caliber choice: 6.5×55, .308, 30-06, 7mm or what?
Question:
#Hi, #As a newbie to the sport of hunting I would appreciate some advice about #my rifle/caliber choice. Actually I have more or less decided on buying a #Sako 75 rife. This is based on reviews, some advices and actually handling #of the rifle in the shop (nice!). However, now it’s time to choose #caliber. I expect to hunt roedeer, moose (european species) and perhaps #wild boar. #I have considered 6.5×55 (swedish mauser), .308W and 30-06. Some people #have suggested a 7mm caliber (there are several?) as versatile choice if I #want to load myself (I might). Anyone of these caliber’s will work wonderfully for deer. However if you want to shoot moose the 6.5×55 may be a little light, if you are planning on shooting alot of moose I would consider getting something even more powerful such as the 7mm Mag or 300 Win Mag. If you decide to load yourself, which I highly recommend, you could load them down to 30-06 levels if desired for deer. By the way for deer the 6.5×55 is my favorite. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
If you don’t reload your own rounds, then I would suggest the .308 or 30-06. I would favor the .308 in most situations because of it being short action which I prefer in a bolt action. You can find .308 or 30-06 cartridges almost any where in North America. If you reload and can handle a little extra recoil then I would suggest the Rem. 7mm Mag. You can tailor your loads to most hunting situations found in North America. It is long action but very versatile to the reloader. Hope this helped. Bill Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
I think the 6.5×55 is a fine caliber but a little small for moose, so I would opt for something larger. If I were hunting in North America I would pick a 30/06 for two reasons: (1) It’s versatile enough for everything on the continent. (2) If your gear bag falls in the lake and you loose all your handloads, you can still buy or borrow ammo almost anywhere. If I were going to do most of my hunting in Europe, I would look for some caliber which is similiarly popular there. I know the 7×57 Mauser is a great gun as I used to own one in a Ruger 77. I expect there are many others from which to choose. For me, the gun itself has to be accurate. Then, the most important thing is not what caliber I shoot, but how confident I am with it, and that confidence is built by practice, practice, and even more practice until shooting and hitting where I aim is second nature. Three more things to consider: (1) recoil–I’ve hunted for more than 40 years and I’m still a wimp when it comes to recoil. if I shoot a rifle that slams my shoulder and crosses my eyes everytime I pull the trigger, I start to become afraid of shooting, and my marksmanship (and confidence) suffers. That’s why I’ve never been terribly comfortable with magnums. (2)Ear Protection–I wish someone had told me about hearing loss when I was a newcomer to guns. Now I have a constant ringing in my ears from all the practice shooting I did as a kid. So wear earmuffs, or plugs. (3)Bullets–I always try to match the bullet to the species I hunt. A bullet designed for a moose will likely dart right through a roebuck without expanding at all. The first time I shot a whitetail buck with the wrong bullet, I ended up spending two hours following the sparsest of blood trails. The right bullet (a soft point that expanded easily) and that deer would have fallen in his tracks–much less suffering for him, and much easier for me. Whatever you pick, I wish you the best. Safe shooting, Rob Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
Hans, Welcome to this great sport! The Sako is an excellent choice in rifles. As for caliber’s, if you are new to hunting and shooting, you probably want good all around gun that won’t "Thump" you too much. In my experience, the .30-06 is your best bet. While the 7mm Remington is a great caliber, it is very, very overrated. The 7mm Rem is a flat shooter, and is accurate straight out of the box, but if you plan to hand load your ammo, the .30-06 can be set up to shoot just as accurate, if not more accurate than the 7mm Rem. I own a .30-06 that consistently shoots 1/4 inch groups at 100 yds. However, if you do decide to go with at 7mm, the 7mm STW is the way too go. Basically, it is a 8mm Remington Magnum necked down to fit a 7mm bullet. It is very fast, very accurate, and is the most powerful of the 7mm calibered rounds. I don’t know if Sako is making a 7mm STW or not. But Remington is, and it’s a good rifle. I have a 7mm STW that was made custom. I had to have it built, because at the time, only Winchester was building rifles chambered in 7mm STW, and they were a bit expensive. Good luck!!! Chris Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
The .308 and the 30-06 will both be excellent for hunting. However, if you want to do a lot of target shooting, I would recommend going to the 7mm-08. It can do almost anything the .308 can do, but can be easier on your shoulder for target shooting and practicing. Steve Danaher Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
Hans, the .300 win mag is a favorite of mine. They are veristile. The lighter bullets are great for long flat shooting. The heavier bullets are enough for a large moose. You didn’t list the .300 win mag as an option. But, it has been my favorite. Good luck. Any rifle works well, when the shooter places their shots well. Kirk Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
#Hi,As a newbie to the sport of hunting I would appreciate some advice aboutmy #rifle/caliber choice. Actually I have more or less decided on buying aSako 75 #rife. This is based on reviews, some advices and actually handlingof the #rifle in the shop (nice!). However, now it’s time to choosecaliber. I expect #to hunt roedeer, moose (european species) and perhapswild boar.I have #considered 6.5×55 (swedish mauser), .308W and 30-06. Some peoplehave #suggested a 7mm caliber (there are several?) as versatile choice if Iwant to #load myself (I might).BTW, I will very likely enjoy target/precision #shooting Hans, You cannot go wrong choosing your "National Cartridge" the 6.5 x 55 mm Swedish Mauser. It is entirely adequate for anything up to our elk, so certainly it is fine for your elg. Additionall, it is a superbly accurate cartridge with good selection of bullets for target shooting. You will find nothing to prefer in the other cartridges mentioned for the game you are seeking. You will be most pleased with the medium slow powders such as VV160, RL 19, IMR 4350. It is a tractable cartridge, adaptable to a given powder with a wide range of bullet weights. For instance, these powders will give near maximum velocities with bullets from 120 to 160 gr. In my brothers military rifle with 22" bbl, loads with 100 gr bullets at 3125 fps are achievable. Likewise, 120 gr at 2950, and 140 gr at 2850 is his standard hunting load. These are with RL19. Note, these are safe in his rifle, and were carefully approached. YMMV Good luck in your hunting. Cheers/ Donald Carron, Preserve endangered species; collect a complete set Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
I would look at the availability of different loads for different situations and game. I think the 30-06 has the widest range of loads and bullet types available.
#Hi, #As a newbie to the sport of hunting I would appreciate some advice about #my rifle/caliber choice. Actually I have more or less decided on buying a #Sako 75 rife. This is based on reviews, some advices and actually handling #of the rifle in the shop (nice!). However, now it’s time to choose #caliber. I expect to hunt roedeer, moose (european species) and perhaps #wild boar. #I have considered 6.5×55 (swedish mauser), .308W and 30-06. Some people #have suggested a 7mm caliber (there are several?) as versatile choice if I #want to load myself (I might). #BTW, I will very likely enjoy target/precision shooting also (I was a #happy air-gun shooter in my not-so-distant youth). #Comments on choice of rifle and caliber appreciated. Esp. caliber as I #have little knowledge on the properties of different calibers. #TIA, # #/Hans Engkvist # To reply, make the necessary changes in my e-mail address. # #Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: # http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ # #To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING # Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
.30-06 will be the most versatile overall. Even without reloading a wide range of bullet/load combos available. Brass is readily available most everywhere and bullets range from 100plinkers to 250gr round noses. Any of the calibers you mention will probably suit your needs but my vote is for the ‘06. #my rifle/caliber choice. Actually I have more or less decided on buying a #Sako 75 rife. This is based on reviews, some advices and actually handling #want to load myself (I might). Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
Hi, As a newbie to the sport of hunting I would appreciate some advice about my rifle/caliber choice. Actually I have more or less decided on buying a Sako 75 rife. This is based on reviews, some advices and actually handling of the rifle in the shop (nice!). However, now it’s time to choose caliber. I expect to hunt roedeer, moose (european species) and perhaps wild boar. I have considered 6.5×55 (swedish mauser), .308W and 30-06. Some people have suggested a 7mm caliber (there are several?) as versatile choice if I want to load myself (I might). BTW, I will very likely enjoy target/precision shooting also (I was a happy air-gun shooter in my not-so-distant youth). Comments on choice of rifle and caliber appreciated. Esp. caliber as I have little knowledge on the properties of different calibers. TIA, /Hans Engkvist To reply, make the necessary changes in my e-mail address. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
#Hi,As a newbie to the sport of hunting I would appreciate some advice aboutmy #rifle/caliber choice. Actually I have more or less decided on buying aSako 75 #rife. This is based on reviews, some advices and actually handlingof the #rifle in the shop (nice!). However, now it’s time to choosecaliber. I expect #to hunt roedeer, moose (european species) and perhapswild boar.I have #considered 6.5×55 (swedish mauser), .308W and 30-06. Some peoplehave #suggested a 7mm caliber (there are several?) as versatile choice if Iwant to #load myself (I might).BTW, I will very likely enjoy target/precision #shooting Hans, You cannot go wrong choosing your "National Cartridge" the 6.5 x 55 mm Swedish Mauser. It is entirely adequate for anything up to our elk, so certainly it is fine for your elg. Additionall, it is a superbly accurate cartridge with good selection of bullets for target shooting. You will find nothing to prefer in the other cartridges mentioned for the game you are seeking. You will be most pleased with the medium slow powders such as VV160, RL 19, IMR 4350. It is a tractable cartridge, adaptable to a given powder with a wide range of bullet weights. For instance, these powders will give near maximum velocities with bullets from 120 to 160 gr. In my brothers military rifle with 22" bbl, loads with 100 gr bullets at 3125 fps are achievable. Likewise, 120 gr at 2950, and 140 gr at 2850 is his standard hunting load. These are with RL19. Note, these are safe in his rifle, and were carefully approached. YMMV Good luck in your hunting. Cheers/ Donald Carron, Preserve endangered species; collect a complete set Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
# Actually I have more or less decided on buying a # Sako 75 rife. This is based on reviews, some advices and actually handling # of the rifle in the shop (nice!). However, now it’s time to choose # caliber. I expect to hunt roedeer, moose (european species) and perhaps # wild boar. # I have considered 6.5×55 (swedish mauser), .308W and 30-06. Some people # have suggested a 7mm caliber (there are several?) as versatile choice if I # want to load myself (I might). # BTW, I will very likely enjoy target/precision shooting also (I was a # happy air-gun shooter in my not-so-distant youth). # Comments on choice of rifle and caliber appreciated. Esp. caliber as I # have little knowledge on the properties of different calibers. Any of the rounds you described will do nicely for the game you’re after. I have hunted successfully with the .308 and .30′06 (and .243, .45 Colt, and .44 Magnum) and hope to build a .260 Remington, which duplicates the 6.5×55 in most ways, one of these years. Forced to choose I’d pick the .30′06. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
Response:
#… All of these calibers will work equally well. The only questions you need to ask are: What ammunition is easily available here and out in the backcountry where I will be hunting? You won’t be happy if you get an exotic caliber and forget your ammunition (What do you mean you don’t have .300 whisper, .265 pterodactyl, …? at the little country store) What is available locally that is inexpensive so I can practice a lot? Here in the states, .308 is popular because of the amount of military surplus ammunition on the market. In Sweden, it might be the 6.5X55. What does everybody else use? If many people use it, it is probable that there are a lot of different loads for the gun, so you can use it for more things. Good Luck. — Karl Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ To leave the Hunting listserv list, send a message with SIGNOFF HUNTING
