What should be my next cartridge?

[Northern Safari]

Always looking to add something new that fills a niche that I don't already have covered in terms of hunting and target shooting.

I have a decent range of cartridges (listed below), what's a new cartridge that will fill one of my current gaps?

1. 12ga
2. .22 LR
3. 9mm
4. .357mag/.38spl
5. .223/5.56
6. 7.62X39
7. 6.5X55
8. .308
9. 30.06
10. 338 WinMag
11. 375HH
12. 416 Rigby
13. 45-70
14. 458 Winmag.

I have my sights currently set on either the 6.8 Western or a 7mm for some longer range hunting application, leaning towards the 6.8. Any others worth considering?

 

[SuperDUECE22]

5.7x28mm
224 Valkryie

 

[Graves14]

Depending on the type of game, I'd consider a 22 Creedmoor. I did not understand the hype until I shot one last week. There is no discernible time delay between pulling the trigger and seeing a plate move at 400yds, the recoil is non existent, and now that loaded ammo or brass are easy to come by it will definitely be the next rifle I build.

 

[Northern Safari]

Depending on the type of game, I'd consider a 22 Creedmoor. I did not understand the hype until I shot one last week. There is no discernible time delay between pulling the trigger and seeing a plate move at 400yds, the recoil is non existent, and now that loaded ammo or brass are easy to come by it will definitely be the next rifle I build.

I'm definitely lacking in the bottom end offerings, the quick whiz-bang cartridges.

Would that be considered a varmint cartridge?

 

[Mike 338]

Slingshot.

 

[Graves14]

I'm definitely lacking in the bottom end offerings, the quick whiz-bang cartridges.

Would that be considered a varmint cartridge?

Not at all. There are plenty of people hunting deer sized game with great efficacy.

 

[OrangeMan73]

6mm ARC

 

[Timjohnson11]

25 SST w/ the 134 ELDM would be at the top of my list for a western long range hunting rig

 

[huntsman22]

17 Hornet.....

 

[Thebigbaby]

5.7
300 wm
7 prc
300 BO
17 hmr

 

[Choupique]

28 ga

 

[Caseknife]

22 Creed, 223AI, 257AI, 338 Federal, 450 Bushmaster

 

[RockAndSage]

Yeah...I'm noticing a lack of super fast/flat shooting cartridges, other than the 6.5x55, or anything in .25, .270, and 7mm/284 calibers. I would definitely second the .22 Creedmoor if you want factory ammo, or another very fast smallbore, like .22-250. They're far, far more versatile than people typically understand. If you handload and/or want something bigger, 25-06AI, or .257 Weatherby for the .25 cal.

On the smaller end, 17hmr is extremely useful, and hits a lot harder than .22lr. It's an easy-button cartridge for putting meat on the table.

 

[HandgunHTR]

28GA
16GA
22ARC
22 Creedmoor
6.5 Grendel
243 Win
6 Creedmoor
6.5 or 7 SS or SST

Just to rattle off a few

 

[SloppyJ]

What's the goal with the new gun?

You don't have any 6mm options. 243ai or 6 creed would be a good addition. 6ARC in a gas setup or I even like the 22 creed that was mentioned earlier. A 280ai would fit well in the gap you have as well as a 7PRC. It all depends on what you feel like you're lacking for whatever the situation is.

 

[Northern Safari]

What's the goal with the new gun?

You don't have any 6mm options. 243ai or 6 creed would be a good addition. 6ARC in a gas setup or I even like the 22 creed that was mentioned earlier. A 280ai would fit well in the gap you have as well as a 7PRC. It all depends on what you feel like you're lacking for whatever the situation is.

My next bolt-action will be focused on a lightweight mountain rifle in a suitable flat shooting, sheep/goat caliber.

 

[ElPollo]

My next bolt-action will be focused on a lightweight mountain rifle in a suitable flat shooting, sheep/goat caliber.

22 creed or 6 creed.

 

[SC HUNTER]

I'm not big on buying a cartridge when it first gets popular, but a 22 creedmoor is at the top of my want list. From what I have read and watched on youtube that is a bad ass little round.

I'll also second a 17 hmr. I keep one in the truck year round and it has killed a pile of critters.

 

[RockAndSage]

My next bolt-action will be focused on a lightweight mountain rifle in a suitable flat shooting, sheep/goat caliber.

Yeah, what @ElPollo said. 6mm CM or .22CM would be excellent choices for the animal and conditions, and with a lightweight rifle you won't have the usual recoil penalties that come with larger cartridges.

 

[Rippey715]

7 saw