choices choices choices....

[thomas_rng]

I am still in the process of picking out my new rifle caliber and I am hoping that some of yall with more knowledge than me could help me out.


What I am looking for in a round..

flat shooting
enough energy
has the energy to make the kill of the intend game
availability
available off the average store shelves would be nice if the ammo did not cost me my first born.(one day i will reload, just not anytime soon)
limited recoil
no more than a .30-06 220 grains, if the felt recoil is around the .30-06 150 grains or less that's great. Reason being mainly is my medical/physical problems.
I am aware of the options to reduce felt recoil, ie, heavier weights, muzzle brakes, some stocks and recoil pads.

The max range I would be shooting deer sized game would be around 5-600 yards. Depending on the round shooting paper/varmints far as possible.

Some of the rounds that have crossed my mind are: 7mm-08,.270win,.25-06

If you have any input on one of those rounds or another that might work for my situation let me know!
Thanks yall

[tetra]

3guns in one that how rem talks about their 300ultra mag!I own a 700LSS they make 3 type of ammo for her power level one,two and three you've seen the commercial. I recommend this gun because if you ever go after anything bigger then a deer you don't have to buy a new gun! By the way she was only 669.99 I've never see anything as pretty as her and so says a lot of people!!!!!look HER UP ON LINE NOT EVER SURE IF THEY BUILD HER ANYMORE....maximum freedom minimum government

[stevenineden]

Given the parameters set above I would choose a Weatherby Vanguard in 270 WSM or a Thompson Center Venture in 270 WIN. The WSM is flatter shooting than either the 30-06 or the 270 win. It will be a little more expensive than the 270 to shoot. Use quality ammo and save your brass for your future intentions. The short action used for the WSM cartridge requires less power to drive the projectile thus less recoil. A little liter and shorter receiver makes for easier handling. 130 grain bullets for deer size game and 150 grains for Elk and Moose size. The 270 shoot flatter than the 30 cals for the same weight bullet. Second caliber choice would be 7mm-08. But the bigger the diameter bullet the greater the kick. The 270 just does it all without wrecking the shoulder. You might think about a T/C Prohunter with interchangeable barrels. The Venture will have a 50 dollar rebate begining Aug 1. I'm liking the Venture but it does not come in the WSM calibers. The Weatherby Vanguard is a fine economical rifle. It is not a cheapo slapped together firearm. The Vanguard comes with a 1 1/2 garantee the Venture come with a one inch or better shot target. Don't go cheap with scopes that's not a good place to save money. Try the Zeiss Conquest for 399, The Vortex Viper or a Nikon Monarch, all three have excellent glass in 3X9X40. Set your scope in Talley Lightweight one piece mounts. You can do some excellent research @ chuckhawks.com.

[thomas_rng]

tetra the 300 is a bit more out of my recoil range than i was wanting, but the power level ammo is a good idea.

stevenineden
Oddly enough I have made my mind up on the pro hunter several months ago go figure I forgot to put that in my first post lol. I really like the concept of the interchangeable barrels and the set up of their rifles. Granted its not one of Gunwerks rifles, I dont even think my bank account has the right amount to even open the web page let alone any other custom rifle. But for my intended purpose and a few choice aftermarket parts the pro hunter should be a good fit for me.

I also do a lot of research at chuckhawks its a great site with a lot of good info. In regards to recoil, I used his page http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm and a little bit of shooting I have done to make that short list of calibers. I understand the concept that the bigger the bullet the more recoil it will generate. However, according to that page in the top half of the list he has both the .270 and 7mm-08 listed. The .270 recoil was 16.5 to 17.0 for 130 and 150 grain bullets while the 7mm-08 with 140 grain was labeled at 12.6. I haven't shot either of those rounds before so I dont know which would be kick a bit more. The .25-06 is listed at a recoil factor of 12.5 and of coarse I have not shot that either lol.

[jbauston]

The 270 WSM ammo will be easier too find at most sporting good stores.I own one and think it can kick pretty good with some loads. I would take a hard look at the new Savage 111 long range hunter in 6.5- 284. I also own this caliber and love it. I just dont have one of the Savages YET. The ammo should become more avaliable in the future. You will be happier when you start reloading your own ammo of any kind. Just MY. opinion

[Rinky]

The only thing with the 270wsm is that premium ammo is going to cost near 50$ per box of 20. Availability is still gonna be spotty as well. That coment about the savage 111lrh is what id be looking at but in 7mm rem mag. Premium ammo is around 35$ and u can find ammo in gas stations.... its that common. Plus on top of it all its more than likely one of savages best shooting guns.

[thomas_rng]

I am kinda leery of those "new" short or exotic cartridges for the main reason of cost and availability. The 7mm rem mag is a great round. To be honest I did not know a whole lot about it or long range hunting until I caught a BOTW show on the outdoor channel last year. So thanks everyone for planting that bug... and im sure my wife would curse you for it as well
If money was not a problem then I would go for the 7mm rem mag. But for right now that is more gun than what I need.(that was harder to type than you might think ) I am down in Texas and wont be needing that much for the hunting down here. In all honesty I could get by with a 30-30 for the range of shots on all the land I have permission to hunt on. The reason why I had flat shooting and target kill range of 5-600 yards on deer sized game. Is if the chance comes up to go pronghorn hunting. And a secondary goal of possible doing some coyote shooting at that range.

[twoeighty]

roger that on the 6.5x284----should cover all your needs down in texas and elsewhere---very mild recoil and superb accuracy potential---it's jeremy winters' favorite...good luck on your choice---280

[thomas_rng]

I think I am leaning more towards a savage rifle in 7mm08. Reason being, savages are supposed to be pretty accurate out of the box. And something that just occurred to me. Savages seem pretty easy to switch out barrels. So in a since I can have a "TC Pro Hunter" but with a bolt action and a few rounds.
I say easy to an extent, it would take a few min to change out the barrels and get the head space set right. Now with optics as long as I get a quick detach scope set up that keeps it zero then that would be cake.
The only draw back I can think of at the moment is my selection of calibers all have to have the same parent case, which in the case of the 7mm08 is a .308. Of the few rounds with a 308 as a parent case they range from .243 up to the .338 federal. Any thoughts???

[twoeighty]

i have probably taken most of my deer with a 7-08 from louisiana to idaho---makes sense what you're anticipating for similar parent cases and headspace issues with the savage bbl/cal. changes in the future-----of late the 6.5's have caught my attention like our europeans in scandanavia and elsewhere(shooting moose)---kinda like the 30'06 is here---they shoot everything with the 6.5x 55 swede---they just kill beyond means of recoil etc---more bang for the buck with sectional densities out the wahzoo----i love 7mm's but the 260 rem is a real sleeper----with the 130 berger at 2800'/s the 260 will hammer elk sized game within reasonable distance (300 yds) in the boiler room---also my limit for the 7-08----aaahh so many guns---sooo little time----you won't go wrong with either in your neck of the woods-----if you wanted a real dual purpose varmint/deer etc----the toss would go to the 260 in my opinion--------with a 95 gr hornady V-max at 3200'/s in the 260 no coyote would be safe at any distance you could connect---good luck---keep us apprised---280

[rscott5028]

Pick almost any caliber you like within reason. All of the ones discussed above will kill deer to 600 yds.

Just don't skimp on good optics with reliable turrets, range finder, chrony, and actual practice/dope at longer ranges.

I'm no expert. But, I watched the Beyond Belief videos about a year ago and after a lot of practice, my 14 yo son shoots sub-moa to 940 yds using a savage 6.5x284 and rem sendero 7mm mag (with a brake).

Happy hunting!

[thomas_rng]

Well good news! My new 7mm rem mag Remington Model 700 Sendero should be in by the end of the week!!! (got the OK from the boss to go ahead and get a good rifle that i will be happy with, plus one to the wife ) Going on top is a Bushnell Elite 6500 Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2.5-16x 42mm Side Focus Mil-Dot Reticle Matte. Granted its not a leupold or a huskemaw. It is however a very nice scope, positive feeling adjustments and an exceptionally great picture. It was equal to if not better than the leupold mark 4. Just have to wait for it to get in and the first day of shooting to be over.