Jacked-Up Shoulder Shooter

[Texas Marine]

Need input from the Brain Trust that resides here! I have opportunities to hunt everything up to Elk-sized game - typically 150 to 400 meters. But - I have a problem!

Due to injuries - and 2 subsequent shoulder operations - I can't take the pounding of a magnum caliber the way I used to - even my 30-06 is a butt-whipping on the range. I DO love shooting my 6.5x55 - loaded to factory specs - so something of that load or maybe a little more is what I'm looking for...

Looking for the ideal caliber that will allow me to hunt the distances I enjoy, shoot more than 5 rounds at the range without whining, and reload my own. Am I looking at a flat hot round in the 6.5 range? Help this busted-up guy out!

I know there's no "ideal caliber" and the question could be argued for years - but I need someplace to start.

 

[Sako7STW]

25-06 with muzzle brake. I have killed everything up to and including Elk with the 25-06. My Dad even has a a B&C bull Moose taken with the 25-06. My family has killed four 5 point or bigger bull elk using the 25-06. Yes even at 400 meters, I wouldn't even hesitate. My next choice would be a .270 WSM with a brake.

 

[pyroducksx3]

What's wrong with 6.5x55 you have then? It seems like that would work great and you could always look into muzzlebreaks they will lessen the recoil andake things quite a bit more enjoyable

 

[Texas Marine]

What's wrong with 6.5x55 you have then? It seems like that would work great and you could always look into muzzlebreaks they will lessen the recoil andake things quite a bit more enjoyable

Thanks for the reply! The 6.5 I shoot is with one of my Swedish Mausers. I may very well stay with that caliber, but will buy or build a "modern" rifle that can stand higher pressures. I assumed that folks would have suggestions to improve on the 6.5x55 numbers.

 

[pyroducksx3]

With the ranges you listed I'm thinking lots of mild recoiling calibers would work very well. The 6.5x55 Swedish you have (tikka chambers this round in a good factory rifle) the 260 rem. 6.5x47 lapua, 7-08, 308 all good rounds at least that's my view others may see it differently.

 

[Clayne B]

you could learn to shoot off your non dominate injured shoulder.

 

[rinodods]

Your 6.5x55 has that in the bag in a modern rifle. Add a brake and you'll be all set. The 260rem is a pretty close match as well. Same components just different brass. The 260 might be easier to find in a stock rifle. A savage long range hunter in 260 might just be the ticket. Already has a brake, great trigger and is more than ready to give you some good shooting at those ranges.

 

[300WSMMAD]

My 2c based on these thoughts, a braked 284 WIN or a 280 REM IMP.
Both can launch a 162gr AMAx 2900-3100 fps which is plenty whip *** for deer.
Both my 284 Win's have taken game past 1000 yrds with authority.

They are certainly need a look at.

If you really want to stick with the 6.5 I would suggest the 6.5x47 or a straight 260, ........or stick with what youve got 6.5x55

300WSMMAD

 

[M67]

Hell!

Rinodods said:

Your 6.5x55 has that in the bag in a modern rifle

That IS a fact.

From the land of 6.5x55 (Norway), 2950fps is within reach without problems, be the barrel 28" ish or so.
In a sporter barrel you may have to settle for 860m/s, and over here a lot of (most) people hunt moose with it, and some even with cut down barrels of 45-50cm (18"-20") - this will get the fps down to 800ish m/s
I use a muzzle brake on mine when i shoot it off the bench, and sometimes also in the field with bipod. Shooting 139gr Scenars the recoil is more like that of a .223, my son shot it with full loads when he was 5, and suffered no ill effect. When hunting i use a suppressor, it saves my ears, and allows me to spot impact.

I have had a 6.5-284, several 6.5x55s, and nearly all my friends shoot 6.5x47, .260 or a 6.5x55. The .260 will NEVER give 6.5x55 velocity, and the x55 will never give -284 velocity. All the stuff aboput 260s shooting as fast as ax55 is purely higher pressures, and in a similar rifle, with similar brass there is no reason for not using them with the same pressure.
VV N570, well compressed, is what will yield the highest velocity from a 6.5x55 and 140gr bullets, but Norma MRP og MRP2 (though ridiculously expensive) is right up there and is less work both cleaning, and at the bench getting it into the case...

On moose i have used Swift Scirocco IIs and Swift A-Frame, these are hard bullets and i will be changing to the Berger VLD Hunting as this has given me better experiences in .308Win - a lot of people here swear by the Nosler Accubond for LR-work on big game.

K

 

[liltank]

6.5x55AI, 260AI, 6.5x284, all good calibers. Use a good muzzle break and your good to go!

You'll smoke'em out to 800 if you want too!

Tank

 

[ken snyder]

Most of my work is for the disabled sportsman. ( quadriplegic and blind to missing parts that most would think eliminates them from being a hunter) 2 cartridges, the first a deer cartridge, the .243 and the second a 260. The 260 is on the small side for Elk but does an excellent job for the hunter compared to cartridges that are beyond physical limitations.

 

[Buano]

Good thread. There aren't any posts I argue with, but I would add a few options.

Let me start here: due to sports injuries, I've had 4 surgeries on each shoulder. I know your issues.

A heavier rifle with a brake and a LimbSaver recoil pad will tame the recoil of most rounds to about what you are feeling now — or less. With your issues with recoil, don't even consider any of the super-lightweight rifles as that light weight correlates directly into greater felt recoil.

I am a fan of the .25-06 & my go-to rifle is chambered for it. It's a very good round so long as you don't need more than a 120 grain bullet to get the job done.

A Weatherby Accumark in .257 Weatherby is a .25-06 on steroids. Because of the brake & weight of these rifles, felt recoil is very tame. If you can cary it, this is one of your better options for a long-range hunter with reduced recoil. (I'm in the market for one myself.)

I really like the Savage rifles with brakes you can twist on or off. It's a great system.

The .270 WSM is a great round, but unless the rifle is heavy & you've got a good brake & recoil pad, the felt recoil will likely be too high for anyone very sensitive to recoil. The energy, ballistics, and felt recoil of the .270 WSM are almost identical to the 7 MM Rem magnum.

Another option is to add weight to synthetic stocked rifles. I loaded the stock in a friend's rifle because he found it punishing. Afterwards, it's no longer super-light to cary, but it's a dream to shoot. (I made him very happy.)


Once you are ready, getting in the gym & building up your shoulders will really help, but depending on the surgery, this may be a year or two out.

 

[ken snyder]

One thing that might also help every time will be to look at where a post if from. Deer go in size from Tiny to really big. Are all deer actually deer, heck if I know!

 

[zuba]

Check out the handgun section here on LRH. I have a 7wsm pistol(168gr at 2820fps) that I would shoot to those distances in a heartbeat with. You would be amazed how little recoild a pistol has with a good break. It would never even have to touch your shoulder