griffin ordway
Member
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??
You will get as many opinions as there are posters on this one....but I'm sure you already knew that. IMHO: I am a fanatical fan of the the 300 WSM. One of the most versatile rounds there is. For larger critters (elk, moose, etc.) I use 180 gr. AB, and for smaller game (deer, antelope, etc.) I use 165 gr. AB. I reload, so fine tuning accuracy is a given, but the 300 WSM is accurate and versatile....only downside to me is the recoil, but I'm willing to accept that. Just got a really nice antelope buck and a MONSTER muley buck, both around 200 yd. shots, using 165 AB over 67.6 gr. of Hunter. Neither one took a single step...DRT. Basically, I like having one rifle and one caliber for ALL my hunting...all I have to do is reload different loads for different beasties.