Recommend me a new cal ?

Acm

Well-Known Member
Ill be in the market for a new calibre rifle this winter , Something tough and durable . The calibre must be able to push 110 grain + factory ammo . Nothing too specialist as I'm on a budget , and be good for fox , cwd , munty and roe . I already shoot a .308 and really like it but I'm after something smaller . Please give me your setups and why you like them . I want a no nonsense killer :D I don't want a .243 .
cheers
 
you're looking at 260rem or 6.5x55, even 22-250.

edit - personally my next project will be a 6.5 HCM, but there's very little factory ammo about for them, so you pretty much have to reload.
 
6.5 HCM are you referring to the 6.5 creedmoor? I believe its called that, reloading is a doddle for the creedmoor brass no problem now.
 
I have a 6.8SPC - sticking to MatchKings & other such bullets in it fow now until the paperwork is through for field use.
From use of the round in the USA it is has a lot going for it -seems to be THE round for pig in the US

260 Rem has a lot going for it too
 
you're looking at 260rem or 6.5x55, even 22-250.

edit - personally my next project will be a 6.5 HCM, but there's very little factory ammo about for them, so you pretty much have to reload.

110 grain bullets?
 
110 grain bullets?

ah, good point!

HCM, yes Creedmoor indeed. reloading no issue, but factory ammo if required is not so easy, so OP may be wanting to go 6.5x55 route or 25-06 or 260REM...of the three for the game mentioned, I'd probably to eiher Swede or 260Rem as the 260 can be chambered in a short action (not that it really matters as the difference is negligible).
 
Well I don't know why you're against the .243 as it's a superb round... or why it must be 110gn+ if you already have a 308 (you could always experiment with loads)... however here are my suggestions:

6MM Remington (100gn only I think)
25-06
.270
6.5x55 Swede

Personally though I think if you're looking for something cheap with easy-to-get ammo then you can't go wrong with a .243 - it's flat, and you can get 55gn, 75gn, 80gn, 100gn, and 112gn (i think) ammo for it. It will also put down any deer you want to point it at... though admittedly the biggest thing I've shot with mine is a fallow, as being in sussex it's mainly roe that I shoot.

I recently put in for a 7mm-08 as I didn't want a 308 (great round but wanted something different)... I'm pleased with my choice but sourcing the rifle and ammo has been a bit of a ball-ache compared to if I'd just gotten a .308! Expensive too!
 
my god why would you not want a 243 to complement the 308 you have, 243 55 grain vmax laser flat for foxing and 100 grainers for deer its a no brainer in my book, that with your 308 perfect would take care of anything the uk has and more
 
he might be keeping the 22-250 and feels the .243 crosses over too much. otherwise, yes, .243 is the perfect complement to a .308
 
Ah and I don't reload ...... Yet :D

Then the solution is simple - walk into your local gun shop and ask to see the ammo they have in stock for the cartridges you are considering.

Unless driving around gunshops looking for ammo is your hobby, rather than stalking, then a good reliable supply of ammo is the key to making more time for shooting. You need only look at the frequent posts on SD along the lines of "my new rifle in some obscure (even not so obscure to be honest) cartridge that you all recommended to me has just arrived but I can't get ammo and it will be 6 weeks before anyone can source some..."
 
Then the solution is simple - walk into your local gun shop and ask to see the ammo they have in stock for the cartridges you are considering.

Unless driving around gunshops looking for ammo is your hobby, rather than stalking, then a good reliable supply of ammo is the key to making more time for shooting. You need only look at the frequent posts on SD along the lines of "my new rifle in some obscure (even not so obscure to be honest) cartridge that you all recommended to me has just arrived but I can't get ammo and it will be 6 weeks before anyone can source some..."

And on that point, look at a .243
 
And on that point, look at a .243

+ 1

If you'd said budget was no issue and you're not worried about the cost or availability of ammo then there's loads of choices. The .243 is popular for a reason - not only is it quiet (moderator fitted), flat, and has low recoil... it also offers a variety of easy to obtain loads & ammo, and due to it's popularity there are a great number of bargains to be had on .243 rifles and ammo.

If ammo availability and cost weren't a factor to me I'd have a 6mmRem, just to be different! But I just can't fault my .243! I don't home-load either because I don't really have the time or money to get started!!
 
Purely on availability of ammunition, 6.5 x 55 or .270 would seem to be the obvious choices. Possibly .25-06 if your local supplier is a good one. Plenty of good rifles in .270 available as well.
 
what factory ammo do you have access to in 110gr?

not much point recommending half of the cartridges named above as the OP wants factory not reloaded options.

anything 6.5-6.8mm is bore will shoot your chosen weight well but factory options limit you somewhat.
 
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