EMERGENCY!!! Returning to the dream of one hunting rifle…

[Hammsolo]

KISS - 22/250 and 270 Win. I doubt there's a better Western combo - that pair smells of sage brush and tall timber. The 22-250 up through deer, and the 270 for elk and bigger.

You don't say what 6.5 you have, but you could do that and the 22/250 as well. Ditto a 308 and 22/250. But in my mind the 22/250 and 270 Win are an ideal pairing.

Creedmoor, and love it. I’d just like a little more punch for elk and bigger.

 

[Hammsolo]

OP needs to pick up a 7mm Back Country and do a review for us.

I’m curious, but I’ve researched reloading and it makes me . The tech has potential, and it’s pretty interesting that other alloys for cases haven’t been tried more.

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

The OP wants to do the NRL competitions and good on you for that. I get fuzzy after 400yd, can’t imagine competing at 900 like some of those comps do.
Anyhow, here’s another nod to 270 Win. You’re keeping the 22-250 because it smokes coyotes, but how far? Would a 6.5 Grendel also carry out the distance you need with less recoil?
What I’ve seen in the 270 Win is exceptional hunting accuracy at phenomenal speeds. Mine has shot great with 85, 110, 130, 140 grain bullets. With mono copper options now, there’s no real need to go 150gr or more in 270, yet many still do because that still works.
I sold off a 30-06 and went with 270 because I thought I might’ve had recoil sensitivity. Range time behind a 270 is easier on my shoulder and I put more practice in because I have fun. Have so much fun that I actually bought another 30-06. Built a stout 200gr handload kissing 2,600fps and it’s tolerable to me today because of that 270.
I’ll leave you with this example of the versatility of 270 Win. Internet says people should expect 3,600fps from a 22-250 firing 55gr bullets. Faster still, get 4,000fps going to 30, 40gr bullets. In the table below I tested 85gr TSX back in January at 23 degrees Fahrenheit. O’Connor sort of alchemy stuffed 60gr AA2700, 2.6gr under Hodgdon max. This is your standard basic bitch Savage 270 Win. Sure, all the WSMs are better in every way and PRCs are so sexy too. Though what would a man buying those rifles have leftover for optics and a silencer?

 

[MTLabrador]

KISS - 22/250 and 270 Win. I doubt there's a better Western combo - that pair smells of sage brush and tall timber. The 22-250 up through deer, and the 270 for elk and bigger.

You don't say what 6.5 you have, but you could do that and the 22/250 as well. Ditto a 308 and 22/250. But in my mind the 22/250 and 270 Win are an ideal pairing.

This is the way. If I had to pick only one for hunting everything in Montana it would be my .270, and if I got to pair it with my .22-250 then even better. Both are wood and blued model 70s. The .22-250 killed my first muley when I was 12 and the .270 has seen a lot of mountain miles on elk, bear, and sheep hunts.

 

[brockel]

Stainless tikka 6.5 prc cut at 20”. Your suppressor of choice. Then put the extra $1000 you saved towards the scope

 

[Hammsolo]

To clarify the $3k doesn’t include the scope. I already have a VX5 3-15 that I will plop on top. I love it. I have a Maven on my 250, and love the dot reticle. However, it isn’t as clear and the illuminated reticle only really works in low light.

My bro and I are looking at doing the NRL Skills to start this year.

 

[Potsie]

To clarify the $3k doesn’t include the scope. I already have a VX5 3-15 that I will plop on top. I love it. I have a Maven on my 250, and love the dot reticle. However, it isn’t as clear and the illuminated reticle only really works in low light.

My bro and I are looking at doing the NRL Skills to start this year.

You could build a hell of a tikka with $3k.

I’ve also been somewhat enamored with a Seekins Element Hunter as of late. The thought of a folding chassis tucking away on my pack gives appeals to me.

But you can also get there with MDT HNT26

 

[Hammsolo]

I’m in LUST with the new Seekins rifles. The PH2 was awesome, and the PH3 is getting rave reviews.

One of the leaders of the pack would be a Seekins in 6.5 or 7 prc. It would be handy for my brother and I to shoot the same cartridge (6.5) for NRL and hunting. Yah never know…

 

[mtmuley]

.300 Remington Ultra Magnum. Get the phuck out of the way. mtmuley

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Ok couple options other than Rum unless with Coke.!!

I built a .270 couple years back in 700LA, 27" SS Preferred Barrel Light Palma contour, 1:8tw, 5R, 0.290 freebore added so I can seat long monos way out there. It shoots a 156HH@3250 and topped out over3300 with RL26 pixie dust. My load COAL is 3.63", pic below. So I don't offend certain folks, run numbers and it carries long ways.

I just got my 30-06 build, 700LA, 26" Sendero contour, Serengeti Bore Rider reamer, 1:9tw, 0.160 freebore, and running 181HH @3100 with both W760 and Big Game. Its also in new MDT Field Stock which is one hellava buy at $299!!

I do have problem now which one to grab!

Both builds will do fine except for really big brown big teeth big claw critters. Then me? I want @mtmuley s Rum!!!

 

[Hammsolo]

.300 Remington Ultra Magnum. Get the phuck out of the way. mtmuley

I knew that was coming! I may just not have the for that…

 

[Potsie]

I knew that was coming! I may just not have the for that…

If you can shoot a Win Mag, you can shoot a RUM.

 

[Hammsolo]

Ok couple options other than Rum unless with Coke.!!

I built a .270 couple years back in 700LA, 27" SS Preferred Barrel Light Palma contour, 1:8tw, 5R, 0.290 freebore added so I can seat long monos way out there. It shoots a 156HH@3250 and topped out over3300 with RL26 pixie dust. My load COAL is 3.63", pic below. So I don't offend certain folks, run numbers and it carries long ways.

I just got my 30-06 build, 700LA, 26" Sendero contour, Serengeti Bore Rider reamer, 1:9tw, 0.160 freebore, and running 181HH @3100 with both W760 and Big Game. Its also in new MDT Field Stock which is one hellava buy at $299!!

I do have problem now which one to grab!

Both builds will do fine except for really big brown big teeth big claw critters. Then me? I want @mtmuley s Rum!!!
View attachment 364889

Sexy

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

Ok couple options other than Rum unless with Coke.!!

I built a .270 couple years back in 700LA, 27" SS Preferred Barrel Light Palma contour, 1:8tw, 5R, 0.290 freebore added so I can seat long monos way out there. It shoots a 156HH@3250 and topped out over3300 with RL26 pixie dust. My load COAL is 3.63", pic below. So I don't offend certain folks, run numbers and it carries long ways.

I just got my 30-06 build, 700LA, 26" Sendero contour, Serengeti Bore Rider reamer, 1:9tw, 0.160 freebore, and running 181HH @3100 with both W760 and Big Game.

You get top geek award. The Matrix of rifle manufacturers, ammo companies and experts wants us to believe standard action ‘06 family cartridges are in the past. It’s all been done, already been tried or why not go 7mm for speed? Well you cracked through the data wall and found out some truth!

 

[RealMuddyboots]

You get top geek award. The Matrix of rifle manufacturers, ammo companies and experts wants us to believe standard action ‘06 family cartridges are in the past. It’s all been done, already been tried or why not go 7mm for speed? Well you cracked through the data wall and found out some truth!

I truly believe if you apply the same principles of the new so called better cartridges to older standard ones, they will equalize or better. New cartridges with fast twist barrels,
longer heavier higher BC bullets, added freebore, add reamers like the Serengeti Bore Rider to reduce pressure entry into lands. Congratulations, you have taken the governor off oldies but goodies. Best part, standard brass highly available and considerably cheaper! Plus increasing case capacity opens doors for new high energy powders. Result? Velocity that was once thought not even remotely possible in these cartridges.

Take the .270 Win. It's a 65K pressure cartridge so it has inherent power not used. The dam long neck once a hindrance now a huge benefit for seating bullets way out there and increases case capacity. My .270 build did not use a Serengeti Bore Rider reamer but still got velocity thought not possible. So I am thinking hard about another .270 with the Serengeti Bore Rider reamer to see how much more can I squeeze out of it. Plus it is a joy to shoot.

 

[Jbotto]

My tendencies are always something tried and true, old, and proven so my initial thought is just go with a .30-06. Order a barrel that’s a bit faster than spec and work up a load. Lots of good brass, lots of good bullets and the modern powders really do transfer to the older cartridges well for a slight boost in performance. Plus I’ve always been a big fan of the old .30-06.

However, a cartridge that mixes old and new together well, something a few others here have mentioned is the .280AI. While it’s old technology it’s right in line with a lot of the more modern offerings. Very good brass is available, or can be made relatively easy from a parent case, and it harnesses some of the new high bc bullets well.

Pick either with a threaded 22” barrel on your favorite action and go hunt it hard.

A digression: For whatever reason I avoid cartridges with belted cases and so I always have been a fan of the WSM’s and the like. Seems almost all the short-fat magnums like the WSM, SAUM, and RCM cartridges are fading to obsolescence which is unfortunate. I thought they offered the right amount of performance boost over the traditional cartridges without dealing with too much more recoil. Oh well, even without them I think we still have plenty of very good useable cartridges that somehow overlap each other in one way or another.

 

[gonhunting247]

I've shot almost every big game animal I've hunted in my life with my 30.06 win. model 70 or the last 10 years my .300 RUM Rem 700. I have shot a few grizzly and black bears with my Dad's model 70 in .338 Win mag. I love the feel of a model 70 winchester and if it has the featherweight stock even better for my tastes. I won the RUM at a banquet and even though it's not a model 70 it flat shoots and kills !
That all said, I always thought a great all around gun would be a featherweight model 70 winchester in .300WSM. I purchased one awhile back, but have been too busy hunting with the tried and trues to take time to set it up

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I've shot almost every big game animal I've hunted in my life with my 30.06 win. model 70 or the last 10 years my .300 RUM Rem 700. I have shot a few grizzly and black bears with my Dad's model 70 in .338 Win mag. I love the feel of a model 70 winchester and if it has the featherweight stock even better for my tastes. I won the RUM at a banquet and even though it's not a model 70 it flat shoots and kills !
That all said, I always thought a great all around gun would be a featherweight model 70 winchester in .300WSM. I purchased one awhile back, but have been too busy hunting with the tried and trues to take time to set it up

The more I shoot and load for my .300 WSM, the more I wonder why it took me so long to find this cartridge. It has very quickly become one of my all time favorite rifles.

 

[bluegrassdan]

I vote 280 Ackley. I don't have one, but I have the itch real bad. Factory options are limited, but I'd go Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR for your budget with a VX-5 3-15x44. And a Diligent Defense Enticer S-Ti. That's the one part of the equation that I actually currently have. I think it's great value for the weight/size/performance. Also really interested in the Resilient Jolene S, but don't have personal experience to back it up.

I just finished this one for a 2026 Moose hunt in Canada. The scope will be swapped out for one that is meant for hunting, this Arken is heavy as a cinder block and got put on a 22 competition rifle instead.

 

[OleRedbeard]

I built a 270 on a model 70 action. 26in Hart barrel and a 1/8 twist. Carries nicely and weights about 8lbs or so. Shoots flat out beautifully. Sub MOA with everything so far from 130s to 170 Berger Elite Hunters. I really want it to be my one and done rifle but I have an affinity for old mannlichers and old bolt guns so I find myself hunting with those just about as much as it.