‘Middle Ground’ Culling Calibre

[Brave Echo Niner]

Hi All,


I’m at a slight quandary considering which calibre to rebarrel my 6.5X47L rifle which I’ve been primarily using for park culling Fallow, and stalking wild Roe, as it’s done a good few rounds now.

I have been pretty underwhelmed with the results the 6.5 has delivered compared to my other rifles. Switching from 100 grain Barnes TTSX to 114 Grain Yew Tree TLR helped, particularly on roe, but I am still seeing Fallow chest shots consistently run at all ranges, albeit only 10-15M with a very good blood trail.

For other rifles, I use a .308 (short range woodland, max 250M) and a .300 WSM (further range open ground) and would like something that hits hard to reduce the runners seen, and will be punchy enough for medium range (0-400M, with appropriate performance to cope to 500-600M should dispatch require.)

Factory ammunition would be ideal, although I primarily homeload, so not imperative. It would be a 22-24” barrel.

Currently considering: 7-08, another .308, .270, 284 Win or another.


Ben


(Current setup in 6.5X47L, although the Mod has just gone U/S…)

 

[Scuffy]

6.5PRC ?

 

[7Miller]

I love my 7mm-08! But you need to home load really as factory options and availability are poor, but homeloading isn't an issue for you. The 308 and 270 are the easier options.

As Scuffy says, I'd also consider the 6.5 PRC?

 

[Hanechdene]

If they are consistently running, have you considered your shot placement might be the issue rather than the calibre?

 

[cjm1066]

10 -15 m with a good blood trail sounds good with a lung shot.

 

[Smellydog]

 

[Stevie/P]

I went from 6.5 after many years now have 270 and .243 270 is brutal on small deer hence the 243

 

[Smellydog]

Expecting large game shot traditionally to drop immediately always is naivety.

 

[7Miller]

With the extended ranges you're mentioning, maybe the 6.5 PRC is a decent option

 

[Klenchblaize]

Seems the Op is seeking guidance in the holy grail that is the perfect do-everything rifle.

It doesn't exist but the best bullet for the job does.

K

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

6.5PRC ?

Yeah I did consider it, or an 6.5X284, but even at really close range (80M ish) the 6.5 I’m finding lacking, hence the higher frontal area of all mentioned.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

Expecting large game shot traditionally to drop immediately always is naivety.

My .308 does 70-80% of the time on roe and fallow, maybe 50-60% of the time on reds (they are very close in most of the time)

My .300 does so out to ‘extended’ range on reds 95% of the time plus.

It’s not naive if I know its possible, I will accept higher meat damage with a more damaging frangible bullet to achieve it.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

I love my 7mm-08! But you need to home load really as factory options and availability are poor, but homeloading isn't an issue for you. The 308 and 270 are the easier options.

As Scuffy says, I'd also consider the 6.5 PRC?

What bullets are you using in your 7-08 and at what velocity?

That and the .270 are the two I am leaning to initially, particularly using the high BC TLRs in each.

 

[farrieral]

I am finding 6.5 PRC very effective thus far, albeit a little much for smaller species, but we have red, roe and fallow on our ground so its often the rifle I take due to the open nature of some of it, meaning longer shots... the .308 isn't seeing much use these days!

 

[Roncon1]

30-06

 

[Mungo]

Yeah I did consider it, or an 6.5X284, but even at really close range (80M ish) the 6.5 I’m finding lacking, hence the higher frontal area of all mentioned.

There is a very substantial difference between the slow 6.5s (x55, Creedmoor, x47) and the fast ones (PRC and 284).

If you’re ok with damage, the fast ones put things down with authority.

 

[7Miller]

What bullets are you using in your 7-08 and at what velocity?

That and the .270 are the two I am leaning to initially, particularly using the high BC TLRs in each.

Currently using Sierra pro hunter 120g doing 3120 fps, 22 inch barrel. Tikka T3 action, heavy IBI barrel, built by Mike Norris of Brock and Norris.
Using Vihtavuori N140 and get consistent half MOA groups at 100 yards.
It's Dropped everything I've hit, instantly, including a fox at 488 yards. But I only head or neck shoot deer. It's an explosive round at that speed.

But will be doing some development next with sierra gamechanger 140g in the spring, to add a bit more weight and put it in the sweet spot for ideal bullet weight for the 7mm-08, or so I'm led to believe.

But I love shooting it. Shame the rifle set up is as heavy as it is though, at 15lbs!

 

[HonestJohn]

25-06? Or 257 Roberts perhaps

 

[NullMac]

Most chest shots will run a bit. More speed will make more of a mess so it will drop faster as blood pressure will drop faster but not often instantly.

Shot 308's 270's 6.5's for decades. Not a lot of difference in outcome really. 270's mangle wee roe close in, but that's about it! Great hill calibre. I don't see much difference between the creed and the 308. Loaded 308 from 110gr to 200gr. It's all about the same really.

If you put it in the right place deer may drop instantly some of the time but a chest shot is not going to drop to the shot each and every time. Just how it is I am afraid.

You are shooting at a complex anatomy. There is not a simplistic answer.

Shot placement is much more important than calibre.

Buy a dog

 

[Klenchblaize]

Buy a dog

Sadly, this sage advice does nothing for the dumping of wholly serviceable 243's at your local gun shop (if you have one) or arresting sales of boom sticks in Creedmoor chamberings.

K