my next caliber - 280 Rem, 6.5x55, 7mm, 257 Wby

You know I seem to recall my Bee killing outstandingly at 50 mtrs as well as 450 mtrs. I don't really subscribe to that line of thinking, just because it really reaches out and touches things, does not make it less effective at close range. One must use very good bullets in a cartridge like the 257 Bee at all times, it is not a cartridge for your cheapo C+C bullets on game you want to eat. It also seems to me that everyone seems to forget that if one wants, one can throttle it back to Bob ballistics or go to the 125 gn Matrix bullet and match blows with the 6.5 class of cartridges. Then there's the fun of 4000 fps with the 70-90 gn bullets, better than a Swift and virtually zero recoil............look out varmints !!!!!!!!!!!!! And if you're worried about throat life, think of it this way....if you can afford to shoot 'er out, you can probably afford to rebarrel it.
 
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25-06 is a great round.

I was going to recommend a 25-06 as well.

Wholesale Sports in Langley, BC has/had a Rem 700 XCR 11 (stainless with black Nitrite finish camo stock) in 257 Wby on sale for under $800.00

Already having a 270 Wby I bought the 25-06 that was beside it.
 
For my wife I got her a 308. I did use it to shoot a moose. Both my boys each have a 7x57, seems much better at 1 shot kill on deer than the 243 I started them on. I used a 280 until I stopped big game hunting. The 280 is great and flat shooting.
 
I'd say .257Wby. Fast, flat and fun. It has a nice range of bullet weights and will really shine at long range if someone ever steps up and builds a high BC bullet.
 
I've really gotten back into shooting/hunting with the 6.8SPC this cartridge was brought about by those with a desire to replace the 223/5.56 military round the parent case is a shortened and necked down 30 Rem which is a rimless 30-30 COL is from 2.29" - 2.33" depending on the style of firearm you have, bullet diameter is 6.8mm/270 cal.

Several different bullets that were specifically designed for the 6.8spc excel in this cartridge the best is the Barnes 95gr TTSX these will reliably expand down to 1600fps with a muzzle velocity of 2850fps - 2960fps this is a realistic 300 - 350 yard deer combo.

100gr & 110gr Accubonds, 110gr TSX and 120gr SST's are a few others that excel for hunting deer.

There a re even a few guys using this cartridge taking elk and moose I have used it to take 3 mule deer and 1 blacktail deer it is so accurate that I shoot the heads off of grouse at 50 yards.

My 8 1/2 year old son loves to shoot our 6.8spc rifles 23" barreled T/C Contender carbine and a 22" sporter fluted barrel Rem 700 light tactical and if I could ever get my wife out its low recoil would not intimidate her in the least.

The cartridge and rifles are not that common but if you ever get a chance to try one you will fall in love with this great low recoiling accurate combo.
 
243, 260, 7mm-08 are the best choices for both recoil and ammo cost, whether factory or reloading. 100, 120, 140 grain bullets respectfully for deer. Those can be had in light guns which is another plus. How many light 257 Weatherby's are there? Loading down one of those leaves a lot of space in there. Way more recoil too IMO. 25-06 could work too but realistically you are limited to 120 grain bullets and could go 140 grain or better in both the 260 and 7mm-08.
The 260 would be my first choice. A Savage 11 Light Weight Hunter is about 6.5 lbs scoped, very accurate and low recoiling at that weight. What's not to like? The 243 is a great choice too provided that WT deer is the biggest game pursued.
That 6.8SPC and 6.5-284 are both interesting to me but factory ammo availability would be an issue I think.
 
Well, I'm down to either the 260 Rem or the 6.5x55. I'll let you know when I place the order since availability may factor into my choice. Thanks for all the input
 
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the plain old 270 Win yet.

Recoils much less than a 30-06 in the same rifle and shoots flat.

Lots of factory ammo available, and it'll do everything the 280 will do until you get over 150 gr bullets and above but you have 30 cals for heavier bullets.
 
I am partial to the 6.5x55

great round for everything walking around the bush here in Ontario.

toss a scope and new stock on a swede and you are off to the range.
 
The sky is the limit..... 25-06 in a browning bar ... Yes I have one great light toy ....and semi for those follow up shots on the run nice and fast...... Or a bar in .270 semi as well 400 meters no problem ..... As for bolts well it all depends what maker makes it... Just my thoughts.... My girlfriend just loves my 25-06 .... Well she said its hers now after she took her first buck with it
 
I just picked up a browning X-bolt in 7mm-08 and it is awesome low kick low noise accurate as can be its only like 8lbs and ammo is easy to find. 6.5x55 is a nice shooter aswell.
 
Personally, I would avoid the Bee for your wife. I have had 3 of these and they are all extremely loud. Most women I know do not like the noise of shooting a firearm. The recoil, which men focus on, do not seem to bother most but noise does. I got rid of mine for that reason because they were simply obnoxious. Try something like a 260/7-08 class rifle and no magnum cases.
 
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