Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rifle caliber not 6.5

Without a doubt, 270

Just Shirley Temples and the like for me....Doc says the hard stuff is bad for my anger management...

You're right, my bad. Apologies to JeffO for dumbing him down....

You wanna add some useful, "creditable" bullshchit to the OPs question, or take up bandwidth like you always do? Made any ridiculous low ball offers today, or prove your reading comprehension rivals a 3rd graders?

As far as my level of use with the .223 or .308.... I wouldn't let your hippopatumus mouth and assumptions overrun your little hummingbird arse.

Kind of depends on what you're trying to end up with. The 300 wsm would cover everything already.

I re-barreled my 270 win to a 280ai. Mainly because I got board with the 270. I wanted to push heavier bullets out to longer ranges. The 280ai will give you a good 800 yards of workable ballistics for big game.

The 270 is a sweetheart though. 140 grain Nosler AB, and it never failed me. Easy to shoot. Easy to find ammo/components.

280, leave the AI off. powdr

To the OP,

There's a pretty strong case for the 6.5 Creedmoor as a do all cartridge. This place is full of threads discussing its merits.

Not sure there are varmint loads in 6.5, that's why I included the 6 Creedmoor in my original response. With bullets from 55 grains to 108+, it covers a pretty broad spectrum if you reload.

I don't have either at the moment (I had a 6.5 creed).

I do have a 243 AI, and use the 70 grain Hornady (out of production) to shoot varmints and fireform cases. The Hornady 105 BTHP or AMAX for deer and larger.

However, there's a lot to be said for factory ammo and not having to fireform cases.

Dave is good people go easy bro.

I'd take any of the first three mentioned over a Creed as an all around BG cartridge. JMHO.

Over the years I've taken varmints with calibers from .22 to .375. For a few years I had a choice of 22LR or my 7mm RM. The RM worked fine for p-dogs and coyotes - good practice for the main event in November.

Any of the three you list will work, as will a .30-06. Although a 7mm RM fan, you already have magnums so I'd suggest a non-magnum for easier shooting -- .270, .280 (non AI) or .30-06.

Personally, I think about any battery without a .30-06 is incomplete. My first was a serendipitous event but now I have 4 in the safe. Hard to argue with their utility.

This is a pretty typical campfire thread. Name calling, and the suggestion the EXACT caliber he didn't want to hear about (when a guy titles a thread "Rifle caliber not 6.5" that's kind of a clue). I'm pretty sure he didn't ask about the 308 either, even though a few here know I think it's a fine one.

270 with 90 grain HP makes a fine killer of varmints for occasional shooting. Of the 3 listed I'd go 270.

If he was asking about only those cartridges, he answered his own question by presenting the Kimber or Tikka as the preferred platforms.

I've never seen anyone shooting varmints with a 7 mag, or a 280 AI, and only once with a 270. Not volume shooting anyway.

I think the 6 Creed is a credible answer.

In a Montana the 270.

Here's what a 270 Win Montana loaded with a 150 NP will do:

Hmmm.... So suggesting a 6.5 Creed is credible when he didn't want a suggestion of anything 6.5. That's some pretty in-credible thinking.

As to not using Magnums on varmints, my friend Dober has shot out two 340 Wby barrels shooting rock chucks.

The 270 is the obvious answer since that's on his list and he already has other magnums. Even Elmer Keith said it's a "damned adequate" coyote gun.

Tikka in 270

Reading Comphrension 101.... Screws a few folks up....

The OP wanted a suggestion from varmints up to moose. You going to shoot a moose with a 6CM over the 3 chamberings listed DW? Spare me the ballistic blah blah gack.... A simple yes or no will suffice...

He did say "do all caliber whitetail varmint elk moose!"

That screams .308!

Only problem is, a good .308 can lead a man to getting rid of other rifles in the collection...

I don't believe in selling or trading rifles.

Josh,

There's at least 4 listed (280ai, 270 win, 7Rm, Maybe 06) so its reasonable to think he's shopping for cartridges.

Brad,

Read what I said. I used the 6.5 Creed to introduce the 6mm Creed, which covers all these bases.


Josh again,

Would I shoot a moose with a 6mm Creed? Absolutely. Moose are pretty easy to kill, they're just big and people misinterpret that as hard to kill. They are not.

Saw plenty shot with a 257 Roberts using cup and core bullets. The 6mm Creed comes loaded with premium bullets, which would make it even better.

Looks like winter and cabin fever is setting in on all the forums. I think we all need to take this weekend and go coyote hunting so we're in a perkier mood next week...:)

Let's just say it is possible to stay within the OP's original question and he really only wants to invest in one rifle right now (yeah, right). Of the three he lists, the 7RM is just too much blast for serious varmint hunting, although anything will work for varmints in a pinch. It would be fine for Elk and Moose, however.
The 280AI is pretty much a wash with the 7Mag. Same bullets, just a bit less velocity and therefore range. Can be had in a standard bolt face and length action of any persuasion. Don't know if Speer still makes them but I used to shoot 115 hollow points in my 7 Mag just for kicks and it was a kick ass varmint round. Would be just as good in the 280AI. Not a deer round, though, even though I killed a couple with those bullets.
The 270 covers all the bases he is wanting with a bit less fuss and blast. Bullets from 75 grain up to 150 grain. Plenty of power for varmints up to Elk and Moose at reasonable ranges (define that how you will) and no fire forming required. Easy to find components for and tons of factory ammo options for just about any need (except for possibly varmints, which you would need to handload).

Of the three, I would have to flip a coin between the 280AI and 270, depending on where and how you hunt and the ranges involved. Open country, long shots, the extra range of the 280AI. More mixed country, short to medium range shooting with more coyote killing involved and availability of factory fodder being important, the .270 wins hands down.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled arguments....

Bob