Next cartridge

[JFK]

I have three 270’s and they all love H4350. The fact that you have a lot of H4350 would weight heavily in my decision. Having to buy new/different powder for a new cartridge adds to the overall cost versus having an efficient powder supply that works across multiple cartridges.

 

[9.1]

I think the 270 is the best fit for your criteria and list of cartridges. A 280AI would get you a little more in the way of bullet selection. I'd recommend deciding on a bullet that is available to purchase somewhere and checking ballistics and twist rate compatibility before picking a rifle.

 

[tom338]

280 AI. If I wouldn't have shot one I would not have believed that there is that much less recoil than my 7mm mag's. And I get just as much speed

 

[wind gypsy]

270 gets you at least as much recoil as a PRC with lesser bullets (and thus ballistics) especially if limited to a factory barrel.

 

[6mm Remington]

25-06: With good bullets game up to and including elk is certainly on the ticket. 100gr. E-tip, 110 gr. Accubond, 115 & 120gr. Partitions. Had a 25-06 for a long time.

6.5-06: Extremely simple to neck up 25-06 brass by running it over the expanding ball of the 6.5-06 die.

280AI: I have one and love it. Great ballistics and mild recoil. I use 140 gr. bullets for everything.

 

[.30WCF]

7mm-08
Sweet, mild and deadly on squirrels to elk.
I carry one for elk. Energy out to 500 yds at elevation.

My next rifle will be a .280 AI or a
7PRC though.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[OverInfinite]

Thanks everyone for the comments, I've been steady looking over alot of these cartridges and coming up with the fact that I would either step up to a 6.5prc, 280AI, or a 7prc. Leaning hard on the 6.5prc. I just don't see where a 7mm-08, or even a .308win, would benefit me.
I can currently push a 142gr 2750fps, out of my 6.5CM. I can gain 100fps out of a 7mm-08 with quite a bit more powder and less BC. The 6.5prc keeps me in the same bullet weight class, but just ramps up velocity without a giant ramp in recoil.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Thanks everyone for the comments, I've been steady looking over alot of these cartridges and coming up with the fact that I would either step up to a 6.5prc, 280AI, or a 7prc. Leaning hard on the 6.5prc. I just don't see where a 7mm-08, or even a .308win, would benefit me.
I can currently push a 142gr 2750fps, out of my 6.5CM. I can gain 100fps out of a 7mm-08 with quite a bit more powder and less BC. The 6.5prc keeps me in the same bullet weight class, but just ramps up velocity without a giant ramp in recoil.

That's the beauty of hand loading. My personal preference is to pick one of the burners and load mild with a slower powder. Usually get a manageable recoil and a steady shooting load, with long lasting brass. I think you'd be happy with any of those choices.

 

[Firestone]

I would agree with others on a 280ai. Pretty sweet cartridge with a plethora of bullet options

 

[thewileyone]

the 6.5 and 7mm currently have a better bullet selection than the 270. I like the 270 and eventually there will be a better bullet selection. It’s a very difficult caliber to beat! You’ve had a lot of good options discussed. I love the 7rm! The 280ai is a close second for the .284/7mm class and is very similar to the 270 win. The 280ai is one caliber that I’ve always wanted. Similar velocities to a 7rm with less recoil.
I would recommend sticking with either the 6.5 or 7mm (.284) family of bullets due to current bullet selection and availability. They are the current fad… thus manufacturers are producing a lot of them.
You have a 6.5cm, the 6.5-06 (mentioned previously) is definitely a big step up as a hunting cartridge. The 6.5-284 and the 6.5 prc would be easier to find dies and brass… but otherwise similar velocities to a 6.5-06.
I’d say buy one of each! search and see what you can find available in the gun you want or like. Then figure it out from there. All of those calibers are known to be easier to load for and components should be readily available.

 

[Camo out]

270 or 280AI

 

[bkennedy2]

I vote for 6.5PRC, you probably already have some 6.5 bullets, you can use H1000 to push heavies like 156EOL. I'm getting 3050 fps from a 26" barrel with berger 156 EOL and N570. It will push 124 Hammers 3400+. Recoil is nothing.

 

[OverInfinite]

Everybody, thank you for all your responses. I wanted to come back and give an update since it seams like not alot of people do that.
I ended up picking up a witt machine clamp on style muzzlebrake for my 7 rem mag (it's a howa 1500 with a "normal" barrel. Slightly thicker than a sporter. I layer some resin in the stock and added some weight to the butt stock with cardboard. (Total weight now: a little over 10lbs)
I hand loaded some 150gr accubonds with 63.0 gr of IMR4350 and was getting 3,240fps.
Recoil felt EXTREMELY manageable. Anout as much as my wife's 7lbs 6.5 cm without a brake. I think I am going to go ahead, thread the barrel for a brake and enjoy the rifle. It hits targets like a CANNON.
Hindsight, it seams like a 8.5lbs 7 rem mag and precision hunter just isn't what the caliber should represent. I should have played with this stuff more, but now I am extremely happy with it and looking forward to how fast I can push some mid range 7mm bullets.
Side note: anybody know of any muzzle brakes that can get turned down to 0.625", threaded for 1/2" and take a 7mm bore?

 

[Mag_7s]

anybody know of any muzzle brakes that can get turned down to 0.625", threaded for 1/2" and take a 7mm bore?

Might check out MBM brakes. They have a lot of configurations.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Side note: anybody know of any muzzle brakes that can get turned down to 0.625", threaded for 1/2" and take a 7mm bore?

The more meat you leave, the more affect it has on recoil. Even though it looks goofy I'd get a 30 cal self timing MBM Beast, muscle brake, or something of the like screwed on, paint it the same color as barrel if that tickles your fancy, and shoot on. Use a thread adapter if needed. Also a 162 eld or 168 Berger over 4831 or H1000 is usually bad medicine in the 7.