Velocity matters when it comes to killing stuff, fitting in the mag with heavy bullets is pretty important also, and right now components are stupid. With those ideas in mind, I would probably be looking at a creed case. 24 or 25 cal. 6XC and 6 Comp Match would be on my short list as well. When I picked I chose the comp match, but I use AICS mags and have over 40 lbs of H1000, so YMMV.
Caliber for new hunting rifle Q
- Thread starter tthomp302
- Start date
good greif, time to hang up your 44mags,30-30 etc...way to slow to kill.
i know alot of guys that hopped on the speed wagon then fell off.
whitetails for a lady to 300yds. id take a 223 with 60-64gr and be fine!
243 woukd rock!
6.5x47 all the way!
anything bigger is just harder recoil
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You guys! The fiance is currently shooting a 25-06 without complaint. She may be able to beat half of you in arm wrestling. The OP wants something with a cool factor, not something for a cream puff. One of my wife's closest friends grew up on a farm and could throw small square bales from the back of the wagon to the second story loft. She shoots a 30-06 and has since she was 12. Women are not all one size.
20 06 is hard to beat for moderate recoil a deer cartridge especially in a 24" barrel which the Vanguards have. The 24" barrel allows one to take full advantage of slow burning powder which is often used in the 25 06.
You didn't say what game animals she will be hunting. If you're going to include black bear then I'd look at a 30 caliber, such as the 308. If strictly white tail deer and you want another caliber then I'd opt for the 7mm 08 or 6.5 Creedmore.
You didn't say what game animals she will be hunting. If you're going to include black bear then I'd look at a 30 caliber, such as the 308. If strictly white tail deer and you want another caliber then I'd opt for the 7mm 08 or 6.5 Creedmore.
Lol! There you go, OP.
Sarcasm on /
This 30-30 or .223 bolt gun will be great for your bride! Think of the hours of couple building activities!! Teaching her to read wind and helping her establish dope for a 300 yard shot, not to mention the hours you two spend trying to track down wounded animals. Memories that will last a lifetime! As you sit there hunting alone in your 60s I bet you’ll sure be thankful you didn’t follow in the ruts of David Tubb and instead chose a real killer like the 44 mag.
Sarcasm off/
Seems like you have a 700 SA with presumably a .308 boltface, if you aren’t planning on spending an additional $1xx bushing the firing pin, I’d stick to a LRP case.
tthomp302
Gold $$ Contributor
Also as far as why a heavy contour. She prefers heavier guns. She has used my 284 win. with a heavy varmint barrel (the rig weighs in at around 18 lbs) with great success. We hunt in a box stand most of the time and she feels the extra weight helps with the balance and recoil of the rifle.
SVT_Tactical
Gold $$ Contributor
I like good old 260 remington. Good selection of brass and with 120 noslers it will hammer all the game mentioned. Fits in a short action fine. You could go 260ai for the "wow" factor.
25 Creed looks really interesting to me. Especially with something like the Patriot Valley Arms 117gr Cayuga for killing things. 25 Creed would be a very easy cat all around with brass and dies. If you wanted something just a little different maybe a 250AI or maybe the 6GT necked up to 25...
6.5s are nice but everyone has them and projectiles seem to disappear quickly from the shelves here. At 300 yards and in it's not really going to matter that much on projectile diameter either.
6.5s are nice but everyone has them and projectiles seem to disappear quickly from the shelves here. At 300 yards and in it's not really going to matter that much on projectile diameter either.
tthomp302
Gold $$ Contributor
I was eyeballing 25 creed for using the 133 bergers. They look really good and can run at decent speeds.
That would be a solid combo. I have a 6mm Creed and a 260 Rem already which is a large part of the reason I don't have a 25 creed. I'm a 25 cal fan boy.
Personally I have been going to monolithic bullets for killing animals in the last couple of years. In 2021 I killed two elk and a decent mule deer with monolithic bullets 122gr or lighter at ranges out to 543 yards with excellent results.
Personally I have been going to monolithic bullets for killing animals in the last couple of years. In 2021 I killed two elk and a decent mule deer with monolithic bullets 122gr or lighter at ranges out to 543 yards with excellent results.
260 Rem, 129-130 grain bullets, doesn't recoil like a mule kicked her, brass is easily formed and available. My oldest daughter loves hers.
7mm-08 130 grain bullets. Kills well, shoots plenty flat. Raised 2 kids killing deer with these combinations.
I would say 25 Creed if they had named it something else. 25 cal bullets are virtually nonexistent. Does it come with a hair bun? I'm sorry,, I couldn't resist.
250 AI might be fun? From what I understand it's about like 25 Creed without the horrendous moniker. And you won't see many of them.
7mm-08 130 grain bullets. Kills well, shoots plenty flat. Raised 2 kids killing deer with these combinations.
I would say 25 Creed if they had named it something else. 25 cal bullets are virtually nonexistent. Does it come with a hair bun? I'm sorry,, I couldn't resist.
250 AI might be fun? From what I understand it's about like 25 Creed without the horrendous moniker. And you won't see many of them.
250 AI is probably the easiest. Dies are around since its an older chambering. Brass can me bade from lapua 22-250 or any of the high end Creedmoor offerings. A 7 or 7.5 twist can handle standard bullets or the 130+ class. Seems like most barrel makers already have a reamer for it. Just make sure its throated for the heavies. In a pinch, 250 Savage ammo is out there.
Aside from that, the x47 case is excellent in a short action whether its a 6, 25, or 6.5
Heavy barrel means different things to different folks, but anything over about .65 inches at the muzzle is heavy for a hunter to me. I'd work on a balanced gun without the weight, but that's just my preference.
Aside from that, the x47 case is excellent in a short action whether its a 6, 25, or 6.5
Heavy barrel means different things to different folks, but anything over about .65 inches at the muzzle is heavy for a hunter to me. I'd work on a balanced gun without the weight, but that's just my preference.
Do a 6 or 6.5mm... there's already enough competition shopping for .257" slugs.
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