Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which Chambering?

I'm going to buy another rifle to hunt with this Fall ( I certainly don't need one, but you know how that goes). I have a few chamberings not currently in the safe, and I can't make up my mind which to add, so I figured who better to make up my mind for me than a bunch of rifle loonies sitting around the Fire? I most commonly hunt varmints, deer and Black bear, but also hogs, exotics, and an occasional foray for an elk (probably will take a 270 or 06). Deer being what I hunt the most.

I have reloaded for close to 20 years and I use a chronograph, so loading for older cartridges that are not commonly listed in manuals is not a huge hurdle. With all that said, here is the list I am trying to choose from. The one most recommended in this thread is the chambering I will purchase a rifle for and use, at least on a few hunts, this Fall:

7mm Mauser (7x57)
6.5 Swede
6.5 Creedmoor (I have a 260 rem)
250 Savage (careful with elk)
257 Bob (should have kept my last one) and (careful with elk)
7mm-08 (never owned one)
300 savage (gotta be a 99?)

What say ye?

7mm08

^This.

Gotta agree!

7mm-08

7mm-08

260

In that order.

Not much nostalgia around the fire tonight...

Shouldn't be too tough to find a rifle in 7-08.

7mm-08 would be my pick. I don't own one but my brother does. I've shot it and would love to own one. A real pleasure to shoot and easy to reload, as are most '08's

The rifle action/style you choose would have a lot to do with what I'd pick. If you're looking to use a short I'd go 7-08 hands down. Look at the numbers on that cartridge; it sells itself.

The 257 Rob is a favorite of mine and would work on a short action too.

If you're doing an intermediate length Mauser action I'd go 257 Rob, 6.5x55 or 7x57.

I was leaning toward the 7x57 or the Bob personally. Short action is good, but an M48 might could be found...
I have a M70 Featherweight in 270, and would not mind a mate in 7x57...

Looks like the 7-08 is in the lead... EASY to come up with that one.

7x57 Mauser,the name just rolls off the tongue and brings up images of Jack & Eleanor O'Conner,W.D.M. Bell,the Boer War,Spanish-American War etc...

What does the 7-08 bring to mind not much.

If I had ONE Winchester Model 70, it would be the Featherweight in 6.5x55 Swede.
Since you already have one in .270 Win., the quintessential Winchester cartridge...you're fixed there.

NEW rifle and cartridge?
Oh, brother!?
I don't know what your rifle brand of preference is, but in the 7mm-08 Remington, I'd look for a Model Seven in that cartridge.

Nice, short rifle in a nice, short cartridge with the slight ballistic and less-recoil advantages of a .284 vs. a .30.
Maybe even a lever-action Browning in that chambering...for something 'different'.

Good luck...LOONIE!

Ahhh... a romantic has arrived. Where's Ingwe?

I'd stop wasting $$ on rifles and fill some tags. 7-08 aint going to give you a whole lot compared to your 260. 120's same/same 162's /140's same/same....

I guess I'm a bit out-of-step with the fire tonight. The 7mm-08 is a good round, but I would choose the "traditional" 7x57 with the same ballistics and more "romance".

The .250-3000 or .300 Savage in the Model 99 would be my first choice.....more because of the rifle than the caliber (although both are great rounds). Harder to find in the Model 99 is another possibility (even though not listed).....the .358. Great for deer/hogs/bear and good for elk at reasonable ranges.

Yes sir; here ya go!

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8566201/1

If you already have a 270 Win but are leaning toward an intermediate Mauser my choice would be Bob for sure.

Here is what I did w/ my 24/48 Yugo Bob:

Save romance for the women.

Wasting $$ on rifles? Did you say WASTING MONEY ON RIFLES?



I'm fortunate enough to hunt 3 states each year in multiple locations and take a trip further North or West or South each year to boot, so I will punch a tag or two. I'm not financially wealthy or bragging... I just like rifles! I punch paper once a week on average. Like many around the fire, I'm a Loonie!

See?

I also vote for the 7x57..

7X57, 6.5X55, AND 257 Roberts. All three!

SUPER loonie.

One vote per citizen, please.

Well, we're still on the first page.
Didja make yer mind up? Didja? Didja?!

250-3000 in a strong bolt short action. Make sure you have a twist rate that allows you to use 120g bullets for your deer.

Just so well balanced.

Yep . . . gotta love short action performance in a long action round

7mm08.... what's not to like!

You must have a magnum sighted in and ready for that long shot!

A rifle that will reach out there! Of course the 270 and 30-06 will shoot far but a magnum will go further.

Another idea is a target rifle. I have shot in competition all year around. More shots fired than hunting.

Check with the NRA for events near where you live and there are also postal matches.

http://compete.nra.org

7mm-08

...but dead deer...

7-08

Another for the 7x57. Just a great cartridge. 1-9 twist and you are ready for just about everything you had mentioned. I have a 7-08 as well, but the 7x57 gets more field time!

I have often found myself yearning for a new chambering for no particular reason. I built myself a 7mm-08, on a Turkish Mauser, just because I liked the concept (this was when the 7mm-08 first came out). I liked the rifle. It shot great, functioned great, and was a very practical hunting rifle in all respects. So I changed it. It became a 6mm Remington, a 260, a 308 and today, it is chambered for the 8x57; just as it was in the beginning.
I like the 6.5x55 so I've had a few and presently have a fairly nice Mauser in that chambering. Given that I have the 6.5x55, one has to wonder why on earth I am in the middle of building a 256 Newton.
Anyway, I think you should go for a 7x57. GD

While I fully understand requesting recommendations and considering them in the selection process, I fail to understand purchasing a rifle based solely on whatever gets the most recommendations.

My .257 Roberts is my favorite rifle and is a great dual-purpose varmint/big game cartridge. I load it with 75g V-MAX for prairie poodles and coyotes and 120g A-Frames for deer and elk. For antelope it gets 100g TTSX or 110g AccuBond. The Roberts is a better choice for handloaders than those that don�t, due to a rather limited selection of factory ammo. That said, and even as a handloader, I would probably look for a .260 Rem if purchasing a rifle with similar capabilities today.

A Savage 99 has long been on my want list but I can�t seem to find one in good shape that is in a price range I�m willing to pay. When I do, it will be chambered for .308 Win rather than the .300 Savage.

You already have a .260 Rem and none of the cartridges you list adds much if any real capability, so let me suggest some alternatives:

1. .30-30 lever
If you don�t already have one, why not? Nothing beats a lever gun for sheer fun and the .30-30 will do most jobs and is easy on the shoulder.

2. .375 Win lever
Somewhat hard to find but a fun gun. Mine has only taken antelope but I�ve hunted elk with it. Not a long range cartridge but a thumper and great for close range (woods, heavy brush, etc.) work. A 220g Hornady at 2230fps will do for deer out to 250-300 yards.

3. .45-70 lever
Awesome fun, from �mild to wild�. I load mine with 13.5g HS6 and 300 and 350g hardcast for 1167fps and 1097fps respectively. Last time I checked, a box of 20 was costing me about $2.50. My girls love this load, as do I. On the other extreme I have my �Rhino Blaster� loads, 460g hardcast at 1812fps. Brutal on both ends. For more mundane hunting, 300-350g jacketed at around 2100-2200fps. Took a 6x6 bull elk at 213 lasered yards with a 350g North Fork. The bull stood for a few seconds, then tipped over. I�d reach out to 300 yards (-22�) with this load but after that the trajectory becomes a significant issue. Over the years I�ve worked up more loads for the .45-70 than any other rifle.

4. .338 Federal
Don�t have one but find it an interesting cartridge. Would love to have one in a compact, lightweight rifle. Seems like it would be a great choice for deer, bear and hogs, even elk at ranges I�ve taken most of mine.

Sweet Jesus, it's a hunting rifle, not a masturbatory fantasy. You boys with all your romance with rifles need to find something better to rub your dicks on.

Is that what people are referring to when they say "nice wood?"

First blush: 7mm-08

More importantly, I'd be considering the rifle itself. Regarding "holes" in your lineup, what are you lacking? Do you have an all-weather hard use rifle? Do you have a short/handy carbine? Does a pretty walnut "beauty queen" appeal to you?

I think it's fine to have some overlap concerning chamberings/calibers, especially when the rifles are notably different and fill different roles. Two of my father's favorite rifles are .308 bolt guns, but one is a heavy-ish tactical style rifle while the other is an 18.5" carbine.

I happen to like WOMEN and RIFLES!

BTW, I have both 7-08 and 7x57 and have a real hard time making a choice. I shoot 120 gr out of the 7-08, with a variable scope and 140 gr from the 7x57 with a 6x fixed scope. I pick up whichever I'm in the mood for that day.

donsm70

I didn't use to worry about components, but these days I'm glad I can make any brass I need from .308 or .30-06 brass. Almost anything I need, anyway.

Looks like the results so far are:

7-08 11 votes
7x57 7 votes
6.5x55 2 votes
257 Bob 2 votes
250-3K 1 vote

I wanted to start a thread on the Fire.



You've really confused things, dammit. I have most of those you mention, but I definitely agree with your Savage 99 thinking...

7x57 with a 160 gr bullet and then go kill deer or elk. Half the pleasure i get from hunting is from the rifle i'm using

I have a bunch of overlap from 22LR to 375 H&H. No holes. I have all-weather (stainless/synthetic/laminate or cerakote/synthetic/laminate) rigs in 338 Win Mag, 300 Winmag, 30-06, 270 win, 260 rem and 22LR.


Model 7 in 260 20", and a 30/30.



Absolutely. I have a Model 70 Featherweight Grade III in .270 win that is one of my favorites. Also 2 custom 300s, one on a 98 action and the other on a Model 70 action with nice wood. The Model 70 wood is especially nice. Also many other wood stocks on a Ruger 77, Ruger Safari Grade 375 (nice wood), Model 70 Sporter Varminter in 243 etc.

It'll be hard to pick based on how they kill deer. If you're looking to get people's shorts in a bunch, it looks like you should go with the 7x57!

I'll vote for the .300 Savage, just 'cause no one else has� yet.

Will you also be soliciting votes for the optic? THAT oughta be FUN!

FC

7mm-08



P

I like getting peoples shorts in a bunch.

Ehhhh. Not sure I want to commit to what will be voted on with the optics. I really don't want to leave that up to the 'Fire. Probably would end up with a Leupy, but I don't want to have a bunch of folks vote that I need a S&B 3-12 Klassic on this here rifle.

Cabelas has a super grade lightweight in 257 Roberts and 7x57. If I didn't have a kimber 257 I'd buy one.

If you can find an intermediate length action,6.5x55. But what I would really want would be a 6.5x55 improved.

And you probably don't need a S&B Klassik 3-12x56.The 2.5-10x40 Summit would be more suitable!

7-08's are dogs.


6.5x55 for the win.

Right now, the 7-08 is in the lead by a bit. The 6.5x55 has a way to go to catch up. A 6.5x55 in a CZ550/mannlicher?

Or a 7x57 in a CZ550 Mannlicher. I was delusional for a bit last evening and thinking about picking up a Tikka Forest in either 6.5 or .260. But between being threatened by Elk and the fact that I've slept since then, it looks like there's probably another 7x57 in my near future. It'll be number 4. I'm trying to field a basketball team.

So one more vote for 7x57, especially if you can get one with the 1:866 twist (which the CZ is, by the way).

Add another 7mm-08 fan here. In either the Tikka or a Weatherby S2 or a Savage of some sort.

You could also find an older 99 in 243 and have it re-bored to the 7mm-08! Kill two birds with one stone (and a pile of deer, elk, piggies etc):D ;D

I like the way you think, Rev.

I think when I get to the point of ordering my last one, I'll have ".275 Rigby" stamped on the barrel. That ought to throw a tear in the eyes of Ingwe and Elk.

Steelhead

Rev,I canceled the airline tickets to Florida.

The mm part.

.300 Savage in a 99 or bolt gun, it's the most different from your .260 on the list and can be had in a handy short action rifle, it's also the daddy of the .308, what's not to like?

My stepdad has a corncob 760 .300 Savage, pretty fun little rifle as well.

I'm gonna raise howls of derision, but to me the Savage Model 99 is the UGLIEST rifle ever, with the possible exception of the Ruger Gunsite...

I'd go with a 7-08 and plug some good 140's in it. Great medicine for anything I'd want to hunt.

To my way of thinking the 7mm-08 is the most practical cartridge going and makes the most sense for my type of hunting. I got into .270's and .30-06's years ago because they were the cool way to fly but after much contemplation, and the setting aside of romantic notions, I've come to the conclusion that the 7mm-08 would give me the best blend of everything I'm looking for and need.

.275 Rigby, 6.5 X 55 and .250-3000.. Win, Place, Show.... I have two 7mm-08 rifles and they are fine BUT as was said.. no history, no romance, they just work but then the others have worked for over or close to 100 years killing stuff (and as military arms). My latest two darlings are the former two and the 250 is in the vault awaiting a new upscale wood outfit

bobnob17's picture:

Er... Are you a RIFLE loonie or a CARTRIDGE loonie?
Seems like picking the cartridge then trying to find the rifle is backwards except in the case of the 300SAV where you picked the 99 already. Why not go forth and see what you can find in rifles in cartridges you want. OR you could even find the right rifle and rechamber. Or are you going to build from scratch anyway so then the cartridge comes first?
Anyway I would take any of your choices with the limitations you listed in a nice trim rifle, it would only depend on which rifle tickled my fancy.

looks like the 7-08 is leading over the 7x57, 14 to 9 with all others a ways back.

Excellent post. I am a rifle loonie, looking for a cartridge I do not currently have a rifle chambered in, to justify (in my feeble little mind) the purchase of another rifle. I think that's the backward thinking to explain the backwards approach...I think.

7x57 7x57 7x57 7x57 7x57 7x57 7x57

There the 7x57 is winning now.

And I should call an end to the voting!




Nah. I'm a man of my word. I will see if the thread is still alive tomorrow evening. If the 7-08 retains a healthy lead, that is the rifle chambering I buy... Maybe a Weatherby S2 sporter or another Featherweight. Maybe a Model 7 CDL.

Then I will probably need another excuse in a month or six. A 7x57 will be the choice with no voting. The Rev's suggestion of a MS has me thinking.

Gotcha.

Hey D N..... IF you insist I have a 700 dbm mtn on wood you might pry from my warm live fingers...... 7-08... it's a sweetie but not very romantic

Given that you have a 270, a 30/06,and a 260 already,you really don't need any of them

But since we are playing with wish lists, I would go with the 257 Roberts.

The 7mm's listed will be so similar to the 270 and the 260,you will never tell the difference.

A squib load in the 30/06 will do whatever you need from a 300 Savage.

The 260 will do what a Roberts will do and gives you the short action, high BC bullet case that seems popular today.

But the Roberts uses somewhat lighter bullets,works like a charm on varmints, and swats deer/ antelope sized game easily to 400 yards, as far as I have used it.And burns modest amounts of powder and long barrel life.

If you ever find it lacking you have the 260, 270, and 30/06 to choose from.

Good Gravy man, what has NEED got to do with buying guns???? What a buzz kill! Holy moly, more guys like that will ruin the whole danged economy!!! Keep America green, spend money! The more loonies around the fire the bigger the fire... I like warm.

I'm currently working up loads for a newly acquired CZ 550 FS in 7x57. So, I'd lean that way.

I just posted this on high velocity 7x57 loads in a strong action.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8807903/7x57_velocities#Post8807903

DF

1deernut
Rather than decide a cartridge and then go buy a rifle, what I would do is prowl the used gun stores in your area looking for something unique, like an old Remington model 141 or a Marlin lever action or a Savage 99 or a bunch of other interesting combinations.
To go buy another new rifle that overlaps what you already have is not going to buy you as much novelty.

Savage 99 chambered in 7-08, with a Leupold FX-II 2.5x20.

Old Doe: Excess rifles, hanging around,drives me nuts.

I will count that as a vote for the 7-08. grin.

I'm not super fond of the DBMs. I have one in Remington as well as a Tikka and a couple of Savages. I don't see them as an issue, but tend to prefer blind boxes or floor plates. With that said, I could be persuaded for the right deal. PM me if you like, and thanks!

I have to agree. I do, dearly love bolts. I would consider something else, however. A 141 in 35 Rem would be sweet.

You know, this might be a bit of fun if you want something short and quick.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=412014558

One more vote for the 7-08

Why, my mum says that I am actually quite handsome!

7-08 is one I personally want to try out. Saw a Marlin XS7 in my local pawn shop several days ago that tempted me, but I had just sent in all my money to the IRS!!!

Dadgummit Rev. I have to buy a 7mm-08 first it would appear. Can you float me loan for week 'er two?

7-08 varget and some 120 ttsx's nuff said.

Aw man, I was going to ask you!

Those 7mms are too widdle to kill anything. That's why I went with a .284!

But the .275 is magic!

Shot,there goes that idea.

Well, this thread is dying and the 7mm-08 seems to have won by a pretty good margin over the 7x57/7mm Mauser/257 Rigby. One of my favorites, the Bob was left behind with the 6.5x55.

So my quest for a rifle in 7-08 begins. If anyone has more suggestions in platform, post 'em up!

I will post a pic of the rifle in 7-08 when it is ready to hunt.

I just love the Fire.

Winchester makes a 7-08 Compact.

6.5 Swede. Old enough and still going strong!

Pick the rifle that really pulls your rope and then worry about the chambering. If that rifle is available in 7-08, you've scratched two itches for the price of one, kinda like marrying a world-class chef that really knows how to, .........well you know.

7-08 is just like the 308, except it shoots lighter bullets slower.

If forced to go 7-08, original BDL configured Mountain Rifle. I (sometimes regrettably) sold mine to my brother in law.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=412151770

6.5x55 Swede.