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

I think you have made a good decision in the 6.5mm. As you stated the 6.5 does have a high section density. I have gotten mind blowing penitration out of the round. It is very flat shooting and loaded with high quality bullets it will kill anything on this continent. I am not suggesting using it on dangerous charging game, but if you get a good shot opertunity you will be pleased with the rusults. I have a very good friend who took my 6.5-06 on a hunt and ended taking a buffalo with it. He said it went about 20yd and crumpled. So far the rifle has taken Buffalo, Elk, Deer, Bear, Pigs, Varments, and a Cougar. This gun has replaced my 30-06 and 338 win mag as my go-to Elk gun as well. People think the round is to light for big game, but they can't argue with the performance of the round. I think the 6.5mm bullet has the charcteristics for accuracy and penitration that most other calibers can't touch. I have never had an animal go more than 80yds after being shot. Most go down rather quickly. Of the two Elk I shot one went down in it's tracks, the other staggered about 50ft before falling over. One deer shot in the lungs went the 80yds I talked about. The others died very quickly. Both the pigs I shot It looked like someone chopped the legs out from under them. They just dropped straight to the ground.

I can praise the round all night, but I think I have gotten my point accross. When it comes to hunting North American game of any size it is the only rifel I use. I feel you have made a very wise and thought out decision. You're mind should rest easy about it handeling Elk and deer. Enough said.

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

So the 6.5 it is. I will let you all know how the rifle turns out.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

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

I've had a change of heart. What do you all think? I think I may keep this gun chambered for the original 8x57JS and have yet another custom rifle built on a pre '64 Mod 70 action in .260 Rem.

That would be a nice pair of deer/elk rifles to tote around the woods, now wouldn't it?

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

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

I've decided to try and develop a wildcat cartridge that will fill the bill for this discussion. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> It will be an 8mm round based on the .300 WSM case. I will try and figure out dimensions and see if I can get some die company to build something for me. Anybody have any helpful hints?

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

Edited by - seattlesetters on 12/12/2002 16:30:44

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

There is already an 8mm-300WSM if I am not badly mistaken. I think I saw the barrel on Pac Nors site.

I stand corrected, there are both 338 and 35-300WSM but not an 8mm. I wonder why? Maybe because there are a 338 and 35.

http://www.pac-nor.com/

Edited by - frizzellr on 12/12/2002 18:45:30

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

frizzellr - Outstanding! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Thanks for the info. Do you have the address?

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

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

7mm EXP Rem is the answer!!!

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY,IN THE WOODS...

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

OK, folks. I've narrowed it down to these three: 8mm-06, .338-06 and .350 Rem Mag. I know they will all get the job done, but I still have that desire for a truly custom rifle to have something a little different stamped on the barrel. Any thoughts?

Also, is there a supply of 8mm-06 brass or does one have to form it on their own?

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

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

Just use 30/06 brass and expand the necks with a .323 ball expander. this can be done when full-length-sizing used 30/06 brass or you can take brand new (unfired) 30/06 brass and run the expander ball through it using 8mm/06 dies set to neck-size-only.
Either way it is a fire form issue, and once fire formed in your 8mm/06 chamber you need only neck size from then on. I usually
full-length-size the rounds I'll use for hunting but neck-size-only my target rounds.

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

Whew, quite a bit of readig to get caught up on this one. Pretty interesting though. You asked for some thoughts, here's a few.

Well, since Remington is bringing back the 350 Rem Mag in the 673 it isn't as different as it once was. Not only that but this thing kicks about as hard as the 35 Whelen.

The 338-06 has been commericalized by A-Square and Weatherby is chambering for it, so it isn't as rare either. And of the three its is the second hardest kicker.

Lastly there's the 8mm-06. Just to get my prejudices out of the way, I'm partial to the .323 bore. But this one hasn't been commericalized either, making it the more different than the other two. It would be a bit more work to use though. I'd go with this one though, where the choice mine.

Last question, what happened with the 8mm/300 WSM or 8MM/300 Rem SAUM? Did these not work out or just kick too much?