Help me decide on a new rifle caliber

[ReloadKy]

I really do not need a new rifle but I want something different that I do not already have. I currently already have calibers that run the gamete and would suffice for me to hunt anywhere in the world. But, I am a gun nut and I have cabela's points plus gift cards burning a hole in my pocket. When I have a rare 10 minutes of spare time I tend to look at new rifles and still cannot make up my mind what I want to get. I have been going back and forth between 2 calibers; 6.5 PRC, 300WSM. My goal for this rifle is basically to learn the nuances of reloading a new to me cartridge and kill deer here in KY. Would also like to be able to take it out west as a potential back up rifle (my 7 mag is go to for that trip). I have never shot either cartridge so clueless (other then what I have read) regarding recoil, on game performance etc. Talk me into or out of something people lol!!

 

[bdbrown66]

My friend moved to KY from Colorado. He had a 300 WSM that he bought for mulies and elk out there. After using it on deer around here, in the woods, he put it away and went back to his old 35 Rem. It was just too much gun, tore them up too much. Now, maybe if you were hunting over an open field or something, but it's all woods around here where we hunt. So between those 2, the 6.5 PRC would get my vote (and you still need to check out a Franchi Momentum ).

Brian

 

[IdahoCTD]

I hunt with several 300wsm's and if elk is on the menu I'd pick it first. If your building a custom rifle a 300wsm shooting 215 Bergers will run 2920-2950 in a long action with a 24" barrel using R23 or R26. The 6.5prc's in my household run 147 ELD-M's 2870-2920 with R26. You can easily kill elk with a 6.5 but the reaction to being hit by a 30 versus a 6.5 is night and day different with most elk. I hunt elk more that deer but I would bet you'd see the same difference on deer.

 

[NYDAN]

Split the difference - 7mm PRC or 7mm WSM or 7mm SAUM.

 

[xphunter]

I am taking a 7mm SAUM and a 6.5 PRC to South Africa next summer.
The main thing is...Get What YOU Want!!!!

 

[DrMike]

You are on a dangerous quest when you ask this crowd to help decide on a new rifle! There are experts here in spending other people's money. I have owned three 300 WSMs. Excellent for mule deer, elk, moose, black bear, whitetail, etc. I believe you've had some good advice. Dan does have some good advice in suggesting a 7mm. I've owned all the WSMs, and they were a joy to shoot. The 270WSM and the 7WSM are a couple of excellent cartridges that work very well in the west. Thus, they would meet your criteria for a good firearm.

 

[salmonchaser]

Appears to me you are dangerously short of a 375HH. The 7mag is a great cartridge out west. Couldn’t accurately tell you how many elk the ones in our camp have taken in the last 50 years, but it’s nearer 100 than none, I know that. 300s are still better if you’re hunting elk because sometimes things arn’t perfect.
But I still think you need a 375HH.

 

[JD338]

Another vote for a 375 H&H Mag. If for no other reason....just because.

JD338

 

[wvbuckbuster]

If you have your elk hunt covered and IF you will primarily use for deer than just get something more for that critter. Case in point. Last year a nephew went to CO totting his 28 Nosler, got a descent 5x5. He had used it here in WV on deer at a farm where shots can be 400-500 yds. Yeah places like that due exist here. He traded it for a 6.5 PRC before deer season and was sold on the performance on couple of deer shot in the 400yd range. So, get what you want for what you will use it the most.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Can’t go wrong with a .30-06!

Having a hard time imagining what a 6.5 PRC or .300 WSM will do that your 7mm Rem Mag wouldn’t. The 6.5 PRC will kick less. The .300 will shoot heavier bullets. Hmm. Flip a coin. Or get one of each!

 

[Vince]

I’d go with a .375 Ruger because I’m a lefty and they are easier to find in a left handed version.

Big, or bigger, bullets is usually the right answer.

Vince

 

[AFG270]

Can’t go wrong with a .30-06!

Hmm. Flip a coin. Or get one of each!

^This^

 

[rjm158]

I got a 6.5 PRC just after the caliber debuted. I have been extremely happy with it's performance on deer at all distances as have my two stepsons. The youngest shot a big bodied buck at a lasered 320 yds and dropped him in his tracks. We've never had to track one as they've fallen very close to where they were hit.
It's very easy to load for, components are readily available, as are rifles. It tends to be very accurate and moderate in recoil.

Just my .02 but this is my vote.

Ron

 

[ReloadKy]

Split the difference - 7mm PRC or 7mm WSM or 7mm SAUM.

I already own a 7 mag and cannot justify buying one of the above calibers when already having a 7 mag.

 

[RL338]

Look for something that flings .338 bullets. There are many cartridges to choose from and an excellent choice if bullets.

 

[Blkram]

While you already have the 7mm Rem Mag, the advantage of going with another 7mm would be that you already are usedto the ballisitcs and similar performance of the 7mm PRC would not mean having to rethink ballistics out to 300-400 yards if using as a back up rifle. One less thing to worry about in the field, that will have to be considered when changing calibers and trajectories with a new caliber...just a thought to ponder.
The other benefit as a handloader is that you will already have many of the components on hand that will work in the 7mm PRC, so you may only need to add some high BC bullets to your inventory.

But I also get the need to scratch that itch for another caliber that you haven't yet worked with and want to gain the enjoyment of playing with a new rifle in a new cartridge or caliber...and need has nothing to do with it! Do what interests YOU most. (Or whichever you cannot resist when you find that caliber/cartridge on the rifle that shouts "Take Me Home!"

I own both the 6.5 PRC and 300 WSM. Both are great cartridges and I am enjoying both for their own merits. I like the 300 for elk, but wouldn't hesitate to use the PRC on one. For antelope and deer, the PRC would get the nod...but I wouldn't not take a shot at either if I had the 300 in hand. Bullet placement, as always makes the difference...but on lighter game I would opt for the double lung shot vs the on the shoulder shot with the 300 WSM.

Obviously, I have more experience with the 300 WSM as it has been around longer and I had my first custom rifle chambered to it after it was introduced. I have taken wolf, black bear, moose and elk with it over the years, at distances ranging from 70 to 242 yards.
I have yet to take game with the 6.5 PRC, but have with the 270 WSM which shoots a 140 gr bullet just 100 fps faster than the PRC will, and on-game performance will be such that most hunters and game will not be able to tell the difference between the two. My caribou bull at 210 yards wouldn't have.

Best of luck on your quest.

 

[clearwater]

Less is more. Quarter bore with fast twist. Less kick, less wind drift. 100 grain for threading the needle in the woods, 134 grain for the windy west.

 

[TackDriver284]

I really do not need a new rifle but I want something different that I do not already have. I currently already have calibers that run the gamete and would suffice for me to hunt anywhere in the world. But, I am a gun nut and I have cabela's points plus gift cards burning a hole in my pocket. When I have a rare 10 minutes of spare time I tend to look at new rifles and still cannot make up my mind what I want to get. I have been going back and forth between 2 calibers; 6.5 PRC, 300WSM. My goal for this rifle is basically to learn the nuances of reloading a new to me cartridge and kill deer here in KY. Would also like to be able to take it out west as a potential back up rifle (my 7 mag is go to for that trip). I have never shot either cartridge so clueless (other then what I have read) regarding recoil, on game performance etc. Talk me into or out of something people lol!!

If your goal is for deer, look for deer 6.5 - 7mm sized calibers that you never had, if looking for an elk and deer rifle, look for bigger calibers such as 30 calibers and up. Heck, RL33 uses a 460 Weatherby with a 500 grain bullet for deer. Kidding aside, he has other bigger critters in mind as well in his parts.

 

[Slimfinn]

For the 2 options I would choose the 6.5 and i would load it with the 143 Norma bondstrike when using for a backup and ELDX for working through the new caliber nuances and hunting local. And if you're looking for a challenge try the ABLR.