New hunting rifle build

[cjmac]

Now that I have the stock that I wanted , a built action and scope. Im stuck on what caliber do I want ? We hunt whitetail in northern fl and lower alabama so thay are not much over 120lbs at the most , atleast where we hunt . Occasionally, we will shoot a hog if we see it .
Iv always wanted a 243 or some kinda 6mm . I have 3 , 308 at the moment ans 2 , 223 which are to small for hunting more than paper lol . Barrel life is another consideration

 

[CJ6]

.473 bolt face ? 6 BR or variant.

 

[swd]

6GT, 6 Creed or the 243 Win. A Dasher would do it too but might be harder to feed well.

 

[linebaugh]

Thats a pretty stock. Nice to see an old school hunting rig with wood.

I assume you reload? 6, .257 or 6.5x47. Its a personal thing but I "typically" do not like overbore cartridges and the 243 gets into that area IMO. I repeat the .257 and 6.5 because you have the ability to get more bullet weight if needed vs 6mm. The GT as mentioned above would also be a decent choice especially if you decide to stick with 6mm.

 

[cjmac]

.473 bolt face ? 6 BR or variant.

Yes sorry forgot to mention that part lol

 

[cjmac]

6GT, 6 Creed or the 243 Win. A Dasher would do it too but might be harder to feed well.

What would the life expectancy of the barrel? The like on a 243 or 6 creed ?
It wouldn't be shot all the time, but I probably would shoot it a little here. And there at the range and working up different loads

 

[cjmac]

Thats a pretty stock. Nice to see an old school hunting rig with wood.

I assume you reload? 6, .257 or 6.5x47. Its a personal thing but I "typically" do not like overbore cartridges and the 243 gets into that area IMO. I repeat the .257 and 6.5 because you have the ability to get more bullet weight if needed vs 6mm. The GT as mentioned above would also be a decent choice especially if you decide to stick with 6mm.

It took forever to find this stock. All of the other ones that I found had been previously bedded..
I'm thinking about putting some kind of hey gloss finish on it ? Iv never done any type of woodwork, especially to a stock.I'm pretty sure this is oil stained or something?
I do reload , I dont know anything about the 257. And very little about the 6.5 vs 6mm. I think the 6mm is close to a 243 ?

 

[swd]

What would the life expectancy of the barrel? The like on a 243 or 6 creed ?
It wouldn't be shot all the time, but I probably would shoot it a little here. And there at the range and working up different loads

It completely depends on how hard you shoot it. If it’s kept fairly cool I’d expect at least 1500-2000ish for hunting accuracy.

How hot you load it too. Lots of variables..

 

[nr123]

I'd go old school, 243.

 

[agr516]

I do love a 243 Ackley

 

[nockhunter]

6mm arc or 6.5 grendel

 

[MClark]

If you always wanted a 243 decision is made.
On a short standard boltface I really like a 6.5X”47 Lapua.

 

[WV Hitman]

I have a 6mmAI and a .250 Sav. AI handguns (XP-100s). I've taken deer and groundhogs out to 400 yds. easily with both. Hogs could be easily done with Nos. PTs for really big ones. The .250 is my favorite. I have lots of load data for it, as well as the 6mm.

 

[mmcu]

A really good option would be the 7mm-08.

In my humble opinion, it's one of the most overlooked hunting rounds out there.

 

[ISS]

257 Roberts.

 

[ebb]

260 Remington

 

[DLT]

243 win

 

[ncageneral]

I am a fan of both the 257 Roberts and the 260. To realize the true potential of the 257 Roberts it needs to be in a long action in my opinion and throated correctly for the bullet you intend to use. The 260 really shines on deer sized game with the 120 - 130 grain bullet. I prefer the Sierra 130 gr HPBT. It'll shoot flatter than you think and do a great job once it gets there. 260 is a lot more versatile than the 243. The only drawback is you don't get the free hair bun like with a 6.5 Creed.

 

[linebaugh]

It took forever to find this stock. All of the other ones that I found had been previously bedded..
I'm thinking about putting some kind of hey gloss finish on it ? Iv never done any type of woodwork, especially to a stock.I'm pretty sure this is oil stained or something?
I do reload , I dont know anything about the 257. And very little about the 6.5 vs 6mm. I think the 6mm is close to a 243 ?

I meant .257 as in .25 caliber. Like a .25-6.5x47.

I dont know much about finishing wood but thats going to a classy rig when done

 

[ISS]

No Roberts? 260 Remington then!