02-06-2008, 11:51 PM
| #1 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 218
| Versatil Cal.
What is the best caliber for varmint to big game? Both handloading and factory rounds. I was thinking something between a 6mm and the 30-06.
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02-07-2008, 12:51 AM
| #3 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota
Posts: 961
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For me, that has always been a 7mm mag. I would think that anything from 7mm-08 through 300 mag would work, just what ever you prefer.
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02-07-2008, 03:04 AM
| #4 |
| Thor's Hammer   |
If you really study, you'll see the 6.5mm is as close to perfect as you can get! If you study BC and SD, you'll see what I mean. Next best, 7mm's. But our love affair has always been the 30 Govt rounds. If it killed in battle, it must be great for game! I've owned, or still own just about every 30 caliber. And I am currently eyeing a 300 win mag. I have owned a 30 carbine, 7,62x39, 30-30, 30-40, 308, 30-06, 300 win mag, and 300 weatherby. My "Go To" rifle is a Sako fullstock carbine in 308, topped with a Schmidt and Bender 1.5x6x42mm Sniper scope cammed for a 150gr 308 round. I have hunted it for going on 30 years. The one rifle, I would take to the field if I felt the 308 would leave me undergunned: a Sako 7mm Rem Mag. I have bee studying the 6,5x55 Swede for about 2 years now. It is indeed an impressive round. Look at the down range energy of this 140gr round. Then look at it's trajectory! Then look at what you get from a 30-06, firing a 180-200gr bullet! Notice any similarities?
__________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers |
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02-07-2008, 04:51 AM
| #5 |
| Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: north centeral idaho
Posts: 40
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any of the 7mm rounds up to 7mm mag not ultra mag
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02-07-2008, 11:28 AM
| #6 | |
| Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 704
| Quote:
1. 264 WM 2. 280 Rem 3. 270 Win 4. 270 WSM 5. 7mm RM I have the 264 and it can be loaded from a hot flat shooting 85 gr. at 3800 fps for varmints up to 160 grains for big game. I think 140 grains is better however, and I have taken a number of moose with the 140 gr. Nosler 3200 fps load. There may be some European 6.5 mm cartridges that are good too, but I'm not that familiar with them. No shortage in bullet availability, and Hodgson 4831 seems to be the ticket for powder. I have to agree with Steve, in that if there is one ideal bore size it probably is the 6.5 mm (.264"). Ron Last edited by Ron AKA; 02-07-2008 at 11:31 AM. | |
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02-07-2008, 01:45 PM
| #7 | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oregon
Posts: 420
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02-07-2008, 05:06 PM
| #8 |
| Senior Member  |
I really thought this too but i think the 7mm have a slight edge over the 6.5s as they are flatter shootin. The 264 is a good round but since it kick pretty good anyways id step up to the 7mm mag. 1. 7mm mag 2.280 rem 3.6.5X55 4. 260rem/ 264win mag 5.270 win. I place the 263 low because of the shortage of cartridges round where i live and due to the high recoil without having as much footpounds as the 7mm mag. And yes i cant beleive that no north american manufacturere can even produce a half decent 6.5X55 cartride. Like come on just put a warning that you cant use it in older rifles. That is why the 260 looks better on paper. |
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Cartridge Group|
02-07-2008, 06:18 PM
| #9 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,905
| If I had to pick one . . .
Personally, I really like the 7mm/08. This would do you well for coyote to deer sized game. It is accurate and does not punish with excessive recoil or muzzle blast. If I had one choice this would be mine. However, for all North American game situations the .30-06 is the market king with a wide range of factory loadings and no one can deny the versatility of the round. |
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02-07-2008, 10:29 PM
| #11 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Port Orchard Wa
Posts: 111
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just one rifle for varmits through big game I'd use a 25-06. good for varmits out passed 400 yards, but still capable of taking an elk with a 120 gr bullitt to about 200 yards. with a lot less recoil than a 7mm mag.
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02-08-2008, 01:27 AM
| #12 | |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pipestone, MN.
Posts: 436
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Dave Last edited by Onesonek; 02-08-2008 at 01:30 AM. | |
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02-08-2008, 02:10 AM
| #13 |
| Troll B' Gone   |
The .300 Win Mag has always served well as my hog/deer/bear rifle, it's hard to beat with 180 or 200 grain bullets.
__________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever" |
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02-08-2008, 06:34 AM
| #14 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,185
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And the beat goes on.Everyone to their own opinion.I love to read about it. sam.
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02-08-2008, 06:52 AM
| #15 | |
| spiritual counselor   |  Quote:
__________________ "I would never die for my beliefs because what if I'm wrong?"- Bertrand Russell | |
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02-08-2008, 01:57 PM
| #16 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oregon
Posts: 420
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Well, you've gotta realize, this is the kind of stuff that has been selling hunting and shooting magazines since day one. It will continue forever, it makes good reading.
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02-08-2008, 09:48 PM
| #18 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Austin,Texas
Posts: 103
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The 6.5x55 Swede would be a good choice and can be reloaded from 77 to 95 grains for varmints and up to 160grns for big game with about 2500fps. You can get 3600fps out of the 85grain. Load 49grains of H4350 behind a 120 grain bullet which will get it moving 3000fps. |
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02-08-2008, 09:57 PM
| #19 | |
| Troll B' Gone | Quote:
__________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever" | |
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