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Poll - One all around single cartridge under conditions

What caliber would you choose based on the conditions?

  • 308 Winchester

    Votes: 63 26.8%

  • 6.5 Creedmoor

    Votes: 29 12.3%

  • 6.5 PRC

    Votes: 43 18.3%

  • 7mm-08 Remington

    Votes: 65 27.7%

  • 280 Ackley Improved

    Votes: 35 14.9%
  • Total voters
    235
mtmuley said:
I want to know how this is better than the .243 Winchester. Thanks. mtmuley
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Key difference is the faster twist rate on a 6mm creedmoor barrel to be able run the heavier/high BC bullets. Throw a faster twist barrel on a 243 and you can accomplish the same thing. If you don’t care about shooting heavier/high bc bullets than there is no difference.
 
mtmuley said:
I want to know how this is better than the .243 Winchester. Thanks. mtmuley
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Only thing these have going for them is a faster twist rate than almost all factory 243 options if you are wanting to shoot heavy for caliber bullets or long copper bullets. Tikka finally got on board and started putting an 8” twist on their 243.

If I was going with a 6mm cal factory rifle I’d get the tikka 243 especially if you reload. 8 different brass options on midwayusa for a 243 right now.
 
Jbotto said:
You had me going with the .280AI until you mentioned the neck and shoulder issues. Any cartridge can be loaded down a bit but I think recoil reduction shines more in the short action cartridges. I went with the 7mm-08.
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I am 77 years old. Two years ago, I sold my Kimber Hunter Stainless Synthetic in 280AI. The whole rig was just amazing. 5 1/4-pound rifle with 24" pencil this barrel, the round was so efficient, maybe 50'/sec under a 7mm mag and a tack driver. Careful loading was required, or the neck and shoulder would get crushed. I sold it, because I was bored with it.

The rifle caliber combo of my life is a Sako 75 Finnlight Stainless synthetic carbine in 308 with the 1/11 twist. I had it for almost 25 years and have just always keep going back to it as things evolved. I had several other 308's over the years but everything came together with this rifle and it's match grade fluted barrel, Accurate AA2520, the Camp Perry Powder designed specifically for the 308, Barnes and Lapua bullets , plus cheap lead bullets download with a dash of unique for small game and lots of practice.

My Holy Grail has always been one rifle for everything, absolutely everything. The tapered mounting grooves in the receiver allow going back and forth between the Sako peep sights, and a few scopes using the original Sako Opti lock rings, without the need to re-sight in.

At the top end for elk with that powder even in the short 20 inch barrel I am getting 2,900'/sec with a Barnes TTSX-BT 165 grain bullet with a BC of .442. At the bottom end I have lead practice bullets also for small game.

During the winter I have a snowshoe Biathlon course using cheap 165 grain Hornady lead core SP. For Antelope I used A 130 grain Barnes TTSX-BT. going over 3,150'/sec and as a general deer round the 150 grain Barnes TSX-BT at 3'000'/sec is a great all-around load. Also, I download for Barnes 30-30 bullets at 2,200'/sec as a great deer load close up in cover'

Presently I am loading the 170 grain Lapus Naturalis Round nosed bullet, I would love to hunt elk in the PNW rain forest with peep sights.

What finally brought it all together was the performance combo of the Sako Match grade barrel and The Camp Perry powder.

Scoped, loaded with a sling, this rifle weighs the same as a model 94 Carbine and is only 2 inches longer
 
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Another thought. The nice gentleman who reached out about the ID Veteran elk hunt, said they basically ride you around in a side by side looking for elk and mule deer. I would have to, as I cannot walk any distance at all. I could add some weight to my rifle since I don't have to carry it. Maybe get it up around 11-12 pounds and that can tame the recoil on the larger calibers.

Thoughts?
 
USAF Ret said:
Another thought. The nice gentleman who reached out about the ID Veteran elk hunt, said they basically ride you around in a side by side looking for elk and mule deer. I would have to, as I cannot walk any distance at all. I could add some weight to my rifle since I don't have to carry it. Maybe get it up around 11-12 pounds and that can tame the recoil on the larger calibers.

Thoughts?
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Not sure what a “larger” caliber will do to an elk or deer, that the poll calibers won’t - dead is dead.
 
CowboyLeroy said:
So basically the hypothetical scenario is my reality, minus the reloading. I shoot a 708. IM NOT SAYING THE OTHER CHOICES ARE WRONG I'm just saying I'm quite comfortable with my decision
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That is how I feel as well. I am really looking, though, at just downloading the Ackley for practice and stuff and uploading it, not hot, if I get to elk hunt. I think the PRC is just out.
 
USAF Ret said:
That is how I feel as well. I am really looking, though, at just downloading the Ackley for practice and stuff and uploading it, not hot, if I get to elk hunt. I think the PRC is just out.
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Im not against the prc, they're fine. The recent resurgence in the populatity of 7mm saum has allowed me to dust the old girl off for my "big 7" when the application arises. Mostly because it's way lighter than my 708.
 
280 AI. If recoil becomes an issue load up a light solid copper bullet. My 270 drops elk like lightning with a 110 Barnes and barely kicks. It also does way better in the wind at 300 yards than the 6.5 Creedmoor. I feel like velocity beats ballistic coefficient inside of 400 yards. Knowing how heavy of a rifle you are willing to carry would be good info too.
 
USAF Ret said:
Yes, another poll because they are fun and provide me wisdom and knowledge from folks.

You have decided to downsize significantly. You want to keep one caliber with the following considerations:
1) Mostly whitetail hunting within 300 yards, with a possibility of 400 yards.
2) A possible elk or mule deer hunt once, twice at the most.
3) The possibility of future neck and shoulder problems worsening, causing additional recoil sensitivity.
4) You reload.
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Late to the party, with what you have listed and perimeter the best in my opinion is the 308 Win. Very versatile can be loaded with anything from around 60gr to 230gr. Can make reduced loads if recoil is a issue, has been proven capability from 10 feet to a 1000yds.
None of the others listed can do what the 308 can do. None of Them.
 
Darkside said:
Late to the party, with what you have listed and perimeter the best in my opinion is the 308 Win. Very versatile can be loaded with anything from around 60gr to 230gr. Can make reduced loads if recoil is a issue, has been proven capability from 10 feet to a 1000yds.
None of the others listed can do what the 308 can do. None of Them.
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This is info I have offered before, but I will repeat it gain.

Yes, a .308, with Barnes all copper bullets, The 150 TSXBT, the 165 TTSXBT. the downloaded 150 30-30 TSXFN bullet, plus the Lapua Round Nosed 170 grain Naturalis bullet and lastly really downloaded cast lead bullets.

Then premium brass, match grade primers, Accurate Arms AA2520 , the Camp Perry powder specifically designed for the 308.

All used in a stainless synthetic Sako Finnlight with its 1/11 twist match grade fluted barrel.
Then two scopes both on bulletproof Sako Optilok rings. One scope a light fixed 2.5 X and the other a variable and last off last the Sako aperture peep sights.
 
Mustangs Rule said:
This is info I have offered before, but I will repeat it gain.

Yes, a .308, with Barnes all copper bullets, The 150 TSXBT, the 165 TTSXBT. the downloaded 150 30-30 TSXFN bullet, plus the Lapua Round Nosed 170 grain Naturalis bullet and lastly really downloaded cast lead bullets.

Then premium brass, match grade primers, Accurate Arms AA2520 , the Camp Perry powder specifically designed for the 308.

All used in a stainless synthetic Sako Finnlight with its 1/11 twist match grade fluted barrel.
Then two scopes both on bulletproof Sako Optilok rings. One scope a light fixed 2.5 X and the other a variable and last off last the Sako aperture peep sights.
Click to expand...
Don’t forget the 155 scenar.
 
mtmuley said:
Something tells me ol Mustang ain't gonna shoot the Scenar. mtmuley
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You got that right Mt. Muley.

In a little over two weeks my cow elk season begins and will run for a month.
I have missed the past three elk seasons. First from getting Covid, then from not having a leg to stand on due to two bad knees, then from having a knee replaced early last fall and needing recovery time.

Now at 77, I have 1 1/2 good legs to stand on. Any hunt could be my last, any mishap could end my hunt, or prevent this coming hunt. I will need help too. I have one stout lad of 43 and a horse packer, if he is not otherwise occupied????

I won two critical sequential cow elk draw tags. First for the state elk unit, and then for 30,000 acre private land trust nature sanctuary that allows very few opportunities for people at all, even to just hike, it is for the wildlife only.

To keep local ranchers in their support loop, they offer enough cow elk tags via a lottery to limit elk foraging on cattle ranches.

I have been in training, Lots of careful aerobic exercise in rugged country,

My rifle of choice is tuned like a violin. Sako finnlight carbine, 20 1/4-inch match grade super tight fluted barrel, weighs 5 5/8 pounds , 165 grain Barnes TTSXBT going 2,900'/sec with a BC of .442. With a zero at 240 yards, it is 17.93" low at 400 yards and offers 1640 ft pounds of energy. It is a tack driver, short range and long.

My spare rifle is a Model 70 .270 weighs 7 3/4 pounds, 24 inch barrel, loves 130 grain Barnes TTSXBT @ 3,150'/sec with a BC of .380 and is 15.8"low at 400 yards with about 1,240 ft pounds of energy. Also, a tack driver but the .308 rules with superior critical numbers, two-inch trajectory difference @ 400 yards does not amount to two dead flies.

For the past month I have been doing my fast walk, up and down shooting course. I have six targets I randomly set out over some big country. For my targets I have 1/4 inch plywood cut exactly to match 8"x11" standard paper with a black six-inch bull.

I slit an 11" piece of garden hose length wise down the middle and use is a clamp to hold the target paper to the plywood, Then on each side I slip a 1/4" by 16" iron rod down the garden hose and with a rock, drive the rod into the ground to pin the target to the ground, they stay put even in strong wind.

I have been doing a course like this for 40 years. I walk, climb set out my six targets, all over, shoot my way back, guessing ranges before using a range finder. I run, jog and crawl. Shoot prone, standing kneeling and sitting with a Whelen sling and use my homemade shooting sticks. I like to go from deciding to shoot to actually firing in three-four seconds.

For such practice course shooting I use cheap lead bullets like the Hornady 165 SP in my .308.

I do not shoot past 400 yards, never needed to. I cut off the parts of an old wetsuit where the knees are and have them around my knees when hunting. I crawl a lot.

At extreme ranges I would be useless, but at any distance from 400 yards and under my field marksmanship skill are honed sharp, and I am quick too, plus under any and all conditions, even huffing and puffing after a short burst climb, I can keep my bullets in a six-inch circle. Long range shooters would laugh at this.
 
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