Author Topic: What Do You Think? (Read 2016 times)

muzzleblast525 · « **on:** May 10, 2005, 04:26:36 PM »

Been looking at several different guns/cals and wanted to see what others think....Right now the only rifles I have are a Encore .243, Encore (Pistol) 25-06, Remington 22-250 and Browning 25 WSSM. Thought about getting a bigger cal, and can't make up my mind. Tell me what you think....

This will be used for deer and hog hunting in Texas. Might go other places in years to come, but most likely will not

aulrich · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2005, 04:40:00 PM »

Looks like you have the speedsters covered, 338 win mag it seems to me they need a big brother for when the going gets tough. :-D

marylandeer · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2005, 04:09:03 AM »

I choose the .270 WSM.
You have the Varmints covered with the 22.-250 and the SSM
The deer are covered with the .243 and 25-06
The .270 WSM would be for the hogs and Elk. I hear it's a laser beam to. I would like to get one myself, the old .270 Win has always been one of my personal favorites. FOR ME out of all the calibers I have shot deer with, nothing drops them like a .270 Win. I'm sure the new WSM version is no different maybe better and it bumps up the limits on what the old .270 Win. is recommended for.

msorenso · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2005, 06:10:52 AM »

506th · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2005, 06:50:23 AM »

BLR in .308.

poncaguy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2005, 07:17:36 AM »

My favorite was the 270, now it's the 270WSM. 6 point I shot last fall at 351 steps dropped like a sack of potatoes. Really a flat shooter. When I expect shorter shots, I use my 7mm-08, my second favorite deer, bear elk round. :grin:

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2005, 08:41:10 AM »

I voted for the .270 WSM but either the .270 or 7mm WSM would be a great addition to your battery. I own the .270 WSM but I believe you would have a better bullet selection with the 7mm WSM. Lawdog

muzzleblast525 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2005, 10:49:48 AM »

Lawdog,

I know we've talked before about the 25 WSSM. I do a lot of reloading and shooting for my 22-250, .243 and 25 WSSM, and had thought about the 7mm WSM, but don't know about the recoil. A guy I work with got a 7mm Mag and had a MB put on it and he said it is more comfortable to shoot now. That was the only thing holding me back on the 7mm, the recoil. What do you think about it?

Usually, going to the range, I like to shoot between 25-50 rounds during the day.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2005, 03:00:28 PM »

I voted for the .308......not because the others aren't great calibres, as they are.....but you pretty well have bullet sizes up to 120 grains covered........the 270 would let you go up to a 150 grain, the 7mm up to 175 grain.........but the .308 would allow the use of up to a 220 grain bullet..............which IMHO is what your lacking in the other calibres..........7mm Mag has a fair amount of recoil and is really where you would benefit by the 175 grain bullet......

What you already have takes care of most game...........except the ones that would require a heavier bullet........

Also, the .308 is said to be the most inherently accurate .30 caliber made....

That said, the .308 would be my first choice then the 7mm WSM

RaySendero · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2005, 04:41:45 PM »

.270 Winchester.....

Check out the 20 class on post number 88.

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=10000&page=3

Ramrod · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2005, 06:52:45 AM »

I say .308! (.30-06 would be my first choice, but "other" is too vague). Lots of versatility for the handloader due to large bullet selection, and tons of cheap surplus ammo out there for plinking. Plenty of power for critters up to elk size with 180 grain bullets. Recoil is not bad in light guns. Hard to go wrong with this one.

lgall · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2005, 09:30:32 PM »

I'm with Ramrod, I would go with a 30-06, but a .308 would work also.

jro45 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2005, 03:16:13 AM »

I'd go with the 7mm mag. Has a lot of power and doesn't kick to bad.

tc309 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2005, 04:39:36 AM »

well you already have a couple 25 cal guns so i would skip over the 270 and go with something of at least 30 cal.of the choices listed 308.if i were to add my 2 cents maybe a 7 mag ,lots of bullet choices, tolerable recoil and it just plain works

Lawdog · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2005, 09:12:09 AM »

Quote from: muzzleblast525

Lawdog,

I know we've talked before about the 25 WSSM. I do a lot of reloading and shooting for my 22-250, .243 and 25 WSSM, and had thought about the 7mm WSM, but don't know about the recoil. A guy I work with got a 7mm Mag and had a MB put on it and he said it is more comfortable to shoot now. That was the only thing holding me back on the 7mm, the recoil. What do you think about it?

Usually, going to the range, I like to shoot between 25-50 rounds during the day.

The recoil of the WSM's I posted(.270 & 7mm) will be about like shooting a .30-06 in the same weight rifle(20 lbs.(+/-) or free recoil in a 8 lb. rifle). If you can handle a .30-06 then either the .270 WSM or 7mm WSM will be any problem. Both the 7mm Rem. Mag.and the 7mm Weatherby Mag. give around 27 lbs.(+/-) of free recoil in 8 1/2 lb. rifles. None of these cartridges require a muzzle brake to handle the recoil. Lawdog

147 Grain · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2005, 12:55:52 PM »

30-06 with 180-gr. Partitions or the new AccuBond.

Slamfire · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2005, 02:48:44 PM »

.260, 6.5x55, 6.5x57, .256 Newton. Little recoil and with 140 grain bullets all the penetration you could wish for. The 6.5 Rem Mag, 6.5-.284 and .264 Win Mag are just too much of a good thing, and are not necessary.

kudzu · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2005, 04:13:56 PM »

I choose the 270wsm - mainly because I just bought one and want to think that I did the right thing. LOL.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2005, 07:47:09 PM »

I'm going a-bit different route...I'd say go larger...one you don't normally shoot...heck half the fun is trying something totally new...take a look at a 338-06...it's almost as good as the 338 Win Mag...but with out all the fuss.. and recoil....you got a wide selection of bullet weights to choose from...from 160 grainers...all the way up to 300 grainers...and you can have it in a regular sized action...me...I'm having a 26" 25-06 rebored on my NEF Ultra...for it...if that's a bit much for you...go for a good ole 30-06...it will still get the job done after all of these years...

Mac

kombi1976 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2005, 10:31:30 PM »

Like the dumb schmuck I am I didn't look closely enough(male pattern blindness

) and, failing to see the Other category I voted .270WSM.
Now, if you want to find ammo easily and want a cartridge that shoots flatter than Bonneville then the 270WSM is an excellent choice.
Personally however my choice would go either to a 280 Rem or preferably a 7x57 Mauser. :mrgreen:
The 280 is basically the same as a 270 Win with more bullets options......so long as you hand load.
The 7x57 is a ballistic equal of the 7-08 if you handload and it can pack some seriously heavy bullets, which of course is the drawback about the 7-08, as long heavy bullets intrude into a the '08's powder space.
There's a also the huge bullet choice in 7mm, as I mentioned above.
If you don't handload though USA factory loads are nothing short of anaemic, apart from Hornady's Light Magnum load. :?
The Sako & Norma loads are pretty good too but hard to get.
I guess it all depends on what your'e after.:|
Easy ammo equals the 308 and 270 but they bore me and why restrict yourself if you handload. :wink:

muzzleblast525 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 14, 2005, 01:58:58 PM »

Well, just got back from gun show and picked up a Remington 700 Sendero, statinless fluted barrel in .308. Now, to work up a load....Thanks to all...

Oops, just found out this is actually a Remington 700 VSSF in .308....Thanks to all....

Old Griz · « **Reply #21 on:** June 14, 2005, 08:28:03 PM »

:cb2: Other: 6.5x55, 260, or best of all, a good ol' .30-30.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2005, 09:15:20 PM »

.308

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2005, 06:04:53 PM »

I voted "Other".

There isn't much you can do with a .270 or 7mm that you can't do with your .25's, so I'd jump up to at least a .30. By the same token, a .338 Win Mag or .338 or .375 RUM are hardly necessary for your purposes.

The .308 would be my choice if I had to choose from your list. Might choose it anyway. But here is a list of cartridges I would consider:

.30-30 lever
.308 Win
.30-06
.300 Win Mag
.338-06
.35 Rem lever
.35 Whelan
350 Rem Mag
.444 lever
.450 lever
.45-70 lever

The lever guns because they are fun. Everyone should have a .30-30 light recoil, fun and deadly. Serious pig medicine with 170g bullets. What you give up in range you more than make up in fun. Others may argue, but I feel 200 yards for deer is easily within the .30-30s capability and from what Ive seen pigs will be closer.

The .308 and .30-06 because they are so very useful. Kind of like the .30-30, a battery of bolt guns without a .30 caliber just seems incomplete. The .300 Win Mag is a great choice for elk, but you say you probably wont get there.

The .338-06 because the older I get the more I like big holes and heavy bullets at moderate speeds. The .338-06 recoils less than a .300 Win Mag. but easily provides a useful range of 300 yards with a 225g bullet.

The .35s because, again, I like big holes. The .35 Rem in a lever action provides light recoil but plenty of authority at 200 yards. The others reach even further.

The big bore levers because of the big holes they make and because they are levers. If you want to punch a hole through a pig a 300-500g hardcast at moderate speeds and recoil will certainly do the job. If a big boar was intent on handing me my ash, Id want my Marlin .45-70 in my hands.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #24 on:** June 16, 2005, 04:36:51 AM »

Since you stated "bigger" I'd start looking at the .280 and go up from there. Like several have posted the 30-06 is a great choice. The Remington 700 CDL can be had in 35 Whelen as can the 7600 pump. All would be good deer/hog rifles and will work on elk and moose.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 16, 2005, 05:17:51 AM »

Y'know, MB525, I re-read your original post and it struck me that, without suggesting that you have enough rifles(we after all can NEVER have enough :lol: ), the rifles you currently own are more than adequate for the sort of hunting you describe.
In fact you couldn't have chosen a great deal better if you'd tried.
The 243 and 22-250 are both very suitable for hogs.
Guys here in Australia swear by the .243, as much as I find it a pretty boring proposition, and it's a highly recommended hog cartridge.
Furthermore, any decent 25 cal from the 250 Savage up is quite adequate for deer within a suitable range and the 25-06 or 25 WSSM are absolute crackers for that sort of game if loaded with a 117gn or 120gn bullet.
The good thing about a 25 cal is that a lighter bullet means less recoil and it's easier to place your shots.....the same reason why the 6.5x55 and 260 Rem are so excellent. :-)
If you're contemplating big animals at long distances then a 280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag or bigger may be more the go.
But to be honest if you're not real flush in the pocket at present you need not fear that you haven't a rifle capable of the sort of game you mentioned. :wink:
If, however, you have the money to spend then I highly endorse finding a new toy. :grin:
Ruger No.1s are nice.......say a 7mm STW to really smack 'em down at 400yds. :twisted: :mrgreen:

jdt48653 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 16, 2005, 10:56:15 AM »

I`ll stay with the 264

cal sibley · « **Reply #27 on:** July 19, 2005, 05:53:01 PM »

I'd prefer a 7mm Rem. Mag. to anything that was listed. It'll drop anything in N.America except for the big, brown western bears which I am not likely to encounter anyway. In most rifles the accuracy is good, and the recoil is reasonable. What more could a man want? Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

muzzleblast525 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 28, 2005, 09:13:36 AM »

Decided on a Remington 308. I think this is the gun that replaced the Sendero. It has a 26" fluted barrel, stainless and a real nice stock. Topped it off with Swaroski, don't think its spelled correctly but to lazy to find the box, 3x10x42, and it is a shooter. Thanks to all who provided their input.

Bobby :sniper:

longwinters · « **Reply #29 on:** August 28, 2005, 03:00:55 PM »

Sounds like a winning combo to me. Looks like you took a while thinking about it also. But thinking about and investigating all the possiblilities of a new rifle is almost as much fun as having it. Enjoy.

Long

Poll

Which Cal would you choose?

Author Topic: What Do You Think? (Read 2016 times)