My next rifle caliber?

As it sits I'm liking the 7mm08 and 6.5 Swede the best.
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I'd go 7mm-08, then:

1. Seems around here factory 7mm-08 ammo is more available than 6.5Swede.

2. Being a short action, your wife might find the 7mm-08 easier to cycle.

3. More rifle options available in 7mm-08.

4. Being based on the .308, a 7mm-08 can be re-barreled to any .308-derived cartridge if you or your wife eventually want something else, but otherwise love the rife.
 
Nothing at all wrong with wanting another rifle, IMO. I have 2 7-08's a model 7, barrel too short for your liking and a Ruger Hawkeye, that too has a shorter barrel than what your looking for. They are both great shooters and I do reload for it so the options for bullet weights is great. Get a 7-08 and enjoy, 1 can never have too many guns!
 
I've been shooting the Swede for a long time now, and it certainly fits the bill. For the reloader, there are lots of bullets available. I shoot everything from 85s to 160s in my Model 70. You will find a pretty limited selection of rifles, however. But once you find one (CZ?) it's great. That said, I have always thought that the 7-08 is about the optimum hunting round for the lower 48. Many say the same about the .270, so you're covered there. Find a 6.5x55, start working some loads, and you may find you have a new favorite.
 
You can't go wrong with the 7-08 but technically it doesn't fit your "smaller than .270" criteria.

I've never understood why a .25-08 never caught on in spite of several attempts. I've been pondering a wildcat for some time now...

Sure would be cool to have a .243, .25-08, 7-08 and .308.:D
 
Well guys I think I made up my mind...a Savage Model 16 TH/XP. Accutrigger, Nikon scope, and stainless for $550. That leaves the money I'd spend on a scope for an aftermarket stock and ammo...I HATE savage synthetic stocks. Now I need bullet suggestions lol
 
Well guys I think I made up my mind...a Savage Model 16 TH/XP. Accutrigger, Nikon scope, and stainless for $550. That leaves the money I'd spend on a scope for an aftermarket stock and ammo...I HATE savage synthetic stocks. Now I need bullet suggestions lol
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Great choice! Technically, a 7mm is larger than a .270(it's .284 IIRC), but i love the bullet. I like the 7mm Rem Mag, but I'm not sure Savage offers that Caliber for the model 16. If not, the 7mm-08 is a great choice.
 
Sorry guys I posted from my phone and skipped the caliber choice on accident. My caliber choice is...

.260 Remington!!! now all I need is bullet suggestions lol
 
Aah..I was going to say 7-08 for ammo availability. I love my 7-08 btw. Maybe 260 is easy to find in your parts. Congrats on the new rifle! let us know how it shoots.
 
I am glad you chose .260. Do not think you will ever regret that choice. 6.5 is an awesome medium to non dangerous class bullet.
 
I'd get some 123, 130 and 142. Shot them all over the same charge weight, about mid level for the 142s, and see where you are, then go from there.
 
Well I changed my mind again...just like a woman lol. But I've decided with the 7mm08. Ammo availability is much better for the 7mm08 and its even cheaper too. I figured with the SD of the .284 vs .264 bullets that at the ~2800 fps I planned on loading these to I'll have more energy and better performance on game. I'm looking at the 7mm 120gr NBT at ~2800fps how should that do. And that's also assuming I get acceptable accuracy.
 
In reality there is nothing 7x57 can do that you couldn't do with the 270 or 30-06 and there is nothing the 6.5X55 will do that you couldn't do with a 243
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I'd put 6.5x55 up there with 30-06 for doing pretty much the same job.

for nearly 100years it has been and still is the calibre for everything we hunt here in Sweden and that includes bears and now these last few years boars aswell

flat shooting, accurate and low recoil
 
CarJunkieLS1 said:
Well I changed my mind again...just like a woman lol. But I've decided with the 7mm08. Ammo availability is much better for the 7mm08 and its even cheaper too. I figured with the SD of the .284 vs .264 bullets that at the ~2800 fps I planned on loading these to I'll have more energy and better performance on game. I'm looking at the 7mm 120gr NBT at ~2800fps how should that do. And that's also assuming I get acceptable accuracy.
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I'm sure those bullets will work just fine. It's never been my cup of tea to run a cartridge at "idle speed" but no saying you have to do what I'd do. ;)

If I wanted 2,800 it'd be because I was doing it with 150/160gr in 7-08. Those 120s are for 3,100+. :)

QuickLoad thinks 2,800 is a rough place to be with those 120s. Pretty much every powder that gives a decent fill ratio is either way over pressure (85,000psi+) or very low pressure (44,000psi or less). Better pressure/fill rations at 2900.;)
 
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7-08...

Gives up very little to the .260/ 6.5 Creed in ballistics and has a bit better barrel life.

Better factory ammo selection than most others.
 
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