Looking for firearm advice!

[parkernudell]

Howdy,

I have the itch to get a new rifle, I would like something that I could use for Deer, Antelope, Coyotes and such, but would want my daughters to be able to use it in the future when they are old enough to start hunting with me. I live in northern Minnesota, but make several trips out west throughout the year. I currently have a 7prc, Grandpas old 30-06, and a 22-250.

I am leaning towards a 6.5 Creedmoor, simply due to the ammo availability, versatility, and low recoil for my kids. I like the idea of a Sig Sauer Cross with an 18" barrel with the folding stock for when I am backpacking, and the adjustable stock so my girls can grow with the rifle. But I am not opposed to other rifle platforms.

Any recommendations on calibers and rifle platforms would be greatly appreciated.

 

[grfox92]

Howdy,

I have the itch to get a new rifle, I would like something that I could use for Deer, Antelope, Coyotes and such, but would want my daughters to be able to use it in the future when they are old enough to start hunting with me. I live in northern Minnesota, but make several trips out west throughout the year. I currently have a 7prc, Grandpas old 30-06, and a 22-250.

I am leaning towards a 6.5 Creedmoor, simply due to the ammo availability, versatility, and low recoil for my kids. I like the idea of a Sig Sauer Cross with an 18" barrel with the folding stock for when I am backpacking, and the adjustable stock so my girls can grow with the rifle. But I am not opposed to other rifle platforms.

Any recommendations on calibers and rifle platforms would be greatly appreciated.

I would look for a Tikka in 6mm CM. If you cant find one, I would go 8 twist
243 if you reload or 6.5cm if you dont.

The most important thing for me when selecting a rifle is being able to spot impacts when shooting animals.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

 

[johnsd16]

Another vote for 6creed from me. You could rebarrel that 22-250. A 6cm is not that fur friendly if you’re into skinning them (coyotes).

 

[grfox92]

Another vote for 6creed from me. You could rebarrel that 22-250. A 6cm is not that fur friendly if you’re into skinning them (coyotes).

Not a bad idea. OP what action and twist rate is the 22-250?

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[B Harrison]

Do it, sounds like a heck of a plan!
6.0 CM would be another option


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[Ringbill27]

Which part of northern are you from? Know the ranges typically for the Virginia area I’d go with a 8 twist Tikka 243win. Since I load I could load some heavy bullets for long ranges but most the shot deer hunting here. The 95gr partition is very adequate.

It’s actually what my wife uses.

 

[eric1115]

I'd strongly encourage you to consider a step down in recoil (especially for your daughters). 6.5 CM isn't "painful" recoil by any means for an adult, but it pushes a kid around way more than we realize.

If I were you I'd read these three threads... The .223 thread is intimidating due to its length, but it's the best single source of info I've ever seen on how bullets actually kill animals and a wealth of knowledge even if you don't end up even considering using a .223 for killing big game.

P

Thread '.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.'

Jun 3, 2019

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET.

---

“Bullets matter more than headstamps.”

“Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”.

I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened.

The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective data regarding bullet performance and numerous pics of field results.

Now for the delivery system. Accurate. Repeatable. Reliable. Reasonable weight to afford steady shot placement and the ability to spot my own impacts...

• PNWGATOR
• Replies: 13,350
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 
• 

Thread '6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game'

Oct 28, 2022

With the success of .223 and 6.5 threads on big game, thought I’d throw this one into the mix.

Show and detail your results harvesting big game (deer, bear, elk, moose, African game) using 6mm/.243 cartridges. Please detail bullet, MV, impact velocity, and whether hand load or factory ammo.

• BjornF16
• Replies: 3,031
• Forum: Firearms

• 

Thread 'Kids rifle manifesto'

Feb 24, 2024

I've chimed in on so many different "what rifle for my age XX kid?" threads that I thought I'd try to consolidate my thoughts here.

My oldest son is 14 now, started shooting centerfire rifles at 9. My younger kids started shooting centerfire rifles at between 5-7 yrs old. 5 kids shooting now, and a bunch of their friends that I have been involved or around as they learn to shoot. probably 20-ish kids? Here's what I've learned in the last 5-6 years.

Recoil matters, a lot. "Handles it pretty well" is way way different from "ideal for building skills as a rifleman." My oldest loves to...

• eric1115
• Replies: 267
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 

In your shoes, I'd definitely put together a suppressed, short-ish (18" max) Tikka .223 in a good stock. Mine has become one of my favorite rifles, not least because I can shoot it so much for so little money.

If you shoot animals at more than 400ish yards and don't mind paying more for ammo, a 6mm ARC is an absolute sweetheart and suppresses incredibly well, and kills great out to 600+ (especially if you are a hand loader and use the new 107 TMK).

Edit to add, if you're a hand loader I'd consider a 6 BR or Dasher as well, very slightly more juice than an ARC but works on a standard bolt face, making it easier to put one together.

 

[winter993]

I'll recommend the Tikka T3x in your caliber of choice.

 

[hereinaz]

6 arc is the best kid rifle that keeps you legal in all western states for big game. Recoil is a notch below 6 cm and .243. But, inside 400 yards is just as effective.

6 creed is a second choice.

.243 with fast twist is third

6.5 creed is fourth, the recoil is just too much for kids.

A compact Tikka rifle is plug and play. You can buy a .243 from factory but would have to piece together the 6 creed or 6 ARC. But, Tikka doesn’t sell the ARC actions, but you can build one (I have barrels and actions). J&A outdoors and Kampfeld do the bolt faces.

The Howa Mini are nice little rifles in 6 ARC that are easy for kids to run the bolt and carry. I love shooting mine.

I like the Sig Cross too. I had it in 6.5 creed, and it shot well but I sold it cause it just didn’t give me much over other options. I would have no problem carrying and shooting a 6 creed. Being on the light side, the 6.5 had some spicy recoil compared to the 22 cal and 6mm stuff I prefer. After comparing terminal ballistics, I have little reason to go to 6.5 or bigger.

 

[hereinaz]

I'd strongly encourage you to consider a step down in recoil (especially for your daughters). 6.5 CM isn't "painful" recoil by any means for an adult, but it pushes a kid around way more than we realize.

If I were you I'd read these three threads... The .223 thread is intimidating due to its length, but it's the best single source of info I've ever seen on how bullets actually kill animals and a wealth of knowledge even if you don't end up even considering using a .223 for killing big game.

P

Thread '.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.'

Jun 3, 2019

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET.

---

“Bullets matter more than headstamps.”

“Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”.

I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened.

The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective data regarding bullet performance and numerous pics of field results.

Now for the delivery system. Accurate. Repeatable. Reliable. Reasonable weight to afford steady shot placement and the ability to spot my own impacts...

• PNWGATOR
• Replies: 13,350
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 
• 

Thread '6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game'

Oct 28, 2022

With the success of .223 and 6.5 threads on big game, thought I’d throw this one into the mix.

Show and detail your results harvesting big game (deer, bear, elk, moose, African game) using 6mm/.243 cartridges. Please detail bullet, MV, impact velocity, and whether hand load or factory ammo.

• BjornF16
• Replies: 3,031
• Forum: Firearms

• 

Thread 'Kids rifle manifesto'

Feb 24, 2024

I've chimed in on so many different "what rifle for my age XX kid?" threads that I thought I'd try to consolidate my thoughts here.

My oldest son is 14 now, started shooting centerfire rifles at 9. My younger kids started shooting centerfire rifles at between 5-7 yrs old. 5 kids shooting now, and a bunch of their friends that I have been involved or around as they learn to shoot. probably 20-ish kids? Here's what I've learned in the last 5-6 years.

Recoil matters, a lot. "Handles it pretty well" is way way different from "ideal for building skills as a rifleman." My oldest loves to...

• eric1115
• Replies: 267
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 

In your shoes, I'd definitely put together a suppressed, short-ish (18" max) Tikka .223 in a good stock. Mine has become one of my favorite rifles, not least because I can shoot it so much for so little money.

If you shoot animals at more than 400ish yards and don't mind paying more for ammo, a 6mm ARC is an absolute sweetheart and suppresses incredibly well, and kills great out to 600+ (especially if you are a hand loader and use the new 107 TMK).

This^^^^

.223 is plenty, I love shooting mine on the range but pull out my slightly larger cartridges to hunt in the west. If I ever go back East again to deer hunt, I will shoot a 16” .223 where legal.

 

[parkernudell]

Not a bad idea. OP what action and twist rate is the 22-250?

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The 22-250 was also my Grandpas, and then my Fathers, and now mine, I want to leave that one alone.

 

[bnewt3]

243 immediately comes to mind. Low recoil, plenty enough to kill all target species and more, fast, flat, common on shelves, ammo is toward the cheap end, etc, etc, etc, etc

6.5CM is a great option, but as stated its a step up in recoil from 243.

 

[parkernudell]

Which part of northern are you from? Know the ranges typically for the Virginia area I’d go with a 8 twist Tikka 243win. Since I load I could load some heavy bullets for long ranges but most the shot deer hunting here. The 95gr partition is very adequate.

It’s actually what my wife uses.

In Minnesota realistically the longest shot I will encounter is 100yds, but I am hoping to be able to have this be my western rifle for the next 10+ years until my kids are able to start hunting.

 

[hereinaz]

In Minnesota realistically the longest shot I will encounter is 100yds, but I am hoping to be able to have this be my western rifle for the next 10+ years until my kids are able to start hunting.

How far will you shoot in the west?

6 arc if it gets it done. If not, then 6 creed or 243.

If you suppress the 6.5, and you want it, that’s a solid choice for you. (The 6 arc ballistics can match closely and the 6 creed beats it, keeping barrel length equal)

When your kids start hunting, buy a compact .223 and they will love shooting it for the day, as opposed to getting beat up by a 6.5 cm.

Everyone needs a .223, lol.