As a last thought, has your wife tried to shoot your 270? I find heavier people feel the recoil more. I think smaller frames can flow with the recoil. Just watch an enthusiastic 100lb teenager shoot a 12 gauge all day. Have you tried .270 130g bullets with a mid range powder charge?
Help me choose a caliber.
- Thread starter CarJunkieLS1
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horsemen61
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I'd suggest a 6.5 x55 Swedish Mauser reason why it is a soft shooter and on a modern action you can load it hotter than the old loads
CarJunkieLS1
Member
TBH I have tried to get my wife behind my .270 but she won't do it. I've tried "plain Jane" factory loads and she won't even when I put a 5lb bag of sand over the top of the barrel...there's no way she gonna shoot my "hot loads" 130gr 3019fps 22" barrel in a scoped and loaded 7.5lb rifle.
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
IMHO, the best of the medium game cartridges lie between the .243 and .30-06. With the .250Savage, .257Roberts, 6.5x55, 6.5x54, 6.5Creedmoor, .260Rem and 7mm08 all being fine choices.
Arkansas Paul
Member
The 7mm rounds don't fit this criteria, as the OP stated he wants something smaller than a.270. I would vote for a quarter bore. If you want something your wife can handle easily and is a great deer round, the .257 Bob would fill that role nicely.
witchhunter
Member
LS, have you considered a muzzle brake? or better yet a recoil reduction system in the buttstock? Then she could shoot a .300 Magnum! or your choice of calibers....a .260 rem with a brake will kick like a .223.
DanTheFarmer
Member
Arkansas Paul,
The quarter bores are indeed a good choice. The 7mm-08 might still be in the running. Yes, 7mm = 284 which is bigger than 270 but the 7mm-08 is loaded on a necked down 308 vs. the necked down 30-06 (-03?) of the 270. The 7mm-08 holds enough less powder that it may be considered smaller by some, perhaps including the OP.
In any case the OP has a lot of good options. I hope he finds one that works well for him.
Dan
The quarter bores are indeed a good choice. The 7mm-08 might still be in the running. Yes, 7mm = 284 which is bigger than 270 but the 7mm-08 is loaded on a necked down 308 vs. the necked down 30-06 (-03?) of the 270. The 7mm-08 holds enough less powder that it may be considered smaller by some, perhaps including the OP.
In any case the OP has a lot of good options. I hope he finds one that works well for him.
Dan
Kernel
Member
That's one fine looking rifle. Of the chamberings offered, I'd take one in 6.5x55.
CarjunkieLS1;
I'll throw another vote to the 6.5 Swede. I gave my son one for his birthday many years ago & started reloading for it then. When I saw what it could do, I started jonesing for one of my own. But I shoot from the left shoulder, so go try to find a left hand bolt 6.5 Swede. After over a decade of wanna, I had one made as a full custom rifle. I don't regret it a bit.
A 140 grain Sierra gameking at 2725 fps will do just fine on elk. And shoots .5 MOA in a hunting gun. I'd go for that CZ fullstock in a heartbeat if the bolt were on the proper side of the action.
900F
I'll throw another vote to the 6.5 Swede. I gave my son one for his birthday many years ago & started reloading for it then. When I saw what it could do, I started jonesing for one of my own. But I shoot from the left shoulder, so go try to find a left hand bolt 6.5 Swede. After over a decade of wanna, I had one made as a full custom rifle. I don't regret it a bit.
A 140 grain Sierra gameking at 2725 fps will do just fine on elk. And shoots .5 MOA in a hunting gun. I'd go for that CZ fullstock in a heartbeat if the bolt were on the proper side of the action.
900F
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savanahsdad
Member
Savage mod 16 in 7mm-08 is one of my best deer guns , but I seem to take my 270 out more, the 7mm-08 kicks less and is lighter ,but I just love my 270's just bought another one last week , however if I got that same deal on another 7mm-08, I would have bought that too, but no one around here is willing to give up there 7mm-08's and for good reason , so I vote 7mm-08 and in a Savage ,
NOTE: I load 140gr SPBT in both my 270win and 7mm-08Rem deer loads
NOTE: I load 140gr SPBT in both my 270win and 7mm-08Rem deer loads
CarJunkieLS1
Member
Well I changed my mind again...just like a woman lol. But I've decided with the 7mm08. Ammo availability is much better for the 7mm08 and its even cheaper too. I figured with the SD of the .284 vs .264 bullets that at the ~2800 fps I planned on loading these to I'll have more energy and better performance on game. I'm looking at the 7mm 120gr NBT at ~2800fps how should that do. And that's also assuming I get acceptable accuracy.
Just walking in the door late to this conversation, it looks to me like you are basically going to end up having three rifles that do nearly the exact same thing with three times as much reloading mess sitting around. Why don't you just load your .270 lighter since you handload? The 120gr x 2800fps is pretty much what a .270 starting load does. Remington makes a managed recoil load that is 115gr x 2700 fps for the .270.
I could see the point if you wanted a rifle that did something different like a compact, light rifle or an actual dedicated target rifle, but a 24" short action is gonna weigh about the same as a 22" long action, and the ballistics you are looking for are already within your capabilities. I guess you could have a muzzle break and an aftermarket recoil pad put on one of your guns as another option.
I could see the point if you wanted a rifle that did something different like a compact, light rifle or an actual dedicated target rifle, but a 24" short action is gonna weigh about the same as a 22" long action, and the ballistics you are looking for are already within your capabilities. I guess you could have a muzzle break and an aftermarket recoil pad put on one of your guns as another option.
Bingo. Nothing shoots flatter, hits harder or is more accurate. I find the recoil to be no more than my .308.
100gr Nosler Partition (Roy's favorite of his calibers) or Ballistic Tip, or 120gr Partition.
In my opinion, I don’t see any reason to own a 243 Win as the 257 Roberts will do it all and better.
And then, there is the 6.5 Swede. Both cartridges are just excellent and the recoil is less than either a 30-06 or 243.
6.5 X 55 Swede
And then, there is the 6.5 Swede. Both cartridges are just excellent and the recoil is less than either a 30-06 or 243.
6.5 X 55 Swede
tdoyka
Member
t/c encore in 6.5 creedmoor or 257 roberts ackley improved
this is for barrels
http://matchgrademachine.com
this is for a new stock
http://www.highplainsgunstocks.com
this is for barrels
http://matchgrademachine.com
this is for a new stock
http://www.highplainsgunstocks.com
Because you can walk into any store that sells ammo and buy the ammo you need? Nothing against .257 Roberts....it has plenty going for it...but the ammo availability is pretty limited in your average box store. Also the cost of factory ammo is far far greater for the .257. If you reload everything....none of what I just typed applies of course.
35Remfan
Member
25-06 Only Choice with a 24" Barrel
7mm-08 would fit the bill nicely but.. you want a 24 in barrel. You say you might want a short action but definitely want a long barrel.
Now if you changed your mind about barrel length then the 7m-08 would be a better choice....maybe (I like them both)
7mm-08 would fit the bill nicely but.. you want a 24 in barrel. You say you might want a short action but definitely want a long barrel.
Now if you changed your mind about barrel length then the 7m-08 would be a better choice....maybe (I like them both)
Savage makes all of the above. For hunting, out the listed choices I would have to select the 260. Bullets are available in a wide range of lengths, weights, and styles and brass is available or can be formed from 243. It's known to be an inherently precise cartridge and should do well paired with a savage rifle. I believe the trophy hunter xp can be found for about 450 in blued or 650 in stainless. With this rifle you get an excellent trigger and an overall user friendly platform that can be altered how you see fit over time. Of course you will want to glass bed the recoil lug area.
psychology
Good choice on the Savage.
The accu-trigger is a great hunting trigger.
Since your wife is used to the 243 and refuses to shoot your 270, I would pick a short action rifle. When she sees a .260 or 6.5x55 or 7-08 cartridge they will not appear to her to be any bigger than what she is used to. Psychologically she is likely to be open to the experience rather than fearful of it.
If you pick a cartridge with a long case (i.e. necked down from 30-06) like the 257 Roberts, or download your 270, her eyes and brain will tell her this is going to hurt = a self-fulfilling prophecy.
As to the specific short-action caliber you said you wanted a step up from the 243. So that means the .260/6.5mm twins. Bonus, they will both shoot the bullets (120gr - 130gr) that you are interested in for this 300yd deer rifle. Just pay attention to the twist rate before you make the buy.
p.s. My 5.5# 20" barrelled .260Rem pushes 129s to 2,800fps, so don't worry about having too short a barrel.
Good choice on the Savage.
The accu-trigger is a great hunting trigger.
Since your wife is used to the 243 and refuses to shoot your 270, I would pick a short action rifle. When she sees a .260 or 6.5x55 or 7-08 cartridge they will not appear to her to be any bigger than what she is used to. Psychologically she is likely to be open to the experience rather than fearful of it.
If you pick a cartridge with a long case (i.e. necked down from 30-06) like the 257 Roberts, or download your 270, her eyes and brain will tell her this is going to hurt = a self-fulfilling prophecy.
As to the specific short-action caliber you said you wanted a step up from the 243. So that means the .260/6.5mm twins. Bonus, they will both shoot the bullets (120gr - 130gr) that you are interested in for this 300yd deer rifle. Just pay attention to the twist rate before you make the buy.
p.s. My 5.5# 20" barrelled .260Rem pushes 129s to 2,800fps, so don't worry about having too short a barrel.
captain awesome
Member
25/06 all the way! What a terrific cartridge..that was my recommendation. I just had to put my 2 cents I because I like it so much. I know you already made up your mind though. I was going to recomend 257 Weatherby first because I love my dads mark V so much, but recoil is stout. Your option of 7mm08 is a good one. I shot my first deer with one when I was 10 years old. That deer dropped like a ton of bricks. DRT. I have a soft spot for the cartridge because of that. I still carry around that shell casing in my pocket all these years later. Hope you enjoy your new rifle and may it put meat on your table for many years.
Fella's;
The .257 Roberts is not a necked down version of the ought-6. It's a necked down version of the 7X57mm Mauser. Overall case length of the .30-06 is 2.494". The 7X57mm Mauser is 2.235", and the .257 Roberts runs 2.233". Somehow I strongly doubt that the .002" of case length difference is significant between the Mauser & the Bob.
Furthermore, the 6.5 Swede should be put on a long action. Particularly if you wish to use the heavier bullets available, like the various 140 grain offerings. Can't get the velocity if you have to seat them down into the boiler room in order to fit the rounds into poor little midget action's magazine well. If you want to take advantage of the outstanding B/C's of the Sierra Gamekings or Berger's offerings, then don't shoot yourself in the foot with a short action.
900F
The .257 Roberts is not a necked down version of the ought-6. It's a necked down version of the 7X57mm Mauser. Overall case length of the .30-06 is 2.494". The 7X57mm Mauser is 2.235", and the .257 Roberts runs 2.233". Somehow I strongly doubt that the .002" of case length difference is significant between the Mauser & the Bob.
Furthermore, the 6.5 Swede should be put on a long action. Particularly if you wish to use the heavier bullets available, like the various 140 grain offerings. Can't get the velocity if you have to seat them down into the boiler room in order to fit the rounds into poor little midget action's magazine well. If you want to take advantage of the outstanding B/C's of the Sierra Gamekings or Berger's offerings, then don't shoot yourself in the foot with a short action.
900F
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