Yet another "What cartridge?" thread

[Fishnut]

just go with a .280 rem. The AI in a 22" barrel doesn't give you a good powder burn. It does, however, let you call it an AI and burn more powder without any real world advantage. I've shot a standard .280 rem for 30 years and have loved it. I am about ready to rebarrel it and when I do I will go AI but on a 24" barrel.

 

[5gauss]

If you are very very competent at 800 I would lean toward the larger caliber for the animals sake. 6.5 Creed would be bare minimum at that range...too small for me at 600 but shot placement/no wind and your ability is key...

 

[Lonehunter]

I know these threads are posted all the time. I am just looking for opinions and mostly for someone to sell me on what cartridge to go with.

Anyway, I just picked up a Tikka action(standard bolt face) to use for a build. I know exactly how I want to set it up, but I am not sure what caliber I should go with. I already have a 6.5 creedmoor, 30-06, and 300winmag hunting rifles. I plan on building this to be a shorter barrel (22"), medium sized game (mule deer and antelope), and I'd like it to be a nice blend between light weight but still comfortable to be shot out far (goal is to be effective on game out to 800yards). I have always wanted a 6.5x284, but now that I have my 6.5 creedmoor, I was thinking along the lines of a 270win or a 280AI.

I plan on doing a Manners MCS-T stock, a 22" carbon barrel, and a swarovski x5 scope. I plan on suppressing it too, which is why I want a shorter barrel.

What cartridge am I searching for??

Depends on what your comfortable shooting. Any of the above will do what you are asking . Stay with what ya know. A lot of different calibers equals a lot of different components to make ammo. As the old saying goes "Beware of the man with one gun , he probably knows how to use it."

 

[Rflshootr]

I'd go with the standard 280 Remington. You won't be giving up much velocity, barrel life will be longer and no fire forming Ackley shoulders. Plus dies are cheaper.

 

[Varberger757]

22' barrel and no extreme distances? In my eyes 7x57 Mauser would be a very good option. Originally with a 1 : 8,66 rate of twist it can shoot everything from 100 - 180gr without issues. Low recoil and fine accuracy are following additionally.

 

[clownbuster]

The answer is no, OP has a standard bolt face so it a no go for the short magnums

??? Chad Dixon with LRI could fix that before his morning coffee...

 

[9.3davison]

6.5 Weatherby RPM. I know, would be better with a longer barrel, but should still be pretty quick with a 22".

 

[liv4thehunt]

280ai or 260ai

 

[ndking1126]

Another vote for 280, but 280AI isnt a bad choice if you like that idea. I think either way you might start noticing your 30-06 doesnt get as much attention as it used to. Haha

 

[sturner]

280AI or my all time favorite the 308

 

[Bud LaRoche]

A 20-22 inch 6mm Creedmoor would be great for the deer and speed goats you mentioned. 105HVLD's at 3000 are death medicine for critters.

 

[Prairie]

A .270 Win with a 150g LRAB is what I did got for Daughter #1. We hunt around 7000' altitude and at that altitude it retains 2032fps and 1376fpe at 800. Since she won't be shooting past 600 max, that is more than enough.

For myself, I have a 6.5-06AI. Shooting 130g Scirocco II at 3161fps. At 800 it retains 2205fps and 1403fps and is a little gentler on the shoulder. I fire-form brass from .25-06. Both the fire-form and AI loads have been extremely accurate. I call that rifle my "600 yard clay pigeon shooter" because I've had hit rates as high as 80% when the wind wasn't blowing.

These days I would strongly consider the 6.5PRC.

.270 Win. Accurate and deadly!(Been using one for 58 years and still going strong!)

 

[blackbrush1]

I have a Tikka in a Manners with a 23" #3B Bartlein in 6.5x284 Shehane throated long - ASH 3 position safety too. Whiddon custom dies... Need to pare down the number of rifles I have and this is one I'd consider selling.

Most anything in 6.5 or 7 (270 has somewhat limited bullet choices) will suit your needs. Effectively in the field for hunting there won't be a big difference unless you're comparing a 26 Nosler to a 7-08 and even then either will do what you need. Go with what excites you.

If you want a semi custom rifle setup that won't break the bank, I'd suggest as you're thinking - build on a Tikka. Easy to go long or short action and easy to get a second bolt for different head diameter if you wish. Quality is quite good across the board. It won't be a Defiance but the action alone won't cost you $1500. It's also easy to have multiple barrels in different calibers spun up and then you can shoot what you like on any given day.

 

[lou400a]

??? Chad Dixon with LRI could fix that before his morning coffee...

Chad wouldn't do it when I've asked few months back