Newbie looking for caliber opinions

Nuggs

Nuggs

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I've always been a long time hunter, but awhile back I joined the Military, and years later have come to the realization that between sailing and my old hunting grounds being far away, I simply don't have the time for it anymore.

That being said with my range membership in hand, and a wife newly hooked on pistols ( I know, It's gonna make it so easy for me to justify expenses now :p ), I've been slowly selling off my hunting gear and switching over to more range type stuff.

I am somewhat torn between .308 and .223 Rem for a first rifle. I am leaning towards .223 as it will be cheaper to shoot, and will provide ammo commonality with an AR build. Range wouldn't be any further than 500m ATM.

Long story short, for a starter bolt action, what caliber would you guys recommend?
 
I'm pretty much into the same boat as you. Personally I would go for .308

I already do hand loads for .223 and although it is relatively cheap to reload if you want to do the majority of your shooting at 500m then I think you may find the light bullets get tossed around pretty easily.

Also if you go with .308 you may find next fall you want to go out and try for a deer, the only time .223 is legal to have in the woods in nova scotia is after deer season and before the summer (dec to march)
 
Fast twist 223 all the way! Cheaper to shoot, little recoil to develop bad habits and with the 80-90grain heavy bullets 500yds is child play for them, 900-1000 is doable and guys are pushing them out to 1500
 
Shep546 said:
I already do hand loads for .223 and although it is relatively cheap to reload if you want to do the majority of your shooting at 500m then I think you may find the light bullets get tossed around pretty easily.
Also if you go with .308 you may find next fall you want to go out and try for a deer, the only time .223 is legal to have in the woods in nova scotia is after deer season and before the summer (dec to march)
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The max I'd be shooting to for the foreseeable future is 500, but usually 200-300 for the most part.
Having something available for deer has been a sticking point for me, that I am trying to ignore, but worst case scenario I'll always have my 4th Generation .30.30 (can't let anything with that much history go.

I will end up with both calibers at some point, just curious on opinions for the first one.
 
The commonality of the .223 ammo/bullets (or .308 if you go for an AR10) will be limited/tied too the twist rate of the barrels between your future AR15 and future bolt gun being the same, or close too being the same or not.

For the price of mid-low end bulk .223 ammo around .35c a piece, its pretty affordable. Mind you, one doesn't go through 300 rounds on a bolt gun in a day at the range like you can easily with an AR (no need to tell you being in the armed forces!).
 
BenL said:
The commonality of the .223 ammo/bullets (or .308 if you go for an AR10) will be limited/tied too the twist rate of the barrels between your future AR15 and future bolt gun being the same, or close too being the same or not.
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I'd likely be looking at a 1:9 for both if I went .223
 
Does your range in halifax go to 500 yards? Your wife might want to shoot the rifle as well and that would make the 223 my choice. FS
 
Nuggs, what club are you with, I was with Valhalla Gun Club in Truro Nova Scotia but they have closed their doors for good effective Dec 31. I am looking for. Good Club within 1 hr drive so Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Pictou, Oxford etc would be good. I served 28 years , Capt retired now. Like the idea of long range , was part of my life in Middle East, so MIT be fun to get in the shooting again. 223 is the cheaper way to do it BTw. Private message me later if you like with club names etc.

Maybe the good folks here can put a list together of All Gun Clubs in Canada, with current status and contacts, would help a lot of folks out.

Cheers.
 
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generally, ammo availability is far better for 308 -- many off the shelf target/premium loads available. It can be hard to find 223 other than common FMJ bulk, and the selection of premium loads is pretty poor (at least where i shop). so, if you do not reload, 308 may be better.
 
Nuggs said:
I've always been a long time hunter, but awhile back I joined the Military, and years later have come to the realization that between sailing and my old hunting grounds being far away, I simply don't have the time for it anymore.

That being said with my range membership in hand, and a wife newly hooked on pistols ( I know, It's gonna make it so easy for me to justify expenses now :p ), I've been slowly selling off my hunting gear and switching over to more range type stuff.

I am somewhat torn between .308 and .223 Rem for a first rifle. I am leaning towards .223 as it will be cheaper to shoot, and will provide ammo commonality with an AR build. Range wouldn't be any further than 500m ATM.

Long story short, for a starter bolt action, what caliber would you guys recommend?
Click to expand...

The choice is simple - 223 and the rifle WILL fit your wife.

Happy days ahead my man,.... happy days.

Jerry
 
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