What am I missing (middle cal.)

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ChiBears

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I have got an AR-15(.223) and a Savage in .300 wsm. I need a good all around middle caliber for target/coyote whatever else may be smaller/middle size game.
I was thinking about a .308 or 25-06.
Am I missing an obvious one?...
Is there a big difference in ammo price?...in other words...would one be cheaper to own and shoot than the other?
I kind of have always wanted a Rem 700 or Savage in 308 for target...but would do something a little smaller if it had better ballistics.

Thanks for the helping me decide on my next purchase!
Sam
 
i have been thinkin lately bout a good varmint rifle myself and im torn between 3 choices. the ones you suggested and also a 7mm-08. but the 308 has the advantage due to surplus ammo. other then that just go with what ya find in a rifle that ya like. ya cant go wrong with any of them.
 
You could try .243 or .270, they are both small diameter but fast and flat shooting. They are alos legal for deer in most states.

If you want a real varmint caliber (for groundhogs and such) try the .22-250. My friend has Ruger No. 1 in .22-250 and it is a flat shooting gun:eek:
 
heh, i guess it's a matter of perspective. i consider all the ones you mention "good all round middle calibers"
 
well, i don't know much but

all the folks i know who hunt for their food (beaver, seal, etc, - they are native americans and get to / have to do this) do so with nothing but .22 lr!!

now i'm sure for deer they use something bigger - she said it was 30-30 i think, but i've always been amazed by how effective the .22 is if you place well.
 
Look at the 6mm to 6.5 range with a gander at the 7mm-08.
The following are good rounds: 6.5x55, 6.5 grendal, 243, 260 rem.

You must be a recoil junkie with the magnumitis
If you are going to shoot targets and varmits get something well known to be accurate and easy on the shoulder. a 6.5 x 55 swede is great for that, so is the 260 rem.
 
I do have two .22's already.
Sorry...I did not include that I had already had some of those.

My 300 is pretty heavy...so I was thinking about something to carry easily..like a Stainless Stalker is 270wsm, 7mmwsm, etc.

Thanks,
Sam
 
.270 Winchester is an awesome round, and has taken every animal in N. America. I use mine for groundhog, coyote, as well as target. Very vesatile round, and Jack Conner swears by it.
 
The .25-06 or 6.5x55 are probably the best to fill your niche. .270 and .280 are too close to the WSM to justify. While the .25-06 is barely below the .270 in ft/lbs, it is better suited to varminting a la 75 grain pills at 3,800 FPS. It is, IMO (and for many others) the perfect deer rifle. 6.5x55 has similar (though slightly lower) performance as compared to the .25-06, but rifles and ammunition are more difficult to find and there is not much in the way of .264" varmint bullets.

Of all the centerfires I own, my .25-06 is my most frequent hunting comapanion by far. I use it on anything from praire rats to elk. For varminting I generally prefer a lighter recoiling rifle, but the 75 and 87 grain bullets buck wind much better than the .17 Rem. w/25 grain or .223 Rem. w/40 grain pills -especially for long shots. .224" centerfires will shoot the 70+ grain bullets, but they are usually match bullets (NG for varmintingt) and the smaller cartridges cannot push them nearly as fast as the quarterbore.
 
Yes, you're missing the obvious one (caliber)

6.5mm: .260 remington or 6.5x55mm swede. 6.5 is smack dab in the middle of .223 and .30 cal. It's the sweet spot for sure. Basically these 2 cartridge's ballistics are nearly identical, but the .260 is a short action cartridge.
 
6mm remmy, in an old remmy mohawk 600. almost as fast as a wetherby mag round, long and flat flying bullet, bbl life is excellent because of the long case neck design. very few faster cartridges out there that are not specialty or wildcat rounds. if not that , then the 6.5 swede.
 
If you have to have inexpensive commercial ammo, .308 is your choice.

For coyotes and punching paper, there's nothing wrong with .223.

A great "middle" caliber, particularly if you reload, is 6.5 X 55 or its .260Rem equivalent.
 
What Dave R said. Man do I kick myself everyday for trading away that Model 70 Featherweight in 308 :banghead:
 
I also go with .270, but secondary thoughts include .25-06 and .243. All three fall somewhere between .223 and .300 WSM.
 
The 25-06 is the ideal "middle cal." for varmints/deer. With proper bullet weight/construction you can take anything from coyote to elk, assuming proper bullet placement.
 
I'd get a Savage heavy barrel in .308 with a 10x or 6-14 scope. You would have commonallity between platforms and have a long range military caliber rifle in the most accurate caliber. 125-110 grain bullets in .308 are awesome on predators ect. That way you can use the .300WSM as a hunting rifle, which is what it is good for.
 
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