Which Caliber?
12-16-2007 | 12:13 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From:
Which Caliber?
I'm looking at buying a new rifle this winter. I don't have any centerfire rifles yet, can't use them for much where I live (indiana). I'll probably shoot coyotes and things with whatever I buy. Mainly I'm buying it just to have and shoot at the homeplace when me and my buddies shoot. Shooting things like water jugs and melons and stuff.
I don't know what I want, here's pretty much what I've narrowed it down to:
.270 (regular, wssm or mag)
.30-06
.25-06
.243
.308
.300 (win mag or wsm)
Just looking for a good all around rifle, and something that'll really make a mess when it hits a water jug or something
plus something that has a pretty decent trajectory. I'll probably just go buy one next week, just pick one when I'm there, but I want to know what everyone thinks. Thanks.
I don't know what I want, here's pretty much what I've narrowed it down to:
.270 (regular, wssm or mag)
.30-06
.25-06
.243
.308
.300 (win mag or wsm)
Just looking for a good all around rifle, and something that'll really make a mess when it hits a water jug or something
plus something that has a pretty decent trajectory. I'll probably just go buy one next week, just pick one when I'm there, but I want to know what everyone thinks. Thanks.
12-16-2007 | 12:34 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: Coralville, IA. USA
RE: Which Caliber?
Since all you plan to hunt with it is varmints up to coyote and plinking, I'd strongly recommend a .223 Rem. The .223 is plenty "flat-shooting", can be extremely accurate (depending on the rifle), doesn't kick much at all so anyone can tolerate shooting it all day, and the ammo is very inexpensive. Black Hills makes great commercially remanufactured .223 Rem ammo that it very good ammo for little money.
If you are willing to spend a little money, I'd look at one of the AR-15 clones out there. There are many makers of AR's that make rifles that will outshoot all but the best bolt-action rifles, and being semi-autos, they make a great plinking/predator rifles. Look at Rock River Arms, DPMS, and Bushmaster. All make outstanding rifles. I watched a guy take a brand spanking new Rock River Arms varminter out of the shipping box, swab out the bore, load up a mag of Black Hills 55gr .223 and shoot an honest 1/2" 5 shot group at 100 yards after just a few sighters. It made me wonder why I was still stuck on bolt-action varmint rifles.
Mike
If you are willing to spend a little money, I'd look at one of the AR-15 clones out there. There are many makers of AR's that make rifles that will outshoot all but the best bolt-action rifles, and being semi-autos, they make a great plinking/predator rifles. Look at Rock River Arms, DPMS, and Bushmaster. All make outstanding rifles. I watched a guy take a brand spanking new Rock River Arms varminter out of the shipping box, swab out the bore, load up a mag of Black Hills 55gr .223 and shoot an honest 1/2" 5 shot group at 100 yards after just a few sighters. It made me wonder why I was still stuck on bolt-action varmint rifles.
Mike
12-16-2007 | 01:08 PM
#3
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 0
From: PA
RE: Which Caliber?
I have to agree that a 223 would be a great choice foryou. But out of your choices i would pickin thi order 270, 30-06, 308. You can get rounds for them about anywhere and for a decent price. Also they dont have too much recoil like a mAgnum would have and they all will make a major mess of a water jug or watermelon or punkins or whatever else you decide to shoot (im very fond of shooting at cheap cans of soda at long ranges for the explosion you get whan you hit them).
12-16-2007 | 03:41 PM
#4
Fork Horn
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Which Caliber?
ORIGINAL: driftrider
Since all you plan to hunt with it is varmints up to coyote and plinking, I'd strongly recommend a .223 Rem. The .223 is plenty "flat-shooting", can be extremely accurate (depending on the rifle), doesn't kick much at all so anyone can tolerate shooting it all day, and the ammo is very inexpensive. Black Hills makes great commercially remanufactured .223 Rem ammo that it very good ammo for little money.
If you are willing to spend a little money, I'd look at one of the AR-15 clones out there. There are many makers of AR's that make rifles that will outshoot all but the best bolt-action rifles, and being semi-autos, they make a great plinking/predator rifles. Look at Rock River Arms, DPMS, and Bushmaster. All make outstanding rifles. I watched a guy take a brand spanking new Rock River Arms varminter out of the shipping box, swab out the bore, load up a mag of Black Hills 55gr .223 and shoot an honest 1/2" 5 shot group at 100 yards after just a few sighters. It made me wonder why I was still stuck on bolt-action varmint rifles.
Mike
Since all you plan to hunt with it is varmints up to coyote and plinking, I'd strongly recommend a .223 Rem. The .223 is plenty "flat-shooting", can be extremely accurate (depending on the rifle), doesn't kick much at all so anyone can tolerate shooting it all day, and the ammo is very inexpensive. Black Hills makes great commercially remanufactured .223 Rem ammo that it very good ammo for little money.
If you are willing to spend a little money, I'd look at one of the AR-15 clones out there. There are many makers of AR's that make rifles that will outshoot all but the best bolt-action rifles, and being semi-autos, they make a great plinking/predator rifles. Look at Rock River Arms, DPMS, and Bushmaster. All make outstanding rifles. I watched a guy take a brand spanking new Rock River Arms varminter out of the shipping box, swab out the bore, load up a mag of Black Hills 55gr .223 and shoot an honest 1/2" 5 shot group at 100 yards after just a few sighters. It made me wonder why I was still stuck on bolt-action varmint rifles.
Mike
12-16-2007 | 08:51 PM
#5
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Which Caliber?
If you only plan to hunt Coyotes, go with a small caliber such as the .223, the 22 Magnum or my personal favorite, the .204 Ruger, but if you do plan on deer hunting, look hard at a .243 or a .270 WSM (i own one and its awesome)
12-17-2007 | 06:19 AM
#6
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 0
From: PA
RE: Which Caliber?
my personal favorite, the .204 Ruger
12-17-2007 | 07:00 AM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,270
Likes: 0
From: Texas - BUT NOW in Madison County, NY
RE: Which Caliber?
ORIGINAL: sngehl01
I'm looking at buying a new rifle this winter. I don't have any centerfire rifles yet, can't use them for much where I live (indiana). I'll probably shoot coyotes and things with whatever I buy. Mainly I'm buying it just to have and shoot at the homeplace when me and my buddies shoot. Shooting things like water jugs and melons and stuff.
I don't know what I want, here's pretty much what I've narrowed it down to:
.270 (regular, wssm or mag)
.30-06
.25-06
.243
.308
.300 (win mag or wsm)
Just looking for a good all around rifle, and something that'll really make a mess when it hits a water jug or somethingplus something that has a pretty decent trajectory. I'll probably just go buy one next week, just pick one when I'm there, but I want to know what everyone thinks. Thanks.
I'm looking at buying a new rifle this winter. I don't have any centerfire rifles yet, can't use them for much where I live (indiana). I'll probably shoot coyotes and things with whatever I buy. Mainly I'm buying it just to have and shoot at the homeplace when me and my buddies shoot. Shooting things like water jugs and melons and stuff.
I don't know what I want, here's pretty much what I've narrowed it down to:
.270 (regular, wssm or mag)
.30-06
.25-06
.243
.308
.300 (win mag or wsm)
Just looking for a good all around rifle, and something that'll really make a mess when it hits a water jug or something
plus something that has a pretty decent trajectory. I'll probably just go buy one next week, just pick one when I'm there, but I want to know what everyone thinks. Thanks.
If you want a .223 or 7.62X39, look closely at the CZ 527 carbine! It only weighs 5 pounds, and is very accurate in either .223 or 7.62X39mm.
