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new guy looking for caliber suggestion

Hi all. I found this site through my usual haunt Calguns. I am looking to get my first hunting rifle soon and am open to suggestions from experienced hunters. I don't know if I'm being reasonable as far as what I am looking to get out of this chambering but here's what I'm looking to for:

*capable of taking elk, deer, and hogs
*I want to get into long range shooting (not long range hunting), so I would like this cartridge to serve as a segway into LR
*minimal recoil without a brake. I am not recoil sensitive but my wife is not a big fan
*factory ammo a plus but not a deal breaker. I'll be reloading
*sub $600 factory rifle in selected chambering
*not a barrel burner
*short action preferred

I have been doing a bit of reading online and *think* I should be looking at 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08, and .308 Experts please provide some guidance
 
Man, you want it all.

That "elk" on the menu makes it tough to go from target, varmint to big boys. Barrel life, recoil and what I figure is a "fun factor" all have to be there. A big plus is you can reload.

Out comes my neck. Purchase a factory 260 Rem in a pretty fast twist like 1-8 or 1-9. You can do that on a short action. It will give you a bit more than the Creedmoor and offer you the possibility to blow it into a 260 Ackley.

Think that would cover you from top to bottom with all the energy and bullet weights you might need.

Want you to know I think you really should get TWO different rifles - big and small.
 
I agree with CaptainMal in that you will have to compromise something on your list if you want it all in one rifle. The .308 or 7mm-08 would be ok as long as you limit range the range on elk-size game and choose good bullets. In terms of rifles, a Rem 700 is a good choice and would be an excellent platform for a future build if you get the long range bug bad.
 
The only cartridge that comes to mind that "fits your bill" is a .260Remington.. For Elk I would be using the Barnes TTXS>>>you will get flat trajectory and the ability to smash thru bone and penetrate to the vitals. As far as a rifle is concerned, I would go to either a Savage or Remington>>>both will serve you well and both have good platforms for transformation to a long-range F-Open rifle.. However, a "one rifle to do everything" concept usually means compromise on every aspect of performance for any one of the areas you are looking to cover. But the .260 WILL fill your bill!
 
+3 on what has already been said.... a .260 or maybe a 7mm-08 will kill most game animals you are hunting and is good all around. I prefer a .260 but use a 7x57(same as a 7mm-08) for elk......
 
Since you have included elk in the mix, my advice would be the 308. I'm a real 6.5 fan, but it is hard to argue the bullet selection, additional power and long-range accuracy (over many years) of the 308 over the 6.5x308.
 
Thanks everyone. What if I took elk out of the equation. Just pigs and deer.

The only reason I was toying with the idea of 6.5CM was having a flat shooter that I can hunt with and use to get into long range work (with a different rifle, just consolidating cartridge sizes). Another reason I considered the 6.5 is that Savage has an 11 Trophy Hunter XP that can be had for ~$500 with optic. Is there any .260 Remy options that are similarly priced?

If the Creedmoor is still out of the question, what would be the pros/cons of 7mm-08 vs. .308?
 
Don't get a factory rifle with optics. The optics will have to be thrown away the minute you get the rifle home.

Once you learn how to shoot long range the flat shooting characteristics are not going to be a big deal. Go with the 7mm-08 and do it all.
 
Just pigs and deer? The 6.5x308.

For many years this was the go-to cartridge for course shooters. It always did very well from the 600yd line in capable hands. It is likely the best balance of energy and recoil for whitetail hunting by recoil-shy shooters. The sectional density of the 129-140gr 6.5mm bullet is very high for deep penetration on med game.

Would it suffice for elk? Yes, if you use the proper bullet, within reasonable distances (300yds or less) and if you can place the bullet absolutely where it needs to go.
 
Wicked K5 said:
Thanks everyone. What if I took elk out of the equation. Just pigs and deer.

The only reason I was toying with the idea of 6.5CM was having a flat shooter that I can hunt with and use to get into long range work (with a different rifle, just consolidating cartridge sizes). Another reason I considered the 6.5 is that Savage has an 11 Trophy Hunter XP that can be had for ~$500 with optic. Is there any .260 Remy options that are similarly priced?

If the Creedmoor is still out of the question, what would be the pros/cons of 7mm-08 vs. .308?
.260 still ;D
 
I hand load for over 60 cartridges.
I have a lot of reamers, dies, and guns.

The most accuracy, range, and power I can get in a 10 pound carry rifle, scope, bipod, sling, and rear Holland bag is with 7mmRemMag in 26" barrel #3 taper.

If I have to cut the weight down to 9 pounds, I go with a .270 in 22" barrel in featherweight taper.

If I have to cut the weight down to 8 pounds, I might go with a 243. I have never got a long range 8 pound rig together.
 
The .260 sounds like another great option. And Savage has a factory rifle in that caliber as well. Just by looking at Midway, I noticed brass and factory ammo cost a bit more than the 6.5CM. I have also heard that the .260 eats brass. Can someone verify or discredit this claim. Is the performance over the 6.5 that much better to justify the added cost of being able to feed it?
 
agree with 260. has and does all, and you can neck 308 brass in a pinch....and don't we all feel that pinch!
 
I would suggest the .260. I had one built on a VZ24 action and chmbered for 260 AI. This was right after the 260 starte dhaipping. I sent the info to Chuck Hawks at the tim but he would not publish is due to not having pressure data. The AI version is great, In get one hole groups all day at 100 yds. It gets boring. Now the AI chamber is getting very popular with many having the same excellent accuracy. I used a shilen barrel and B&C stock and free floated the barrel from just in front of the chamber end. I usally get a 100-150 fps increase over the standard 260 with no pressure signs from looks, measuring, and checking velocity of groups by starting with standard 260 case handloads to fireform the brass. For me there is about the same recoil as my .223 varmiter. Good luck.
 
Savage makes several reasonable priced rifles in 260. I bought the mdl 16 Trophy Hunter, didn't care for the Nikon scope so I sold it for $100. As far as brass goes you can neck down 308 or neck up 243.
 

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