To while away lock down I’ve been looking at Calibres...
- Thread starter Antonyweeks
- Start date
Excellent idea!
Proceed.~Muir
As someone who has a 6.5 Swede, I'd suggest something a bit bigger, particularly if you don't handload.
The Swede isn't all that more powerful than a .243, maybe 150-200ft/lbs, so I don't know you'll see a big difference with your .243. I suppose you'd get the option of heavier bullets, which may be a slight advantage on heavier targets.
If you don't handload, most of the available factory ammunition is loaded with the heavier end of bullets, 140-156gr. Much of this seems to be coupled with quite mild charges (I suspect this is to account for some of the 19th century rifles knocking about in this cartridge). My experience chronographing these factory loads is that they don't tend to do much more than about 2,450fps (about 1,900 ft/lbs). At those velocities the trajectory will be a bit of a pain as the range goes out. There are also only limited options in the Swede from most shops I've tried.
I'm sure there are exceptions to this if you look hard enough, so it's just my general feeling on it. An exception is Norma, as a local shop sells a number of their loadings and the variety of bullets and quoted velocities looks good but they are pricey (between £2 and £4 a shot).
When handloaded the Swede can be a different cartridge. I've put together loads achieving nearly 2,700fps with the 140gr and 2,900fps with 120gr without using max loads and I've heard about people bettering these figures (although they are probably running a bit 'hot').
Personally, I'm not sure you'd see much of a difference compared to the .243 unless you push things handloading. If I was in your position I'd probably opt for a .270, .308, .30-06, 7x57 or similar in order to get more of a difference between you little and large rifles.
The Swede isn't all that more powerful than a .243, maybe 150-200ft/lbs, so I don't know you'll see a big difference with your .243. I suppose you'd get the option of heavier bullets, which may be a slight advantage on heavier targets.
If you don't handload, most of the available factory ammunition is loaded with the heavier end of bullets, 140-156gr. Much of this seems to be coupled with quite mild charges (I suspect this is to account for some of the 19th century rifles knocking about in this cartridge). My experience chronographing these factory loads is that they don't tend to do much more than about 2,450fps (about 1,900 ft/lbs). At those velocities the trajectory will be a bit of a pain as the range goes out. There are also only limited options in the Swede from most shops I've tried.
I'm sure there are exceptions to this if you look hard enough, so it's just my general feeling on it. An exception is Norma, as a local shop sells a number of their loadings and the variety of bullets and quoted velocities looks good but they are pricey (between £2 and £4 a shot).
When handloaded the Swede can be a different cartridge. I've put together loads achieving nearly 2,700fps with the 140gr and 2,900fps with 120gr without using max loads and I've heard about people bettering these figures (although they are probably running a bit 'hot').
Personally, I'm not sure you'd see much of a difference compared to the .243 unless you push things handloading. If I was in your position I'd probably opt for a .270, .308, .30-06, 7x57 or similar in order to get more of a difference between you little and large rifles.
AN DU RU FOX
Well-Known Member
upto 140gr 6,5cm and 7.08 140gr up 270/308.
Grannysmith
Well-Known Member
270 every time!
ChesterP
Well-Known Member
For driven Boar I'd be looking at . 308 upwards. 30-06 may share the same bullets but isn't the same thing as its long action and a larger case witha longer powder column but at the ranges you'll be shooting .308 will be cheaper to load for and so close with the 30-06 it's the obvious candidate using165 to 180gr bullets.
270 is fine. 6.5 might be frowned on by your feo as guidance states .270 and above. If being a bit more spendy on ammo usn't an issue thengou also have 7mm 08 Rem which is a great cal and good for long range plinking or target too. For me I'd probably look at one if the larger cal gallery rifles with a red dot sight as long as it meets energy requirements. Quick handling and great for woodland and great fun to shoot.
270 is fine. 6.5 might be frowned on by your feo as guidance states .270 and above. If being a bit more spendy on ammo usn't an issue thengou also have 7mm 08 Rem which is a great cal and good for long range plinking or target too. For me I'd probably look at one if the larger cal gallery rifles with a red dot sight as long as it meets energy requirements. Quick handling and great for woodland and great fun to shoot.
Tom D
Well-Known Member
Like Muir I’m a fan of efficiency, the 7-08 uses about the same amount of powder as the 308 ( less than the 270 and 30-06) but will shoot flatter thanks to its better BC. ammo is easier to find than some but not as common as 243. If you reload the 7mm caliber has a huge selection of bullets available thanks to other popular cartridges such as the 7mm Rem mag and 7x57. The same can’t be said for 270. I've had a 7-08 for years, I’ve shot red, roe and sika with it it always seems to do the job, nothings ever needed a second shot anyway.
That said there’s always 6.5mm.. but if you ever want a go on boar 7mm would probably be better..
That said there’s always 6.5mm.. but if you ever want a go on boar 7mm would probably be better..
Hook'N'Bullet
Well-Known Member
308 all day -I call it the "Dirty Thirty". I was recommended the 6.5 Swede but chose against it for some of the reasons stated and for some stories of it penciling deer. Those bullets have a high sectional density so it can push right through a deer and off it will run.
There are seem good observation in all the above but I particularly like CarlW's 'hand bag and shoe' reference especially given that if my wife had less handbags and shoes I'd probably have more rifles!
If you're considering taking whatever gun to finally go for overseas then do carefully consider availability of ammo for that calibre in the destination countries. Anything 7mm or above will pretty much flatten anything other than the big nasty things so your options are endless. I love my 7mm08 but I'd never travel with it because if my home loads don't arrive then there is virtually no chance of finding factory 7mm08 anywhere other than the US. My field craft is passable but I'd rather not have to resort to using my rifle as a club because my ammo failed to show up.
It's been my experience that .308, 30-06, 300WM and 375H&H are 'global' calibres and can generally be found pretty much anywhere on the planet. In Europe I'd probably add 7x57 and most of the 9.3mm variants to that list.
If the UK is your chosen venue and you reload then basically chose anything, but if you travel do have a thought to availability of of less common calibres.
My choice for you problem.....which incidentally I don't actually own (yet.......handbag and shoe issue)......would probably be 300WM - it's very versatile.
Hope that helps
FN
If you're considering taking whatever gun to finally go for overseas then do carefully consider availability of ammo for that calibre in the destination countries. Anything 7mm or above will pretty much flatten anything other than the big nasty things so your options are endless. I love my 7mm08 but I'd never travel with it because if my home loads don't arrive then there is virtually no chance of finding factory 7mm08 anywhere other than the US. My field craft is passable but I'd rather not have to resort to using my rifle as a club because my ammo failed to show up.
It's been my experience that .308, 30-06, 300WM and 375H&H are 'global' calibres and can generally be found pretty much anywhere on the planet. In Europe I'd probably add 7x57 and most of the 9.3mm variants to that list.
If the UK is your chosen venue and you reload then basically chose anything, but if you travel do have a thought to availability of of less common calibres.
My choice for you problem.....which incidentally I don't actually own (yet.......handbag and shoe issue)......would probably be 300WM - it's very versatile.
Hope that helps
FN
A Guy Out West
Well-Known Member
I always recommend a .500 Gibbs when this topic comes up. However, if you can’t find a good .500, any of the cartridges you mentioned will do perfectly well.
A Guy Out West
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I meant .505 Gibbs.
Thanks goodness I didn't say that! I have been told I am like a cracked record on the subject! Still no matter what you choose if you have a halfway decent supplier near you you can get most ammunition. You must be willing maybe to order a decent amount and pay for it and if it exceeds your FAC holding they will normally hold it for you. My local guy does this for my 223. (What problems with a 223 I hear you say!
) I just like a slightly heavier bullet than many so he does this for me. Minimum purchase levels probably should be a good reason to up your holding levels.David.
scrumbag
Well-Known Member
Yes, a lot of the "military" chamberings now fine in France.
Law changed in ~2014 I think so been OK for a while.
Scrummy
I think the only banned calibres in France on military grounds is now the 5.56 NATO/223 and the 7.62 x 39. I am sure there is room for correctionn though.
David.
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