Need a rifle to cover the gap between my 338LM and .22LR. What cal?

J

Jeff000

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As much fun as the cannon is to shoot I can not always make it to a place worth shoot it, and it's an expensive beast to feed.

I can't decide what caliber I should get to cover the gap between the 338lm and the .22lr.
I keep thinking, 308, or 223, or 22-250, maybe 204.

I'd like to shoot decent ammo for a buck or less a round. and give me at least 1 MOA at 300 meters.

Or should I just say screw it and get a gun like a M14 and have some fun?
I have a good scope to put on whatever I get. And of course I would like to spend as little as I can, but don't need to be cheap.

Has anyone else fell into this predicament?
 
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Are you just punching paper for this candidate long-gun, or have non-range applications in mind too?

If you are punching paper up to say 600m, .223 Rem would be an excellent choice.

Ready ammunition availability, cheap to reload for a rifle cartridge, good accuracy, lots of rifles chambered for it.

If you want to shoot at longer ranges or have non-range applications, .308 Win is what I would recommend.
Again, ready ammunition availability, normally good reloading components availability, lots of rifles chambered for it.
 
It's mostly for just shooting whatever out with the buddies. No hunting.

No need to get out to 600, I'll pull the 338LM out for that. But at 300, it just seems too expensive.
So at 300, 223 or 308 would be about my best options eh, so whichever rifle I come across at the best deal first?


kennymo said:
That is one heck of a gap.
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lol, I know!
 
.223, 284, 308 . All good choices ..

And ALL will push you way past 300, 500, 800..

There's guys shooting the 223 to 1000yds and more with great success ..

Not trying to be a downer but shooting your 338lm inside of 1200+ is really just expensive noise as far as "right caliber for the job goes"
 
Well, for purely range work I'd say .223 for the cost savings. People regularly shoot it out to extreme distances with good success, you just need to make careful choices in terms of bullets to use.
 
I'm just getting into precision so take this for what it's worth. My research indicates that 223 is your best bet but if you enjoy the 338 and its just target it may not be enough for you. I'm currently looking for something that I will work up to 1000yds (bigger than my 222) and am seriously considering the 6.5 cartridges. I like the 308 but maybe the 6.5x284 or 260. Have you looked at those?
 
I think your on the right track with either the 223 or the 308; both are available for a wide range of applications. If you want a spare hunting rifle, lean towards the 308 though.
ivor
 
6.5x55 swede would be something I try. Never had one in precision rifle, but sweet to shoot, just that.
 
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r204 said:
6mm BR
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Do they make factory rounds for it?


DOA357 said:
I'm just getting into precision so take this for what it's worth. My research indicates that 223 is your best bet but if you enjoy the 338 and its just target it may not be enough for you. I'm currently looking for something that I will work up to 1000yds (bigger than my 222) and am seriously considering the 6.5 cartridges. I like the 308 but maybe the 6.5x284 or 260. Have you looked at those?
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6.5x284... hmmm....


ivor said:
I think your on the right track with either the 223 or the 308; both are available for a wide range of applications. If you want a spare hunting rifle, lean towards the 308 though.
ivor
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Looking at the cost of guns I think I am leaning .223. Although as I am looking at 223 options I keep looking at SA stuff instead of bolt, lol.

I wish the EE had better prices, hardly save the cost of the fuel driving to my local gun store to buy the gun for most.
 
id say .22mag, effective till 175 yards and accurate, a .223 can hit out to 1000 yards with the right gun, but for anything small needs a far shot like a rabbit or a really light bullet up to a coyote size target and widely available and cheap to shoot for both, then a .243 can hit accurate and far and some guns will like the larger bullets for heavy game like deer in some places, and .308 for large animals like deer, moose and such which will be just like your .338
 
.308 , you can find store bought ammo(match) to stretch this out. .223 not so much.Wind, less effect on the .308. If you reload, more components available for .308.

If you decide to big game hunt , .308 is great all around from small to big.

You have already learned the long range game it appears so no need to start small to work up.

Sure you could go .284 , 260 , 6.5 x 55 all that stuff but when it boils down to it, the .308W is like hitting the easy button in so many aspects.
 
Jeff000 said:
As much fun as the cannon is to shoot I can not always make it to a place worth shoot it, and it's an expensive beast to feed.

I can't decide what caliber I should get to cover the gap between the 338lm and the .22lr.
I keep thinking, 308, or 223, or 22-250, maybe 204.

I'd like to shoot decent ammo for a buck or less a round. and give me at least 1 MOA at 300 meters.

Or should I just say screw it and get a gun like a M14 and have some fun? I have a good scope to put on whatever I get. And of course I would like to spend as little as I can, but don't need to be cheap.

Has anyone else fell into this predicament?
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A solution to the choice, with commonalities would be to get a new 580 series Mini 14 AND a M14. Since one is basically a scaled down version of the other, they clean and function the same, and you can use whatever cheap ammo comes your way, not to mention there isn't just 1 stop between 22lr and .338.
 
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