I am in the early stages of a new project, a hunting rifle. Currently my two hunting rigs are a Rem 700 .243 (medium/small game) and a Rem 700 300 Win Mag (big game).
My goal with the new rifle is to build something to replace the 300 Win Mag for elk hunting (inside 500 yards) as well as replacing the .243 for longer shots on medium sized game.
I have rifles for ringing steel and punching paper. This is intended to be used for hunting.
I have a few ideas as to what cartridge I would like but I want to get some outside input/ideas.
The rifle will be built on a Kelbly Atlas Tactical short action and a Bartlein 5R barrel (number 3 contour)
Requirements:
6.5mm (.264) or 7mm (.284) cartridges only
.308 Bolt Face
Short Action only
Must fit Accuracy Int’l Magazine
Please offer suggestions of cartridge and why you think it would work well
6.5 creedmoor is one of the top contenders for sure
I would love to go with a straight .284 Winchester but I don’t think that I can run it as a repeater from the AI mags without seating the bullets so deep that I lose most of the performance edge from the 284 Win, so I am looking for other short action alternatives in the 6.5-7mm flavor.
If you are going with a short action and a .308 bolt face the 7mm08 seems to fit the bill perfectly. I’ve hunted with a 7mm08 since 1990 and love it. I shot the whitetail in my avatar with it in Canada in 99. This was a 300lb+ deer and I shot him at a lasered 387 yards. Right now my favorite bullet for this is the Federal 140gr Trophy Copper. This round should cover all that you are looking for.
I think that Elk at <500 is your limiting factor. While at the start, I think the difference between the 6.5 Creedmore and 7mm08 is splitting hairs, for Elk you’ll want the heaviest bullet you can use… and that means the 7mm is the pick. I like the Creedmore for everything else.
I say give the 6.5 creed a worthwhile look. Look at the data out to 500 yards. You do not have to dial that much elevation, its a fast and flat round. Box ammo, so no reloading. Mine is a Stiller action on a XLR Evolution chassis. On top is a NF Beast. I buy H A-140’s by the case. I am not the best shot in the world and can shoot 3.5" groups all day with it. You might say it’s my one gun to rule them all philosophy. There is nothing it cannot do with a well placed shot. If I need a bigger gun I have a 338 LM.
It’s a gun that can shoot paper or hunt, which is why I bought mine in the first place. I am learning how to be a good shot with it at longer ranges. Once my bucket of brass grows big enough, I will start reloading for it. I cannot relay to you how much fun the gun is to shoot. It has very little recoil, which means no fatigue on range days. I have not had another gun that has given me such a thrill every time I go to the range with it.