Telling you 7.62x39 is very underrated and abundant.
Took my first deer over 100 yard with a mini 30. Took many a hog with my go to walkabout hog gun, an SKS. The commy 30-30. Loaded up back when a box of ammo was like a dollar at Cheaper Than Dirt back when it reminded you of that mil surplus scene with Michael Douglas in Falling Down.
For a do all truck gun I think a newer mini 30 or even mini 14 is about perfect. I just can't warm up to AR's..
I know what you’re saying about mini 30 vs. AR. But I built an AR 47? Before the panic buying for around $400. I had a Stripped lower for $50 and complete kit (minus the lower) for $350 But my cz 527 is moa shooter with silver bears and handles like a dream. Almost like I’m holding a red rider
Yeah I always had a hankering for a 527. Maybe 221 Fireball or a Hornet - or 222........ I have a 550. shoot anything I throw in it decent enough- and often GREAT
That set trigger just rocks.
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of . Confucius
6mmx222 or 25x222. Pretty slim appetite for powder.
If you make that a 6mmx223 or 25x223 it meets the OP's criteria of "reasonably available components".
My 6x47 (6x222Mag) with 85gr Partitions does a great job, (grand kids love it!) but it I were building it today, I'd go with the 6X45 due to the availability of brass.
Pretty simple to make 6mmx222 or 25x222 from 223 brass. And I’ve had no trouble finding lots of 222 brass.
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
I bought a 6mm arc. 29 grains of powder. will let you guys know this fall
I can up date right now sharing the bolt action 6mm Arc is very much up to the task at hand in the right hands. CZ527 22 " barrel 108 grain Elite hunter over 29.4 gr of LVR. w very minimal recoil. Turned the lights out on this guy in instantaneous fashion at 254 yards.
I am aware of folks using 22 & even 17 Hornet as well as 223 & must say I feel much better with the 6mm ARC.
FYI I tried the savage AXIS in 6mm ARC primarily for fire forming brass. forming 220 Russian to 6mm ARC. She did OK though I was not impressed with the magazine. More challenging to load than Id care for and did not feed spire point reloads well at all. Though the accuracy was satisfactory with the right reloads,
I can’t believe nobody has mentioned the 6.5 Creedmoor!!! They are so deadly you don’t ever have to shoot at the deer, just wave the cartridge in the air and the deer with be drt!
I’m really not making fun of the 6.5cm, it’s a running joke a buddy and I have. We both have one, neither of us have killed anything with them yet so we joke… Actually, found out last season that mine, a CZ 557 American Synthetic, is too stinking heavy to carry around in the deer woods. That wasn’t fun at all! I’ll be carrying something lighter next year, CVA Cascade probably.
Cast bullets are the way to go. Biggest expense is the primer and you’ll have that no matter what centerfire you’re shooting.
For out to 200 yards the 6.5 grendel, its wildcats, or 6.8 SPC or its wildcats ought to cover you. Those fit in an AR platform thus are small (limited in charge weight), but are demonstrated deer-getters.
