Need help deciding on a caliber.

[Richard]

I’m planning on buying a savage 110 ultralight and I need some help on picking a caliber. I’m going to be using this gun primarily as a deer rifle but want to be able to hunt elk with it as well. I’d like someone to talk me either into or out of the 30.06, 280 AI, 28 nosler, and 300 WSM.

I’m not worried about ammo availability for right now but I am concerned about recoil on such a lightweight gun. I do have a can on the way tho but not sure how much that helps.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

If you’re recoil shy, then take the 28 Nosler and 300 WSM off the list.

Figure out what distances you plan to hunt. Depending on your answer that can rule out the 30-06.

This leaves the 280 AI from your list. Not on your list, but should be, is the 6.5 PRC.

Coin toss.

 

[Quicksilver]

300wsm and invest in a good muzzle brake. Buddy has one and you hardly feel recoil and shooting 1” groups at 200yds with factory Hornady ammo.

 

[Ucsdryder]

280ai.

 

[Sled]

280ai, 6.5prc, 270wsm, 6.8 western, 7mm mag. All good options to look at.

Most suppressors will take 20% or more of the felt recoil out.

 

[z987k]

280ai or 3006, there's no need for magnums to hunt what you're hunting unless you're doing it out past 700 yards or so.

 

[bullseye717]

Distance and budget will dictate your choices. I'm cheap so .308.

 

[Flyjunky]

280ai or 6.5prc would be my choice..lighter recoil and good bullet selections for each.

 

[Slugz]

Do you reload ?

 

[Sadler]

I know you're not worried about ammo right now, but you will be eventually. So with that in mind, I'd go with the 30-06.

 

[jimh406]

I went with 300 WSM with similar goals. My most often carried rifle is a 300 WBY though. I have a can that I’m waiting on. In the mean time, I plan to use a brake.

 

[SwiftShot]

I’m planning on buying a savage 110 ultralight and I need some help on picking a caliber. I’m going to be using this gun primarily as a deer rifle but want to be able to hunt elk with it as well. I’d like someone to talk me either into or out of the 30.06, 280 AI, 28 nosler, and 300 WSM.

I’m not worried about ammo availability for right now but I am concerned about recoil on such a lightweight gun. I do have a can on the way tho but not sure how much that helps.

300 WSM if you feel you really need a big caliber, 6.5 PRC otherwise. The WSM is nice but look at the 6.5 with a 143 at 500 yards and a 300 WSM with a 180 at the same range. It will surprise you. I have a 6.5 PRC, 300 Win, 300 RUM all super nice. Only one seems to come out of the safe and it is not a 30.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Since recoil is a concern: 6.5 creed, you'll probably shoot this one more often and more accurate than any of the magnums in a light rifle. It's also plenty lethal, and Factory ammo is abundant too.

 

[Unclecroc]

As someone who also doesn’t like recoil I would go with a 280 ackley or a 30-06. If you don’t mind hunting with ear protection muzzle brakes are great for reducing recoil.

 

[wildwilderness]

Realistically will you ever hunt elk??

The 110 is offered in these cartridges-



For elk I would go 300 wsm with a good muzzle brake and ear plugs!

For deer in a light rifle and no brake/suppressor you should go 6.5 cm

As a compromise I would say a 270

 

[Richard]

I do not reload

Do you reload ?

 

[Richard]

I’ll check out the 6.5 prc. Haven’t looked into that one.

280ai or 6.5prc would be my choice..lighter recoil and good bullet selections for each.

 

[TheHammer]

300wsm suppressed! Get the thing bedded and personally I run 175lrx just over 3200fps and it is sub 1” at 300yds. I had a 28nosler first and it was more recoil than I desired. If you are a 7/284 guy the 280AI is an excellent choice! I would consider both the 280 and 300wsm great all around cartridges where you can set them up to do about anything you want in North America and not be under gunned or over gunned.

 

[Slugz]

I do not reload

30-06 then IMO

 

[ResearchinStuff]

some more data to consider before making a purchase:

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

www.rokslide.com

Also, since it's relevant I owned a savage 116 in 300 wsm, that experience moved me off of savage and the 300 wsm permanently. 8" groups at 100 yards were the norm, tried 2 scopes, made savage rebarrel it, never got it shooting right. I suspect the ~1/2 turn of thread engagement on the front scope base screws was the root cause. Pretty gun, just worthless.