Best Cartidge for Ultralight Sheep Rifle?

[Ludo]

I currently hunt with a 20” 7PRC, and a 22 Creedmoor. I want something to fill the gap, and settled on building an ultralight (6lb bare) mountain rifle optimized for sheep, mountain goat and deer. I’d like it capable out to 700yds. but I don’t want to overlap the 7PRC too much. Is that over thinking it? Is the 6.5 PRC perfect for this build or do I go with something else? Also need help deciding on barrel length.

A few other data points:
-I’m Considering a suppressor.
-I don’t hand load
-I have a replacement barrel (caliber of my choice) coming from Proof. I just need to pick one.
-This will be a custom build

Any thoughts on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

6 creedmoor

 

[glock233]

6 creedmoor

Totally a 6 Creed. Maybe a 25 Creed if you’re very worried about wind.

 

[glock233]

Adding more: the 6.5 PRC doesn’t overlap the 7 PRC much, but you’ll shoot better with one of the creeds.

The 6.5 PRC use case, for a non-hand loader with a 7PRC already, is you want to lighten the recoil up a bit but still want to shoot 1000 yards. Apparently that’s not you.

Also your 22 creed with 80 gain bullets is also just fine for this use case if you just want to stick to limited calibers.

Overall my vote would be 6 Creed flinging 103 grain ELDX.

 

[Pescetism]

6 creedmoor or stick with 22 creedmoor.

I don't think there is a wrong choice from 16" - 20" but shorter is definitely handier.

 

[glock233]

Barrel length: 18-20” is all you need for 700 yard shots with 6 and 25 Creed. I’d probably do 20 just to keep my range up a bit.

 

[6.5x284]

I went with a 20” 6SST. If I did it again I’d just do it shorter. Something 16-18” exceeding 6creed velocities would be pretty rad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ludo]

Adding more: the 6.5 PRC doesn’t overlap the 7 PRC much, but you’ll shoot better with one of the creeds.

The 6.5 PRC use case, for a non-hand loader with a 7PRC already, is you want to lighten the recoil up a bit but still want to shoot 1000 yards. Apparently that’s not you.

Also your 22 creed with 80 gain bullets is also just fine for this use case if you just want to stick to limited calibers.

Overall my vote would be 6 Creed flinging 103 grain ELDX.

Why the 6mm CM over 6.5CM?

 

[Antares]

Why the 6mm CM over 6.5CM?

Because you get the same ballistics with 30% less recoil.

I'm currently putting together a new mountain goat/deer rifle. It's a 14.5" 6CM.

"Ultralight" is overrated. Save weight somewhere else. For shootability reasons, I like rifles in the 7.5-8 lbs range.

 

[Ludo]

Because you get the same ballistics with 30% less recoil.

I'm currently putting together a new mountain goat/deer rifle. It's a 14.5" 6CM.

"Ultralight" is overrated. Save weight somewhere else. For shootability reasons, I like rifles in the 7.5-8 lbs range.

8lbs (with scope) is what I mean when I say ultra light.

 

[streamerfish]

I mean realistically.....Anything between 6 dasher and 6.5cm is going to be just peachy.

I would go more along the lines of....I want to shoot X bullet or bullets at around Y speed, and figure out what does that.