I will dropping it into an HNT26 and probably a carbon barrel. It will be a “precision” kind of light hunting rifle. I’ve got a couple 30-06s and a heavy custom barreled 300PRC, and a 375 already. I would shoot some PRS style matches, but hunting will be the primary usage. What is the simplest and easiest to find projectiles and brass cartridge to go with, considering the action length restrictions? 6.5PRC? I will spec the twist to shoot heavy for caliber bullets, so overall length is certainly a factor. I don’t think I’m ready to go strait to a specific PRS cartridge like 6mm CR. I have collected a lot of components for 30 cal, so that would be the easy way, but if different brass and projectiles are simple to get, that works too.
T3x 308 rebarrel to what?
- Thread starter emerson
- Start date
That might be the way to go, although newer cartridges really do offer some advantages for coyote to deer type hunting. I can load slower for matches. I’m not sure how much better the newer stuff is in the wind. I shoot many K’s a year of 22LR at distance so wind and spotting impacts is top of mind.
The 6.5 PRC cartridge requires a magnum bolt face. Your Tikka .308 bolt face is too small for the PRC.
You might consider .260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmoor. These have essentially identical ballistics, both use a 1:8 twist (or 1:7.5), with the .260 Rem having a slightly larger powder capacity, and therefore a slight edge in max velocity, but it depends on how you reload.
Both are available in factory ammo.
Both are versatile for the same wide range of bullet weights and powders.
If you reload, Lapua brass (the best) in .260 Rem is showing in stock right now at several CGN sponsors. The 6.5 CM brass in Lapua and many brands is usually available everywhere, as it is very popular these days. Note that 6.5 CM brass comes in either small rifle or large rifle primer pockets.
And then there are the 7mm caliber options, like 7mm-08 Rem.
For your MDT chassis, if its a short action size for the magazines (.308 sized), if going with the MDT .308 mags, I would recommend the no binder plate version, which will allow for longer bullet seating. I own a Tikka T3X in .260 Rem in an MDT XRS chassis, and there is no problem with feeding very long bullet seating.
You might consider .260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmoor. These have essentially identical ballistics, both use a 1:8 twist (or 1:7.5), with the .260 Rem having a slightly larger powder capacity, and therefore a slight edge in max velocity, but it depends on how you reload.
Both are available in factory ammo.
Both are versatile for the same wide range of bullet weights and powders.
If you reload, Lapua brass (the best) in .260 Rem is showing in stock right now at several CGN sponsors. The 6.5 CM brass in Lapua and many brands is usually available everywhere, as it is very popular these days. Note that 6.5 CM brass comes in either small rifle or large rifle primer pockets.
And then there are the 7mm caliber options, like 7mm-08 Rem.
For your MDT chassis, if its a short action size for the magazines (.308 sized), if going with the MDT .308 mags, I would recommend the no binder plate version, which will allow for longer bullet seating. I own a Tikka T3X in .260 Rem in an MDT XRS chassis, and there is no problem with feeding very long bullet seating.
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If it has to be 30cal, I’d just leave it the way it is. Maybe rebarrelled for a faster twist? If you’re looking for a 6.5 hunting cartridge, you need look no further than 6.5x55. The cartridge all the other 6.5s are trying to be.
squirrelshooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Near Sudbury, Ont.
.338 federal. Don’t know about you, but I always wanted one!
- Location
- SE corner Sk
7mm 08?
Or 6.5 swede.
Or 6.5 swede.
naktabar72
Regular
- Location
- Posted to #### Hole QC
Too much off a headache to read this.
just get a Tikka t3x compact in 243 and : Done.
Yes I have one…
just get a Tikka t3x compact in 243 and : Done.
Yes I have one…
Takujualuk
CGN Regular
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
The HNT 26 stock uses a different magazine so 280 AI or another 30-06 as the Tikka already has the long action length anyway. My Tikka in that stock is in 30-06 and it's a beauty. Ready for anything!
Biologist's post answers many questions and considerations.
Takujualuk's post answers more.
While many hate it and others love it, the 6.5 Creedmoor suggestion above, with a Wilson carbon fibre barrel would fit w/o many alterations and makes good sense. ballistic twin to the revered 6.5x55 (and 260 Rem) also mentioned above. The popularity has produced more ammo and components for use and are more likely to be easily acquired even in today's market, and long term supply.
Myself, the wife and I both used one on our recent hunt in New Zealand for red stag, fallow buck and arapawa rams. The new Federal Premium Terminal Ascent ammo shoots 1/2" groups in my Browning, and performed well with one shot kills and full penetration (sorry no bullets recovered for examining expansion and weight retention). My wife enjoyed shooting it so much, she is now buying her own LH Browning X Bolt in 6.5 CM.
Takujualuk's post answers more.
While many hate it and others love it, the 6.5 Creedmoor suggestion above, with a Wilson carbon fibre barrel would fit w/o many alterations and makes good sense. ballistic twin to the revered 6.5x55 (and 260 Rem) also mentioned above. The popularity has produced more ammo and components for use and are more likely to be easily acquired even in today's market, and long term supply.
Myself, the wife and I both used one on our recent hunt in New Zealand for red stag, fallow buck and arapawa rams. The new Federal Premium Terminal Ascent ammo shoots 1/2" groups in my Browning, and performed well with one shot kills and full penetration (sorry no bullets recovered for examining expansion and weight retention). My wife enjoyed shooting it so much, she is now buying her own LH Browning X Bolt in 6.5 CM.
