Caliber advice

[73driver]

A 180-185 from a .33 has less BC and SD than a 180-185 from a .30. I'd throw it away if 180s is all it will use. Plus I have a general disgust of anything -06 based. Since I was a kid that's all I've heard 30-06 this, and 30-06 that. Hell with those M1 Garands in WW2, I'm not sure why they needed tanks, artillery and airplanes. 1 shot from a .30-06 will cause people to implode into a black hole, animals to vaporize, tanks to explode and airplanes to go down in flames. Plus it shoots 10,000 yards with no drop and the wind is afraid to blow on it. #&$% the -06, and any of its demon spawn.

My father in law gave our son a Savage in 270, I made him leave it there and got him a .308 to replace it.

Interesting you dis on the 06, snub your nose at 270 then opt for the little baby brother 308 that underperforms relative to anything 06.

 

[Model12boy]

If I was gonna load for it or build a rifle 7mm wsm with 168's is a nasty round

 

[DUSTY NOGGIN]

33 caliber , 338wm has my vote

 

[CUTTER1]

gunsmith & Hunter to hunter, here are my recommendations for caliber for a gun with less than a 26" barrel max range of 600 yards. for medium to big game. I only recommend what I know will work and what has worked for me on an actual hunt. 338 Win Mag, 300 win mag, 300 WSM, and okay you all are going to laugh at this one.. 375 H&H. In my mind one of the most versatile cartridges ever. the 375 is in the same group as the 338 Win Mag "wide versatility".

I've already given my 2 cents worth. My dad likely turned over in his grave! Except for shotguns,22RF & center Fire Varmit rifles, he would say "accurate well built 7x57 and 375H&H is all a Hunter will ever need"
I think he was so right 50 years ago when he hunted all over the world.
Theses 2 calibers were available almost anywhere one could find ammo, today things have changed some.....I look at almost every opportunity to see what ammo is available and today 375H&H is commonly found as is 30-06, 300WM, 7RM, and 308 in most of the places I've traveled.
This forum has had so many good recommendations that it has really made me think.

 

[michael carlucci]

the old 06 has no flies on it if you handload .with modern powders you can get 2800 fps with 180s.2900plus with165s using less powder than the mags brass is cheaper ammo cheaper thats me i suppose.but if you run out you can buy ammo anywhere.

 

[vancewalker007]

With the wide availability of ammo and unfired cases, effecientcy of the case 24 in barrel, a short action-lighter rifle, a wide choice of great bullets I'd vote for the 300 WSM. I've had 2 of them and they were great. Killed a ton of stuff with them. Build it with a longer magazine so you can fit 190 VLDs and 200 grain bullets in the mag and reach the lands and you'll reach 600 yards easy with lots of energy. With the standard mags I was working with I could only load 2 rounds in the rifle, 1 in the pipe 1 in the mag when using 190 VLDs. I mention the 190 VLDs because they seem to be magic in a 300 WSM. In 3 300 WSMs they have shot really great.

 

[seattleman1969]

Under 600, less than 26 inch barrel, the WSMs are the way to go... I would do 270 with a faster twist (1:8) for shooting the heavier pills like the 170 gr Berger: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3...rain-hybrid-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-100

Because I am a .277 supporter, that's why...

 

[Camalius (Tim) Pomaville]

My .338 Win. Mag. has not failed me from antelope, deer and elk. I use 200 gr. Nosler E-Tip on deer and 225's on elk and bear.

 

[Pacecount]

Ok, for large game out to 600 yds.

* I like 308 but not for large game past 500 yards.

* I feel the same way about 6.5 CM.

I don't think you could loose with a 7mm rem mag and a 24" barrel with brake.

Tikka/Sako make a fine rifle, you might wish to add a brake. A buddy bought a TIKKA STAINLESS in 7mm and it is shooting Hornady ELDX 162 gr at 3/4 MOA.

Good hunting!

 

[Overkill338]

Interesting you dis on the 06, snub your nose at 270 then opt for the little baby brother 308 that underperforms relative to anything 06.

Nothing about performance. It would be like if you had to eat green peas, 3 meals a day for 30 years straight. You wouldn't want to see a **** pea any more would you?

 

[Overkill338]

Honest question for all you guys saying he needs 33 caliber and higher cartridges, what you would recommend if he had said max of 1,000? I'm shocked at how many people are saying he "needs" that much firepower. Of course, yes, it'll work, but it's well above what is needed at only 600. If he had said 1,000, what's cartridges are above those to reach out that extra distance and still keep the velocity and energy needed?

One factor we haven't talked about is elevation. If he's shooting at 1,000' that'll require more gun than if he's shooting at 8,000ft. Bullets travel a lot farther at elevation, as we all know. At 8K, I'd have to check ballistic tables, but I'm guessing even the 30-06, 280 and 270 Win come into play for 600 yard max.

You talk like the .338 Win Mag is a 20mm Russian cannon. Mine in a Hogue stock kicked less than most "turdy 'ot sucks" I've ever fired. Stock design really does mean a lot. Most of the people saying 33, were talking about the Win Mag. Mine sure slung 225 Accubonds and 250 Partitions really nice. With a 24" barrel in a stainless Ruger MkII I averaged 2840 with a 250 Partition. Granted it worked great in Winter, flattened the primers out a little, but in the summer it stuck the bolt.

 

[rbTanzan]

Well for 600 and under and to hit like a truck why not a .338 prc or 33 nosler.
Bigger bore let's you get away with a shorter tube.

I'm all about the 338s. I'd go 33 Nosler, 330 Dakota, or any of the similar 338s (338/375 Ruger is a great wildcat). They do really well in short barrels and you'd be good to go well beyond 600 yards if you wanted down the road.

The 338's provide great BC's and they help to anchor the animal for an easier find. The 338WM will work fine but for custom you could do any of the equivalents to 340 ballistics in a standard length case (2.5-2.6").

Hammer bullets or the new Barnes LRX 250 gn with .602 BC or the slightly flatter TTSX 225gn with .514 BC. I'm partial to copper bullets for up close integrity. Platform? Your call. For light I'd use a Tikka in 338WM. For a heavier, yet handy, wildcat I'd rechamber or put a tight-twist barrel on a Ruger Hawkeye. Or you can go a few K more for a real custom.

 

[Rhino Hunter]

Ok, for large game out to 600 yds.

* I like 308 but not for large game past 500 yards.

* I feel the same way about 6.5 CM.

I don't think you could loose with a 7mm rem mag and a 24" barrel with brake.

Tikka/Sako make a fine rifle, you might wish to add a brake. A buddy bought a TIKKA STAINLESS in 7mm and it is shooting Hornady ELDX 162 gr at 3/4 MOA.

Good hunting!

I recently picked up a rifle for almost exactly what the OP is asking about. It's a Sako 85 Finnlight in 7MMRM with a 24-3/8" stainless fluted barrel. I also purchased a Limbsaver recoil pad for it. I'm avoiding muzzle brakes now because my last three rifle purchases all have brakes. Almost all shooting was with hearing protection except for the occasional shot while hunting. My ears now ring constantly and loud 24/7. It's no fun and irreversible.

Everybody...PLEASE wear hearing protection at ALL times.

 

[etisll40]

LL! Must still be at work, just wait for it.

300 WSM, even a 7 rem mag. Both have over the counter ammo, 300 WSM is a good reloading caliber, shorter action too.