6mm, 257, 6.5mm, 277, 7mm which caliber cartridge and why

[lomfs24]

Something in 6.5mm. I love my 260 Rem. But I am thinking about going up a notch to 7mm on my next build but that might not be fore a while yet.

[jonsrm125k5]

.270 in a pre-64 Win Model 70 was the icon of everybody out west for 50 years. It has a higher SD than a 3006 (for wind), much faster than a .308, and you already have the bullets to load it!!!! I love my 7mm rem mag, but for an all around caliber that wont split an antelope in half, and still kill a black bear, then you have it. Plus it shoots flat as hell. I love it for hunting deer and antelope out on flats or hiding way down the canyon. Don't want to crap on the .25-06, but it just doesnt go through sagebrush as well (coyotes hide in the 6 foot stuff), and a .270 will go right trough. I was hunting with my unle, I had the .25-06 with 100 gr's and he had a .270 with 130's, and my bullet went sideways after exiting a piece of brush and his .270 went right through and almost cut that coyote in half.

[dcloco]

Would go the 6.5x284 or 6.5x06 AI route.

For normal plinking to 1200+, 140/142 gr Sierra HPBT's work well. 140 Amax after that. Then...you need to buy some 155 Scenars or some 160's from the other side of the pond - believe Norma makes them.

Check the BC and SD of the above bullets in the 3000 to 3200 muzzle velocity. The long Hornady, Scenars, and Norma bullet just fly and fly....AND retain enough energy to knock down what you are shooting at.

Do we need to talk about recoil? Not much. I built a 6.5x55 AI that flings the 142's at a spec under 3100. It shoots. It hits what it is aimed at. If the bullet misses, I don't have to look far into what caused it (mirror - me!).

This fall/winter, I am going to build two more 6.5x55 AI's on heavy sporter 24-25" barrels....because it shoots that good.

[handirifle]

Since it's not listed, but you DID mention having one, I'd say the 308, BUT with the Barnes 130gr TSX.

Here's the Barnes data on it http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-cont.../308WinWeb.pdf, with a BC of .340 and pusing it to 3200FPS, I'd say it ought to be pretty flat shootin, AND accurate, and fairly light recoil. Much less than the 208gr offering, and not a whole lot more than the little 6.8, but with WAY more reach.

I have read articles of guys using these from 30-06's and 300 WM in Africa with devastating results. The ol '06 got pass throughs on Kudu.

IIRC they were getting close to 3400 with the '06 and 3500+ with the WM, but 3200 is about what you'll get from the 270 and the 95's I'd bet.

[SN13]

.270 Win.

I can and do shoot PRAIRIE DOG Steel plates and Fire Extinguishers at 565 yards and hit consistently with my Savage 111FCNS Accustock Hunter.

I can't beat Hornady 130gr SST for accuracy out of my gun. I just can't do it. 200 yard zero, go to the range and plop a target at 200. First shot X ring every time.

[NATTY BUMPO]

I would suggest either a .25-06 or a 270 Winchester. They are both excellent deer cartridges. You can walk into anyplace that sells ammunition and buy 270 ammo. Walmart often runs it in sale before hunting season. .25-06 shoots flat, takes care of business, and doesn't kick much. If you reload and wanna walk on the wild side, then try a 6.5x284. 6.5 bullets have both good ballistic coefficient and good sectional density.