Looking for a caliber to fit with what I have

J

Jayph

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I am looking at building a custom hunting rifle just because I have always wanted one. I have two factory hunting rifles already that have served me well but I want one that is exactly the way I want it.

I have a .308 Win and .270 Win already and everytime I think I found my caliber I always revert back to well thats not much better than I already have. I reload and would like something unique but not crazy or a one of a kind.

Only requirements are
.257 or larger .338 or smaller
No magnums

I have been tossing around these 3 but open to ideas on other calibers
6.5-06 Imp .284 Win .280 Imp

what would be a good 3rd addition to what I have. Would be used for all North American game but the bears. Thanks in advance.
 
I have a .284 win and I love it. I have a .280 AI on the way and expect to love it as well. As far as the 6.5-06 AI, I would just do the 6.5-06 and forget the AI part of it as the cartdridge is almost overbore already. The improvement will burn more powder with minor velocity gains.

6.5-284 should also be considered, i also have one of them on the way :redface: It also depends on what you like to hunt or plan to shoot with it. .30-06 or .30-06ai would do well also or a .30 gibbs.

I couldn't figure it out myself, so I'm just getting one of each!:D Good luck.
 
Jayph said:
Only requirements are
.257 or larger .338 or smaller
No magnums

I have been tossing around these 3 but open to ideas on other calibers
6.5-06 Imp .284 Win .280 Imp
Click to expand...

All three not too far off the .270 to have real practical advantage.

Get something in a .338-06............................................................;)

[I would've said .35 Whelen but you said .338 or smaller....]
 
338 06 awsome calibre. recoil is mild and theres not much you can't do with a 225 grn. shoots as flat as a 30 06 with 180 grn. can use for deer to moose and bear.
 
Jayph said:
I have a .270 Win already...

I have been tossing around these 3 but open to ideas on other calibers
6.5-06 Imp .284 Win .280 Imp
Click to expand...


All three on your list are functionally identical to the .270. You can take the same kinds of game, at the same ranges, and with roughly the same energy, bullet drop/trajectory, etc. etc. They're all 'in the .270 class'. Two were purpose-built to compete with the .270 commercially.

That's not to say getting a custom rifle in .284 isn't a fine idea--it is. Also not to say that the 6.5-06 Improved isn't a better cartridge than the .270--it is.

But if it were me, I'd look to add capacity upwards or downwards, so either adding more bullet weight with a .338-06, or go the super lightweight route with a .260 Rem in a fiberglass stock, under 6 lb unloaded. My two cents, good luck choosing ;)
 
I think the .338-06 is a marvelous idea. Brass is easy to reform and you I am sure can get some good recipe's around here. Nothing quite like a 225 grain "pain relief pill" hitting some unsuspecting quarry. From the sounds of it around here, you definately have another choice to add to the list.
 
there's a new Marlin XL7 in .25-06 at Frank's Superstore in Quesnel...it was my rifle to be, but I may be moving to Vancouver asap, which means that my gun money is suddenly my moving money. :(

I told 'the employee, not Dave the owner' Dave that I'd let others know it was there so my 'special order' item doesn't go to waste or unnecessary cost/expense for them... :redface:
 
Any reason why you say .338 or smaller? Are you just refering to the size of the bullet or the actual .338 calibre?

Because if its the specific calibre then I would say 45/70 and have something really unique in a bolt action. But that's just me.
 
You mention no magnums I really don't consider the wsm a magnum cartridge more like a bigger .284win, the 300wsm or the 7mm wsm would be a good choice.
 
Yup, 338-06 and a 6.5x55 Swede and you can get rid of the other two. Just kidding.
The 338-06 or the 338 Federal get my vote as well.

You will find that there really isn't any real difference between the 6.5-06 and the 6.5x55 in a modern rifle. Forming brass for the 6.5-06 is easy as well. As is the 338 Fed and the 338-06. All are excellent cartridges.

bearhunter
 
The question of the general purpose big game rifle can be answered in a number of ways. As far as I'm concerned the ideal all around big game rifle cartridges are the .30/06 for North American hunting and the .375 H&H for around the world. These cartridges might not be your ideal, and for North American hunting I don't know of any cartridges that can do the job decidedly better than either the .270 or the .308. If your custom rifle is to be exactly the way you want it, you know better than anyone else what your ideal cartridge is.

Obviously you are a handloader, or you would not be interested in the Improved cartridges. The .280 AI has much to offer, but not so much more than the .270. Conversely a .308 can be made into a very light , wonderfully accurate, compact carbine that gives up little to the faster rounds. Modern brass tends to have a short life, and that should be considered before choosing a wildcat, even one that is as simple to form as the AI versions of factory rounds.

Worry less about the cartridge your rifle will be chambered for and more about the components that are to go into it, without loosing sight of what the rifle is for. Which action will the rifle be built around? Will the trigger be factory or aftermarket. How heavy should it be? Will it be fully adjustable for weight, creep, and over travel? Is the magazine box long enough for the length of your cartridges? How long a lead will the chamber have? Will you have the barrel chambered for a specific bullet seated to a specific depth? Don't choose a barrel contour so heavy that the rifle feels clubby. Conversely, don't choose a very light contour unless the barrel is to be short. How will this choice effect the balance and point-ability of the rifle? Make an informed decision over a CM barrel or a SS barrel. What rate of twist is the most suitable for the bullets you are likely to shoot. Don't try to make the rifle so light that recoil becomes unmanageable. When purchasing the scope, do so with an idea of the range at which you are most inclined to shoot. Don't over scope the rifle, either by physical size or by magnification. Get the best mounts you can find. Will you choose iron sights, if so which ones? Choose you stock material with care, and consider the clothing you might be wearing before deciding on the length of pull. What type of bedding is the most suitable for your stock material? Where will the sling swivels be placed? Will that placement allow the muzzle to be carried low enough when slung? If on the forend could the swivel placement result in a cut hand?

Planning a custom rifle can be a joy or a nightmare, its better to enjoy it.
 
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Why no magnums? If you want standard cartridges you have a couple of good ones right now. If you aren't after bigger, faster or significantly different why bother? Consider buying a varmint caliber if you just want something different.
It's very easy to fall into the trap of having dozens of rifles that all do the same thing. Trust me, its pointless.
 
I said no magnums because in my 10 years hunting ( still new to the game) I have never seen a magnum drop an animal any faster than my rifles at the ranges I shoot 450 and under I don't feel the increse in recoil is worth it for a hunting rifle. I have used my dads 300 win mag for 2 years and didn't kill a darn thing any better than my 270 or .308 I apreciate what the magnums offer but there just not for me.
 
Dogleg said:
Why no magnums? If you want standard cartridges you have a couple of good ones right now. If you aren't after bigger, faster or significantly different why bother? Consider buying a varmint caliber if you just want something different.
It's very easy to fall into the trap of having dozens of rifles that all do the same thing. Trust me, its pointless.
Click to expand...


I have varmint rifles already and I just wanted another hunting rifle 3 is far from 12 lol but I do see your point.
 
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