.264 or .284 or .277 for next caliber rifle

[dougduey]

280AI is your "huckleberry". Wonderful cartridge and very versatile. I have one. Running the 120gr Hammer Hunters at 3541 fps, along with the 154gr Hornady SST at 3128 fps. Both are sub 0.5 moa. You can purchase Nosler brass at Grafs and Midway right now. Petersen brass isn't available at the moment, but my new favorite. H4831 or like burn rate powders are what you want. RL23 is spectacular in this cartridge and more consistent than RL26.

That being said, I also own a 6.5-284 Norma and a 6.5 Creed. Both are great cartridges, and both shoot tiny groups. I rebarreled a 243 to the Creed for my kids to shoot and ended loving the cartridge myself. The Norma can do all you want, too. It just does it with more oomph than the Creed. Brass availability is great right now for the Norma. Lapua and Petersen brass are the ticket, although Nosler has worked well for me for a long time. I run the 109gr Absolute Hammer at 3511 fps or the 140 gr Berger VLD at 2994 fps in my Norma. Like the AI, H4831 is the go to powder as well as RL23 with 140 gr bullets in the Norma. The one caveat is that RL26 is magical in the Creed. I can get the 140 gr bullets up to Norma velocities with it, which is crazy. I run the 143gr ELDX at 2954 fps.
Food for thought. One of the Gunwerks guy shoots a 6.5-284 for everything. Besides elk and red stag, he's taken African game like zebra and kudu with it without an issue. Also, Ike Eastman of Eastmans Hunting Journal has used a 270 WSM for years on elk. I've got a friend with one that loves it and never feels underf-gunned.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of these cartridges. Really look at ballistics to see which ones tick the most boxes for what you want to achieve. Then figure out what bullet or bullets you really want to shoot. Then see which one has the best brass options and availability.

 

[Tim Sharp]

Plain old 280 Remington. Threaded barrel for suppressor or brake. I might go with an 8 twist if you elect to shoot heavier bullets, but a standard 160 grain with a 9 twist will work well out to your max of 550y.

 

[OldElkHunter1961]

Some "whatevers" are much bigger and tougher that other "whatevers."

5 yards to 500 on myriad species of "whatevers?"

.300 or .338 Winchester Magnum (and their ilk) is the simple, universal answer.

 

[SamuelBerryhill308]

What big game are you hunting? I see you are from NC, so whitetails, black bear, and pigs or are you traveling for bigger game?

Yes I do hunt mostly deer and coyotes but will be going bear hunting this year and hopefully some hog hunting me and my dad have been planning on going elk hunting have planned it the past two years but something always seems to come up with work.hope next year will be the year for a elk hunt

 

[jpndave]

The difference between .264 and .284 is only .020 difference. I'd say it has more to do with the power and bullet construction of the round vs bullet diameter.

Yes, but remember the area is π*R² so 0.264" is 0.0547in² (35.3mm²), 284" is 0.0633in² (40.9mm²), 308 is 0.0745in² (48.1mm²) It's not a linear relationship but exponential in the area of the hole getting punched. 264 to 284 is 7% diameter/14% area and 284 to 308 is 8% diameter/15% area differences. That's not inconsequential. This is all before expansion too, it's a much bigger difference as bullets open up.

IMO to 550yds, that list is ish adequate for deer sized "whatevers" and not for Elk or bigger sized "whatevers" out that far. Closer in maybe so.

My vote is 300 PRC. I have a 6.5 CM for lighter stuff. I would do the 6.5 PRC for hunting if the rifle would allow it but my Kimber 84m is not magnum bolt face capable. Of the rounds on your list the 280AI is the most capable.

 

[SamuelBerryhill308]

Some "whatevers" are much bigger and tougher that other "whatevers."

5 yards to 500 on myriad species of "whatevers?"

.300 or .338 Winchester Magnum (and their ilk) is the simple, universal answer.

I've been looking into the 338 win mag but I already have a 300 win mag so not sure a 338 win mag would be needed due to having a 300 win mag.i do like the looks of a 338 win mag and found it in the rifle I'd really like to have but my son would probably not ever be able to shoot it unless a really good brake put on and maybe even down loaded.ive also looked at 338 federal

 

[Mark37082]

Your in for a great deal of opinions. Of the ones you listed I chose 280ai. However, go with with what makes you happy. There is so much to chose from it can make your head spin. Versatility is important to me as well as something different from what I currently have experience with. Since you're rolling your own ammo, the door is wide open. If you don't have a 7mm, that's what I would do.

 

[jpndave]

I've been looking into the 338 win mag but I already have a 300 win mag so not sure a 338 win mag would be needed due to having a 300 win mag.i do like the looks of a 338 win mag and found it in the rifle I'd really like to have but my son would probably not ever be able to shoot it unless a really good brake put on and maybe even down loaded.ive also looked at 338 federal

That clarification changes things. 300 Win Mag is a great round. If this is for your son to hunt with you, get the 6.5CM in a nice handy short action. He's not going to be taking shots to 550 on Elk. You have your 300 for the heavier stuff which he could shoot it if the need arises and is proficient. The 84m Kimbers I have are great but there are others out there that are also nice. He will be MUCH better off with the smaller rifle. Even the 6.5CM is a lot for an 8yr old. My son is probably going to hunt deer this year with my 6mm ARC.

 

[Lee7588]

Yes I do hunt mostly deer and coyotes but will be going bear hunting this year and hopefully some hog hunting me and my dad have been planning on going elk hunting have planned it the past two years but something always seems to come up with work.hope next year will be the year for a elk hunt

Shot placement is the key to killing the animal quickly. Any of the cartridges will do the job. Look to see what is available for components for your reloading, no sense in getting a gun that you can't shoot because of no ammo.

 

[JiggyIi]

Hello all I'm looking at getting another rifle that I can pick up and go hunt what ever with like the calibers I already have. I've been looking at 6 5x284,6.5x47,260 rem and 6.5 needmoor for .264 cal.ive looked at 7mm-08 and 280 ai,280 rem for .284 caliber. 270 win or 270 wsm.but can't make my mind up what to go with.i really like the 30 cal which is what I mostly have all but one 270 win that was my grandpa that he gave me.i would like to try a new caliber I've been learning more towards the .284 caliber due to bigger exit hole if tracking is needed but seems like everyone shoots a 264 caliber something theses days but I don't like small holes and I shoot game in the boiler room and some times at 10 yards or closer depending on were I hunt.my max range is 500 to 550 that I'm comfortable shooting at and that's if everything is just right.i like the ballistics of the 264 caliber but like I said I don't like small holes.as far as handloading supplies gos I have powder and primers for all calibers listed just would need everything else and I've noticed. 284 bullets are easier to find at least for me than 264 bullets and .277are.i can find brass and dies for any listed as well. I'm just not sure what to go with.i would like what ever I get to be a good caliber for my 8 year old to use as well when hunting with me.i will put a brake on what ever I pick as well. I would like some insight on theses calibers if possible as well. Thanks and look forward to the recommendation

After the distance stretches, there is No Substitute for HorsePowerHitting them at distance with the power one would at 200 yards or less! Go Weatherby

 

[JiggyIi]

Hello all I'm looking at getting another rifle that I can pick up and go hunt what ever with like the calibers I already have. I've been looking at 6 5x284,6.5x47,260 rem and 6.5 needmoor for .264 cal.ive looked at 7mm-08 and 280 ai,280 rem for .284 caliber. 270 win or 270 wsm.but can't make my mind up what to go with.i really like the 30 cal which is what I mostly have all but one 270 win that was my grandpa that he gave me.i would like to try a new caliber I've been learning more towards the .284 caliber due to bigger exit hole if tracking is needed but seems like everyone shoots a 264 caliber something theses days but I don't like small holes and I shoot game in the boiler room and some times at 10 yards or closer depending on were I hunt.my max range is 500 to 550 that I'm comfortable shooting at and that's if everything is just right.i like the ballistics of the 264 caliber but like I said I don't like small holes.as far as handloading supplies gos I have powder and primers for all calibers listed just would need everything else and I've noticed. 284 bullets are easier to find at least for me than 264 bullets and .277are.i can find brass and dies for any listed as well. I'm just not sure what to go with.i would like what ever I get to be a good caliber for my 8 year old to use as well when hunting with me.i will put a brake on what ever I pick as well. I would like some insight on theses calibers if possible as well. Thanks and look forward to the recommendation

Get a 260 or 7mm08 for your Son. I have both, plus a myriad of others. Recoil can get one a flinching habit

 

[Huntnpack]

Of the ones you listed, I'd recommend the
6.5 x .284 norma. Great choice for your described
Use. Easy to shoot, & load for. 140 Berger's &
124 Hammers work well in the 6.5
If possible I'd opt for a suppressor for the muzzle devise as opposed to a brake.

For choices not listed:
Also consider 6.5 SAUM, or 7 SAUM.

My top pick would've been 7 SAUM on a Medium length action had it been Listed.
Great All Around choice.

 

[Muddyboots]

Ok, there us ONLY one choice! Fast twist 1:8 .270 Win will do anything you want, the infamous .270TH proved the hidden HP the old girl has untapped and ready to go. A 700LA provides the max COAL (3.67) for longer heavier higher BC bullets. Brass readily available, bullet selection great, shoot light or heavy. Only caveat is RL26 is the magic pixie dust for it!

Plenty of thread on this on LRH.

 

[epoletna]

If it's good enough for Elmer Keith, it's good enough for you: get a .270 Win.