caliber suggestions on future build

[ofl0926]

Hey whats up everyone. so I have a tikka t3 magnum donor action and I am thinking of ideas of what to caliber to build. it will be a hunting rifle for whitetail, mule deer and the occasional elk hunt. I would like to here some ideas and suggestions on calibers. I already have a 6.5 prc. I do reload but still new to it. let me know and thank you

 

[longbarrel]

Depending on the bolt face, I would get a .338-06. Complements your other choice and is widely capable with modest recoil.

 

[ofl0926]

Depending on the bolt face, I would get a .338-06. Complements your other choice and is widely capable with modest recoil.

I just updated my post. its a magnum bolt face

 

[ofl0926]

What size is your donor action? What bolt face?

just updated the original post. long action magnum bolt face

 

[N2TRKYS]

7mm and 30 are great caliber choices with a lot of different choices of cartridges in each.

 

[ofl0926]

7mm and 30 are great caliber choices with a lot of different choices of cartridges in each.

I was thinking 30wsm but open to others.

 

[DangerRanger]

300wsm or 7RM

 

[MHWASH]

I’m considering the 7mm Remington short action magnum with a fast twist. Ballistics close to the 280ai, but will leave some length in the magazine for heavy seated long.

 

[longbarrel]

OK, the .338 win mag is great. It is also complementary to what you have, not just another that would be similar to what you have. Contrary to popular opinion it is not overkill even on antelope, unless you eat lungs, lol. Longer the barrel, the better. If the magazine is long enough, extend COAL a bit so 250s don't intrude into powder space as much. I did one with 29" Douglas SS, COAL 3.48" and throated for the 250 Hor spire point. With 75 gr Rel 22, it pushed the 250s to 2900, which is over the factory .340 Wby with 26" at 2821 (Ken Waters Pet Loads for that ctg.) Another reason for the .338 win over the .340 is availability of replacement ammo at the country store, and good, lower priced brass for loading your own.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I was thinking 30wsm but open to others.

A SAUM would be a good cartridge choice, as well. I've got a 7 SAUM that's shooting 160 grain Partitions @2960fps out of a factory 22" barrel seated at 2.80" COAL.

 

[ofl0926]

A SAUM would be a good cartridge choice, as well. I've got a 7 SAUM that's shooting 160 grain Partitions @2960fps out of a factory 22" barrel seated at 2.80" COAL.

How hard is it to find ammo for it? Reloading easy for it?


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[N2TRKYS]

How hard is it to find ammo for it? Reloading easy for it?


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I see the ammo online, but kinda pricey. I've found it easy to load for. If I could still get Remington Premiere ammo with 160 grain Partitions, I wouldn't reload for it. My rifle loves that ammo.

 

[ofl0926]

Ok so have suggestions of 300wsm, 7saum, 338wm

Any other thoughts?


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[bitbckt]

Just to be the .35 Caliber Guy: I would build it to .35 STA.

 

[fatbacks]

I was going to say 6.5 PRC because that is my current Tikka project, but sounds like you have that covered.

I would avoid any long action build with the a Tikka action because of the mag box length issues. My other Tikka build is a 300 WSM which I had it throated long so I can load the longer and heavier bullets. I think the 6.5 PRC and 300 WSM compliment each other well. 300 for heavier game and 6.5 for lighter game. Both fun to shoot.

 

[longbarrel]

Would the Tikka work with the .338 RCM? That covers the short action and magnum bolt face issues, while being an "over .30" caliber to complement your "under .30" 6.5 mm. Similarly, if you want a .35, there is the .350 Rem mag.

 

[bitbckt]

I'll add: I was being facetious about a Tikka STA.

I have a 260 Rem and a 35 Whelen and don't "need" anything else in North America. A magnum 338 or (especially) a 30 is just not different enough in capability from a 6.5 PRC to make a two gun cabinet interesting in my opinion, but the choose-your-own-adventure 6.5 + 300WM combo seems to be the hot trick setup these days.

 

[ofl0926]

I'll add: I was being facetious about a Tikka STA.

I have a 260 Rem and a 35 Whelen and don't "need" anything else in North America. A magnum 338 or (especially) a 30 is just not different enough in capability from a 6.5 PRC to make a two gun cabinet interesting in my opinion, but the choose-your-own-adventure 6.5 + 300WM combo seems to be the hot trick setup these days.

I was thinking 300wm or 300wsm the most


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[desertcj]

.270 wsm will handle your needs. A little light for elk, but it will do it.

 

[Jmort1754]

300 PRC