help me pick a caliber......

[cloverleaf]

Well, Hard to argue with a 243 (Ackley if you want) it is just so common with so many options. The 6mm or 6.5's have great balistics or so I'm told. You could make it simple and go with a 7mm Mag. You dont have to stoke 'em full and a 120 grainer would really reach out there. I know, I know I'm not helping. IF you got your heart set on an Ackley then go make yourself a
250-3000 ACKLEY IMPROVED. Thats an improvement, at least thats what Ackley thought. There now I got in my plug of the lowly 250-3000. CL

 

[jmad_81]

Well I'm a big fan of the 6mm cal. If you are thinking that this gun will mostly be used for yotes, and a very slim chance of shooting deer I would go with a 243 AI. If you have room in your action then go with a 6mm AI. 26" barrel with a 1:9 twist. My 1:9 has no trouble with the 105 Nosler Custom Comps, or the 105 A-Max. Shoots both in the .3s, and best 1K group is 9" (I'm still learning alot about shooting that far). The nice thing about the 1:9 is it is not to steep for that 55 gr and works all the way up to the 105. Gives a guy a ton of options. AI or not the 243 or 6mm are very capable of taking a big Mulie buck at 400 yards if you do your part.

One of the nice tings about a custom gun is you can have the throat cut so that you can reach the lands.

If you were thinking mostly deer and a few yotes I'd go with a 7-08. You can push a 120 BT in the 3050-3100 range and a 140 AB in the 2750-2850 range.

 

[FOTIS]

257 Bob AI?

 

[chet]

257 Bob AI?

I have a 25-06..... so a 257ack would be a little redundant, but still freakin cool!

what about a shorter (20"-22") bbl and a fatter bore (338 fed, 358 win)?????
now that would make a cool dark timber elk hammer!!!!!!

dear god, I better start looking for another action :roll:

 

[DrMike]

Now you're talking! Either the 338 Federal or the 358 Winchester would make a great addition to your gun cabinet. Either would work very well on deer and yet have enough oomph to down moose and elk at reasonable ranges. With 200 grain bullets, I see some amazing velocities out of either of the 358 Winchesters that I tote.

 

[Woodycreek]

.243AI

 

[SJB358]

Now you're talking! Either the 338 Federal or the 358 Winchester would make a great addition to your gun cabinet. Either would work very well on deer and yet have enough oomph to down moose and elk at reasonable ranges. With 200 grain bullets, I see some amazing velocities out of either of the 358 Winchesters that I tote.

358Win is a cool cartridge and really very tough to beat for big game. I have recently started seeing some impressive speeds and excellent accuracy out of my 358. Hard to bear 225's at 2400+ in a short rifle for absolute handiness. Great selection of bullets that will work really well with the 358 also. Scotty

 

[Powerstroke]

Yote beat me to it -
If you don't mind the $$$ of the brass and you're going to build one 6.5x47 hands down.

If brass is an issue - the .260 or AI will be very difficult to beat.
95gr V-max or 100gr B-tip will ruin any yotes day. Depending on barrel twist, the 130gr A.B. has done well on elk for my family.

First outing with the .260 took 3 yotes - several months later cow elk. I can quickly think of 4 elk taken between the pair of .260's in the safe.

 

[vodekz]

6.5 x 285 would take my vote or .260 simple if you looking for 6.5 bullet.
6.5 Creedmore is another sweet looking round.
Vodek

 

[JD338]

Although better suited to a long action, the 6.5-284 would be awesome for long range sniping.

JD338

 

[WYcoyote]

Although better suited to a long action, the 6.5-284 would be awesome for long range sniping.

JD338

+1
I'm having Benchmark Barrels making me a 6.5-.284 Norma (long action) to put on my Savage 111 action. Same application as you, varmints and deer. Check the ballistic tables, this chambering ROCKS!