Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Nula chambering options

A question for the guys who have handled and shot a bunch of these, what would be a good all rounder chambering in a model 20 Nula? Anything from coyotes to moose, factory ammo isn't an issue as I reload, but brass is. Deer will be the primary target, followed by coyotes, with a possible elk or moose. I have other cartridges when targeting elk and moose, it would be more out of a "chance meeting" that it would be used for them. Shot range would be 20yds-600yds.

I've got a few cartridges in mind, none of which I currently own so I don't have an intimate knowledge of any of them. 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 rem, 260ai, 6.5x264 Norma, 7mm-08, 7mm-08ai, and 284 win.

I like the 284 win but I'm not into the brass work involved in resizing and finding factory brass is like winning the lotto. The 6.5 Creedmoor and standard 260 and 7mm-08 seem like the most logical choices, but added performance of the AI versions and the 6.5x284 are tempting, however I've read that it might not be worth getting the 6.5x284 in a model 20.

So with this info I'm hoping to get a little direction on which way to go with this build.

I'd roll with the 6.5 Creedmoor!!

Because the mag box is a tad over 3 inches, I would go 260 or 7mm-08.

I have a model 20 in 284 and I had no issues finding brass, I bought Norma brass here: https://www.bullets.com/products/-284-Winchester-Brass-Cases-100-Count/BL11927 and it will last a very long time, but I also have necked up 6.5x284, it very easy, just a pass through the 284 sizing die.

I went with a 260 Remington.

My rifle should be done soon.

I'd go with the 7-08 or .260. As lhead pointed out, the mag box length negates the advantage of the creedmoor, since you won't be shooting factory ammo.

I got the .260 but like you I have other rifles I'd use for big stuff (if I ever get a moose tag). Not that the .260 wouldn't work.

So if it'll be used mostly for deer & coyotes, to me that points to a .260. Or even a .243.

no real purpose in the 6.5 Creedmoor as long as the 260 Rem exist

With that mag box length, I'd get a 260 AI w/ a 1-8 barrel. Brass can be formed from any 308 case or you can just order Lapua 260 brass.

.284 Winchester, the original cartridge the Model 20 was designed around.

+1

Yep, and brass isn't a surmountable issue.

What is the reason for picking the 260ai over the 7mm-08?

In my head I've got it between the 260 rem and the 7mm-08 for the simplicity of it, I've been trying to talk myself out of the 260ai but truth be told, the 260ai definitely holds a cool factor over the others imo. Not to mention it would be a neat addition to my model 24 280ai.

308 winchester...great brass available, great loaded ammo available

As I see it, the 260 is a reloading proposition since there isn't a lot of quality factory ammo for it. Since you're going to be reloading, you might as well AI it.

I love the 7-08 but think the new high BC 6.5 bullets rate a build.

Since you have a 280ai, the 260 and 708 would be redundant. Why not go 22-250 with a fast twist barrel to shoot 22 cal heavies? Would be fine for anything through mule deer, you can shoot bigger stuff with the 280.

I should have also mentioned I'm hunting Alberta, 23cal or bigger to hunt big game. I want a short action with shorter barrel than my model 24, it's more about the rifle than the cartridge, but the cartridge has to fit a short action and preferably a 22" barrel.

Is that specifically with respect to a 3" magazine NULA, or is that a general statement?

What about an 8-twist .243, 6mm Rem, or 6-.284?

there is plenty of good 260 ammo out there and with the 3 inch magazine the difference between the 6.5 creedmoor and the 260 when shooting longer bullets is very darn little with the velocity advantage going to the 260

I'd be just as happy with the 7-08AI. With a 3.00"+ mag, you have room to load the best .264" and .284" bullets, and seat them out to the throat without encroaching on powder space. There are awesome bullets made for both. Hornady has the 147 ELD in .264" and the 180 ELD in 7mm, in addition to there being a number of other excellent offerings from Barnes and others. I'd be thinking about bullet availability in our AO as the biggest differentiating factor.

I have a pile of 284 bullets, Barnes LRX, Nosler LRAB, and Hornady ELD-X bullets not to mention a bunch of the regular 120gr and 140gr TTSX, Accubond's, SST's, BST's, Partitions and probably a few from Speer for my 280's, I haven't even looked for any 6.5's since I briefly owned a 260rem a few years back. I only owned that rifle for a couple months before I sold it though, so I didn't get a real feel for the caliber as far as availability of components was concerned.