Post by: 762Armo on January 08, 2014, 03:28:16 PM
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, :chuckle:)
Post by: lewy on January 08, 2014, 03:37:32 PM
Post by: Crunchy on January 08, 2014, 03:38:57 PM
Post by: wafisherman on January 08, 2014, 03:39:39 PM
Maybe look into a muzzle break for at the range?
Post by: huntnphool on January 08, 2014, 03:42:29 PM
keep your 7mm for hunting and buy a rimfire to plink with :twocents:+1
Post by: 762Armo on January 08, 2014, 03:48:48 PM
just want to add another rifle to the stable :)
Post by: huntnphool on January 08, 2014, 03:51:43 PM
Oh, I'm not getting rid of the 7 mag,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.
just want to add another rifle to the stable :)
Post by: jrebel on January 08, 2014, 03:55:48 PM
.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.
Post by: huntnphool on January 08, 2014, 03:59:01 PM
Pick...Ever shot a .204 Ruger?
.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.
Post by: jrebel on January 08, 2014, 04:00:23 PM
Pick...Ever shot a .204 Ruger?
.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.
Forgot that one...I haven't. I hear they are fun shooting rifles though.
Post by: huntnphool on January 08, 2014, 04:01:46 PM
They really are, and a flat shooting SOB too. :tup:Pick...Ever shot a .204 Ruger?
.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.
Forgot that one...I haven't. I hear they are fun shooting rifles though.
Post by: mossback91 on January 08, 2014, 04:10:58 PM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on January 08, 2014, 04:27:43 PM
If You're worried about ammo prices, then .223 for sure, but a little light for deer (and not legal here I believe).
Post by: Easy-E on January 08, 2014, 04:58:56 PM
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.
:twocents:
Post by: wildweeds on January 08, 2014, 05:40:39 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on January 08, 2014, 05:49:36 PM
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 :dunno:
Post by: huntnphool on January 08, 2014, 05:55:45 PM
I do, got a couple Bob's myself. :tup:
Nobody ever considers the .25s :dunno:
Post by: Jonathan_S on January 08, 2014, 06:00:43 PM
I do, got a couple Bob's myself. :tup:
Nobody ever considers the .25s :dunno:
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 :tup:
Post by: Bofire on January 08, 2014, 06:31:23 PM
Carl
Post by: Come Get Some on January 08, 2014, 06:38:21 PM
Post by: hunting4sanity on January 08, 2014, 10:01:04 PM
Post by: 762Armo on January 09, 2014, 01:33:42 AM
What do you guys think?
Post by: jay.sharkbait on January 09, 2014, 01:43:35 AM
So far, I'm leaning towards a .243 or a .260.
What do you guys think?
The .260 has a little better barrel life...
Post by: mackdaddy on January 09, 2014, 10:59:30 AM
Post by: Mongo Hunter on January 10, 2014, 09:15:07 AM
Post by: headshot5 on January 10, 2014, 09:29:48 AM
Quote
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.
Post by: Griiz on January 11, 2014, 10:17:51 AM
Post by: slm9s on January 31, 2014, 10:50:41 PM
a big question is do you reload?
Post by: Taco280AI on February 01, 2014, 05:21:42 AM
Post by: danderson on February 01, 2014, 06:24:10 AM
Post by: grundy53 on February 01, 2014, 06:37:02 AM
sent from my typewriter
Post by: BKMFR on February 01, 2014, 08:12:44 AM
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...
Post by: runningboard on February 01, 2014, 09:15:04 AM
Post by: buckfvr on February 01, 2014, 09:27:00 AM
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.
Post by: 762Armo on February 20, 2014, 01:41:15 PM
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?
Post by: lhrbull on February 20, 2014, 06:37:10 PM
Post by: TVHunts on February 20, 2014, 08:19:01 PM
Post by: Biggerhammer on February 20, 2014, 08:24:14 PM
Post by: Jim the Plumber on February 20, 2014, 09:05:05 PM
So I am 95% setteled on a .260.If you are not in any hurry, I'd stick to the plan and build a custom.
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?
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.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 20, 2014, 09:14:10 PM
Post by: huntnphool on February 21, 2014, 08:27:43 AM
Why not do both? :dunno:
Post by: savagehunter on February 21, 2014, 05:13:58 PM
Post by: 762Armo on February 21, 2014, 11:57:29 PM
Anytime you are offered to pick up a firearm at cost you should jump at it. :twocents:
Why not do both? :dunno:
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?
Post by: Blacklab on February 22, 2014, 02:04:39 PM
Post by: yorketransport on February 23, 2014, 06:24:54 PM
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 (http://bugholes.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=88_97_98)