new guy looking for caliber suggestion
- Thread starter Wicked K5
- Start date
I've always had a liking to the .284s. 7mm rem mag, 7mm weatherby mag, 7-08, and 7wsm are all in my arsenal. The 08 is lightest on recoil, but the rem mag is very manageable in a 700 sporter. Very versatile caliber with good bullet options. Can find a decent selection of factory ammo also.
My most recent endeavor is a .264 win mag. I picked up a late 70s win model 70xtr just because it was a beautiful rifle. I've got it shooting decent, but what a pleasure to shoot....very little recoil, and good bullet selection being a 6.5. You can load for, hunt, and effectively take everything you mentioned, same with the .284s. Has reputation for being a barrel burner, but that can be minimized with mild loads. Downside.....very little factory ammo. I also have a 6.5x55 swede, I wouldn't be afraid to take an elk with it at 300 or less with the right bullet, but i wouldn't venture past that.
And of course you can go in the middle with the trusty 270win or WSM.
The 260 and 6.5cm is mentioned a lot, I have neither so I can't say.
Good luck and enjoy pressing the trigger.
My most recent endeavor is a .264 win mag. I picked up a late 70s win model 70xtr just because it was a beautiful rifle. I've got it shooting decent, but what a pleasure to shoot....very little recoil, and good bullet selection being a 6.5. You can load for, hunt, and effectively take everything you mentioned, same with the .284s. Has reputation for being a barrel burner, but that can be minimized with mild loads. Downside.....very little factory ammo. I also have a 6.5x55 swede, I wouldn't be afraid to take an elk with it at 300 or less with the right bullet, but i wouldn't venture past that.
And of course you can go in the middle with the trusty 270win or WSM.
The 260 and 6.5cm is mentioned a lot, I have neither so I can't say.
Good luck and enjoy pressing the trigger.
Ooo 6.5x47L. done.
Ha, seriously though. Short action a 6.5 of the common three will do it. 7-08 is another good choice, and 308 has been around for a reason.
Elk, I'd recommend larger like 308 or 30-06; both do fine in target shooting, milder recoil, I'd chose a 260 or 6.5 Creed, depending on the action and mag length.
From here it's a question of how much target shooting? Semi-serious or just plinking occasional fun? That would probably dictate what recoil you'd want.
-Mac
Ha, seriously though. Short action a 6.5 of the common three will do it. 7-08 is another good choice, and 308 has been around for a reason.
Elk, I'd recommend larger like 308 or 30-06; both do fine in target shooting, milder recoil, I'd chose a 260 or 6.5 Creed, depending on the action and mag length.
From here it's a question of how much target shooting? Semi-serious or just plinking occasional fun? That would probably dictate what recoil you'd want.
-Mac
Last edited:
I am assuming that, when you refer to long range shooting vs long range hunting, you are referring to some kind of match shooting (F-class or PRS, for example).
I agree with others who stated that you would really be better off with two rifles, rather than trying to do it all with one rifle. The requirements for a good hunting rifle and a good long range target rifle are very different.
I am a big fan of the 6.5's. If you plan to stick with a true short action, and limit your intended game to deer and hogs, either the .260 or the 6.5CM will do. If you go with something like a Tikka (really an intermediate length action), skip them and step up to the 6.5x55. Loaded to its potential, it is capable of outperforming the other two.
If elk is on the menu, a 7mm of some sort would be the better choice. Pay close attention to twist rate. To take full advantage of the best 7mm bullets, you will want at least a 9 twist. If going with a true short action, the 7-08 is an excellent choice. Load it with 160 class bullets of your choice. Nosler 160 Partition, Berger 168 VLD or Classic Hunter, or Hornady 162 AMAX, 162 ELD Match, 162 ELD-X. Pick your desired bc and terminal performance.
If you go with an intermediate action, .284 Win, 7x57, or 7x57AI are all good choices.
Spike A
Gold $$ Contributor
I know the 260 is slightly faster than the creed but its not THAT much faster.. I have nothing against the 260.. but if the 6.5 creed catches your eye... than go with it... you wont be disappointed, the differences arent all that great IMO... if you were looking for a cheap good hunting rifle than id suggest finding an old good shape mauser in 6.5x55... nice little hunting rifle... and buy a starter target gun.... On another note... a friend of mine just bought a cheap savage in 6.5 creed and it shoots great... not quite my custom 6.5 but it shoots good... atleast 3/4'' at 100.... has a harder time target shooting with me though as the barrel gets warm quick... but its still possible....
6.5 caliber is a great choice. Some might say NO for elk but a good many elk have been cleanly killed with .260s. Even at extended ranges with today's long range bullets. The creedmore is a perfect round as well. Certainly the 284 caliber gives more bullet weight insurance for bigger animals. Additionally the 7mm gives better long range BC numbers in heavier bullets. Still its a good choice for smaller critters as well with lighter bullets. Heavier bullets will return more recoil also. It's really a trade off. A 9-10 lb gun will take care of most of the recoil that a 284 caliber gun has that a 260 does not. Both are great choices for long range paper punching or hunting.
AR-10 in .308 can be loaded to meet your needs within the mission parameters you are asking to meet.
It is a very common caliber and the AR platform is a proven design for safe and reliable low recoil use.
Most Magnum weapons will not hold up as long under heavy use.
The taking of an Elk will require a hot load HP round.
Limit the use of hot loads in a gas gun if you want the weapon to last longer.
It is a very common caliber and the AR platform is a proven design for safe and reliable low recoil use.
Most Magnum weapons will not hold up as long under heavy use.
The taking of an Elk will require a hot load HP round.
Limit the use of hot loads in a gas gun if you want the weapon to last longer.
The 308 suggestion is another option. The AR is a super accurate option as well. I own an AR 10 LR. Fully equipped it's a 12-15 lb gun. That said, it's one of the most accurate guns I own. It will also educate a shooter better than the 6.5 or 7mm guns will. With much lower BCs and velocities you will have to work harder to learn how to beat wind and stay fast enough out to 1000+. Because of the need to keep the coal at 2.800 in an AR platform, you'll be limited to bullets. Both 1000 yard shooting and killing Elk at any extended range will be somewhat of a challenge. With my 26" REM 700, I can load to around 2.950. That extra room really makes a difference in that cartridge, especially for the 175-190s. The AR is a great option if weight is not a factor.
Would you believe the 30-06 is the most popular round in Alaska.
2016 INFO
They discuss what works in Alaska. Many choices.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.firearms
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.