Need help deciding on a caliber.

[Unckebob]

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.

By budget Savage had the same problem with the scope base. It turns out the person assembling mine picked the "short" screw instead of the correct screw. I called Savage. They sent me the correct screws and now it shoots great.

 

[JD Jones]

Buy a creedmoor, 270, 308 or an -06. You don’t reload and these are on the shelf

No one should buy any 7mm anything… comps are too darn hard to find (all seriousness the 280ai is my recommendation if you decide to reload. Or that 300 WSM)

 

[SCHUNTER73]

From a recoil perspective, my 280 AI has recoil very similar to my .270 and 7mm08. Definitely less than my 30-06.

 

[CoHunter1991]

Great decision on the 280 AI. Definitely my new favorite.

 

[Dadandjames]

That’s wild about your savage! I have a model 11 that is a real shooter even with a 20” barrel. I wonder if it was action screw torque messing with the group sizes

 

[Richard]

Well I was fortunate enough to harvest a whitetail with the .280 AI yesterday. The deer was quartering to me and I shot him in the shoulder and the bullet exited right behind the off side shoulder. Had a great blood trail and he piled up in about 50 yards. Pleased with the performance so far

 

[z987k]

From a recoil perspective, my 280 AI has recoil very similar to my .270 and 7mm08. Definitely less than my 30-06.

Only if you're shooting lighter bullets. 160gr 3006 vs 160gr 280ai are going to be literally identical in recoil.

 

[LTZ5.3]

A vote for the 280AI Components are easy to come by

 

[greenomics]

30-06 then IMO



Seems the obvious choice to me too.

 

[Oldffemt]

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.

100% agree with this. I’ve personally seen ~30 elk fall to 270/3006, all one shot kills out to 500yds. Small sample size but you absolutely don’t “need” a magnum. I’d add 270 to your list too.

 

[Elite]

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.

Diameter of the 30 cal seems to kill elk/moose with more authority tho


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[SwiftShot]

Diameter of the 30 cal seems to kill elk/moose with more authority tho


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Not really, when you actually stack them up at say 300 yards. That 6.5 PRC shooting 140 grains is pushing 2100 ftlbs while a 300 win shooting 200 grains is like 2450. They both have more than enough. What really matters is most shooters can shoot the 6.5 all day way more accurate than the 300. People say recoil doesn't affect me but the range says otherwise. Or it would if they would even shoot. So accuracy is important but so is the bullet. Pick the right bullet and the 6.5 will get it done.

 

[Darryle]

Well I was fortunate enough to harvest a whitetail with the .280 AI yesterday. The deer was quartering to me and I shot him in the shoulder and the bullet exited right behind the off side shoulder. Had a great blood trail and he piled up in about 50 yards. Pleased with the performance so far

Great choice on the 280 Ackley, my favorite caliber of all time. I have 2 rifles already and a third on the way. Three more either on the way or being built in calibers based off of the 280 Ackley, 25-280 Ackley and 6.5-280 Ackley.

Enjoy your new rifle and that is a heck of a buck for it's first, going to be tough to top, but it will be a fun ride.

What bullet or load in particular were you using?

 

[BjornF16]

Well I was fortunate enough to harvest a whitetail with the .280 AI yesterday. The deer was quartering to me and I shot him in the shoulder and the bullet exited right behind the off side shoulder. Had a great blood trail and he piled up in about 50 yards. Pleased with the performance so far

Nice looking buck…Congrats!

What range and which bullet?

Love the 280AI but RS has moved me towards lighter recoil cartridges

 

[onetohunt]

280 AI great round for just about anything.

 

[Elite]

Not really, when you actually stack them up at say 300 yards. That 6.5 PRC shooting 140 grains is pushing 2100 ftlbs while a 300 win shooting 200 grains is like 2450. They both have more than enough. What really matters is most shooters can shoot the 6.5 all day way more accurate than the 300. People say recoil doesn't affect me but the range says otherwise. Or it would if they would even shoot. So accuracy is important but so is the bullet. Pick the right bullet and the 6.5 will get it done.

The ballistics are impressive for the 6.5 prc but the diameter of the bullet does help with killing large animals


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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

The ballistics are impressive for the 6.5 prc but the diameter of the bullet does help with killing large animals


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*may* help with killing large animals.

It'd be tough to argue that a 300 Blackout is always more lethal than a 6.5 PRC due solely to its diameter.

 

[Seeknelk]

That’s wild about your savage! I have a model 11 that is a real shooter even with a 20” barrel. I wonder if it was action screw torque messing with the group sizes.

A short barrel doesn't make a rifle less accurate. How does this myth persist? It's actually opposite IF anything. Shorter barrels are often more precise since they are stiffer than a longer barrel of same thickness.

 

[Seeknelk]

Are elk or bear going to be on the menu? If so, go with a simple 6.5 Creedmoor shooting 140 eld for sure. You'll shoot it better with the adrenaline dump of seeing a giant bull or bear.

 

[Ragu]

Nice choice, the 280 AI has my interest! Great buck as well OP.