Sell me on a new cartridge.
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
- Start date
I was also interested to get into PRS style shooting. So I had a rifle built in 6.5x47 Lapua. Lapua brass (small rifle primer) is the only option that I know of for it. But I prefer Lapua brass anyway, and one of my new caliber requirements was that Lapua has to make brass for it. It was plentiful at the time from Hirsch so I bought enough brass to last for 1 or 2 barrels worth.
The rifle builder I worked with said the PRS guys are mostly shooting 6mm cartridges. That is also what I have read and seen in YT videos lately. Fast, flat, low recoil.
But most of my longer range shooting will be in recent cutovers in the bush where I need to see the dirt splash, so the bigger 6.5 bullet makes a better splash. My local range has only 200 yards max which cannot and will never host a PRS match, and the closest PRS matches to me are at least 1000 km away. So likely most or all of my PRS dream will be training in cutovers making holes in dirt and paint chips on steel gongs.
6.5x47 Lapua can be necked down to 6mm to make 6x47 L, and I believe it can be reloaded with the same dies using the appropriate neck bushings. So with a new barrel and bushings I can convert to 6x47 L easily if I want.
I was tempted to go with 6.5 Creedmoor, which can also be necked down to make 6mm Creedmoor, and 6mm CM brass is apparently available now too. But I went with the Finland design instead, just because.
Great questions.
I agree with other comments: low end diameter (17) or high end (50 cal).
I like my 17 WSM. Other like the 17 HMR or 17 HM2. Flat shooting, no recoil.
How about 50 cal muzzleloader for big game hunting? Maybe no need where you are (down here is SW Ontario we get extra ML seasons) but a nice modern inline muzzleloader might be something.
Savage A220 bolt action sabot 20g slug gun? It's a rifle..... shotgun?
You have the 45-70 so maybe no lever PCCs like the Henry Big Boy in 45 Colt or 44 Magnum? I hope to take my Henry 45 Colt deer hunting in Michigan this year.
Other PCCs? 45acp rifle, 10mm auto rifle are good options IMHO, especially if you reload. I much prefer reloading straight walled pistol cartridges.
I agree with other comments: low end diameter (17) or high end (50 cal).
I like my 17 WSM. Other like the 17 HMR or 17 HM2. Flat shooting, no recoil.
How about 50 cal muzzleloader for big game hunting? Maybe no need where you are (down here is SW Ontario we get extra ML seasons) but a nice modern inline muzzleloader might be something.
Savage A220 bolt action sabot 20g slug gun? It's a rifle..... shotgun?
You have the 45-70 so maybe no lever PCCs like the Henry Big Boy in 45 Colt or 44 Magnum? I hope to take my Henry 45 Colt deer hunting in Michigan this year.
Other PCCs? 45acp rifle, 10mm auto rifle are good options IMHO, especially if you reload. I much prefer reloading straight walled pistol cartridges.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
nothing on that list screams
you need something that goes over 3000FPS
you need something that goes over 3000FPS
Lighter 30-06 loads will crack 3000 FPS but point taken.
browning525
Member
- Location
- Brooks, AB
Not a single belt in your collection so far. I would say go with 338 wm, or .....the ultimate; 358 Norma!!!
relayer1989
CGN Regular
- Location
- Belleville, Ontario
Based on your current list a smaller shotgun gauge or a magnum length cartridge would fill in the gaps.
My picks:
.410 gauge - compact, great for hunting small game, offers a challenge for those faster animals
300 Win Mag - you will easy get 300 fps more than your 30-06, suitable for long range shooting with the right setup. A good choice for hunting larger game at distance.
Both of these are common cartridges, with plenty of options both in ammunition and firearm.
My picks:
.410 gauge - compact, great for hunting small game, offers a challenge for those faster animals
300 Win Mag - you will easy get 300 fps more than your 30-06, suitable for long range shooting with the right setup. A good choice for hunting larger game at distance.
Both of these are common cartridges, with plenty of options both in ammunition and firearm.
375 are medium bore. big bore start at .40 not including the anemic 45-70 ....
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
.375 h&h. I'm super happy with mine and my list is similar but a little longer than yours. I've contemplated what fits in there too.
.17 hmr
22LR
.223/5.56
9mm Pistols and a rifle
.38/.357
.44 C&B
.54" C&B
7.62x39
.243
6.5x55
30-06
7mm RM
.45-70
.375 h&h
.410
20 G
12 G
.17 hmr
22LR
.223/5.56
9mm Pistols and a rifle
.38/.357
.44 C&B
.54" C&B
7.62x39
.243
6.5x55
30-06
7mm RM
.45-70
.375 h&h
.410
20 G
12 G
Since you already have the 6.5 x 55 which is already the top choice LOL, I would suggest the following two classic calibers:
7X57 Well proportioned case capacity for caliber and very accurate and easy shooting round, and can be loaded easily for anything from varmints to moose and bear. I have had one for years, but can't hunt in south-western Ontario with it as it is ..270.
9.3 x 64 Brenneke, (kind of a European .375 H & H) Since you have nothing between the .3o-06 and the .45-70, good for deer up to medium size African game. Also well proportioned case capacity to bullet... Just for the fun and novelty of it. BTW, the Russians use this caliber with armor piercing bullets in their Dragonov heavy sniper rifle.
I'm still fairly new to this so thanks for clarifying. What are the upper and lower limits of medium bore? 0.33 to 0.39?
