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

[memtb]

I've been thing about that as well but my 308 is around 16 lbs now and I've been looking for one that's not as heavy so he can use alittle easier and loaded it with lighter bullets

16 pounds……. WOW!!! My first rifle, a .308 Win. bought at 14 years old (1967) weighed approximately 7.5 pounds, and had a plastic buttplate which was never replaced! I shot it for several years without a scope, recoil wasn't an issue. A light bullet in 1967 was 150 grains…..though a premium at around 125/130 grains should be pretty sweet in a .308 Win.

A young shooter should be very capable of shooting a moderately weighted .308 with a well fitting stock and a good recoil pad!

I think that we underestimate the abilities of young people! Generally…..people can do what they want to do. If they are not interested…..nothing done to the rifle can make shooting enjoyable! JMO memtb

 

[TheSouthpaw]

For your requirements, with a 550yd max range, I voted 6.5CM but 7-08 or 260rem would both be equivalent. These have the lowest recoil and will kill well in your parameters with a good bullet.

 

[Lenny Foffa]

Although I started my nephew with is Grandfathers 30 -06 Springfield Sporter . I made lighter 30 -06 loads using 165 Grn. Bullets. He took his first White tail in West Virg at age 14, and his second one at age 15. I happen to really like my 270 Win for Whitetail deer hunting in Penn. and West Virg. and North Carolina. I use 130 Grn. ballistic tips, and I am extremely pleased with the results. This year I will use a .270 Weatherby Mag in North Carolina because I expect to set up on a Bean field which could mean a 500 Plus yard shot. Iam still deciding whether to use my usual 130 Grn. Ballistic Tips, or the 150 Grn. Accubond LR. I think the .270 Win Short Mag and the 6.8 Western both would also be excellent rounds to consider and deserve a serious look. Lots of Whitetail deer, Mule deer, Antelope and Elk have fallen due to skilled responsible shooters using any these rounds with the correct bullets loaded in them. The young riflemen should practice , and practice and practice with whatever caliber you finally select. If and when the topic turns to larger, heavier game, I would then suggest you consider and of the excellent .30 mags available.

 

[VLD Pilot]

My vote was casted for the .284. Being the twin to a 280, I'd give it to the .280 IF I didn't roll my own. Many offerings in factory ammo for the 280 vs almost none for the 284. While I can't tell the difference between a whitetail deer hit with a 6.5-284 vs .284, the .284 offers heavier bullets for heavier game animals. 140s for deer size game and 160-175 for bigger game. Even launching the 195s is equal to the .308 launching 185s. Heavy but they impact with authority on bigger game and pushed to 2800 fps, really make the difference. Not the ideal cartridge for that big 195 but in a pinch, it gets the job done well. I think your choice is sound in the .284 but can't go wrong with the .280/280AI or 6.5-284. The heavier bullet options in the .284 is the advantage on bigger than deer size game. I prefer the 284 over the 280 because I also think it has the accuracy advantage. If it didn't, you'd see more guys shooting the .280 in matches. The 284 has been at the top for years.

 

[TOM H]

I would do 284 on long action and seat bullet out around 3.200" I'm going to use mine first rifle elk season here in Co. I'll take 280AI as back up rifle.

 

[budlight]

I used 175 gr out of my 270 win for long range mule deer hunting. But I was never presented with that 600+ yard shot that I had shot 100's upon hundred of rounds at the range perfecting.

Mr Buck was lasered at 312 yards. I shot and it stood there. At first I thought that some how I missed and I thought about pulling out another round while watching the deer in my scope. When it just folded and fell over. Upon dressing it out. It had a pass through classic heart lung shot and the chest was just a mass of blood the lungs were gone. I had the same experience many year earlier using 150 spbt's

270's really shine with 26 inch barrels... or even longer. Excellent varmint rifle with 100's and 120 HP.

 

[RidgeTop]

.280ai will do everything, in spades.

 

[David_h]

A .260 REM for the youngster and a 6.8 Western for you. Or you can load lighter 130 gr bullets in 6.8 Western for youngster and 156 gr Hammer Hunters for you. I've got 100 rounds through my new 6.8 Western and find recoil fine without a muzzle brake but it might be good for youngster.