Help me choose a caliber

[cole96]

I’m seriously considering parting ways with my 6.5-300 wby. Assuming I do I will then need to replace it. I’d be looking for maybe a bit of a do all cartridge. Nothing below the 6.5 caliber and nothing larger than 30 cal. I don’t reload but want to start. I’m open to all suggestions.

As far as a rifle I’m not sure, I may just do a custom but may do factory. Just depends on availability in what I like. I’m thinking a barrel 22”-24” max as it will be suppressed

 

[thinhorn_AK]

6.5 creedmoore

 

[TN2shot07]

I’ve been enjoying my 7mm-08’s

 

[hiker270]

6.5 PRC or a 7 PRC with a 20-22 inch barrel.

 

[Hunter270Win]

.270 Win!

 

[LightFoot]

7mm magnum (Rem, SAUM, or PRC) with 175-180s from a 22” will be good for everything from Antelope to Moose.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[NRA4LIFE]

30-06 or .270. Scores of reloading data out there and components are easier than most calibers to find.

 

[cole96]

6.5 PRC or a 7 PRC with a 20-22 inch barrel.

Kind of what I’ve been looking at

 

[BKM]

It depends on how far you plan on shooting, most likely a 6.5cm if you need to go longer a 6.5prc.

Realistically not many people out shoot the distance a 18” 6.5cm will kill at with a eldm or tmk.

 

[cole96]

It depends on how far you plan on shooting, most likely a 6.5cm if you need to go longer a 6.5prc.

Realistically not many people out shoot the distance a 18” 6.5cm will kill at with a eldm or tmk.

I want it to be elk capable for 600-650 yards. Which probably narrows it down to a 7 prc pretty quickly. I also thought about maybe a 6.5 prc then building a 7. I like how the prc has a touch more velocity than the Creedmoor.

 

[eric1115]

What other rifles do you have?

How many rounds per year do you shoot (at distance/on paper for precision)?

If 6.5 is a hard minimum, I'd do a 6.5CM, otherwise I'd do 6CM.

It takes many hundreds, preferably a couple thousand rounds per year to be able to utilize the extra effective range of a 6.5PRC or 7PRC vs a 6CM or 6.5CM.

What do you consider your max effective range?

I'd not go over 20" if planning to use a suppressor. I'm at 19 on my main hunting rifle and probably going shorter on the next barrel.

I've gone from a braked 24" 7mmRM running 180 Bergers to a suppressed .243AI running 108 ELDM's for my "do it all" western rifle for everything including elk (and moose if I ever draw one) out to 800+

 

[txtransplant]

I’d vote 6.8 Western if you want a short action, or 7 PRC if you want a bit more juice and don’t mind a long action.

 

[BKM]

I want it to be elk capable for 600-650 yards. Which probably narrows it down to a 7 prc pretty quickly. I also thought about maybe a 6.5 prc then building a 7. I like how the prc has a touch more velocity than the Creedmoor.

A 18” 6.5cm with a 147eldm 1800fps around 600 yards at sea level, 850 yards at 8,000ft. More gun is more but not a necessity.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

How good can you shoot that 6.5-300 for 10 shots in one sitting? Why are you contemplating getting rid of it? What’s the goal with a new caliber?

 

[GreenheadKAG]

My 7prc w a good suppressor has very mild/manageable recoil, if you need the extra punch. It’s a 22in barrel n the weigh-balence is nice.

 

[Ozarkansas]

You say you’re wanting to handload, how important is good factory ammo to you? If the answer is “not at all”, a Tikka 6.5x55 is tough to beat. If you want to be able to buy good ammo in stores, my opinion lines up with @eric1115

 

[swavescatter]

I want it to be elk capable for 600-650 yards. Which probably narrows it down to a 7 prc pretty quickly. I also thought about maybe a 6.5 prc then building a 7. I like how the prc has a touch more velocity than the Creedmoor.

As pointed out before, an 18" creedmoor will easily get you 1800 fps out past 650 yds. With reloads, I hit 1800 fps at 800 yds.

I have a 223 Rem, 6.5 Creed, 6.5 PRC and 7 PRC. My 223 has jellied the lungs of big game at 600 yds, so the 6.5 creed is MORE than enough.

Pros to 6.5 Creed over any PRC:

• More inherently accurate (you will shoot any rifle with less recoil better, period)
• Better barrel life
• Cheaper ammo/components if you reload (uses like 50% less powder)
• More available ammo

Pros to 6.5/7 PRC over creedmoor:

• Your Fudd buddies won't call you gay as much

 

[madcalfe]

if you want to reload find a used stainless tikka t3 in a long action magnum caliber, spin up a 7ss barrel and buy a stock.

 

[BLJ]

6.5 creedmoore

Every time I see one of these thread’s pop up I want to say 308 but sadly I have to agree with you.

 

[wirehead]

If you reload: 300 wsm

If you don’t reload: 6.5 PRC

If you drink the juice: 6mm creedmor

If you like a good pedicure and martini: 6.5 creedmor

If you eat elk liver with onions for breakfast lunch and dinner: 223 and 77 tmk

For all: stainless Superlite. Have barrel cut and threaded.