Want a new rifle.

[762Armo]

Title says it all. Just itching for something new.  I shoot a 7 mag right now, and I don't consider it fun at all. At about 20-30 rounds I feel my shoulder hurting, and I'm flinching more, group sizes go to hell, and it is no longer fun at that point.

Went out shooting with my buddy the other day, and shot his 17HMR, and had tons of fun. Group sizes were better from start to finish, and a lot better overall than with my 7 mag. Obviously no flinching there, or any thoughts of 'this is going to hurt'. Got a couple rounds to touch each other, which I've never done before.
His scope on the 17 was better than what I have on my 7mag, which of course helped. Also the smaller, lighter 17 rifle was easier to manuever.

So, I got to thinking, and that got me wanting a new rifle. I want a smaller caliber rifle, that is still legal for big game, but I don't know exactly what I want. Did a bunch of reading online last couple days, but there are so many calibers available that it's hard to make an informed decision.

What would you guys suggest, looking more into finding the right caliber right now, rather than the rifle that will be shooting it. I want something with low recoil, that I can shoot all day without a bruised shoulder, something flat shooting, and able to reach out to 500 yards comfortably. Watched some you tube videos of guys shooting 243s out to 1k, and did not think that little bullet had that power. Looked into 7-08, some 6mm, 6.5mm calibers, but I feel like I'm not covering all my bases, by simply not knowing what's available out there for me.

So, this is where you guys come in, recommend me some calibers that I can research.

(Phew, I don't think I've wrote this much in a while,  )

[lewy]

keep your 7mm for hunting and buy a rimfire to plink with

[Crunchy]

You want to get rid of the 7mag?  I can help  find a loving home.

[wafisherman]

308, 270win

Maybe look into a muzzle break for at the range?

[huntnphool]

keep your 7mm for hunting and buy a rimfire to plink with

+1

[762Armo]

Oh, I'm not getting rid of the 7 mag,
just want to add another rifle to the stable

[huntnphool]

Oh, I'm not getting rid of the 7 mag,
just want to add another rifle to the stable

I've got a 17HMR, fun gun to shoot. If you dont want a rimfire then you should check out the classifieds, for some reason there are several 22-250's in there.

[jrebel]

Pick...
.22
.22 mag
.17 hmr
.17 wsm
.222
.223
.243
7mm-08
6mm

and many many more.  I like the rimfire or .223 for price of ammo. 

[huntnphool]

Pick...
.22
.22 mag
.17 hmr
.17 wsm
.222
.223
.243
7mm-08
6mm

and many many more.  I like the rimfire or .223 for price of ammo.

Ever shot a .204 Ruger?

[jrebel]

Pick...
.22
.22 mag
.17 hmr
.17 wsm
.222
.223
.243
7mm-08
6mm

and many many more.  I like the rimfire or .223 for price of ammo.

Ever shot a .204 Ruger?

Forgot that one...I haven't.  I hear they are fun shooting rifles though.

[huntnphool]

Pick...
.22
.22 mag
.17 hmr
.17 wsm
.222
.223
.243
7mm-08
6mm

and many many more.  I like the rimfire or .223 for price of ammo.

Ever shot a .204 Ruger?

Forgot that one...I haven't.  I hear they are fun shooting rifles though.

They really are, and a flat shooting SOB too.

[mossback91]

257wby mag! wack and stack the big game

[NRA4LIFE]

.243 hands down.  Great deer gun, coyote gun, etc, I've taken critters out to close to 400 yds. with mine.  Super low recoil, you could shoot it all day.

If You're worried about ammo prices, then .223 for sure, but a little light for deer (and not legal here I believe).

[Easy-E]

I want a smaller caliber rifle, that is still legal for big game

.243 or .270. If in your post you mean that elk are big game, then I'd lean toward the .270. You also said you want to shoot a lot in one sitting, so throw a brake on the .243 and its like shooting a .22.

 

[wildweeds]

6.5 Creedmoor ?

[Jonathan_S]

If you're just looking for a flat out well shooting gun, go with the .22-250 or .204 Ruger, both very flat and accurate.

If you're looking low-recoil for big game and want cheap.... the .243 is about it.  The .25-06 and .257 Wby Mag are both flat shooting, both quite accurate.

Nobody ever considers the .25s 

[huntnphool]

Nobody ever considers the .25s 

I do, got a couple Bob's myself.

[Jonathan_S]

Nobody ever considers the .25s 

I do, got a couple Bob's myself.

I grew up on the Bob and the .25-06.  They are both deadly rifles and so much more fun to shoot than our .30s

I laugh about people saying the Bob is underpowered, literally dozens of deer have fallen to that underrated cartridge in my family alone   

[Bofire]

    "legal for big game"    243!!!!!!!!!! I love mine. I shot a spike blacktail at 200 yards, in the throat. looking at me, laying down, the little 243 flipped him clear over, and not a leg kick!!!!! knocks the crap out of coyotes. Love it
Carl

[Come Get Some]

There is alot of diofference between an elk and a deer. If it is deer you will be hunting there are alot of options. The 7MM you have will do it all. Good long range and great for deer also. Add a break  and you will enjoy shooting it. If it feels good and you like it keep it. There are alot of options for you in re fitting your 7MM Call Claude at the shooter shop. He can really help you out. 253-847-8114. The smaller you go in caliber although easier to shoot (less Recoil) you give up kenitic energy. Bullet placement becomes very crucial. Be careful. There are some guys that can harvest almost anything with light calibers. You must have your wits about you and know your game well.

[hunting4sanity]

If you're looking for a plinker, the 17HMR is a hoot to shoot, love my Savage model 93.  Sounds like you want something legal for big game, so as many have said the .243 is an option, I also like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Rem and the 7-08, as well as a few others.  If you'll be shooting factory ammo, you may want to look at a few websites to see what offerings are out there for the calibers you're interested in, right now there's not much ammo available, but you can get a feel for what is being made and the cost.  More importantly go shoulder a bunch of rifles at a gun shop and see what models feel best to you, lots of good calibers, but sometimes you find certain makes/models that just don't feel right or others that simply fit you just right.  After you decide, come back for some show-n-tell.

[762Armo]

So far, I'm leaning towards a .243 or a .260.
What do you guys think?

[jay.sharkbait]

So far, I'm leaning towards a .243 or a .260.
What do you guys think?

The .260 has a little better barrel life...

[mackdaddy]

I have been shooting .243 and 6mm for about 30 years. Blacktails to coyotes to varmits. Can not go wrong with either. For larger game I step up to the .270 Weatherby. Now I am playing with the Ruger .17 Hornet, 20 and 25 grain handloads, around the house which offers up to 200 yard shots at critters.

[Mongo Hunter]

+1 for the .308 option. you can find military .308 for really cheap. 243 is another good option.

[headshot5]

So far, I'm leaning towards a .243 or a .260.
What do you guys think?

I've got both, I love my .260.  It's killed both deer and elk.  I use my .243 more in the off season for coyotes etc.  Both are stellar rounds.  My vote is for .260, or look at the 7mm-08 (pretty well same thing), and if you get into reloading you only need 7mm bullets between your 7mm-mag, and the 7-08.   

Overall my recommendation would be to pick up a Ruger american or something similar in 7mm-08, they are affordable, and have the reputation of being accurate.

[Griiz]

I love the my 25'06, and they have very minimal recoil. I bought a WBY Vanguard 25'06 as my son was coming of age (11) and I didn't really enjoy shooting my 300 WBY more than just making sure it was sighted where I want it to be. I immediately fell in love with the 25'06's accuracy and lack of recoil. It doesn't bug my son at all. I enjoyed shooting it so much, I purchased another one (browning A-bolt with 26" barrel) so I would have one to use and shoot when my son had my other one. Both guns out of the box shoot just under an inch, 3 shot groups, and I don't consider myself the best shot around. Whatever you get, make sure you put decent optics on top of it. Enjoy!

[slm9s]

260.  Next choices would be 7-08/243/25-06/6mm/6.5cm
a big question is do you reload?

[Taco280AI]

Since keeping the 7mm, I'd get a 243 or 260

[danderson]

I just picked up a Tikka T3 in the .223 caliber and am so impressed with the accuracy right out of the box, it fits like a glove, get one in .243 you wont be sorry 

[grundy53]

I love my  .25-06. I also really like .243's.

sent from my typewriter

[BKMFR]

If looking for low recoil, legal for deer in Washington, and if you reload try the 6/.223 it is legal here and low low recoil, brass is .223-everywhere I have taken coyotes, bobcat, two good mule deer (211 and 224) with it, as well as many others and whitetail as well. It's just one of those cartridges that seem to kill a little better, when you pull the trigger if you do your part.
I have one built on a little Sako that everything is built to scale, small- light and very accurate.... It's my "Go To Gun"
At least look into it, if looking for a low recoil, inexpensive to shoot, legal for Wa. caliber.
Les Baer is now clambering for it, and there is limited factory rounds available, reloading is simple for this caliber...

[runningboard]

given that you are keeping your 7mm, & you said you're leaning towards .243 or .260, I'd say it comes down to whether you reload or not. .243 rounds are everywhere, .260 not so much. good luck with your search 

[buckfvr]

I have been poring over the same dilema.......have a 7mm and .243.......want a .25-06 or .260.  Not really satisfied with .243 for deer at the longer ranges over here, even though its my wifes deer gun.  She would like something a tad better.

My thought is making the .243 predator specific with say 87gr V-Max, and getting a 25-06 for wifes deer gun, and Id also use it for other stuff.......The 7mm will do anything a factory 6.5 will do and then some, so the .260 to include Creedmore, and 6.5-.284 do not call to me since I have the 7mm LRH. 

[762Armo]

So I am 95% setteled on a .260.

Planned on going custom with it, and getting parts over time then have it put together. BUT, I just got an offer from one of the dealers I go to. He will sell me any rifle I want, AT COST.
So got me thinking if I should just take him up, and buy a rifle, then in the future use that action and build off it?

Or stick to original plan: buy a custom action, the parts needed, and have it built?

[lhrbull]

257 whby is what I hope to find in a whby markV

[TVHunts]

You'll like the .260 a lot and you get a huge bullet selection in the 6.5 mm.  But the 25-06 is an awesome round also if range time and deer hunting is what's on your menu.  Either one are easy low recoil shooters. 

[Biggerhammer]

The .260 Rem is a excellent cartridge. A great bullet selection(As mentioned). You can use several different head stamps if brass isn't available. The 6.5 bullet period, is a flat out game killer.

[Jim the Plumber]

So I am 95% setteled on a .260.

Planned on going custom with it, and getting parts over time then have it put together. BUT, I just got an offer from one of the dealers I go to. He will sell me any rifle I want, AT COST.
So got me thinking if I should just take him up, and buy a rifle, then in the future use that action and build off it?

Or stick to original plan: buy a custom action, the parts needed, and have it built?

If you are not in any hurry, I'd stick to the plan and build a custom.
You might also take a quick look at the 6.5 Creedmoor. A little better case design than the 260 for the heavier bullets.
In a  factory rifle action that you want to later build on, Tikka, Savage, and Remington all have smiths that will build on them.

[Heredoggydoggy]

For varmints and bigger game, a .243/6mm is the minimum in this state.  For lower recoil, and longer ranges, the 6.5mm's are really good.  Felt recoil and bullet weight go hand-in-hand, but there are ways to tame it nowadays--Muzzle brakes and Limbsaver recoil butt pads are a couple that come to mind... 

[huntnphool]

Anytime you are offered to pick up a firearm at cost you should jump at it.

Why not do both?

[savagehunter]

One option not mentioned is 257 Roberts just my 2cents

[762Armo]

Anytime you are offered to pick up a firearm at cost you should jump at it.

Why not do both?

Might have to do that, just sets back the custom build a tad.

On a side note, why isn't Surgeon accepting orders on their actions?

[Blacklab]

6.5 Grendel is another sweet cali 

[yorketransport]

On a side note, why isn't Surgeon accepting orders on their actions?

They're backlogged on orders. Check these guys out if you need a custom action. I was referred to them by Stiller

http://bugholes.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=88_97_98