Help with my next rifle

[CAVHUNT]

Hi Sam

The Fallow deer you will be targeting are not a very big deer, lightly framed and weighing in at some 40kg to 80kg. You are contemplating calibre options of 270, 30/06 and 7x57. All are good options.
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I'm fairly pragmatic so I'd suggest that any fallow deer hit with any one your three options is going down. An observer would be unable to tell what calibre was used, whether from a short, medium or long barrel and what weight/type of projectile/bullet was used. In fact you could extend your options to many other similar calibres...aka 308, 6.5 x 55 etc. Choose what you are comfortable with when shouldering it and equally important is to like it. Shooter confidence is a critical part of any hunting scenario.

Good luck. Fun times ahead.

 

[Tulloch]

I have a Tikka .270 with Stalon moderator that I might look to sell for £650 it has been a good reliable rifle and is still used regularly and shoots good groups, I am looking for something with a longer barrel possibly varmint I had toyed with rebarreliing but might be worth just buying a newer one

 

[angusb1]

If you were willing to have another unmoderated rifle you could go for a Marlin 1895 in 45-70. Or if you found £1000 down the back of the sofa you could get a Marlin 1895 SBL in 45-70 which is screwcut from the factory. Short, lightweight, cracking woodland stalking rifles. Not everyone's cuppa though.

 

[CAVHUNT]

Marlins...Levers...45/70...what's not to like.

 

[Cranborne]

There's a Howa .30-06 available at Ivythorn which looks good.

Howa .30-06 30 06 Two Stocks, Superb Cond. | GunTrader

Howa .30-06 30 06 Two Stocks, Superb Cond. for sale. Contact the seller today via the contact form or phone.

guntrader.uk

 

[Leec6.5]

none of those calibres are at their best in a 20'' barrel

instead for your requirements perhaps look at creedmoor , 308 and the 7-08 ?

A 20” barrel will make bugger all difference if you deer stalking, punching paper then yes maybe

 

[nocturnaldave]

No point going into calibre debate… they will all work and the fallow won’t know the difference. Given the budget just pick any one of the common calibres in a rifle that suits you and you can get comfy with and carry.

 

[deeangeo]

Steyr Mannlicher 6.5x55 Pro Hunter Stainless Synthetic | GunTrader

Steyr Mannlicher 6.5x55 Pro Hunter Stainless Synthetic for sale. Contact the seller today via the contact form or phone.

www.guntrader.uk

Might work for you ???

 

[tackb]

A 20” barrel will make bugger all difference if you deer stalking, punching paper then yes maybe

Tell me the legal energy requirement for paper punching ?

I know there’s an energy requirement for deer stalking so barrel length could affect that although unlikely at 20’’

 

[Leec6.5]

Tell me the legal energy requirement for paper punching ?

I know there’s an energy requirement for deer stalking so barrel length could affect that although unlikely at 20’’

I’m using a 7 x 57 in with 18 inch barrel, and I’m getting expansion velocity of a Barnes 150 grain TTSX without thrashing the pants off it, so all this tripe about needing 22/24 inch barrels to do the job absolute Horlicks!

 

[Leec6.5]

Tell me the legal energy requirement for paper punching ?

I know there’s an energy requirement for deer stalking so barrel length could affect that although unlikely at 20’’

Far as I’m aware, you can lob bricks at paper

 

[West5575]

Thanks all for your replies, they’re most helpful. Plenty of food for thought.

When I get a chance I’ll handle some rifles and see what feels right for me. As I said I’m not too worried about weight, so a slightly longer barrel wouldn’t bother me but I don’t want anything too unwieldy. I’m not dead set on a 20 inch barrel and I am aware that the long action cartridges wouldn’t be living to their full potential in one, but thanks for all your opinions on the matter.

I may well end up going with a short .308 but would rather have something a bit more unusual/traditional. My local shop stocks most cartridges and can order in others so I’m not particularly worried about ammo availability.

Thanks again!

I’m like you. I like traditional cartridges. I also like the perfect match of cartridge, rifle and purpose. I have two 6.5x55s and their barrels are 24.5” and 22.5”. Yes you can cut any rifle to any length but might as well have the best cartridge for the setup and purpose.

Scipio is right that the old Mauser cartridges are in the middle but the best powders for the cartridge dimension and typical bullet weights and twist rates would suggest 22-24” as optimal. I wouldn’t suggest a long cartridge under a 24”. Can you do it yes! And people do and have pet loads that maximize a 270 or 06 in a short barrel but there are better cartridges for that.

Also are you going to run a suppressor? I know in the US it’s easier to have more specialized setups but for me if I absolutely had to run a suppressor and for the woods I’d have a 308 or 6.5CM with a 16-18” barrel. If I wanted something with some history I’d go with the 7x57 (I actually went 6.5x55) with 22” threaded barrel and possibly drop the can if hunting in thick stuff.

Wouldn’t see the point in a long action for your described setup. Here in the eastern US I don’t ever hunt with long actions. Just isn’t needed here.

 

[muddy42]

I would avoid suggestions for a 24 inch barrel plus moderator. I still have one but all of my other rifles are 20." Woodland stalking with a long unbalanced rifle is miserable - you hit every branch or clunk the car boot, with associated fear for loss of zero. And it swings off your shoulder every few steps in a maddening way. The loss of velocity is insignificant and if you reload, it can be mitigated.

 

[Scipio]

I would avoid suggestions for a 24 inch barrel plus moderator. I still have one but all of my other rifles are 20." Woodland stalking with a long unbalanced rifle is miserable - you hit every branch or clunk the car boot, with associated fear for loss of zero. And it swings off your shoulder every few steps in a maddening way. The loss of velocity is insignificant and if you reload, it can be mitigated.

Some good points about functionality .-) out of curiosity, how long is the typical mod in the UK for a standard hunting chambering (so from 243 to 30-06) ?

 

[6.5-06 TIKKA]

Sako 75 stainless, in either 6.5x55 or 308 fir me.

 

[muddy42]

Some good points about functionality .-) out of curiosity, how long is the typical mod in the UK for a standard hunting chambering (so from 243 to 30-06) ?

There is a huge range - 5 to 8 inches at a guess. Some mods go sleeve down the barrel and some attach to the end. Weight affects the balance too.

The current trend is for super light moderators, but older heavier steel moderators have the advantage of lasting for decades if you dry them out after use.

 

[Essexsussex]

Hi all,

I currently stalk with a 1992 Steyr Mannlicher Luxus Stutzen in .243 and I’m looking to pick up another (sub £700) stalking rifle predominantly for Fallow. My Stutzen is, unsurprisingly, unmoderated and I would like something that is screw cut with the intention of using a moderator.

I’m considering .270, .30-06 and 7x57

I’d rather have a well balanced rifle over something that’s very lightweight, but a barrel ~20 inches would be preferable as it’ll be used mostly in woodland and at close range.

I’m keeping my eyes open for 98 actions like Parker Hales and CZs but any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Sam

Think I’d have a shot with a 30/06 before buying one. You might find the kick just fine but some people struggle with it and get a flinch. Plenty also don’t have that problem but you may just end up wishing it was a screw cut 243. I know I take my 243 more than others for fallow (for different reasons) and it works great.

 

[scotch_egg]

Think I’d have a shot with a 30/06 before buying one. You might find the kick just fine but some people struggle with it and get a flinch. Plenty also don’t have that problem but you may just end up wishing it was a screw cut 243. I know I take my 243 more than others for fallow (for different reasons) and it works great.

30-06 with a 150gr bullet isn’t hard recoiling. I find them quite comparable to a .308 or a 7-08 with similar weight bullets.

 

[Essexsussex]

But more than a 243 which the OP is used to (although new one will have a mod on).
It is a consideration for some people.
People say the same for 270 which I find fine but lots seems scared of them.

 

[moeggesit]

7x57 hands down from your 3 calibres listed, however the only real difference between 7x57 and 7-08 is that the latter can be used in a short action, so no real advantage, but if it comes up in a nice rifle not a bad choice, if you reload.

Best if you can try before you buy, I’ve been disillusioned a few times on taking the first shot. (Rifle not calibre)