relatively common.

Rem 722. Rem 760. Savage M99. There are others, but these are the most adaptable to low-medium power optics. Recoil is mild with 150 gr loads. I'm becoming very fond of shooting my 760 and M99 just for fun lately, as .30 cal 150s have been easy to come by. The 760 is becoming "THAT" rifle for me! You can do the same with a .308 downloaded a couple of grains, but I like the cool factor of the old .300Sav. A Rem 760 can be readily fitted with synthetic furniture. Feed it a Hornady or Speer 150 SP and go shoot deer! I really like the way a 150 cup and core folds deer at 2600 or so fps. Good terminal damage, with enough penetration for shoulders or quartering shots. At this speed they tend to pass through on all but hard quartering shots and leave a generous blood trail. Neck spine shots are DRT.
 
Last edited:
Here’s my recoil story. I’d go to the range with my kids and do some shooting. My son didn’t care about recoil and shot every thing. My daughter only liked the .243 & 6.5x55. Long story short, I “had” a 6.5x55, it’s now hers. I filled that void with a 7-08.
 
I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but if you'd like something different with a bit of history, how 'bout the .30-40 Kraig?
(I personally still like the Swede and the Bob better!)
 
Last edited:
Ru4real said:
I suggest the 7mm-08 because it definitely punches above it’s weight and it’s soft shooting.[/QUOTE
Click to expand...
Olympus said:
Being from the midwest, I will forever be a fan of the 243 Winchester. There's no animal within 500 miles that I can't effectively take with the 243. I have shot this caliber off and on my whole life and I get a LOT more practice time with it because of the mild recoil. That being said, I think I'd like to pick up rifle in another caliber just to have, but I have a few parameters I'd like to stay within.

Firstly is recoil. I prefer a mild recoiling rifle, something that tends to "punch above its weight" so to speak. I'm a reloader, so I can tailor a bullet and powder combination to get the most out of a caliber. Personally, I think the 243 also punches above its weight also. I have a friend that usually helps with the deer cleaning and every year he makes a comment about how devastating the chest cavities are on the deer I shoot with my 243.

I hunt hardwood timber and most shots are under 200 yards. I'm not opposes to a lever gun, but as I get older my vision isn't as good as it used to be so scope is pretty much a must-have now. I could care less about ammo availability since I reload. I'm always drawn to unique, lesser known or lesser seen calibers. I've also gotten to be more of a synthetic stock guy for hunting rifles. My safe is full of blued/walnut rifles, but I have grown fond of the utilitarian synthetic stock for hunting rifles. But I'm always interested in suggestions. Thanks!
Click to expand...
If you reload anything can be made low recoil. If you cast big is better. Look in the lyman book for idea's. Think classic. For jacketed maybe the swede.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Low recoil commercial .243 ammo
Replies
18
Views
6K
sixgunner455
S
T
  • Locked
Youth deer rifle caliber recommendations
2 3
Replies
67
Views
24K
101guns
1
E
  • Locked
Caliber recommendation for hunting rifle
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
jem375
J
C
  • Locked
Help me choose a caliber.
2 3
Replies
53
Views
2K
texashunter
T
Olympus
  • Locked
Large Caliber Consolidation
Replies
8
Views
697
Olympus
Olympus
Back
Top