First Bolt Action *update help me please/thankyou*

boomboy said:
Thanks for the advice splatter.

I wont be hunting for around a year's time as I wish to work on marksmanship. I will be stalking however I don't mind a little extra weight so long as it handles well as I'm not a little guy. I don't reload, so I am curious as to make and manufacturers of suitable 6.5x55 bullets for harvesting moose. As well as availability and price. I apologize for the million questions but I really want to do this right the first time.
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Good quality and reasonable price:
Remington loads their 140gr Core-Lokt
Winchester has a 140gr Pointed Soft Point load

Better, but much more expensive and harder to find:

Norma with 140gr Partition or 156gr Vulcan/Oryx/Alaska

It is not expensive to get a basic reloading set-up and it will pay for itself quite quickly if you shoot regularly.
 
The four best big game cartridges for the non-reloader are .243, .270, .308, and .30-06 because factory ammo should be available anywhere and ammo costs are lower compared with other, less common chamberings. Your choice of a .270 is a fine one.

For new rifles, I would choose a Winchester Model 70 or a Ruger M77. A used Husqvarna is another good option.
 
Go to the stores you normally will go to when you buy ammo. See what they have. Ask the manager [not the punk who was hired last week] what cartridges/calibers they have on hand. I really think you'll be happy with a 6.5x55 husqvarna from tradeex. Low recoil, and good, solid guns. But only buy one if your store has 6.5x55 on hand ALL THE TIME. If the manager says it's hit and miss, then steer clear.
.308 is very ubiquitous, but perhaps the recoil is more than you'd like.
A .270 is a GREAT choice, but again, that depends on what your shoulder can handle.
A 7-08 will be a bit less recoil, but have very close ballistics to a .270. But that's another one you should only buy if your store says they have it in all the time.
Lots of options, but you'll be limited by what your store carries for ammo, and what your shoulder can handle. So the answer is the smallest caliber that your shop carries all the time, but don't go smaller than a .260 Rem.
 
While I agree that it's nice if your local gunshop stocks your preferred ammo al the time, I don't agree that it's necessary.
If they don't stock it, you'll just have to by it in bulk and stockpile.
Once you have a good quantity of brass saved-up, it'll make sense to start reloading.
 
I don't know what type of shape your shoulder is in but remember that you might not be shooting a whole lot or as much as you think unless you have a reloader and can shoot in your backyard. Even when you do go to the range, most guys like to take their time shooting to let the barrel cool, have a smoke/relax, and because big game rounds aren't cheap and etc. All of the above calibres pretty much are in the same category (although I've never shot a 6.5). 270 is a great choice.

Also, I shoot a 30-06 auto rifle for hunting and find that it has much less recoil than a bolt. Little less accurate though. I'd let you come shooting but the plane ride might kill your gun budget.
 
Wait a minute,

What about a good sporterized 303 brit???? They have low recoil, been killing moose and deer for a hundered years, very affordible, some nice ones on EE, And ammo should be anywhere. If your going to practice a lot before you go hunting with it than you will hit the vitals just as easy with a nice little 303. Check out EE their are a couple nice ones on there.

PS i don't know the seller if thats what it sounds like.

Steve
 
If you're after a great low recoil round the 6.5 Swede is great. Read up on it. Ballistically that are great and they are a round that has been proven for well over 100 years. The .270 is very good too but I've shot both from very similar rifles and the Swede has far less recoil. But as mentioned above the ammo is not always the easiest to find and is kinda pricey.
If you want to come out to the Wack some time you can shoot the 6.5.

-werd
 
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