Returning Hunter Caliber Choice

[omicron1792]

Ok good to know, so it seems like custom barrel 6mm cm or 6mm arc or stay factory with the 6.5cm would be my best options.

Those all sound fantastic.

I was in your shoes. Shot 30/06 because I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. Any of the options you mentioned will be awesome.

And don’t forget the suppressor! OG6.5 and airlock 6.5, either would be great for any of the 3 you mention. Threads on both here.

 

[Boltgun]

My dad has a T3x in .30-06 cut to 18” and suppressed. Great gun, very nice to hunt with.

With that said, when we go shoot he kinda drops out after about 20-30 rounds, as it just becomes less fun to shoot.

My T3x in 6.5 CM cut to 18” and suppressed, is fun to shoot all day.

Both guns have killed lots of game very nicely, and we have not seen a notable difference in outcome from either caliber.

 

[Wertherman]

My dad has a T3x in .30-06 cut to 18” and suppressed. Great gun, very nice to hunt with.

With that said, when we go shoot he kinda drops out after about 20-30 rounds, as it just becomes less fun to shoot.

My T3x in 6.5 CM cut to 18” and suppressed, is fun to shoot all day.

Both guns have killed lots of game very nicely, and we have not seen a notable difference in outcome from either caliber.

View attachment 1016364

Awesome to see this!

 

[FLHunter87]

Hi all,

I’m getting back into hunting after a break and could use some advice.

I recently moved to Colorado and will be going on my first rifle elk hunt this year. I picked up a Tikka in .30-06 mainly because, growing up, everyone said it could do anything.

Getting behind the trigger again reminded me just how much I flinch with guns. My groups on the bench are great out to 300, but last year I had a really bad shot and hit a whitetail in the spine at maybe 60 yards. I definitely don’t want to repeat that.

Reading through the forums, I’ve noticed people having great success with 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges. It’s making me wonder if I might be better off stepping down in caliber so I can practice more and feel confident in the field.

So my questions are:

• Should I consider a different caliber? (Will target all species in the lower 48 eventually) If so, what would you recommend?
• Or should I just focus on more range time?
• I’m naturally a bit flinchy—any tips for controlling that in the field?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

6.5 PRC and don’t look back.

Hi all,

I’m getting back into hunting after a break and could use some advice.

I recently moved to Colorado and will be going on my first rifle elk hunt this year. I picked up a Tikka in .30-06 mainly because, growing up, everyone said it could do anything.

Getting behind the trigger again reminded me just how much I flinch with guns. My groups on the bench are great out to 300, but last year I had a really bad shot and hit a whitetail in the spine at maybe 60 yards. I definitely don’t want to repeat that.

Reading through the forums, I’ve noticed people having great success with 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges. It’s making me wonder if I might be better off stepping down in caliber so I can practice more and feel confident in the field.

So my questions are:

• Should I consider a different caliber? (Will target all species in the lower 48 eventually) If so, what would you recommend?
• Or should I just focus on more range time?
• I’m naturally a bit flinchy—any tips for controlling that in the field?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

i would highly recommend the 6.5 PRC. Compare the ballistics of a 180g 30.06 elite hunter to the 156 elite hunter of the 6.5 PRC. I would guarantee the velocity is about the same or maybe even more. I bet energy is roughly the same and as you go down range I bet there could be advantage of the 6.5 PRC. Significantly less recoil as well and make shooting a breeze especially if you feel recoil effects you. My 10 year old niece can shoot the 6.5 PRC no issues. Very versatile round from 120-160 grain bullets. The 140-156 range bullets are the most popular. My nephew uses 142 ABLR, niece uses 156EH, I use 147 ELDM, and currently developing a load with the 150 ABLR. Everyone will have their preferences. But totally sold on this caliber. Solid. This year I got a pronghorn and several white tails with it. I would imagine others recommend this caliber. People shoot elk over 700 yards with this caliber no issues. Just like any other rifle, spend time behind the trigger and develop the confidence. You can definitely do that as this is very minimal recoil. Are you going with factory ammo or reloading your own?

 

[Wertherman]

6.5 PRC and don’t look back.

i would highly recommend the 6.5 PRC. Compare the ballistics of a 180g 30.06 elite hunter to the 156 elite hunter of the 6.5 PRC. I would guarantee the velocity is about the same or maybe even more. I bet energy is roughly the same and as you go down range I bet there could be advantage of the 6.5 PRC. Significantly less recoil as well and make shooting a breeze especially if you feel recoil effects you. My 10 year old niece can shoot the 6.5 PRC no issues. Very versatile round from 120-160 grain bullets. The 140-156 range bullets are the most popular. My nephew uses 142 ABLR, niece uses 156EH, I use 147 ELDM, and currently developing a load with the 150 ABLR. Everyone will have their preferences. But totally sold on this caliber. Solid. This year I got a pronghorn and several white tails with it. I would imagine others recommend this caliber. People shoot elk over 700 yards with this caliber no issues. Just like any other rifle, spend time behind the trigger and develop the confidence. You can definitely do that as this is very minimal recoil. Are you going with factory ammo or reloading your own?

Factory

 

[FLHunter87]

Factory

There’s plenty of factory options. I see some people say the 6.5 CM. Honestly there is very little recoil difference between the 2. You can use the same bullets for both. You will see a 200-240 FPS advantage with the PRC with the same bullet though. Both will kill but why settle for less when you can get a little more for the same price. A buddy has a CM and I compare all the time as I reload. And those are the findings I see continuously. Ultimately your decision.

 

[MT762]

Lots of good suggestions here. I still think the easy button is suppress the existing rifle.

I am a fan of the 6.5 PRC, I own one in a Tikka, but if there is a difference in recoil between it and a 30-06, I can't tell. Same volume of powder, same bullet weight at the same speeds: 150gr-ish bullet at 2900 fps.

Also yes a 6.5 creed or a 7-08 suppressed will be even more pleasant to shoot than a suppressed 30-06, and a suppressed 6mm creed feels like a 22...I personally have all those setups in heavy rotation...but a suppressed 30-06 is pretty civilized and it's a great place to start.

Another thing that helps is stop shooting off a bench, get prone and shoot off sandbags front and back. Huge difference in received recoil.

 

[Wertherman]

I went to a gunsmith after work he said he could only thread the factory barrel 9/16x24. Is this normal for 30 cal tikkas?

 

[Mike Islander]

Hi all,

I’m getting back into hunting after a break and could use some advice.

I recently moved to Colorado and will be going on my first rifle elk hunt this year. I picked up a Tikka in .30-06 mainly because, growing up, everyone said it could do anything.

Getting behind the trigger again reminded me just how much I flinch with guns. My groups on the bench are great out to 300, but last year I had a really bad shot and hit a whitetail in the spine at maybe 60 yards. I definitely don’t want to repeat that.

Reading through the forums, I’ve noticed people having great success with 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges. It’s making me wonder if I might be better off stepping down in caliber so I can practice more and feel confident in the field.

So my questions are:

• Should I consider a different caliber? (Will target all species in the lower 48 eventually) If so, what would you recommend?
• Or should I just focus on more range time?
• I’m naturally a bit flinchy—any tips for controlling that in the field?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

You don't nerd a new rifle. Remington Managed Recoil has 1/2 the recoil. 125 grain soft point. Almost 1800 fps at 300 yards. Will kill all North American game.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

I went to a gunsmith after work he said he could only thread the factory barrel 9/16x24. Is this normal for 30 cal tikkas?

Not surprising. Go 1/2x28 if 5/8x24 isn’t possible and get a thread adapter. I have these rockset on a few guns.

9/16ths you can’t get an adapter for.

1/2 x 28 to 5/8 x 24 Barrel Thread Adapter Standard Dia With Thread Protector Stainless #4248

www.downrangeproductsco.com

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I went to a gunsmith after work he said he could only thread the factory barrel 9/16x24. Is this normal for 30 cal tikkas?

See what Kampfeld can do for you. I had to have 9/16-24 done for a Tikka 9.3x62 and I will probably have that job redone a bit shorter to get 5/8-24. I hate having to use adapters.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Not surprising. Go 1/2x28 if 5/8x24 isn’t possible and get a thread adapter. I have these rockset on a few guns.

9/16ths you can’t get an adapter for.

1/2 x 28 to 5/8 x 24 Barrel Thread Adapter Standard Dia With Thread Protector Stainless #4248

www.downrangeproductsco.com

You can get an adapter for 9/16-24.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

You can get an adapter for 9/16-24.

Gotcha, thought there wasn’t enough material to do it based on this from SRS. Looks like there are a few that are thread-over-thread but most are effectively extensions?

Still wouldn’t go 9/16 on a thread job either way.

 

[Wertherman]

You can get an adapter for 9/16-24.

I see hub adapters out there too in 9/16-24 if I get a can that uses one.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I see hub adapters out there too in 9/16-24 if I get a can that uses one.

Yes, if available, a hub in the proper size is the better option than the adapter. Even if it costs a bit more.

 

[youngbuck96]

Yeah at the range I seem fine, but even shooting squirrels with my CZ 457 I felt like I was punching the trigger and pulling the shot a little, not as much of course on a 22lr but still can improve.

If your flinch exists with 22LR, it is going to exist with every cartridge. Some will say downsize to a 6.5 or .243, but that alone will not correct the hiccup in your shot process. Personally, I say keep the 30-06 and buy a .223 or similar small caliber training platform. Get a lot of range time and fix your shot process with that. Learn a smooth trigger press, NOT to anticipate recoil, and follow through, then those skills will translate to your hunting platform. If you do all that and still don't like the felt recoil/concussion of the 30-06, sale it to me and buy something else

 

[Luked]

Nothing wrong with a 30-06.
Pretty versatile. But it has some recoil to it also. Suppressor would help.
If it were me I would be looking to a 6mm or a 6.5 caliber.
I have a 6.5Cm and also a 6.5PRC that I just got. Also have a 243 and 6Arc in the safe.
I prefer the smaller calibers any more just because they are more of a pleasure to shoot for me personally.

The Idea of getting a trainer rifle is really popular and a great thing to do.

 

[Wertherman]

What the advantage of getting a trainer in 223 instead of re barreling my current tikka after I get limbsaver and suppressor?

 

[LongWayAround]

What the advantage of getting a trainer in 223 instead of re barreling my current tikka after I get limbsaver and suppressor?

Ammunition cost and enjoyment.

You can buy decent .223 ammo for 60¢ per round. You will spend at least twice that for something like 6.5CM.

It's cheaper and more fun to shoot so you will be more likely to do it more often.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

I see hub adapters out there too in 9/16-24 if I get a can that uses one.

If you're only ever going to have one rifle, or buy a dedicated suppressor for each rifle then sure.

I bought a 1/2" hub for a Dead Air Nomad. Never used it. I wanted to put that suppressor on my 5/8" threaded rifles too. Much easier to get the adapter linked above for each 1/2" barrel.

Every suppressor has 5/8" hub, every rifle has 5/8" threads (effectively). Every suppressor works with every rifle, no tools needed to swap.