Donnachaidh
Well-Known Member
There haven't beena good number in my area for years. As soon as they start to build up, myxie wipes them out again.
3 Calibres
- Thread starter Gt4788
- Start date
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Rather than what 3 calibres, its more of what three rifles? And slightly depends on where you are and aspirations. I think you need:
1) small game, vermin, practice and general shooting fun rifle. Needs to be cheap to run. 22lr fits the bill in spades, but could also include 22 hornet, 223, 17 hmr etc. Sporter weight barrel and scoped to allow you to do all you want.
2) a reach out and touch at longer range type rifle - may be for vermin, deer and smaller game, but may also do smaller mountain stuff as well as targets etc. Probably heavier barreled, scoped for longer range, easy to shoot prone etc. Depending on desired usage could be any calibre from 223, through 243, 25-06, 6.5cm, 270.
3) Your do anything, go anywhere rifle. This is sporting rifle in the traditional sense. It should be well balanced so you can take a fast shot at a running pig, or snap shot in woodland, yet able to take a steady shot at 200 - 250. It needs to be light enough to carry all day long, yet heavy and balanced well to make shooting easy. You should be able to shoot a small deer without mincing it, take a red stag on the open hill, but shoot a big moose, eland, lowland red stag when you get that call from an old friend -“ somebody has dropped out get here tomorrow”.
It will be well handling rifle, will have open sights, and a do everything scope. Or perhaps a do everything and a specialist woodland / driven type scope. Calibre 7x57, 7x64, 30-06, 308 etc. All can shoot a light bullet fast and flat, but equally a long heavy for calibre bullet for bigger stuff and thats where the 7x64 and 30-06 come into their own. 6.5’s could be included as well as 9.3’s and 375’s and depending on where you are and with modern bullets and loads either could work.
1) small game, vermin, practice and general shooting fun rifle. Needs to be cheap to run. 22lr fits the bill in spades, but could also include 22 hornet, 223, 17 hmr etc. Sporter weight barrel and scoped to allow you to do all you want.
2) a reach out and touch at longer range type rifle - may be for vermin, deer and smaller game, but may also do smaller mountain stuff as well as targets etc. Probably heavier barreled, scoped for longer range, easy to shoot prone etc. Depending on desired usage could be any calibre from 223, through 243, 25-06, 6.5cm, 270.
3) Your do anything, go anywhere rifle. This is sporting rifle in the traditional sense. It should be well balanced so you can take a fast shot at a running pig, or snap shot in woodland, yet able to take a steady shot at 200 - 250. It needs to be light enough to carry all day long, yet heavy and balanced well to make shooting easy. You should be able to shoot a small deer without mincing it, take a red stag on the open hill, but shoot a big moose, eland, lowland red stag when you get that call from an old friend -“ somebody has dropped out get here tomorrow”.
It will be well handling rifle, will have open sights, and a do everything scope. Or perhaps a do everything and a specialist woodland / driven type scope. Calibre 7x57, 7x64, 30-06, 308 etc. All can shoot a light bullet fast and flat, but equally a long heavy for calibre bullet for bigger stuff and thats where the 7x64 and 30-06 come into their own. 6.5’s could be included as well as 9.3’s and 375’s and depending on where you are and with modern bullets and loads either could work.
I. Farticus
Well-Known Member
Only 2 needed for me: .22LR and 6.5x55mm and I run just 1 round through each. I don't go out specifically for foxes, but if one wanders out when I'm stalking, a lump of 143gr ELD-X works a treat
I. Farticus
Well-Known Member
Duplicate
I am on the verge of going down this route.
I have .22lr, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308. But seldom use the .308 now. The only reason I keep it is because it’s such a nice rifle.
dropmdead
Well-Known Member
6br, 6.5x47L and 300wsm
All typical unorthodox cartridges for the average person, but chosen for their efficiency.
The 6br sips powder and can be ran subsonic all the way up to Scottish red deer legal.
The 6.5x47L needs no introduction...
The 300wsm for those moments of bigger means best...
All typical unorthodox cartridges for the average person, but chosen for their efficiency.
The 6br sips powder and can be ran subsonic all the way up to Scottish red deer legal.
The 6.5x47L needs no introduction...
The 300wsm for those moments of bigger means best...
.22lr, .223 and .308 - unquestionably.
My options are limited left hander
As a fellow southpaw, I feel your pain - but LH actions are out there if you look. Also - ask - we are hoarders...!
My answer is unreservedly boring, but that's because you largely have a consensus of opinion. On assumption that this covers UK and goes to the shooting I do:
You need a rimfire. 22LR or 17HMR - it will depend on the day or moment as to which I would drop for as I fall in and out of love with both, depending a little on use.
I'd have a 22C/F - because they are just such a good all round weapon
And then something bigger..... but 6.5 as a min. Someone mentioned bullet weight differentials and this I think is a good way of having rifles that do materially different things.
Rimfire is 17-40gr
In 22C/F I'd seek a faster twist that stabilised heavier bullets - but it gives you 40-70gr (ish).
The next gun needs to complement and extend.
For me it's currently 22.250 and 270. 270 covers 90gr to 160gr and will kill anything in the UK. The other thing I would say is that these two are ballistically similar with their different weights - so I don't have to think about 'what rifle am I holding' when I'm doing drops. I have a 300WM too, which is the next step up again - 170-220gr. All are ballistically similar. It helps me anyway!
.22 lr
.243 and
7mm-08
.243 and
7mm-08
Would love to know what rifles you have in southpaw, brands I mean if that’s ok.?
Basically the lineup I would love seems to live in your cabinet. Although I don’t think the win mag will ever find its way into my possession. A mighty fine piece of kit
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