New Hunting Rifle Caliber

just went through this myself trying to justify a purchase

6.5 PRC w/ 143 gr, muzzle 2910, 0@200, -6.4@300, -36@500, 10mph wind@90= 2"@200, 13"@500, muz energy 2760, 1870@400
.308 Win w/150 gr, muzzle 2940, 0@200, -8.0@300, -47@500, 10mph wind@90 =3"@200, 20"@500, muz energy 2880, 1480@400

Hornady 6.5 brass@~ 1.50 ea, Peterson 2.00+ea

tough to make a case, other than 'I want ...'
 
Last edited:
nowarningshot said:
The OP hasn't said if they're a reloader. If you aren't, stick to really common calibers, with ammo available at common stores like canadian tire.

One of those common calibers is definitely not 240 Weatherby. Effectively a 30-06 case necked to 6mm. Probably 3-400 ft/sec faster than 243 win. It's also been around for decades, so slower twist, which means many of the larger bullets designed for new 6mm will not stabilize. Your stuck with just a few bullets, typically in the 90-100gr range. Notable are nosler partition and ttsx. Actual factory brass and ammo are both rare and extremely expensive.
Click to expand...
Some 243ā€™s now have faster twists barrels. Tikka is 1:8 and weatherby 307 model shows 1:7.5. Those can shoot the new slick bullets.
 
Ronsse610 said:
Hello to all, EDIT

I currently own a Tikka T3X Chambered in .308 and im looking into changing rifle calibers. i knoe the .308 does pretty much what i need it to do but looking for a change and versatility. the caliber would be mostly to hunt whitetail deer/black bear and smaller animals. i have a lot of people talk to me about 6.5CM and 6.5PRC what are your thoughts ( most notable flat shooting) otherwise what caliber would you suggest and why? i dont not reload ammo so will be factory loads

thanks
Click to expand...
the 6.5 Grendel is essentially the 30 gr powder class 308, can't wear a barrel out, similar bc/sd/trajectories and they kill deer/black/bear/coyotes/wolves to beat the band, fun to shoot, just buy cases of factory hornady 123gr eld match and use it for everything, it mimics a 308 168gr eld match about 3/4 scale with about 55% less recoil, the only difference is it's a 52,000 psi cartridge in factory form to run in semi-auto's so it's a bit slower than the equivalent 308 but you can compensate for that by going longer barrel than you would on a 308 as about the only difference on trajectory and initial velocity, the upside to that is the lack of crack/pressure is very quiet to the animals for some reason you will see more chances and doubles/triples on deer if you have enough tags, you'll also get more lead in the air on a already hit perfectly deer as they don't seem to react as harshly if you haven't drt'd it, it's amazing how close animals can be to you if you have a slight wind in your favour and they don't react to the grendel shots....so call the trade off a wash between the little bit slower than equivalent 308 bc load, you can reload and bring pressures up to 308 and run right with it....

so for the light/trainer vs the main heavy the 6.5g 123 is the yang to the 308 168 yin, can't wear either one of em out plus it's big game legal most places, I know lots of usa or places where .22 cal is legal guys also like as low as a .223 with 77gr Sierra tmk (tipped match kings) and they kill even elk at 400...and sounds like they have a gazillion shot barrel life, there's also the 6 grendel (named 6 arc by hornady) but for a 6mm it will have a great barrel life....you can wear them out though, so the true mirror to the 308 qualities but in that 30gr powder class is the 6.5g

look at howa mini, ruger American for those, hopefully nicer rifles come along that chamber these awesome cartridges with some higher end features and quality, I'm sure it's coming as they are getting more and more popular since they started hitting shelves here in 2017 and exponentially more popular the past few years as the world catches on to the modern awesomeness of the x39 case, we've been running the 6.5 grendel in our house for 7 seasons now (since 2018) and it's been an awesome killer, 21 animals (not incl. coyotes) 10-420 yards, average shot distance about 170 yards, 7 species in Alberta (moose, bighorn sheep, antelope, whitetail, mule deer, black bear, wolf) and average recovery distance is about 11 yards...just flat out drt's most everything, have started adding some 308's and got 5 kills now with 308 but it's 3 drt vs 2 runners so far, one 15 yard recovery and one 60 yard recovery...in same last 2 seasons 6 animals killed with grendels and all of them drt's...
 
Ronsse610 said:
Hello to all, EDIT

I currently own a Tikka T3X Chambered in .308 and im looking into changing rifle calibers. i knoe the .308 does pretty much what i need it to do but looking for a change and versatility. the caliber would be mostly to hunt whitetail deer/black bear and smaller animals. i have a lot of people talk to me about 6.5CM and 6.5PRC what are your thoughts ( most notable flat shooting) otherwise what caliber would you suggest and why? i dont not reload ammo so will be factory loads

thanks
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with buying another rifle, but I wouldn't replace a 308win with a 6.5CM or PRC.

Your 308 is much more versatile than either of those 6.5s. I'd say just bullet down and keep the 308. That Tikka will shoot everything from 110s to 200s really well.
 
Canuck65 said:
Nothing wrong with buying another rifle, but I wouldn't replace a 308win with a 6.5CM or PRC.

Your 308 is much more versatile than either of those 6.5s. I'd say just bullet down and keep the 308. That Tikka will shoot everything from 110s to 200s really well.
Click to expand...
Geez man the guy is itching to buy a new rifle.

Don't talk him out of it. :ROFLMAO:
 
blakeyboy said:
the 6.5 Grendel is essentially the 30 gr powder class 308, can't wear a barrel out, similar bc/sd/trajectories and they kill deer/black/bear/coyotes/wolves to beat the band, fun to shoot, just buy cases of factory hornady 123gr eld match and use it for everything, it mimics a 308 168gr eld match about 3/4 scale with about 55% less recoil, the only difference is it's a 52,000 psi cartridge in factory form to run in semi-auto's so it's a bit slower than the equivalent 308 but you can compensate for that by going longer barrel than you would on a 308
Click to expand...
the 2 are even closer when using higher pressure Grendel loads for bolt guns
 
While this likely dates me and reveals my age, I think there's a strong argument for a .270 Winchester. It kills everything your .308 does, produces similar recoil, and flattens out your trajectory quite noticeably -- the holdover you would have used at 300 yards with your .308 is what you would now use at 400 yards with your .270. Of course, it depends what you see yourself hunting. If you're looking for a medium game / varmint rifle, it's not what you're looking for. But if you're wanting to add more range for sheep, pronghorn, mule deer, etc. while still being able to reliably dump an elk or moose on occasion, there's a lot do be said for Jack O'Connor's favourite cartridge. Hell, even Dogleg here on CGN (if you hold him down and tickle him enough) will concede to having started his hunting career with a .270 shooting 130 grain bullets and killing absolutely everything he pointed it at. Just don't tell him I was the one who told you :)
 
Haha I believe it. Maybe had I quit using 140 accubonds Iā€™d still be rolling the .270 which Iā€™ve always said was my favourite 20th century cartidge. However kidā€™s coming up timed well with when I could get my hands on Grendels, things changed after that.

That dogleg has sure kilt alotta sh1t. I listen when he talks and his deliver is entertaining. He studies the game and reports on findings without any bias from what I can tell, he doesnā€™t care what it is as long as it works and reports what works better despite preconceived institutions.

The 308 decision this go round for my ā€˜big gunā€™ just had other 20ā€ handy general purpose universal cartridge factors layered in and also mirrored what we were loving about the Grendel.

Iā€™ve actually never been a 30 cal fan and canā€™t say thatā€™s changed yet so warming up to be a 308 win fan while I ignore itā€™s diameter, itā€™s still early in the game but itā€™s lookin good so far. I like itā€™s 168gr eldm bc/sd more than itā€™s diameter and that itā€™s in the next size up powder class than the x39 case. Not into raw maximum efficiency of powder burned...if I wanted that in next size up over grendel Iā€™d just have gone 6.5 manbun. Not really a long range care at this point but will likely still steer it to nearer to its potential than not. Practice fun and coyotes etc.

Really happy with what Iā€™ve seen .25 sd eldms do between 2500-1800 fps, and seen report of same sd eldm 1700 fps recovered and textbook mushroom so that takes me far enough with maybe room for down to 1600.
 
Last edited:
I choose a 2506 for where I'm at as I live in a caliber restricted area. The 2506 I've taken coon fox coyote wolf white tail deer and black bear. It is a fantastic cartridge and shoots flat. I'd take it over my 308 any day. Kills are much faster with the 2506 than the 308 on similar placed shots.

A 270win offers great ballistics as well and there's loads for everything and it's found everywhere

257 Weatherby is another great cartridge but ammo and brass cost more

I'd have no issues hunting anything in North America with the 270 or 257wby but they'd Excell at what you want to hunt with
 
Ronsse610 said:
tbh shooting up to 500 yards isnt all that important but if i can get a caliber that will allow me to hunt almost all game animals stated and have somewhat of a flat shooting rifle with decent power, il take it! obviously theres no good or single answer to my request as im aware plenty of diffrent calibers but rather just looking for others insights in to what they have if they do something similar like me.
Click to expand...
Your .308 does everything the other cartridges do and more. No such thing as having too many rifles but for the game and distances you've mentioned the .308 outperforms.
 
Ronsse610 said:
Hello to all, EDIT

I currently own a Tikka T3X Chambered in .308 and im looking into changing rifle calibers. i knoe the .308 does pretty much what i need it to do but looking for a change and versatility. the caliber would be mostly to hunt whitetail deer/black bear and smaller animals. i have a lot of people talk to me about 6.5CM and 6.5PRC what are your thoughts ( most notable flat shooting) otherwise what caliber would you suggest and why? i dont not reload ammo so will be factory loads

thanks
Click to expand...
The 6.5's you mentioned are great "cartridges". Don't hesitate to get one. There will be lots of ammunition on the shelves for you to choose. Thsese cartridges have been overly advertized and over-rated but they are very good for big game hunting, right-up to moose. Enjoy you're journey to locate that rifle!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom