Perfect Roe Caliber

User00044

Well-Known Member
After suffering a perforated ear drum , my under used 270 has become uncomfortable to use . Don't know why it should be different to any other moderated rifle ,
Having spent too much time mulling over the options and since I primarily shoot Roe , I have decided on a 6.5x47 Lapua. Ample knock down , accurate , mild recoil and easy to moderate. Seems perfect!
Thoughts would appreciated ...

FT
 
This could end up being another of those"which caliber is best" threads.
For Roe any 6mm is my Ideal caliber. Cheaper and less recoil than a 6.5.
But really any caliber rifle combo that your comfortable with.
Obviously if noise is an issue smaller caliber with moderate size case is going to have less bark.
 
I swapped from a 270, to a 6.5x47, best thing I ever did. Uses 2/3 the powder, shoots the same weight bullet, and I've only lost about 50fps ! Very accurate, low recoil, but you do really need to home load.

The 243 is more than capable, but my 243 (now sold) used 44.5gn, compared to 42.8gn in the 6.5x47. Can't give a direct comparison on noise, because they used two different mod's, but in my case, the 6.5 is quieter.

Sierra 130gn hollow points are very accurate, and cheap, but I'm currently using Nosler 129gn ABLR, which are expensive, but are doing a good job.
 
Frankly if the Deer Act was aligned between England and Scotland I would argue that a .22 centre fire (.222, .223, .22-250, .220 Swift etc) would be absolutely ideal for roe, as well as for munty and CWD.

Its not like our roe down here are bullet proof after all!

That said, use whatever you want to use thats legal and you can shoot accurately with. I've shot roe with .308, .25-06 and .300WM - they all went bang and knocked deer over.
 
Hopefully this won't turn into a what's best thread .
I'm interested in other people's thoughts and experience of this cartridge as on paper ,at least , it fits my criteria to a T.
I've been offered a couple of different 308 length actions and fancy a new build project .
So far looks like the right way to go....
 
I like my 6.5x47. It kills reds and roe. Consider a Creedmoor too? Both rifles I am accustomed to have 24" barrels and have SL5 mods, and thus do have a bit more boom than another friends 243 with a Stalon mod.
 
After suffering a perforated ear drum , my under used 270 has become uncomfortable to use . Don't know why it should be different to any other moderated rifle ,
Having spent too much time mulling over the options and since I primarily shoot Roe , I have decided on a 6.5x47 Lapua. Ample knock down , accurate , mild recoil and easy to moderate. Seems perfect!
Thoughts would appreciated ...

FT
No factory ammunition in the UK. 6.5 x something that has factory ammunition in lead/non-lead would be my choice.
Regards
JCS
 
In answer to one or two replies , factory ammo isn't an issue as I'll be handloading and am looking forward to something new .
In honesty I fancy a 6.5 after deliberating over the choices for what seems an age . My criteria was fairly simple , must be accurate , gentle on the ear , moderate recoil ,feed from a magazine and have good availability of reloading components. As you can see so far so good .
And the final question, any downsides?
FT
 
.243 Winchester is ample for all the uk deer species as every one on here knows, but when it comes to shot placement some of the larger species have a habit of running on if ribs are passed through and no great expansion is created with some of the heavier slower travelling loads. I have experienced this with 100 grn soft points on roe. Only 30 yards. If it's for your ear protection then my 20" barrel t3x with 110 Stalon moderator fits the bill. Good luck wadding through everyone else's advice and opinions that all come with great knowledge and experience. The only one who can make the decision for what you need if for is you.
Enjoy the reading which may go on for some time.
 
6.5 x 55 seems ideal. Loads about in sporting guise in nice lightweight packages. Any I've shot have been lovely to handle and have had low recoil, plus they're easy to home load for and there's also plentiful factory ammo on the shelves. Creedmoor is becoming more available now in sportster guise too. I like the look of the new 6mm Tikka T3x as well as the 6.5CM lightweight sporter, and also the nice lightweight Christensen Arms Ridgeline with carbon composite stock (all in at 6.3 lbs). It's almost 3 times the cost of the Tikka, but almost worth that for the lovely action and quality of the thing. I would also consider a 6.5 x 55 or 6.5 x 47 Shultz & Larson Victory....lovely rifles and very accurate. Had I the money though, as a lightweight sporter in 6.5 x 55 or CM, I'd splash the cash on the Christensen Arms Ridgeline. Then there's the option of having a reputable smithy make something nice, light and special too in those calibres...Legal for all species too.
 
Back
Top