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looking for a 30.06 alternative caliber
redbiker
Member Posts: 117 ✭✭
OK, here goes. I'm looking for a rifle that'd be lighter than my Ruber M77 Mark II 30.06 to hunt in Colorado. I'm looking for suggestions as to caliber and manufactuer's models. I'm looking less weight, less recoil. I will be hunting mostly small game up to Elk. Sorry, not interested in Bears, they can fight back and I'm too old to run. I already have a 30-30 lever action and like it. Might just stay with it, but I'm considering someting in the .2? caliber range, so that I can go for small game too.
Any help, information , opinions, etc appreciated.
Myles
Myles
Gunnison, CO
SA Mil-Spec .45 custom
Charles Daly 9mm HiPower
Walther P99 .40S&W
Taurus Tracker 4".357
Ruger Mark II, custom target.
Ruger M77, .30-06
Mosin-Nagant M44 chinese carbine w/bayonet
Marlin-Glenfield Model 100 .22semi
Western Auto Model 1894 .30-.30
"I got a gun for my wife, what a trade!"
"panic, chaos and mayhem, my work here is done"
Any help, information , opinions, etc appreciated.
Myles
Myles
Gunnison, CO
SA Mil-Spec .45 custom
Charles Daly 9mm HiPower
Walther P99 .40S&W
Taurus Tracker 4".357
Ruger Mark II, custom target.
Ruger M77, .30-06
Mosin-Nagant M44 chinese carbine w/bayonet
Marlin-Glenfield Model 100 .22semi
Western Auto Model 1894 .30-.30
"I got a gun for my wife, what a trade!"
"panic, chaos and mayhem, my work here is done"
Comments
Regular ammo perfect for all but elk, Hornaday light magnums for elk. I don't shoot at 400 yards mind ya, I try to get withing 200 to 250 yards...The one I JUST GOT is delightful, I laugh when I shoot it and love how it handles, and very accurate.......and the folks who advised me,,,,,,thank you....!1111
I am sure you will get other various opinions, and they will all be worthy of consideration....
Don't pick on my mule, and we'll get along just fine!
Thanks again
Myles
Myles
Gunnison, CO
SA Mil-Spec .45 custom
Charles Daly 9mm HiPower
Walther P99 .40S&W
Taurus Tracker 4".357
Ruger Mark II, custom target.
Ruger M77, .30-06
Mosin-Nagant M44 chinese carbine w/bayonet
Marlin-Glenfield Model 100 .22semi
Western Auto Model 1894 .30-.30
"I got a gun for my wife, what a trade!"
"panic, chaos and mayhem, my work here is done"
imay not know it all.....but at least I know that!
Go to the regular Remington website and select 'Ammunition' and from the drop down menu select 'Ballistics' and use the menus supplied to run some ballistic comparisons.
While I agree with the 7mm-08, I also think that you can't go wrong with the 6.5 x 55 Swede either. There is an ever growing interest in the 6.5's these days and it seems like there is a superb bullet selection for varmints up to and including elk. Remember, the Swedes use this cartridge to hunt for a type of moose that is just a bit smaller than ours so the Swede will be just fine for elk.
Check the ballistics on the 6.5 x 55 Swede, you will be impressed.
Best.
If you think that 6mm's are a little light for their bullet weights, here is a supplier that makes 120 gr. hunting bullets for the .243 diameter cartridges.
http://www.wildcatbullets.com/
This is a post from another forum by a friend of mine who is a guide up in Canada. He hunts and guides for deer, caribou, elk and moose.
If you punch a 130 grain TSX into the heart and lungs on an elk it will do the job.
I have taken a number of elk with the .270 and 130 grain Nosler Partitions, several with the .25-06 and 115 Nosler partitions. Same goes for moose, but I have also used the 115 TSX on moose. With those two cartridges all of the shots taken were nice broadside lung/heart shots and slight going away quartering shots......and those are the only situations I would have pulled the trigger. Not one of those animals traveled more than 75 yards and most were down inside of 50.
I am not suggesting that either of these cartridges is my favorite elk cartridge..........they are not. But, a good bullet through the heart/lungs will get the job done........period. As you know, it is a matter of proper bullet selection and only pulling the trigger when you are sure you can place the bullet where it needs to go.
My experience with the Barnes TSX has been very positive and if I was going to hunt elk with a 6.5 x 55 I wouldn't hesitate to use the 130 TSX or the 140 XLC for that matter.
"Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but it had better be a learned one!"
Edited by - skyline on Jul 08 2005 09:08:21
http://www.reloadersnest.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2537&whichpage=2