Calibre Opinions?

[NWTHunter]

I was faced with a similar decision recently and have wound-up with a .243. My first choice was the 7mm-08, but only because I thought I had a really good deal on a like-new Model 7 in that calibre. Turns out the deal couldn't be finalized.

Now I have 100 rounds of 7mm-08 ammo and a .243.

Looking at it all again, I probably would have bought a 6.5x55. I have no concerns with that calibre when it comes to the uses you descibe. As well, it is a proven calibre for much bigger game, such as moose. Of course, the 260 is a ballistic twin for the old Swede, so I suppose it would be just as good; and in a short action to boot. Hm.

 

[Huntsman]

Very true statment in my mind!

1899 wrote:
But, one of the greatest deer/antelope cartridges, IMHO, is the all too often forgotten .250 Savage. I think it is just about perfect.

X3

My suggestion is 250s but the new 260 is looking good to

Since your suggesting he buys a 250 Savage, who's chambering them these days?

Remington offers a 100gr PTD Sp,Winchester 100gr Silvertip :wink:

IMO,I'd go for the Winchester mod.70 Featherweight in either the 6.5x55 or the .243Win.

Huntsman

 

[senior]

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:37 pm Post subject: Calibre Opinions?



I am looking to buy a gun that I will use for coyotes and occasional deer/antelope maybe, but more important I want it to be good for my daughter that will be interested in hunting in a few more years.

Sorry BOONER didn't realize when this was wrote that he meant NEW guns only :!:

 

[Brambles]

A nice light mountain rifle in 25-06, its an ideal antelope and deer cartridge and makes a dandy coyote gun as well.

Here's one
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/viewtopic.php?t=99147

That's as may be, Brambles, but it also is very loud and does have a decent amount of recoil with standard loads.
Loaded down to the .257 Roberts or 250 Savage specs it'd be more appropriate for a younger hunter, at least when using 120gn bullets, but that kinda defeats the purpose, don't you think?

If you load the 25-06 down when they are young, and still get the same power as a 257. Then when they grow up and get more comfortable you can increase the power levels. Seems more versitile to me. In addition you don't need to use a 120 gr bullet for deer and antelope. Plus the 25-06 has more power for when dad wants to take it out. Seems like a win/win.

Only my opinion of course

Brambles

 

[Hornhunter]

If you load the 25-06 down when they are young, and still get the same power as a 257. Then when they grow up and get more comfortable you can increase the power levels. Seems more versitile to me. In addition you don't need to use a 120 gr bullet for deer and antelope. Plus the 25-06 has more power for when dad wants to take it out. Seems like a win/win.

Only my opinion of course

Brambles

Great train of thought and I think it has been said before but if you were talking about the 308win you would have it all and then some in the short action rifle!

Only my opinion of course

 

[todbartell]

seems like someone wants to sell their rifle! :mrgreen:


I'm soon to be making some 25-06 reduced youth loads, featuring 100 gr. Sierra GameKIngs over H4895 for about 2700 fps. Even though the rifle is a UltraLight Weatherby, the 15 yr old kid shooting it has trouble holding it (7 lbs and too long). A short action Model Seven in 260 would fit him alot better.

 

[Shelldrake]

Both would be a good choice. I would go for the 260 if it was me making the choice. I concur with the others that Alberta Tactical mentions,, myself I have a 7mm08 for this kind of work. If the 260 was avail 20 years ago,, I would have jumped all over it.

 

[Brambles]

seems like someone wants to sell their rifle! :mrgreen:

Yes and No. 25-06 is a nice caliber, just happens I have 2 of them.

Truth be told if a guy was to pick 260, 7mm-08, 308, 257, 25-06, 6.5x55 and other calibers like those, he would be more than happy with his choice. We tend to really over analyze the whole caliber thing. For deer, coyote, and antelope your options are pretty much endless and basically everything within reason would be fine.

Brambles

 

[death-junky]

i would get the 243 there good for any deer size range animal and would work well on coyotes.
talk to ya all later
Riley

 

[Rembo]

This whole "light caliber" rifle thing for youngsters is way over-anylyzed....I started my boys out on centerfires with a Rem 600 in 243 and a 660 in 308. There didn't seem to be much difference in recoil off the bench...they got thumped smartly but learned to handle it. They were about 10 and 12 at the time. Any good bolt action of the lighter shorter variety from 243 to 308 will do fine. If the 308 is a bit much, load it down to 30-30 levels and work uo from there. We had a CIL 830(Savage 340) in 30-30 that we shot quite a bit too. Actually, maybe one of the best rifle/cartridge combos for a new shooter/hunter is a Marlin 336 in 30-30, quite light to carry and low in recoil...and we all know what the 30-30 can do . And don't let them shoot off a bench all the time. Shooting from the sitting position with elbows on the knees is good paractice and make them shoot from leaning on a post or a tree..simulate field conditions. Recoil off the bench is a whole other matter than shooting from a field position.

 

[boomer2]

I guess I should cast my vote here too. The 6.5x55 in a Featherweight! The reason being I bought one for my daughter about a year ago and of course I have been using it as my moose backup gun, and as my whitetail deer gun. Funny thing is, now my daughter thinks she should use it!

She grew up shooting .22 and muzzle loaders in various calibres from cross sticks that is the way I chose to introduce her to the 6.5x55. The felt recoil off x-sticks is much lower than a bad hold off the bench. She loves it, and I took a video of the first three shots to show her how apprehensive she was at the start, and a the satisfied/conficent look by the third shot. On our hunt this year, she will be carring the gun, and I will be carrying the x-sticks! Hope we are succesful.

 

[boomer2]

I guess I should cast my vote here too. The 6.5x55 in a Featherweight! The reason being I bought one for my daughter about a year ago and of course I have been using it as my moose backup gun, and as my whitetail deer gun. Funny thing is, now my daughter thinks she should use it!

She grew up shooting .22 and muzzle loaders in various calibres from cross sticks that is the way I chose to introduce her to the 6.5x55. The felt recoil off x-sticks is much lower than a bad hold off the bench. She loves it, and I took a video of the first three shots to show her how apprehensive she was at the start, and a the satisfied/conficent look by the third shot. I should mention this was 140 gr Nosler Part, using IMR 4350 about 2 grains under max which was an accurate load in this gun.

On our hunt this year, she will be carring the gun, and I will be carrying the x-sticks! Hope we are succesful.

 

[PEI ROB]

7mm-08

Youth Loads