Thread: Can of worms - Calibre suggestions

Originally Posted by Juicy

Creedmoor does just fine on reds. Never had any Reds get away after being shot with my Creedmoor so far, 143 eldx goes well. Last one I shot was with 127 Barnes LRX which did the job just fine. None of these was I paying huge amount of attention to precise shot placement, just through the front shoulder. Plenty of people are taking Reds with .223s nowadays, so the Creed will have no problem.

If you really want longer range for tahr and whatnot, I have a 300wsm and I like it. 30 cal is a great calibre because there are so many projectiles to select from (only relevant if you are handloading, I guess). Also, you can run shorter barrels without losing much velocity in 30cal. 7mm calibres are pretty epic though, can get awesome ballistic coefficients on the heavier bullets. 7mm RM can't go too wrong, but the newer ones like PRC etc are pretty cool, a bit more efficient with powder. They aren't so punishing to shoot as the 30 cal options, too. I thought about getting a 6.5PRC too but it just didn't seem outrageously more powerful compared to the Creedmoor, and shoots the same bullets.

As for recoil, the 30 cal magnums and to a slightly lesser extent, the 7mm magnums are much more of a handful than a Creedmoor in a light rifle; a good suppressor with a muzzle brake end cap will help. Muzzle brakes are good, but they are just so hideously antisocial!

I'm going to try and run 300wsm do it all rifle for a while. I've chopped it to 20" (only lose about 100fps compared to a 24"), which is much nicer to use in the bush and whatnot. I'm going to try a load with 130gr Barnes TTSX, at minimum charge, which replicates higher-end 308 performance (and recoil) more or less for normal hunting scenarios and distances. Then, if on an open country hunt for Tahr etc I'll load some full noise ammo with perhaps a Nosler Accubond 168gr LR, which seems to be shooting quite well.

Keep with the Creedmoor for a while, I reckon, and if you are really hating it then sure have a look at bigger options. Creedmoor is much nicer to shoot than the magnums. Where are you moving in the South Island?

That's solid advice. My main issue is we split out time between NZ and the USA so I wanted something I can take Elk hunting as well, hence the PRC. Plus I wont be in the US for a while so I want to get some hunting done here. Planning on buying the rifle here then taking back over.

We usually hang out between Christchurch and Wanaka depending on Family. Any good ranges to visit in Christchurch?

So, not hand loading. Then get the best,

30.06 or
Second best 270

You could consider 308, that's pretty good too.

any one still using 308 Norma Magnum never see it mentioned on here had one years ago what a mistake bloody cannon booted something fierce worse thana 300 mag and THEY KICK HARD

Originally Posted by kinal762

That's solid advice. My main issue is we split out time between NZ and the USA so I wanted something I can take Elk hunting as well, hence the PRC. Plus I wont be in the US for a while so I want to get some hunting done here. Planning on buying the rifle here then taking back over.

We usually hang out between Christchurch and Wanaka depending on Family. Any good ranges to visit in Christchurch?

McLeans Island Shooting Club, Public nights on Tuesday, but you are limited to 100m unless youi become a member and do the extra course for the 200m range (as its an "open" range rather than "closed" range - i.e. your range practices have to be up to scratch so your rounds ALWAYS land in the bullet catchers).

One question I'm surprised no one has asked, what is your range limit for hunting? Do you need a magnum cartridge for the ranges you plan to hunt at?

Why not just stick with creedmoor it will do the job just fine. If you want an excuse to buy another rifle then by all means do so but the creed will kill stags and bulls out to silly distances anyhow. Last bull tahr I shot with my 14.75" 308 and 168 eldm, just under 500yds, dead on the spot

Suppressors (esp. braked suppressors) certainly tame the bigger cartridges compared to what they used to be like. Not sure I'd be keen to use my 2.8kg .284W without the suppressor (at the range at least)!

Which reminds me, would you have any issues taking a suppressed rifle back to the States with you? I know the laws over there vary a bit...

What sort of velocity are you getting from your 6.5? Like @Ryan_Songhurst said, it might just do the job fine. Of course, doesn't mean you can't buy another rifle...

Buy another rifle for sure

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Buy another rifle for sure

And please dont post any pics of 3 shot groups

Sent from my SM-S936B using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

any one still using 308 Norma Magnum never see it mentioned on here had one years ago what a mistake bloody cannon booted something fierce worse thana 300 mag and THEY KICK HARD

Yup, Im gonna stick my hand up and say I've got one. Always wanted one from way back when I was spending a bit of time on the hill with Graham Henry. A few years back I had the chance to buy my mates broken 7mm Mag and since his passing I have had a custom 308NM built on the action. Truflite barrel, fibreglass stock, VX5 on top. "tis a pussy to shoot, and knocks animals over very decisively. Way betterer than the 300 Mag................!

mine was 1972 a Parker Hale bought as a silly young bugger who thought bigger was better yes certainly dropped deer but man it was a beast to shoot

7mm Backcountry with a 20 inch barrel. Ammo is in NZ now. Way more rifles in USA and a better price, I'd be patient and get one there, bring home something unavailable or expensive in NZ. Check the ballistics out of a 20 inch barrel.
If I was over there I'd get a 6.8 Western and some brass and dies too.

Keep the creed and learn shot placement

Gun city advertises 15 different factory loaded offerings in 30-06, 16 in 6.5CM, and 46 in 308.

6.5PRC. Just seen a cull job with this rifle. They are super impressive.

Originally Posted by kinal762

Wanting to stay with factory ammo for the ease. The hand loading road is a deep hole i'm not ready for yet

270w in whatever flavour rifle you like.... Or stick with what you have.either way,get closer if unsure as unless it's huge bull tahr on edge of bluff,you won't be undergunned and even then ammunition choice will help solve any issue as will good shot placement.or 30/06lol