New rifle project, what to chamber in?

[Thebear_78]

I just picked up a winchester classic stainless action, stock, and barrel that a friend of mine didn't get around to building. It is a stainless winchster classic action, featherweight wood stock, and the original 270 win barrel. The action has been trued so the original barrel won't headspace anymore.

I didn't really need this but he needed money and it was a good deal. My biggest problem is that I dont' really have any holes in my current rifle collection. I have a pair of 22-250s, 280 rem, 308 win, 300 RUM, 9.3x62, 375 RUM, and 458 lott.

The short list I have been thinking about are 25/06, 25/06ai, 257 weatherby, 6.5/06, 280 AI, 30/06, and 358 norma. What ever I go with will be long action length and probably be a fluted #3 or #4 contour stainless barrel.

I'd like to be able to use it on game up to caribou and was thinking smaller because I have the heavy end of the spectrum pretty well covered.

Any other ideas?

 

[Oldtrader3]

How about a .257 Roberts? I have one and it is a ball to shoot, good accuracy and light recoil.

 

[gerry]

Looking at your list I would look at a 25-06 or maybe a 6.5-06 and it's heavier sleek bullets. Another one worth considering would be a 6.5/284, you could seat those bullets out far and have the advantage over the 6.5-06 with factory loads and properly head stamped brass.

 

[Anonymous]

You've got the 30s and up covered....you've got the 280. Any small bores are logically a SA cartridge...

I'd be thinking 6.5x55 or a .240Wby and use your existing bolt face.

The 6.5s have got me thinking lately...although leaving it a 270 isn't a bad deal either.

 

[Rigbymauser]

My philosophy is if you don't know what to do regarding a rifle project...you probably don't need it, because you have too many guns you never use.

However it it were me with that wardrobe, I would build a nice .270wea and sell the .308,280Rem. They would be of no use in my optics. Then you could abandon the idea of all the others.

 

[DrMike]

Delightful problem you are facing. I would surely like to find a good Classic Winchester Action and a quality Featherweight stock right about now to build an 8X68S. In your case, all that you name would be great to work with. The 25-06 might be of greater use for the purpose you envision, however. The 280AI and 280 are sufficiently close that you don't really gain much.

 

[JD338]

You need a quarter bore.
I would look at the 25-06 and the 25-06 AI

JD338

 

[Elkman]

I found my self in your situation a couple of years ago, I eventually sold the rifle to a member here. I do not own one, but the 6.5/06 is an intriguing cartridge. Components should be easy to find, recoil is modest and it kind of fills a niche you currently do not have filled.

 

[Guy Miner]

You've got the heavy-kicking end of the spectrum well covered.

And with the .280 you don't actually "need" any other hunting rifles.

But... She's a good looking Winchester Featherweight. I'd tend to go with something that has really mild recoil, yet is still useful in the hunting fields. Say a .25-06 or a 6.5-06, either way...

Light recoil. Flat trajectory. Can't ask for better results on game. Most here know how hung up I am on the .25-06, so I won't belabor that point. A .257 AI might be even more "cool" on a Model 70...

A fellow I know has a 6.5-06 that he uses for mule deer & coyote hunting. He's made some great, first-shot kills at Very Impressive ranges with that rifle. It's not a special heavy-barrel rig either, just a sporter-weight barrel.

So yeah, I'd be thinking .25 or .26 caliber for mild recoil, and excellent game-taking ability.

Guy

 

[.280 Remington]

I say a 6.5 of sorts. 55, 06, or 284

Mike

 

[velvetant]

I would go with the 6.5-06 first or the 25-06 second.
As much as I love my 25-284, my 6.5 Creedmoor with those high BC bullets makes it the first rifle i grab now.

 

[wildgene]

...25-06 or 6.5X284...

 

[Woodycreek]

6.5-280AI and PAC Nor has the reamer!

 

[Hegland]

Got to go with the others here... the 6.5-06 intrigues the heck out of me.

 

[Guy Miner]

I've got about 700 .257" bullets on hand. By the time they're gone, I suspect my factory .25-06 barrel will be toast. It's going to be a difficult choice between another .25-06 barrel or a 6.5-06 barrel at that point.

 

[bbearhntr]

Add me to the 6.5-06 list 8)

 

[ScreaminEagle]

You need a 243AI

 

[Horsethief]

A 257 Wby or any of the 6.5mm cousins would be good.

 

[SJB358]

Add me to the 6.5-06 list 8)

I think that is the coolest one for sure... Love them 6.5's

 

[35 Whelen]

If your not going to leave it a 270 W then it would be 25/06 all the way to the bank!