Long action caliber in a lightweight rifle

[grumpygunguy]

I've just finished my first Savage build and I'm hooked. I also just found a screaming deal on a .270 110 with an accutrigger that I couldn't pass up. I didn't have another build in mind at the time but I've decided I want to build a lightweight "mountain rifle." My only real criteria are (1) generally easy to find factory ammo (I reload but I like the idea of being able to pick something up at a sporting goods store in a pinch) and (2) max or virtually max ballistic capability from a barrel no longer than 24". You might say that I should just leave it as a .270 but I'd like something with a little less recoil so my daughter could hunt (whitetail) with it too. At this point I'm stuck on .25-06. But I'm very open to suggestions.

[tufrthnails]

I know a project is more fun but if you reload 130g lite load for the .270 would still be effective especially with the GMX type bullets for your daughter, but I like the 25-06 as well.

[yobuck]

Id go with a 6.5 something because of better bullet selections.
I have a 25/06 but would rather it was a 6.5/06.

[LongRange]

6.5mm creedmoor.

[grumpygunguy]

6.5 Creedmore is a S/A caliber to my understanding. I didn't think any 6.5-06 was available commercially. Correct me on those two points if I'm wrong.

[yobuck]

I'm not certain about what ammo is available in stores. I'm also not certain whether a 6.5/06 is chambered by any gun makers.
But some of the cartridges I use wouldn't be, and id be worried more about finding gas than I would about ammo for them.
Id be willing to bet not many small town stores would carry 25/06s either.
I feel undressed without 50 rounds with me, and that's when I'm close to home.

[grumpygunguy]

Is there a long action 6.5 caliber that is commercially available? I like the idea of the 6.5 bullet but I don't want to be limited to hand loads. It isn't as much about prepping/stockpiling as it is about being able to go to a Cabelas or Sportsman's Warehouse if I need to for some unforeseen reason. (I know I'll have a zero shift etc. but just go with me on this because it's the way I want to do it.) I'm fairly certain there is no factory 6.5-06.

[BarrelBurner]

The 25/06 is a good choice. But keep in mind you can run short action rounds thru a long action as well. Although not one of my personal favorites for deer, the .243 win might be good for your daughter and ammo is readily available.

[LongRange]

As said a short action cartridge can be ran in a long action...the 6.5cm meets all your demands...140g ammo for you 120g ammo for your daughter.

Personally I'd sell off the long action and buy a short action or trade it.


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[yobuck]

Well if store bought ammo is the criteria, why not just buy a gun that suits the criteria?

[foxx]

I feel undressed without 50 rounds with me, and that's when I'm close to home.

Yobuck, if you would just learn to shoot, you would not have to carry so much dang ammo!

[yobuck]

[QUOTE=foxx;377362]Yobuck, if you would just learn to shoot, you would not have to carry

Lots of true words come to us in the form of jest.
And some of us can handle it and some of us cant. lol]

[Robinhood]

Make your mountain rifle a 280 and build your daughter a 243 or Creedmoor. I wonder if the Creedmoor has hit small town bait stores.

[243LPR]

6.5 Swede. long action,low recoil and great ballistics.

[LongRange]

good call on the swede 243LPR.

[shagerott]

+1 on 6.5 Swede. Long action and can use long bullets too.

[SavRimfire]

+1 on 6.5 Swede. Long action and can use long bullets too.

Staying within the OP's criteria, I'd +2 on a 6.5x55. It's for good reason the 6.5x55 has been around for over 100 years and is still going.

I certainly wouldn't rule out a 6.5-284 either.

[handirifle]

I was also going to suggest the Swede, or 6mm Remmington (better suited to LA) or why not keep it a 270 and load your own. Consider this. Most loads for a 25-06 or Swede or even the 6mm Rem, will be at least 100gr bullets. Load the 270 with 110 gr Barnes TTSX bullets. The recoil between a 270 with 110gr loads or a 25-06 with a 100-120gr load will be indistinguishable to you or your daughter. Most likely the 110gr TTSX will be faster than a 110gr load from the 25-06 as well. (pressure x the square of the base of the bullet) and I doubt you'll ever recover the bullet, so penetration will never be an issue.

[handirifle]

Don't forget, he said it was for his daughter and was worried about the 270's recoil, so some of the suggestions, including some of mine might not meet his criteria.