RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

My riflesmith informs me that I can have this rifle made as light as 6 1/4 lbs (without scope). I'm leaning more towards 7 - 7 1/2 lbs. It will have a light sythetic stock, Jewel trigger, three-position safety and a 23" Lilja Stainless Octagon barrel with target crown in a fairly light contour. The action will be totally trued and all parts will be teflon coated. I guess I could go a bit heavier, but I already have a factory .270 Wby Mag that weighs about 9 1/4 lbs and I don't particularly care to tote around that much weight every time I go in the woods. But that Weatherby absolutely HAMMERS elk and deer at all reasonable ranges so I'll put up with it when I think I may need the extra reach.

I am tending to agree with otis that I shouldn't go with a short case. But I also like the wisdom provided by oldelkhunter, who says these smaller rounds do indeed pack enough freight for elk. A muzzle brake is out of the question (I also have only one ear, and I'd like to protect it!). I think either the .270 WCF or the .280 Rem are great choices, but I feel they overlap too much with the Weatherby. So now, I think I'm leaning towards a couple of new characters, and a couple of the old. If the 7x57 is the equivalent of the 7mm/08, wouldn't that be a nice choice? And if the 8x57JS is close to the performance of the .338-06 but with less recoil, wouldn't that also make an equally excellent choice? And what about two wildcats, the 6.5mm-06 or the 8mm-06? I will definitely handload, so I should be able to wring out maximum performance from any of these cartridges.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

Seattle...I was thinking about this last nite just go with the 7x57 or 6.5x55. The recoil will be about the same as the short cases and chambered correctly they will be extremely accurate. The other rounds everyone else proposed were fine rounds but can bite especially in a lightweight rifle. Prime example is a 280 remington in a light rifle tell me it doesn't kick like a 7 mag or equivalent mag. Anyone that says they( 260 6.5x55 7x57 7-08) are not enough for elk or good for only 150-200 yards is probably smoking some illegal weed they found on National Forest Land. Shot Placement Shot Placement Shot Placement

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

wildcats are always more interesting and even though it was factory made for some time get a .35 whelen
the .338-06 would also be a good choice

propmahn
you can never have too many guns

RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

I assume I'm the one being referred to when you insinuate I've been smokin weed.... ha ha ha ...ok, you are a funny guy.
Now, if you will go back and read my post again, I said that I knew they would kill elk, but that IN MY OPINION they are not a good choice at long range.....long range being defined as over 200yds. I have heard of folks killing elk with 243's also, but it doesn't make it a good choice. If that is the only choice you have, then I would shoot a heavy-for-caliber premium bullet and get as close as possible....under 200yds would be good. Again, this is only my opinion... everybody has one. I'm assuming when the gentleman posted this thread, he was wanting opinions, not irrefutable statements of fact... "my way or the highway"....... perhaps I'm mistaken.
Now, say something else funny.........


"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana

RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

A little humour breaks up the day Hornetguy no ill will intended. A 140 grain 6.5 has as much sectional density as a 180 grain 30 caliber if not more . I have friends that shoot elk with the good old 270 with 130 grain noslers and 140 failsafes and think nothing of it. Bottomline The person who is seeking advice needs a light recoiling lightweight rifle that will do the job on Elk at up to 200 yards. ImHO I think any 260-7-08 7x57 6.5x55 will kill at a greater range than that. That said I not shoot any Bull myself further than 350 yards with most calibers out there with the exception of 30 caliber Mags or larger. I like to shoot those things as close as I can get, spend a lot less sleepless nights doing it that way..

RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

Seattlesetters
What ever you choose, Thanks for passing the hunting tradition down to your daughter. That is what I am doing with my daughters also. Happy hunting

Hornet Man


Hornet Man

RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

Ok, I've narrowed it down to the old Mauser chamberings of: 6.5x55, 7x57 and 8x57JS. Now what about thoughts on these cartridges exclusively, as well as scopes and bullets?

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

Edited by - seattlesetters on 10/09/2002 22:14:16

RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

seattlesetters,
I answered your e-mail but will be gone bowhunting for a few days. I sent you some info on the 8mm/06 as you requested. it is a handload only propostion, but is a very adequate round for what you seek. Not necessarily better than the round already mentioned, just another flavor. You can even have a chamber cut for 8mm/06 Ackely Improved, and have RCBS make you some dies from a slug made of your chamber. That's a lot of trouble to go through when there are plenty of other rounds more readily available. But the plain jane 8mm/06 wil do the job you require, and recoil is tolerable.
the 170 grain round-nose is a very good choice, but there are recipes for balls from 125 grains all the way to 250 grains.

RE: Which caliber? Custom timber rifle for elk/deer
 

Oldelkhunter.... I agree with your recommendation of the 6.5x55 or 7mm Mauser out to 200yds. I wouldn't hesitate to use my 6.5 if I had to.. I'd probably use a 160gr bullet, though.

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana