What calibre ?

[jacre1993]

Just looking for people’s views on caliber for variation.
I’d like to get into target shooting in the coming year but …..
Would also like a calibre of rifle to spit some heavier bullets for large stags etc.

It’s not everyday I’d require this for deer but would like the rifle to overlap as I don’t have an endless pot of money and my 25-06 does a good job so far.

Considering either 308, 6.5 creed( concerns bullet weight might not go big enough) or 7mm-08.

This may start something but … any better choices or opinions

Thoughts and advice appreciated.

 

[deerstalker.308]

308/30.06 will do just fine

 

[Essexsussex]

West country stags? Won’t 25-06 120gr do just fine?
Although we all love another calibre or excuse for a calibre. You should see my cabinet…

 

[jacre1993]

West country stags? Won’t 25-06 120gr do just fine?
Although we all love another calibre or excuse for a calibre. You should see my cabinet…

 

[Essexsussex]

In fact thinking about this you have made me want a 25-06

 

[jacre1993]

In fact thinking about this you have made me want a 25-06

 

[Essexsussex]

I’m the opposite of my brother who has a swede and won’t ever have another rifle. I’m not sure he knows any other calibres exist (other than army ones), rarely bothers what ammo he can get and just gets on and kills deer.
Wish I could be like that, a lot to be said for being the one rifle man.

 

[Woodlander]

.284 Winchester is a very accurate chambering, if you’re wanting to go bigger than a 6.5, but I imagine a 6.5 would do all you want of it, shooting 143gr bullets.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

.284 Winchester is a very accurate chambering, if you’re wanting to go bigger than a 6.5, but I imagine a 6.5 would do all you want of it, shooting 143gr bullets.

Can you get a .284 Winchester bolt action? I have the Winchester 100 semi auto in .284 Winchester here in Germany, a bolt action in the same calibre for heavier bullets would be nice.

 

[Hornet]

.25-06 is a proper kick ass calibre, why would you need anything else

 

[NullMac]

120gr Copper out a 65 Creed is big enough and more importantly fast enough. 7-08 is a minority sport. 308 fine.

You only need a "big" bullet when shedding mass as it travels through the body to make sure it gets to the vitals. Copper just needs impact velocity to make sure it expands. No point shooting a big copper bullet it just reduces the impact velocity reducing expansion

 

[jacre1993]

.25-06 is a proper kick ass calibre, why would you need anything else

Would probably never use it over the 25-06 - but interested in target shooting but would like the adaptability for heavier bullets for game.
As I couldn’t justify another fork out for another set up .
We’ll I could ….. she wouldn’t

 

[stubear]

If you have a .25-06 then I would recommend a .30 cal something.

I’d be looking at .30-06 and .300wm as possibilities, particularly if you have reds to go after

 

[Cumbrian 1]

Only one option - 7x64

 

[Feugh]

I have a 25-06 and have used it as my only deer rifle (roe and red) for years. However, I saw the writing on the wall and decided to get a larger calibre so that I could use copper bullets over 100gn, the legal requirement for reds. At the time I hadn’t seen any copper bullets over 100gn for the 25-06.
So I got a 30-06. And then started reloading recently and then found that Yew Tree do a 25-06 bullet at 102gn. So far I have found it very effective (accurate and deadly).

I like the 30-06, but be aware that getting accessories such as new stocks is much easier with a short action 308. Your choice of rifle will probably be greater with a 308 too.
I’m loading for the 30-06 using the 119gn E-spec bullet from Yew Tree and accuracy wise it’s grand. Not killed anything with it yet, usually take out the 25-06 instead .
Ballistically the 25-06 and 6.5 creed are not that different. If you want a change I would go to the 30 cal. But the 25-06 is very good.

 

[HonestJohn]

I’m the opposite of my brother who has a swede and won’t ever have another rifle. I’m not sure he knows any other calibres exist (other than army ones), rarely bothers what ammo he can get and just gets on and kills deer.
Wish I could be like that, a lot to be said for being the one rifle man.

6.5x55 hunters are like that...annoying,...I've had a few and still have one..damn 6.5's

 

[Essexsussex]

6.5x55 hunters are like that...annoying,...I've had a few and still have one..damn 6.5's

I have too but have been swayed back to 243, don’t know why, swede goes in the right place whatever you stick in it!
He handed me three rounds to hold for him whilst messing about with the rifle, he was completely oblivious to them being all different head stamps yet somehow they printed one on top of the other.

 

[C&K Suffolk]

.308 mate. Readily available and good to home load too. Will take anything up to a red. Good long range round up to 1000m.

 

[angusb1]

Since you already have a 25-06 and if the west country stags are red stags I would go for a 30-06 if you want another rifle. You can shoot quality target bullets as well as having a good choice of ammo for knocking down the big stags without them running plus rifles and ammo in 30-06 are fairly easy to find. If you got a Remington 700 or Tikka T3 you could put it in a PSE or similar aftermarket stock and have something you could use effectively on the range with adjustable stock but also not too heavy so really useful in the field.

I actually shoot a 308 for target and 270 on reds in Devon but a 30-06 would be my choice if I already had a 25-06 and I reloaded. It's less affected by wind so easier to shoot on targets and it hits a bit harder on big reds. If I wasn't reloading probably 308 as you have more choice of factory ammo for target.

 

[olliehopes]

I've got 6.5x55 and a 7-08. Mainly got the 08 for when the boar end up in Hampshire. I'm sure it won't be long.....

Good friend of mine has 7 rem mag for use on the hill when he's north of the border and for when the fallow won't come within 400 yards. He also has 7-08 for the closer stuff. I've seen him shoot fallow with both and the difference is staggering!