Rifle for a new hunter

[.280 Remington]

Thanks Fotis!

 

[Polaris]

What is the overall consensus on the 6.5x55 Swede?

The caliber is the 30-06 of scandinavia. Used on game up to moose. With the high SD and BC, the 140 grain quality bullets on the market will shoot flat and hit hard on game up to small elk. It is IMHO an ideal deer round. If I didn't already have a heavy mauser .280 I'd have one. With lighter bullets and mild loads it has negligible recoil. I shoot a military M96 in vintage rifle matches. Iron sights so my cheeks nice and close to the stock. Stock has the ergonomics of a 2X4. With 123gr match loads I can run back to back matches including 50 rounds fired from prone without feeling much recoil. There is a great selection of bullets and top quality Lapua or Norma brass is relatively inexpensive. Loaded with 6.5X55SE data in a modern bolt gun or mauser 98 build, it will match or exceed the flattest loads from a .270 win. Great caliber. Medium length action will make for a shorter bolt throw also. If you don't handload, you'll have to shoot Lapua or Norma ammo to get peak performance. They are spendy but top notch stuff.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I really like that Fotis, now you got me thinking about the stock on my Montana I have coming.

The other wants to wait and shoot my 7mm08 before we buy her a rifle.

What is the overall consensus on the 6.5x55 Swede?

My son stole my 6.5mmx55 even before I could take a deer with it. Then my grandson stole it from him!

 

[FOTIS]

Charlie, at least it is staying in the family.

 

[gerry]

My son stole my 6.5mmx55 even before I could take a deer with it. Then my grandson stole it from him!

Smart boys :mrgreen:

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have to keep them out of my gun safe!!!!

 

[roysclockgun]

A "pretty" rifle is the one she is holding in the photo, sitting next to bagged game!
My wife loves her Howa, with youth stock, in 7mm-08 using 120gr. Nosler Bal. Tips. So far: one white tail, one mule deer, one antelope and one hog. All one shot kills. She is ony 5'2" and launches the 120gr. Nosler at over 3000 FPS with very little felt recoil.
I hope that she finds what she wants.
Steven

 

[rquack]

I'll register my vote for the 7mm-08 using 120 Grain Nosler BT's. Even in my lightweight Model 7 bolt gun its recoil characteristics are negligible. The benefit in the 7mm-08 is that if/when she becomes used to the round and more comfortable shooting, it can be loaded up using the vast assortment of 7mm bullets that are available in the market to allow her to hunt larger game animals with you without necessitating the purchase of a larger caliber. But I've never found the need to upsize; I hunt mostly whitetails in Michigan. This is a devastating bullet. Good penetration out to 200 yards [and probably a bit beyond], and single shot kills every time with very little tracking when the shots are place properly. A poorly placed shot will result in a longer tracking job but I haven't lost a deer yet that was shot with this bullet. As a sidebar: My friend has a son that loads them for deer and coyotes. They are very effective medicine for coyotes. Several of his more experienced coyote hunting buddies have surrendered their varmint guns and purchased 7mm-08's after watching young John deliver the mail at 200 yards and beyond.