So i decided to pass my interarms mark x 25-06 to my lil bro and now im wondering on what rifle to get. Ive been thinking of a .260 or a 264 win mag. The kind of hunting i will be doin is on antalope, deer, maybe an elk if i ever draw for one around here in ND. i need somting that will buck the wind yet not knock my arm off. if anyone has any other suggestions for diff calibers im open to them all i have saved up about 1100 for this new investment. I love odd calibers for some reason just somthing that not to many of the common hunter has. any input would be great.
Needing a new rifle
- Thread starter mladucer
- Start date
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
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7x57, 6.5x55, 280 ai, 284, 257 roberts, 250-3000, 300 sav, 8x57, 6.5-06, 270 wsm
taylorce1
Handloader
- Jun 3, 2007
- 1,080
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YoteSmoker":19k80nxm said:
I like that list except for the .257 Rob and .250-3000 for the possiblity of elk. Sure I know that they will work, but just a little light IMO. However if you ever do get to hunt elk that is just a great reason to buy an elk rifle. Do you reload? If not I wouldn't get too crazy about odd ball calibers that are difficult to find.
You could throw a few more old military rounds in there to go with the 7X57 and 8X57, like the .303 and .30-40. The only problems with those two are they are rimmed cartridges and not too many choices of bolt actions chambered in them, they work great in single shots though. The .30-40 could even be had in a 1895 Win lever action.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,314
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YoteSmoker has given you an excellent list of great rounds, any of which will be fun to shoot and a joy to reload for. Taylorce1 put his finger on a couple of great rounds that not just everyone has, and which are fun to load. JDMAG has added three great rounds that can be easily overlooked because they are thought to be so pedestrian. I'll throw in the 7mm WSM. It has reach and knockdown power, a great bullet selection for handloaders, and it is quite accurate in every rifle I have shot in this calibre.
mladucer, you have an enviable dilemma. I am certain you are going to enjoy working through the problem to find a great resolution. Consequently, it looks as if your brother didn't do too badly getting a 25-06 from you.
mladucer, you have an enviable dilemma. I am certain you are going to enjoy working through the problem to find a great resolution. Consequently, it looks as if your brother didn't do too badly getting a 25-06 from you.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,171
- 8,446
+1 to what yote said. The 250-3000/257 Roberts is on the light side for elk.
If you want something different, 280 AI. A 160 gr AB at 3000 fps will buck the wind and cover anything from mice to moose.
JD338
If you want something different, 280 AI. A 160 gr AB at 3000 fps will buck the wind and cover anything from mice to moose.
JD338
Well, I would have never went out and bought one, but I happened to win a Winchester Model 70 chambered in 270 WSM and it is turning into one of my favorite rifles.
It shoots incredibly fast but with very little recoil. I really like it. I have shot mule deer, black bears, wild hogs, and coyotes with it. It has dropped them all on the spot.
My favorite load for it uses a 140 Nosler Partition at 3200 fps but I had to look for something else to shoot around here with the CA lead ban. I went nuts and dropped down to the 110 grain Tipped TSX. That load shoots 3600 fps with 3/4 inch groups. I have not shot anything but coyotes with it so far, but it sure puts them down. I just booked an antelope hunt in New Mexico for this fall, I intend to try those 110's out on a speed goat.
Just a thought.
It shoots incredibly fast but with very little recoil. I really like it. I have shot mule deer, black bears, wild hogs, and coyotes with it. It has dropped them all on the spot.
My favorite load for it uses a 140 Nosler Partition at 3200 fps but I had to look for something else to shoot around here with the CA lead ban. I went nuts and dropped down to the 110 grain Tipped TSX. That load shoots 3600 fps with 3/4 inch groups. I have not shot anything but coyotes with it so far, but it sure puts them down. I just booked an antelope hunt in New Mexico for this fall, I intend to try those 110's out on a speed goat.
Just a thought.
remingtonman_25_06
Handloader
- Nov 17, 2005
- 2,807
- 402
If it was me, I'd replace the 25-06 with another 25-06. You'll regret it later if you dont...
Since it sounds like 99% of your hunting is lope/deer with the occasional elk, you dont need a magnum rifle of any sort. Any of the standard calibers will kill elk out to 300 yards with a good bullet put in the right place.
I'd look hard at replacing the 25-06, or a .260 rem shooting 130g AB's, or 7mm-08 shooting 140g AB's. Anything in 6.5mm or 7mm caliber have high BC's which leads to better performance over the long run.
I was in your same shoes a while ago and wanted something that would hammer deer, but wasn't a magnum, was fast and flat, between .25 and .28 caliber. So to be different I got a 25-06. I've ended up falling in love with the cartridge over the last 10 years and I'm now on my 4th one, it is a dam good round for its size. I"ve killed varmints to elk and black bear with mine at a fair distance with no qualms. Animals just simply die when hit with the good ol 25!!!
Since it sounds like 99% of your hunting is lope/deer with the occasional elk, you dont need a magnum rifle of any sort. Any of the standard calibers will kill elk out to 300 yards with a good bullet put in the right place.
I'd look hard at replacing the 25-06, or a .260 rem shooting 130g AB's, or 7mm-08 shooting 140g AB's. Anything in 6.5mm or 7mm caliber have high BC's which leads to better performance over the long run.
I was in your same shoes a while ago and wanted something that would hammer deer, but wasn't a magnum, was fast and flat, between .25 and .28 caliber. So to be different I got a 25-06. I've ended up falling in love with the cartridge over the last 10 years and I'm now on my 4th one, it is a dam good round for its size. I"ve killed varmints to elk and black bear with mine at a fair distance with no qualms. Animals just simply die when hit with the good ol 25!!!
taylorce1
Handloader
- Jun 3, 2007
- 1,080
- 0
jmad_81":2kfbnzjv said:
I love the .270 Win and think you would be hard pressed to find a rifle that will handle the game listed any better other than on paper. How ever to quote the OP:
That is why I never suggested the .270 Win or any thing like the .30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag as I didn't think he would consider them. Nor did it get into any true wildcat rounds as I didn't know if the OP reloaded or not. Now if you want to talk the merits of the .270 Win let me know!
remingtonman_25_06
Handloader
- Nov 17, 2005
- 2,807
- 402
Yah I woulda said 270 as well, but everybody and there dog has one, that and a 30-06. Thats why they were left out.
6.5-06 would be an awesome round, but you have to build it. Not sure if he wanted to go that route.
I should have mentioned the 280 rem. Not all that popular, but very deadly with those 7mm bullets.
6.5-06 would be an awesome round, but you have to build it. Not sure if he wanted to go that route.
I should have mentioned the 280 rem. Not all that popular, but very deadly with those 7mm bullets.
Should have read more carefully I guess. If building is an option the 6.5-06 would be pretty cool. If not I am really liking my wifes 7mm-08, and my local taxidermists wife has alot of heads on the wall taken with a 260. Both have some pretty high BC bullets.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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The 264 WM would be way cool, and it would work just fine for the type of hunting mladucer describes. There is nothing wrong with the 260, either.
- Thread starter
- #16
well ive been looking around and stopped in at a couple gun shops and spotted a .260 that i fell in love with. but to my disappointment its only in a catalog. and i do reload and have a fair knowledge of reloading like remington2506 said it was hard to part with my old gun. now i got it narrowed down the a 270 short or a .260. i dont think i want a belted mag just yet in the 264 win mag.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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I wouldn't think you will go wrong with either one. They are different cartridges, to be certain. The 270 WSM is easy to load for, but then, so is the 260. I have found both to be quit accurate in the rifles I have loaded for. Each will do you a good job for the type of hunting you envision.
remingtonman_25_06
Handloader
- Nov 17, 2005
- 2,807
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I myself am looking real hard at a 7mm-08 shooting 139g SST's, in a savage stevens for a truck gun and a back up "do all" rifle that I dont really care if it gets beat up. Only thing is, I just might like it so well that my 25-06 and 7 RM might feel left out!!!
I would also like to play with a 260 rem, but the stevens doesn't chamber it, bummer. Want to stay cheap on the rifle. Tikka is an option, but when it comes time to rebarrel, they are not the greatest. Ruger chambers them as well, but not to fond of rebarreling a Ruger either.
Both are nice and kill really well for there size because the 6.5 and 7mm line of bullets are so forgiving.
I would also like to play with a 260 rem, but the stevens doesn't chamber it, bummer. Want to stay cheap on the rifle. Tikka is an option, but when it comes time to rebarrel, they are not the greatest. Ruger chambers them as well, but not to fond of rebarreling a Ruger either.
Both are nice and kill really well for there size because the 6.5 and 7mm line of bullets are so forgiving.
cloverleaf
Handloader
- Sep 10, 2006
- 4,381
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Well- you know I'm gonna say a 250-3000 Sav. But even I would be leery of trying to take an elk w/ mine. That said I didnt see a 7mm-08. That might be a little light for Elk too but many have. CL
