Which cartridge and barrel contour?

Elkeater

Elkeater

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So I bought a used savage model 10 awhile back with the plan of turning it into a kid rifle. My oldest is 6 and getting pretty good with her .22lr and my AR in 5.56. Basically I've been slowly ordering parts for this bolt gun savage build here and there and it's time to order a barrel. I'm ordering a criterion from NSS but I'm not sure in what cartridge yet. It's a kid gun to be used on hogs, coyotes, whitetail deer, mule deer, antelope, Texas exotics like axis deer and similar size critters, as well as steel our range has steel capacity out as far as 1000 yards. I was looking at a 6mm Creedmoor or 243 but I'm not set on those. Was also looking at a light Palma contour but not sure about weight. Needs to be a short action action cartridge and I want it to be light enough for a kid to manipulate but heavy enough to sit still.

So the question is, what cartridge, twist, and barrel contour and length? Also probably put break on it? (Not sure what's worse for kids loud noise or more kick)
 
Can't give you a twist rate unless we know what cartridge you are using. If its kids gun you might want to go with a light barrel no more than 24" long. A light gun maybe shooting a 243 with a break is easy to handle. Even if you go creedmoor with 6 or 6.5
 
Elkeater said:
So I bought a used savage model 10 awhile back with the plan of turning it into a kid rifle. My oldest is 6 and getting pretty good with her .22lr and my AR in 5.56. Basically I've been slowly ordering parts for this bolt gun savage build here and there and it's time to order a barrel. I'm ordering a criterion from NSS but I'm not sure in what cartridge yet. It's a kid gun to be used on hogs, coyotes, whitetail deer, mule deer, antelope, Texas exotics like axis deer and similar size critters, as well as steel our range has steel capacity out as far as 1000 yards. I was looking at a 6mm Creedmoor or 243 but I'm not set on those. Was also looking at a light Palma contour but not sure about weight. Needs to be a short action action cartridge and I want it to be light enough for a kid to manipulate but heavy enough to sit still.

So the question is, what cartridge, twist, and barrel contour and length? Also probably put break on it? (Not sure what's worse for kids loud noise or more kick)
Click to expand...

I think your cartridge choices of 6MM CM or .243 is an excellent choice for your young shooter/hunter. The 6.5 CM is also an excellent choice. "I" would go with a 1:8" or faster. A medium sporter contour at 22" will put you around ~3 lbs.

As far as recoil and noise level, it's a matter of getting used to. As you already know, there are plenty of effective muzzle brakes out there that helps mitigate the felt recoil.



Good luck with your build. I wish I had the same time as you do with my sons when they were younger.

Cheers!
 
elkaholic said:
25 sst with a 22" barrel is running the 131 bullets at 3200' and would be a great choice for hunting or steel. Mile recoil and laser trajectory! Or:
step it up to a 6.5 sst for bullet selection of 100-160 grain.
7 1/4 twist kor 25 and 8 for the 6.5
shermanwildcatcartridges.com
Click to expand...

I like the 25sst for sure. Been curious about some of your wildcats for awhile. Do you do pre fit barrels for the Sherman cartridges?
 
Short action: Read up on the 250 Ackley ( if you reload). I'd go with a 1:10 or 1:9. As to contour, probably medium, unless you know your kid will be carrying it around, looking for the one perfect shot. Or 243 if you want ease of ammo availability.
 
I can say the Sherman lines are ridiculous. I absolutely love them.
6SSST w. 105-115 @ 3300-3400+
25SST w. 131 @ 3200-3300+
6.5SST w. 140 @ 3150
6.5SS w. 140-156 @ 3000-3200 (depending on bullet choice)

I have loaded for all of the above. All.of those numbers are legitimately obtained from very stable and accurate powders in 24-26" barrels without being overpressure. My own stable, and a slew of other rifles in those chamberings, have all been easily in those ranges. With a brake, in an 8-10.5# rifle, recoil is mild.
I am actually planning ANOTHER short (20"), light, Sherman Short rifle specifically for a can as we speak. Debating on 6.5SS or 6.5SST. I already have two 6.5SS, so kind of leaning that way, since I have dies, brass, and a LOT of experience loading them.

But, if you want to go 6CM, it is an excellent choice for targets out to 1500+, and deer sized game easily out to 600 with the proper bullet. I took my pronghorn this year qith a 105 Hyb @ 3101fps @ 450ish yards, and he dropped on the spot.
The 6.5CM is another good choice (I just threw up a little actually saying that). My daughter has a 6.5SLR (similar ballistics of a 6.5CM, but a touch more case capacity). She shoots a 130 OTM in hers @ 2900fps. She has taken big mule deer bucks (454, 587 & 637 yds), and a pronghorn (391 yds) with hers. All DRT without a single step.
 
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I'm also trying to figure out what bullets to run. If I had the case capacity to run 101 hammer hunters that's what I want for hunting otherwise the 88 hammer hunters is the hunting choice in a 6mm round, the 103 hammer hunters in a .25 cal round or a 124 hammer hunter in 6.5. Probably bergers of some flavor for practice rounds.

So with the hammer bullets does that sway anyone's opinion for cartridge options
 
lancetkenyon said:
I can say the Sherman lines are ridiculous. I absolutely love them.
6SSST w. 105-115 @ 3300-3400+
25SST w. 131 @ 3200-3300+
6.5SST w. 140 @ 3150
6.5SS w. 140-156 @ 3000-3200 (depending on bullet choice)

I have loaded for all of the above. All.of those numbers are legitimately obtained from very stable and accurate powders in 24-26" barrels without being overpressure. My own stable, and a slew of other rifles in those chamberings, have all been easily in those ranges. With a brake, in an 8-10.5# rifle, recoil is mild.
I am actually planning ANOTHER short (20"), light, Sherman Short rifle specifically for a can as we speak. Debating on 6.5SS or 6.5SST. I already have two 6.5SS, so kind of leaning that way, since I have dies, brass, and a LOT of experience loading them.
Click to expand...

What bolt head are these running in? The gun has a standard head from its .308 win days.
 
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