Extra Calibre Rifle.......
- Thread starter Hunter1973
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Like this one
- Tempting
dont forget about the swedes german cousin, the 6.5x57, - when he shows up at the party he makes the previously cool and cultured swede looks ordinary and common ,)
And due to a lack of current popularity, one can likely find some very nice traditional wood and steel 6.5x57s rifles for sale, but it would be a reloaders option for sure. PPU sells cheap 6.5x57 ammo, at least here in northern europe, and one can then harvest the brass for reloading.
Only seriously cool people can pull off a 6.5x57
Seriously though the OP’s problem is both his calibres have everything in the UK bang to rights, so why not go off piste with a old classic as above, or a 25-06 to push copper seriously fast?
Scipio
Well-Known Member
Very nice mate, the rifle and cartridge in their right element
And i know. Rumour has it, that you have to do a coolness test to be allowed to buy a 6.5x57 and that Keanu Reeves tried it last fall, and failed!! 
geordiemacatac
Well-Known Member
Get a .260....no name calling with that
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Why did you not use the 243. Was it because you didn’t like the rifle, it didn’t fit / didn’t inspire confidence, to heavy, too light etc.
I suggest think about the type of rifle you are looking for.
Let me throw in a curveball. @Edinburgh Rifles has built a really nice little 6.5 Grendel. Its built on the little Sako Action normally used for the 223 sized cartridges. Light sporter weight barrel and a slim 42mm 1” tube older variable S&B scope. It’s a really sweet rifle to carry and shoot. Perfect for Roe but still deadly on Sika.
I think the type of rifle and how it works for you is far far more important that what the actual cartridge is. I really like my little Heym SR20. It is a 243, I would prefer something a wee bit bigger, but if I swapped the barrel for a 6.5CM I doubt I would really see any difference, especially if using the same type of bullet with a similar BC, in terms of actual ability to kill deer.
I’m no expert but focussing on what you need it for - “I shoot Roe upwards and happy to use the 30.06 but want a second calibre, preferably for hind and fallow doe cull and must take non toxic…” you have a .30, so not sure what your “good reason” will be, as you our need is already covered. One for the range or dedicated to woodland stalking or for foxes at night etc.? Sadly, just wanting another rifle might not cut it with your FEO. I added .308 to my 6.5x55, for larger deer and woods, as most 6.5x55 rifles I looked at have 22” or longer barrels which becomes less than helping in dense woodland. Are you stalking or highseat or both? As others have said, I’d think about what makes you reach for the Bergara over your .243. If it’s not calibre, find a rifle that fills the gap and then match it to what you want to shoot with it. I will have a switch barrel Sauer, with 6.5x55 for highseat, roe, fox, fallow and .308 for stalking anything in the woods. I’d love to add a .222 or .223 for lead ammo but not sure it’s needed. Have fun on your journey and I hope you find what you’re looking for. I still miss my .243 because it was a classic Sako, not because it was .243!
No mater what you buy it is going to do the same job as your .30/06 on the UK deer species. The 06 is good for species from Squirrels to Water Buffalo. I really wonder if you are actually looking for a big change...something different...a challenge...to re-invigorate your self. I understand this and have seen it in myself. So what will quiet the inner man in you? How about you take on the challenge of a Lever Rifle. But not just any lever...you don't want another 30/06 /308 type Calibre. So make a choice from the Winchester 30/30, 444 Marlin or Marlin 45/70. Try it with the factory fitted iron sights first. If needed the factory sights can be replaced with a rear peep sight and a tiny white bead in the top of the front blade. More options can be had with fitting a Red Dot Sight. Still want more? Then fit the scope of your choice. Of course there are also various factory barrel lengths available for each of the 3 rifles I listed...from 16 inches upwards.
In essence you can have a rifle that is a 'one-off' and uniquely yours, is more than capable for all your different deer species and just so different to the run of the mill, all too common bolt actions. It's a lot of fun sorting out a Lever Rifle to suit your own particular requirements with out pending a lot of money.
s
Anyway...good luck with what ever you choose.....and have fun.
In essence you can have a rifle that is a 'one-off' and uniquely yours, is more than capable for all your different deer species and just so different to the run of the mill, all too common bolt actions. It's a lot of fun sorting out a Lever Rifle to suit your own particular requirements with out pending a lot of money.
s
Anyway...good luck with what ever you choose.....and have fun.
Rafter
Well-Known Member
How about these in your 243? 3900 fps and over 400 yards point blank...... .243 Cal-069gr Absolute Hammer™ - Hammer Bullets
I'm using them a lot slower (3305 fps) in a 6mm204, and they rock
Edit. Just reread your post and saw you'd ditched the 243. Build another.
I'm using them a lot slower (3305 fps) in a 6mm204, and they rock
Edit. Just reread your post and saw you'd ditched the 243. Build another.
I swapped out my .243 for 6.5x55. I also have a 30cal - but in .308 flavour. Both are Deer rifles.
I was using 80 grain monolithic ammunition in my .243 which was 1:10 twist - and worked fine for me on Fallow and down.....only slight issue I recall was on a malformed bare buck that ran a bit. Just circumstance rather than the projectile really as he made THICK undergrowth.....so recovery was a bugger.
Changed as I wanted a switch barrel rifle system and a bigger weight range of monolithics to choose from. Fox do a commercially available Swede load (think it's 123?) that works well. I ran a box through my new barrel and accuracy was good from the off. I reload so have options at 100 up to 140. This has replaced my .243 and to an extent, the .308......
In my head, it has a bit more 'authority '.......which in itself, breeds confidence. Not logical.....but calibre choice is often heart over head. Good all purpose calibre.......especially if you don't fancy the Creedmoor.
The .308 is really for SW reds only now.......
I was using 80 grain monolithic ammunition in my .243 which was 1:10 twist - and worked fine for me on Fallow and down.....only slight issue I recall was on a malformed bare buck that ran a bit. Just circumstance rather than the projectile really as he made THICK undergrowth.....so recovery was a bugger.
Changed as I wanted a switch barrel rifle system and a bigger weight range of monolithics to choose from. Fox do a commercially available Swede load (think it's 123?) that works well. I ran a box through my new barrel and accuracy was good from the off. I reload so have options at 100 up to 140. This has replaced my .243 and to an extent, the .308......
In my head, it has a bit more 'authority '.......which in itself, breeds confidence. Not logical.....but calibre choice is often heart over head. Good all purpose calibre.......especially if you don't fancy the Creedmoor.
The .308 is really for SW reds only now.......
tusker
Well-Known Member
Watch this space, I think Yew Tree are working on a similar bullet for 243.
Tusker
Hunter1973
Well-Known Member
Hi Guys, thank you for all the constructive and not so constructive comments. Just as an FYI the ditching of the .243 is two fold. rifle is old but never found a non toxic that would stabilise well with the legs requirements. But, I take on peoples comments about the number of .243 out there that ammo companies need to find a solution.
My 30.06 with 136 grain deco does a lot less meat damage than my .243 ever did. When doing a cull and need to drop several animals close together the recoil on the .06 isn't great for acquiring another target quickly, hence my looking for another.
My 30.06 with 136 grain deco does a lot less meat damage than my .243 ever did. When doing a cull and need to drop several animals close together the recoil on the .06 isn't great for acquiring another target quickly, hence my looking for another.
Lovely idea, but where do you get factory ammo?Get a .260....no name calling with that
Regards
JCS
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
A recent article by Ron Spomer on the 6.5 Grendel - it looks to be the perfect little rifle. All the size and dinkyness of a little short actioned 223, less recoil than the 243 and the terminal performance of a 6.5.
I like the way a 243 shoots, but I do think it errs too much on velocity which does leave messy carcasses. A slightly bigger bullet going a bit slower is perhaps better.
And such a rifle combined with a 30-06 would make a perfect combination.
6.5 Grendel: The Little Cartridge that Could — Ron Spomer Outdoors
by Ron Spomer
www.ronspomeroutdoors.com
I would build it in a little rifle just like this
The Perfect Farm and Ranch Rifle
Have you ever noticed how sometimes great ideas grow from the tiniest little seeds? That happened to me recently. I was talking to Todd Ramirez, the Alba, Texas-based master gunmaker…
sportingclassicsdaily.com
The same here. I want ppu nobody local has any. S+B great in one 6.5x55 like a shot gun in my other 6.5x55. Norma to dear to try out in the one that shoots like a shotgun.
Fox copper. Rang Ed three times yesterday left a message sent a direct message on here still no answer.
See what Mike Norris has on Saturday .
Scipio
Well-Known Member
I feel you buddy, as i was in a similar situation not long ago. Could starting to reload, or having a friend reload for you be an option?
olliehopes
Well-Known Member
Why not go to a 7mm-08?
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