What hunting scenarios do I use my rifles in?

mosinmaster

mosinmaster

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Hi,

So so far have 3 rifles: a 22lr, 6.5x55, and 8x57.

The 22lr is a Savage Mk II FV model which has the heavy barrel. It wears a Leupold 2-7x33 scope. I suppose its role would be target shooting (25-75 yds), varmint hunting, grouse and squirrel hunting. This caliber's role is clear.

Now the 6.5x55 and 8x57 are a toss up for me.

The 6.5x55 is a BSA CF2 wearing a Leupold 3-9x40 scope. It weighs about 8-8.5 lbs, but balances very nicely so the weight isn't apparent. With this caliber, I figure I can hunt pretty much deer, bear, elk, and moose?

The 8x57 is a Husqvarna FN 98 commercial mauser action that I left with the stock irons (rear leaf and blade with bead) as it felt much more balanced that way. I can also hunt deer, bear, elk, moose etc. with this rifle. I shot it for the first time on Tuesday, and with 198 gr FMJ bullets, I can hit a 9'' diameter gong at 200 yards. Is that good enough for hunting?

I suppose the biggest game I'd hunt is moose. Will these cartridges effectively and cleanly take a moose down with one shot assuming good shot placement? Or should I look into a magnum to ensure a one shot kill? I'd rather not get a magnum.

I'm in the Pacific Northwest where most of the hunting will be in forested coastal areas with intermittent flat pastures (farmland) etc. My rational was that the Mauser would be handy in the woods, whereas the 6.5x55 would be nice in the open terrain or dusk/dawn when there is low light so the scope will help. Is that logical?

Lastly, I am thinking that I need a caliber in between the .22 lr and the 6.5mm (.264) and 8mm (.323).

I'm a sucker for vintage cartridges, so I was contemplating the .243 Winchester. What do you guys think about this cartridge and the rifles that are chambered for it? Is this obsolete? This calibre was originally designed for varmints, but it can take small deer as well. Would all my bases be covered with this cartridge?
 
The 8MM Mauser can knock down any north american animal down, ive shot every thing from varmints to Moose with weaker factory ammo, I also hand load some ammo for more serious hunting.
 
Thanks for your experience and input. Were most kills on big game one shot kill? And how was the knockdown power? What grain bullets and type of bullets did you use?
 
The 6.5 will suit you needs perfectly. Personaly I don't think you will need something between the 6.5 and the .22. If you handload, you can make some light loads up for small bodied deer like blacktails. And some 160grain heavy loads for moose/grizz. Standard 140g factory 6.5 loads will work great on all deer, moose, elk, blackies and grizz. It will drop all game in North America with proper shot placement. I'd use your 6.5 in all hunting situations wether it be wide open or in the bush. Handload for you 6.5 and you will be amazed at what that cal is capable of
 
How about for varmint hunting? .22-250 or .243 Win? .243 seems to be flexible for varmints and small deer. And it's bucks the wind better than a .22 cal bullet. Any thoughts?
 
mosinmaster said:
Thanks for your experience and input. Were most kills on big game one shot kill? And how was the knockdown power? What grain bullets and type of bullets did you use?
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I took my moose with 2 shots, bears with 1 shot, bucks with 1 shot. That was with the 170gr federals, but i do recommend if you don't reload to get the sellior and Bellot 196gr bullets since there loaded pretty strong not like the american ammo. You can also take anything out with the 170 gr with 1 shot only if you have the proper shot placement.
 
mosinmaster said:
How about for varmint hunting? .22-250 or .243 Win? .243 seems to be flexible for varmints and small deer. And it's bucks the wind better than a .22 cal bullet. Any thoughts?
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Keep the 6.5x55, its perfect, you don't need a cal in between, Instead of staying with a smaller cal , move to something bigger than 8MM, maybe 9.3x62 and etc.
 
Wouldn't the 6.5x55 not be economical/efficient to hunt varmints because although you can load it with lighter bullets, you still need to fill the case with more powder than what a .22 or .24 cartridge could do with a short action and less powder?

I shot some Prvi 198 gr hot ammo and it was accurate at 200 yards in 8x57. However, the brass didn't expand fast enough so I got some gas leakage. Also it's very dirty ammo!
I'll probably reload the brass and see if I can get something more accurate and cleaner!
Is S&B cleaner?
 
mosinmaster said:
Wouldn't the 6.5x55 not be economical/efficient to hunt varmints because although you can load it with lighter bullets, you still need to fill the case with more powder than what a .22 or .24 cartridge could do with a short action and less powder?

I shot some Prvi 198 gr hot ammo and it was accurate at 200 yards in 8x57. However, the brass didn't expand fast enough so I got some gas leakage. Also it's very dirty ammo!
I'll probably reload the brass and see if I can get something more accurate and cleaner!
Is S&B cleaner?
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I shot both brands and to me they seem the same, except that the S&B was a bit cleaner.
 
Either one, but I'd recommend the 6.5 because your rifle has a scope on it.

There's no denying that with the scope you will be shooting way more accurately.

I have a heavy 6.5 too.

That's an excellent 8x57 though. If you really want to use various rifles ( I do) I'd try the 8x57 on black bear hunting. Most bears I've got have been from 10 to 80 yards away.

That would be great on moose and elk too, too but you can see shootable moose and elk 300 yards away, not something I'd try with iron sights.

If you are in southwest B.C. what varmints are you going to shoot?


And if you are hunting squirrels the only squirrels that are legal game are the imported from the East gray squirrel or the Richardson's Ground Squirrel (gopher) which don't occur there.


It is illegal to shoot the little reddish brown Douglas squirrels.
 
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mosinmaster said:
Wouldn't the 6.5x55 not be economical/efficient to hunt varmints because although you can load it with lighter bullets, you still need to fill the case with more powder than what a .22 or .24 cartridge could do with a short action and less powder?

I shot some Prvi 198 gr hot ammo and it was accurate at 200 yards in 8x57. However, the brass didn't expand fast enough so I got some gas leakage. Also it's very dirty ammo!
I'll probably reload the brass and see if I can get something more accurate and cleaner!
Is S&B cleaner?
Click to expand...

The 6.5x55 will be pricier than a 223, but if you factor in the extra cost of a rifle, scope and ammo then it'll take a while for you to be back "in the black". It's really whatever you want to do but I would recommend picking up a dedicated varmint/predator rifle. That said, I like having a variety of tools in my safe. Hence why I have a 416 Rigby, 458 Win and 470 NE when any oen of them will do the job of the others.

For the Prvi brass, try neck sizing only. That should take care of the gas leakage problem. I reload for pretty much everything. Just makes life easier to tailor the load to the rifle rather than just accept whatever the rifle happens to do with factory ammo.
 
Squirrels and grouse are outside of the coast more into the interior and up North.

The .223 as a dedicated varmint round, I feel like I could do better with .243 then.
 
mosinmaster said:
Squirrels and grouse are outside of the coast more into the interior and up North.

The .223 as a dedicated varmint round, I feel like I could do better with .243 then.
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You could but unless you're going to hunt predators there's no reason to go 243. More expensive to shoot/load and more recoil than necessary.
 
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