Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Help me pick the Caliber of my NULA....

Definitely want the Short Action Model 20....

I hunt whitetails locally here in Tennessee, but also go west for Mule Deer, Elk, and want to go on some Goat and Sheep hunts if I can stay in good enough shape....

I would like a caliber that can be used in all those situations....

I do handload, but have been known to buy premium ammo as well....

I understand the NULA Model 20 was developed around the .284 Winchester. The increased case capacity of the .284 Winchester is good for approx. 150 fps over the 7mm-08 on 140 grain bullets. Is giving up the abundance of brass and premium off-the-shelf ammo of the 7mm-08 worth the extra 150 fps of the .284??

The 7X57 is also a cartridge that will fit in the model 20....is it a worthy consideration??

Should I decide on one of the 6.5's.....Is the .260 Rem, 6.5 Swede, or the 6.5/284 the better choice???

I am open to all ideas and points of view.....The NULA would actually be the lightest if I chose the .308....Thoughts??

I placed my order this morning in 7mm-08, but have some time to change the caliber....

I would love to hear the thoughts of some folks that know more than me on the subject....

7-08 is the way to go.. Don't change it!

308 would be my choice....

7mm-08 is tough to argue with, for a Short action, except maybe the 7 WSM. I've bought a couple of obscure calibers in recent years, and brass is a headache. If you go with a caliber like a WSM, I'd buy enough brass to wear out a barrel.

FWIW, I found 6.5-284 brass is pretty easy to find, but the parent .284 - not. Guess you could always make .284's from 6.5-284

Just my take, but I wouldn't base the purchase of a NULA around factory ammo offerings. I'd be handloading from the get go and have yet to forget my ammo for a hunt yet. That said, I'd definitely be considering one of the rounds based off the 284 case, with the Original in probably 2nd place. So my order of preference would be:
6.5X284
284
260
7-08

A premium bullet of 140gr at 2900fps, of which the first two will easily do, will cover a lot of hunting bases.

Looks as if you prefer the 6.5's to the 7mm....and you feel there is a major or worthwhile increase in performance going to the 284 cartridge based offerings....can you expand on that??

I have 4 Nula's plus my son works there as a gunsmith....I prefer the model 20's also. My favorite is my .308 followed by the .260. I had a 6.5X.284 & it really needs a long action to get the best out of it and then you have re invented the .270
.284 is a good round also (If you hand load)
My son shoots a 7-08

Since elk are in the equation I would say .308, 7-08, & .284 if you hand load.

Lefty C

http://bullets.com/products/-284-Winchester-Brass-Cases-100-Count/BL11927

how much 284 brass do you need....norma quality at current 284 winchester brass prices...

It won't matter as much as you think it will

I have owned M20's and M24's and would get the M24 in either 270 or 30/06.

Did Melvin say how long it's going to be to receive your rifle? I ask because between myself and a couple friends we have 3 muzzleloaders and a couple centerfires that were ordered in November and December. I talked to Melvin recently and he mentioned one of his shop guys left and this will put him farther back.

Not sure where you're at in East Tn, but I'm near Chattanooga if you want to try a M24 in 30/06. Not for sale though....

David

7mm-08 or .308W

You don't need any help!!! Ya picked REAL GOOD!!! ScottyO.

I'd go 308 but I'm boring like that.

David,

I'm just up the road from you in Knoxville....

Sending you a pm....

If you stick with the Model 20 I would go 308 Win. But I think you should consider a Model 24 in 280 Ackley or 30/06...If you don't like the Ackley just go straight 280 Rem.

No magnums in model 20...FYI

338 Federal with #2 barrel Model 20

65 creedmoor

Have you considered a 7mm-08AI ? I would never AI a standard factory tube as the minor gains aren't worth the expense - but if it's all the same cost, there is an extra 50 fps or so over standard loads if you load to same pressure. With a 23" barrel, 75fps over most standard 7mm-08 loads.

What's also interesting is that on a custom tube with a tight chamber (as I would expect the Forbes to be) I still get printed velocities with factory ammunition - despite the fact that these are fire form loads. This gives me the option to shoot slightly higher velocity handloaded AI loads or factory ammunition at standard velocities. I've been very pleased w/ the 7mm-08AI I had built.


Regards,

David