Rifle caliber suggestion

[Kevin Taylor]

Dare to be different. 257 Roberts.

I think 257 Roberts would be perfect.

 

[GSPV]

I had read that the 6.5 creedmoor wasn't considered a good hunting round???? or was that just BS?

That’s just adverse reaction to the cartridge’s cult-like following.

6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Remington are all great cartridges for the task that you mentioned. Just select the specific bullet for the specific job and then put the pill where the pain is.

Addendum: As would most all of the cartridges mentioned. I’d stay away from the 45-70 for what you are wanting. Too much lead, not enough velocity. Never going to be “low recoil”.

Really, your choice is going to depend on fractional things like: Do you need to have readily-available factory ammo for it? Cost of factory ammo? Are you a Lapua brass bigot (I am). Do you need to pick from what, say, Cabelas has on special? Yadda-yadda. With my situation, for what you’re asking, I’d build an 8 twist 6 BR with .104 freebore on a Kelbly’s tactical Atlas. Maybe put it in a Magpul stock. But, that’s me.

 

[GSPV]

...The Sierra 85 gr hpbt #1530 can be a do all bullet when loaded with IMR or H4350 powder.

That bullet is the most versatile 6mm bullet on the planet. I’ve killed a dump truck load of varmints and deer with it in a 243. I liked the 4350, but for some reason, H414 also shot very well for me.

 

[Webster]

I had read that the 6.5 creedmoor wasn't considered a good hunting round???? or was that just BS?

Animals don't know cartridge names. Bullet wt and FPS.

 

[Tack Driver]

If you’re going to reload, .260 trounces all of the aforementioned options as far as the best combination of ballistics and energy down range. There aren’t a ton of factory loadings, but they’re good too. It edges out 6.5 creed in case capacity, and thereby velocity. The 6.5 Bullet selection is great, recoil is very little. Some where around 10ftlbs if memory serves. Also, you can form .260 brass easily from .308 if ever there were a shortage of brass. My .260 built by mike burns (the rifler on here) shoots Berger 130 VLDs half MOA all day long. It’s a Great all around cartridge

 

[Cade]

I had read that the 6.5 creedmoor wasn't considered a good hunting round???? or was that just BS?

That was BS. It is an excellent round all the way up to Elk

 

[DennisH]

Like many above have stated. 243 win is hard to beat. I shoot 22hornet, 223, 22-250 and 243 on a fairly regular basis. 243 is gona be a do all cartridge for you. If you pick a rifle that fits you well and can carry it in the woods plus bench or varmint shoot it you will learn it well and be proficient with it.

Interestingly, I also have a Savage VLP 22-250! I would have to state it's the most accurate "factory" rifle I own! I bedded the action, and also put a Rifle Basix Trigger on it.

Accuracy is unbelievable. I will attach a target @ 100 yards with load info which I am "NOT" recommending to anyone. I prefer my 6mm's as bullet choice for hunting is far greater.

With my 22-250, shooting FMJ's, it's all about shot placement, which is no problem out to 400 yards. My 6mm's with NBT's are very "damaging", putting it nicely!

IMO, most of my rifles require a little more skill past 400 yards. Some are just getting started at 400! Normally I site in 1" high @ 100 yards, then go straight to 600 yards. No problem with any of my rifles.

1/4' Diamond @ 100 yards, 4 shot group, this rifle would shoot a pattern like this any day of the week! Hitting something the size of a "sparrow" @ 100 yards was no problem. With the 52 grain Bergers, damage was substantial on small game. I would have to check, but I am pretty sure the barrel is a 12 twist!

My loads are sometime up to the "LIMIT", don't start here, always start your load lower, or follow Lyman's Reloading Book for their recommendations. I like shooting the 52 grain bullets, they are much faster and stay together. I followed the COAL in the Lyman Book as my Hornady gauge would not work. The 52 grain bullets were well off the lands.

 

[DennisH]

That’s just adverse reaction to the cartridge’s cult-like following.

6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Remington are all great cartridges for the task that you mentioned. Just select the specific bullet for the specific job and then put the pill where the pain is.

Addendum: As would most all of the cartridges mentioned. I’d stay away from the 45-70 for what you are wanting. Too much lead, not enough velocity. Never going to be “low recoil”.

Really, your choice is going to depend on fractional things like: Do you need to have readily-available factory ammo for it? Cost of factory ammo? Are you a Lapua brass bigot (I am). Do you need to pick from what, say, Cabela's has on special? Yadda-yadda. With my situation, for what you’re asking, I’d build an 8 twist 6 BR with .104 freebore on a Kelbly’s tactical Atlas. Maybe put it in a Magpul stock. But, that’s me.

To each his own.

I have a 45-70 and a lightweight 338 Lapua (7 lbs +/- a few oz's), both for hunting. Sadly, my shoulder cannot handle either one. This is me, everyone and their rifles are different! The damage the 45-70 creates is unbelievable. Same with the 338 Lapua. I shoot 300 grain bullets in the 338, and 300 to 400 grain bullets in the 45-70. The 45-70 is almost 1/2 the speed of the 338!

Below is a target from my 338 @ "300" yards. These three shots will fit "within" the rim of a quarter! My 338 is very accurate, even past 800 yards. I state this as I have never shot it further to test it!

I am "NOT" recommending this load to anyone. Always start lower and work up to see what your rifle likes. FWIW, a person on this site told me "Retumbo" would be my best friend, and he was right. My 2nd favorite powder for the 338 is RL17.

 

[DennisH]

Also, the 6.5x47 and 260 were mentioned above.

The 260 is one of the best hunting rounds available. People consider it "Grandpa's" rifle, and want something new! Just like a Lincoln Town Car, the younger generation does not want this vehicle even though it was one of the best made during it's time.

Below is a target from my 6.5x47 Lapua shooting 123 grain Lapua Scenars @ 100 yards. It also easily a sub MOA rifle @ 600 yards if you are doing your job. Ammunition usually is readily available for the 260. Lower target is shooting 120 smk's. I built this rifle to shoot competitions, to heavy for hunting!

I am not recommending this load to anyone, always start lower and work up.

I guess I will add I tested barrels for a major barrel manufacturer for several years. This is why I have a collection of pictures. I have nowhere near shoot "all" calibers available, but all are very close to something!

Expect the same from a 260!

Both are sub MOA @ 600 yards.

The "target red dot" is the size of a pencil eraser on a #2 pencil.

4 shot group, 123 Scenars, 100 yards, sub MOA @ 100 yards.


Same rifle shooting 120 grain smk's @ 100 yards, 5 shot group, one of several targets.

 

[GSPV]

To each his own.

I have a 45-70 and a lightweight 338 Lapua (7 lbs +/- a few oz's), both for hunting. Sadly, my shoulder cannot handle either one. This is me, everyone and their rifles are different! The damage the 45-70 creates is unbelievable. Same with the 338 Lapua. I shoot 300 grain bullets in the 338, and 300 to 400 grain bullets in the 45-70. The 45-70 is almost 1/2 the speed of the 338!

Below is a target from my 338 @ "300" yards. These three shots will fit "within" the rim of a quarter! My 338 is very accurate, even past 800 yards. I state this as I have never shot it further to test it!

I am "NOT" recommending this load to anyone. Always start lower and work up to see what your rifle likes. FWIW, a person on this site told me "Retumbo" would be my best friend, and he was right. My 2nd favorite powder for the 338 is RL17.

View attachment 1073902

I made the 45-70 dis-recommendation because the OP asked for a cartridge with low recoil and 300 yard coyotes and whitetail.

The 45-70 is a fine cartridge for many situations. The OP’s isn’t one of them.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I am just getting back into reloading, but I am still a newbie so to speak. I have sold all of my rifles and I am looking for a new round. it would need to be low recoil, flexible, and forgiving when reloading. distance out to 300yds for whitetail, coyote.
I have been looking at .243, 6mm, 7mm-08,257 Roberts,300 savage, 30-30.

any suggestions would be appreciated

45-70 for fun and 7mm 08 for everything else

 

[hillbillydruggist]

To each his own.

I have a 45-70 and a lightweight 338 Lapua (7 lbs +/- a few oz's), both for hunting. Sadly, my shoulder cannot handle either one. This is me, everyone and their rifles are different! The damage the 45-70 creates is unbelievable. Same with the 338 Lapua. I shoot 300 grain bullets in the 338, and 300 to 400 grain bullets in the 45-70. The 45-70 is almost 1/2 the speed of the 338!

Below is a target from my 338 @ "300" yards. These three shots will fit "within" the rim of a quarter! My 338 is very accurate, even past 800 yards. I state this as I have never shot it further to test it!

I am "NOT" recommending this load to anyone. Always start lower and work up to see what your rifle likes. FWIW, a person on this site told me "Retumbo" would be my best friend, and he was right. My 2nd favorite powder for the 338 is RL17.

View attachment 1073902

sorry what is "retumbo"?

 

[DennisH]

sorry what is "retumbo"?

RETUMBO is a Powder like "Varget", RL17, H4350, etc.

I never heard of it until a person mentioned it to me. I tried it and love it in several of my rifles.

Dennis

 

[stacy]

That bullet is the most versatile 6mm bullet on the planet. I’ve killed a dump truck load of varmints and deer with it in a 243. I liked the 4350, but for some reason, H414 also shot very well for me.

WELL SAID H-414 IS MY FAVORITE IN 7 243'S WITH THOSE 85 BTHP

 

[Webster]

I am just getting back into reloading, but I am still a newbie so to speak. I have sold all of my rifles and I am looking for a new round. it would need to be low recoil, flexible, and forgiving when reloading. distance out to 300yds for whitetail, coyote.
I have been looking at .243, 6mm, 7mm-08,257 Roberts,300 savage, 30-30.

any suggestions would be appreciated

If you don't want to spend $700 for a custom barrel I would go for a 243 Win. definite no 30-30 for 200-300 yrds. A 270 WIN or 308 would work.

 

[EBaker]

The 6.5 Creedmoor won't kill...lol. I have a 16.25 inch bolt gun on a Howa platform that I use with an AAC SDN-6 suppressor. I shoot the Hornady 123 SST over Varget. If I new how to upload pics, I would show you the damage. I know there are a lot of Creedmoor haters and that's fine. But for my purposes at 300 yards and in, it's just fine here in Georgia for most critters.

 

[EBaker]

Deer shot with at 16.25, 6.5 Creedmoor barrel using the 123 SST over Varget at 100 yards.

 

[Jagermeister]

I am just getting back into reloading, but I am still a newbie so to speak. I have sold all of my rifles and I am looking for a new round. it would need to be low recoil, flexible, and forgiving when reloading. distance out to 300yds for whitetail, coyote.
I have been looking at .243, 6mm, 7mm-08,257 Roberts,300 savage, 30-30.

any suggestions would be appreciated

I have used the Rem. 6MM for years. Better to reload than the .243 and mine have been very accurate. The heaviest bullet that I have used is the Sierra 85gr. BTHP. I don't know how it would work on deer but coyotes it works great.

 

[long40shot]

270 Winchester.

 

[MQ1]

I am just getting back into reloading, but I am still a newbie so to speak. I have sold all of my rifles and I am looking for a new round. it would need to be low recoil, flexible, and forgiving when reloading. distance out to 300yds for whitetail, coyote.
I have been looking at .243, 6mm, 7mm-08,257 Roberts,300 savage, 30-30.

any suggestions would be appreciated

I’ve had all of the above cartridges at one time or another, except for the Roberts. For your stated purpose, I’d opt for the Roberts or a straight up 25-06 (which is my personal choice). For coyote to deer, a 25-06 is pretty straight forward. It is not the most sexy, short actioned, whiz bang of the day, but it sure works, is easy to load for, and finding or forming brass is never a problem.

FWIW,

MQ1