Thinking about another deer rifle...

[cdb1]

I have heard a ton of good things about 6.5 Swede, also.

My favorite cartridge is 6.5x55. For my uses a 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Remington would serve just as well, but I like the 6.5x55 cachet and have a weird affinity for long action rifles. I believe the last rifle I’d ever sell would be my 6.5x55.

 

[Olympus]

I do like the idea of the Ruger American Ranch rifle that takes the AR mags. I could do .223 and have a bolt gun that can use any of my AR mags. Kind of a neat concept. But that’s the wrong direction for calibers. I do have brass and dies for 223 though. I’ve just never hunted deer with a 223. Would make a dang cool “truck gun” though for occasional coyotes, crows, possums, coons, etc.

And the 300BLK version of the same gun would also be a neat concept. Not much of a varmint caliber, but could still use my same mags, probably better than 223 for deer, and would be a fun gun to suppress if that became an option in my future.

I like the short, handy size. Comes with a picitinny rail and threaded barrel. I actually only own one other synthetic stock gun, a Ruger American Rimfire Predator in 22wmr and that’s an awesome gun.

 

[LoonWulf]

If your considering going with something like a a RAR in 300aac, you might want to consider getting it in X39. Granted you would be stuck with mini-30 mags, but with handloading the increased capacity of the X39 case could be put to use with supers, and store bought ammo is generally cheaper than even the 556.

 

[Garandimal]

How about a RUGER 77/357?

158 gr. HDY XTP for the smaller stuff, and 140 gr Barnes XPB or 180 gr. HDY XTP handloads for the larger.

Low recoil, light weight, and easy to hit with out to 150 yards with the 2-7 scope currently mounted (although I really want an aperture sight.)




GR

 

[edapp]

I love the deer rifle excuse. I have used it several years in a row now. Just picked up a CZ550 FS with beautifully figured stock as a "backup" deer rifle. Chambered in 30-06 it would also function as a more powerful alternative to my go-to CZ 527 7.62x39 or ruger .308.

I also built a 6.5 grendel AR this year that will be a deer/hog slayer. Would like to pickup a CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel to complement it, with a low powered scope.

 

[Olympus]

I actually had a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 and sold it. I really like the CZ 527, but the bolt handle clearance issues are an issue for me. I have a 527 American in 22 Hornet and its a fantastic gun, but you have to mount the scope higher than necessary to get bolt handle clearance.

I probably would not consider the RAR in 7.62x39 mostly because of the proprietary mag issue. I have like 30 Pmags and they are so inexpensive, I just cant make myself spend 2-3 times more for a Ruger Mini 30 mag.

 

[Olympus]

How about a RUGER 77/357?

158 gr. HDY XTP for the smaller stuff, and 140 gr Barnes XPB or 180 gr. HDY XTP handloads for the larger.

Low recoil, light weight, and easy to hit with out to 150 yards with the 2-7 scope currently mounted (although I really want an aperture sight.)

GR

I would not be opposed to the 77/44 since I already have a Marlin 44 and reload for 44. But the price on a 77/44 is really more than my budget. At $700 for the rifle, another $30-40 for rings, and another $150-$200 for a scope and that ends up being a pretty good investment in a rifle. And I already have the Marlin 44 if I wanted an iron sight 44.

 

[edapp]

I actually had a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 and sold it. I really like the CZ 527, but the bolt handle clearance issues are an issue for me.

I agree with this. If they fixed the bolt lift on this rifle it would be perfect. As is... with Talley Rings I am happy with my 527, and just ordered some low (lowest I could find) alaska arms rings for the 550. I will start there and find a scope with small enough ocular bell to make it work. But it is definitely a drawback for CZ rifles in general.

 

[cdb1]

I’ve found scopes with a smaller ocular bell like Leupold help with the bolt handle clearance issue on CZ CRF rifles.

 

[Legionnaire]

You reload. Do something out of the ordinary. Build a .260 Ackley. 24-inch 8.5 twist barrel. Have fun!

 

[MCMXI]

The 7-08 is a ballistic twin to 308. Recoil is virtually the same with 1 ft lb less in favor of 7-08. In equal weight rifles you'll never notice. With similar bullets trajectory is less than 3" flatter in favor of 7-08 at 500 yards and the 7-08 has about 30 ft lbs more energy at 500. Once again neither you, nor any game animal will notice the difference. On paper the 7-08 wins, but I chose 308 simply because ammo is cheaper and easier to find.

This photo illustrates why I like the 6.5 CM. The bullet on the left is a 143 gr 6.5. The bullet to the right of it is a 150 gr .308 followed by 178 and 200 gr .308 bullets. Compared to the .308/150 the 6.5/143 uses 5 gr less powder to shoot a 7 gr lighter bullet 150 fps slower at the muzzle. That adds up to a substantial reduction in recoil. But the LONGER 6.5 bullet will out penetrate any game animal, including elk at any range. And the more aerodynamic 6.5 bullet will catch the 308/150 in speed at about 150 yards and smokes the 308/150 beyond that range. You'd see the same numbers if you compared 140 gr 7-08 bullets.

If we move up to the .308/178 gr load muzzle velocity is about the same, penetration on game is about the same, trajectory is about the same, and energy numbers are about the same out to 500 yards. But the 308 now has even more recoil. Beyond 500 the 6.5 starts to pull away. You'd see similar numbers with the better. 7-08 loads.

The 200 gr bullets in a 308 offer much better penetration than any of the others. But you can't shoot them fast enough from a 308 to be of much help at longer ranges. These are best in 30-06 or one of the magnums.

At "normal" ranges the only real advantage 6.5 CM offers over 7-08 or 308 is less recoil. But for a lot of people that is a good enough reason. If you want to extend the ranges you shoot 6.5 beats the others handily.

I think your analysis is over simplified due to you leaving out bullet construction and expansion characteristics. Will a 143gr ELD-X (.264 cal) penetrate deeper and do more damage than a 150gr TTSX (.308 cal) at any range ... I very much doubt it. I hunt with a .375 H&H shooting a 250gr TTSX bullet which has an SD of .254. The 270gr LRX bullets that I recently bought for my .375 H&H have an SD of .274. A 143gr .264 cal bullet has an SD of .293. On paper the 6.5 mm bullet penetrates deeper but in the real world I just don't see it. Look at the energy on target when comparing the bullets with typical MVs. I do agree about the recoil part of the discussion and the best advice for anyone is shoot what you shoot well, pick a good proven bullet and practice.

 

[Olympus]

You reload. Do something out of the ordinary. Build a .260 Ackley. 24-inch 8.5 twist barrel. Have fun!

Budget isnt at the level for a project like that.

 

[Olympus]

I think your analysis is over simplified due to you leaving out bullet construction and expansion characteristics. Will a 143gr ELD-X (.264 cal) penetrate deeper and do more damage than a 150gr TTSX (.308 cal) at any range ... I very much doubt it. I hunt with a .375 H&H shooting a 250gr TTSX bullet which has an SD of .254. The 270gr LRX bullets that I recently bought for my .375 H&H have an SD of .274. A 143gr .264 cal bullet has an SD of .293. On paper the 6.5 mm bullet penetrates deeper but in the real world I just don't see it. Look at the energy on target when comparing the bullets with typical MVs. I do agree about the recoil part of the discussion and the best advice for anyone is shoot what you shoot well, pick a good proven bullet and practice.

I think at ranges under 400 yards, any differences are miniscule. I see no need to debate the minute details as they will play no factor in my decision on this rifle choice.

 

[MCMXI]

I think at ranges under 400 yards, any differences are miniscule. I see no need to debate the minute details as they will play no factor in my decision on this rifle choice.

Can't argue with that. I own and have shot plenty of 6.5 CM, 7mm-08 and .308 Win chambered rifles and if you pick a light rifle you might not find the 6.5 CM as easy on the shoulder as many would have you believe. A rifle that fits you, that has a good recoil pad and isn't too light will be your best best if you're recoil averse. There's no question that all three chamberings are great deer/elk cartridges with the right bullet and under the right conditions, but of the three it would be hard not to recommend the 6.5 CM for all the reasons already mentioned in this thread and in hundreds of other threads. Obviously, if you shoot the same model of rifle chambered in the three cartridges mentioned you'll find the 6.5 CM the easiest to handle. However, if you mix and match brands, you could find a 6.5 CM from company A that feels similar or worse than a .308 Win from company B.

 

[cdb1]

Can't argue with that. I own and have shot plenty of 6.5 CM, 7mm-08 and .308 Win chambered rifles and if you pick a light rifle you might not find the 6.5 CM as easy on the shoulder as many would have you believe. A rifle that fits you, that has a good recoil pad and isn't too light will be your best best if you're recoil averse.

Some good points. I’m recoil averse due to three shoulder operations. One of my work arounds is I don’t own light rifles.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I like your logic and think a Mossberg in 7mm-08 is a great choice. Plus it won't break the bank!

I also agree with the above that the 7.62x39 would be a fun bolt gun but you did say you have a 6.8spc and there is a little overlap there.

So basically I have nothing new to add, just agrreance.

 

[cowboy77]

I've got a 7-08 in a Tikka T3x and I have shot everything from Barnes 120 ttsx to Honady 162 ELDx and it is a champion. I normally just use the Barnes and ELDX but it doesn't give me much more than 2500 fps with the 162. Good enough for the 100 yard shots I get and have shot it out to 350 with no issues. Recoil near to none. I do have a 260 and a 6.5 Creedmoor in the Tikka XTR but too heavy to walk the woods with. I used to take the Tikka 7mm mag everywhere I went but have gotten older and lazy and the 7-08 is much lighter than the T# Hunter with a wooden stock.

 

[SwampWolf]

The Ruger Model 77 rifle, chambered in .257 Roberts I bought back in 1975 is fine for any deer or antelope hunting you will ever do, along with black bears of any size. I've also taken a woodchuck or two with my Roberts, a mild recoil cartridge that shoots flat enough at most ranges any of us aim at.

Olympus-when are you going to start making and selling some of those super-gorgeous grips you like to flaunt? It's like "reading" a Playboy magazine-look but don't touch...

 

[Demi-human]

http://www.brownscustomgrips.com/

Home of some of the most beautiful nineteen-eleven grips on Earth.

I think I would choose a Creedmoor. Just for fun. And the reason you wanted a new rifle, other than the newness...

... the only real advantage 6.5 CM offers over 7-08 or 308 is less recoil.

Exactly.

 

[cdb1]

http://www.brownscustomgrips.com/

Home of some of the most beautiful nineteen-eleven grips on Earth.

I think I would choose a Creedmoor. Just for fun. And the reason you wanted a new rifle, other than the newness...


Exactly.

I’m a little leery of buying grips online due to the possible difference in color between the photo on the web and actuality. I have short fingers so decided to buy some thin grips for my 1911. Saw some ones I liked online and ordered them. They didn’t look pink in the picture but I decided to keep them just for the hell of it. They’ve grown on me over time and I’ll never get rid of them.

 

[Olympus]

The Ruger Model 77 rifle, chambered in .257 Roberts I bought back in 1975 is fine for any deer or antelope hunting you will ever do, along with black bears of any size. I've also taken a woodchuck or two with my Roberts, a mild recoil cartridge that shoots flat enough at most ranges any of us aim at.

Olympus-when are you going to start making and selling some of those super-gorgeous grips you like to flaunt? It's like "reading" a Playboy magazine-look but don't touch...

I'm making and selling grips every day! Check out my website that someone else already posted or find me on Facebook.

 

[Olympus]

I’m a little leery of buying grips online due to the possible difference in color between the photo on the web and actuality. I have short fingers so decided to buy some thin grips for my 1911. Saw some ones I liked online and ordered them. They didn’t look pink in the picture but I decided to keep them just for the hell of it. They’ve grown on me over time and I’ll never get rid of them.

View attachment 789712

Never buy anything online that doesn't have a return policy. I've sold over 1900 sets of grips and I can probably count the number of returns I've had on both hands.

 

[Mr. Hill]

You’ve got the.243, so you want something different. The 7mm-08 is a good 40 grain step up from there. The other .308 or .270 calibers are the other options. For a good western rifle, it’s hard to beat a .270, .308 or .30-06, which are great for elk and deer. If you want that 7mm, go for it!

 

[cdb1]

Never buy anything online that doesn't have a return policy. I've sold over 1900 sets of grips and I can probably count the number of returns I've had on both hands.

My post was tongue in cheek.

 

[cowboy77]

These are groups from a T3 lite. They all hold there own. Of course I'm a Tiika nut. If you notice every load was 42 grains of imr 4350.