My center fire rifles are with .223 or 30-06. Time to add a mid-caliber to the stable for hunting deer (both types), and hopefully pronghorn, and sheep/goats in the future. I live in Idaho.
Thoughts include .257 Roberts in a Kimber Montana; .260 REM or 6.5 Creedmore in Savage Lightweight hunter; a new Model 70 in .257 Roberts, or even a CZ 550 in 6.5 Swede.
Concerns: 1. Weight of rifle, lower would be better and the Kimber is slightly over 5lbs, the Savage 5.5 lbs, the Model 70 about 7 lbs, and the CZ 7.6 lbs. 2. General accuracy of the rifle with factory ammo. I am satisfied with MOA or close to it. I don't need a tack driver but have heard that Kimbers are not consistent. 3. Availability of ammo. I see that the best choice based on its use Globally would be the 6.5 Swede. The 6.5 Creedmore is only loaded by Hornady. They are really pushing this round as they offer lots of variants and have temporarily suspended production of the .257 Roberts. The .260 is supplied by Remington and Federal, primarily. The .257 Roberts is quite limited now, outside of Remington, I can only find high priced Nosler custom stuff.
I am looking to spend between $800 to $1200 for just the rifle.
Thanks,
Thoughts include .257 Roberts in a Kimber Montana; .260 REM or 6.5 Creedmore in Savage Lightweight hunter; a new Model 70 in .257 Roberts, or even a CZ 550 in 6.5 Swede.
Concerns: 1. Weight of rifle, lower would be better and the Kimber is slightly over 5lbs, the Savage 5.5 lbs, the Model 70 about 7 lbs, and the CZ 7.6 lbs. 2. General accuracy of the rifle with factory ammo. I am satisfied with MOA or close to it. I don't need a tack driver but have heard that Kimbers are not consistent. 3. Availability of ammo. I see that the best choice based on its use Globally would be the 6.5 Swede. The 6.5 Creedmore is only loaded by Hornady. They are really pushing this round as they offer lots of variants and have temporarily suspended production of the .257 Roberts. The .260 is supplied by Remington and Federal, primarily. The .257 Roberts is quite limited now, outside of Remington, I can only find high priced Nosler custom stuff.
I am looking to spend between $800 to $1200 for just the rifle.
Thanks,