If you could only have one caliber, What would it be? And Why?
I am always curious to hear what works for some and what doesn't work for others. And for us east coast sea level guys, it can be somewhat tricky. I guess part of this question stems from me still trying to decide what caliber to go with for a build. There is just so many out there, so much confusion and a lot of miss leading info.
For instance a lot of those west coast mountain guys tend to favor the 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm WSM, some of the mid-west guys enjoy the .280 and 300 WSM. I see a lot of guys here enjoy the 30 Wolf and some of the Odd WSM rounds. Haven't heard to many guys mention the .325 WSM. And I guess it seems the .338 LM is a little to pricey for most. Once in a while I will run into an older fellow who still trusts in his old 30-06. And how about some of those 7mm and 8mm 08's, not to much on them either.
And why were at it, Anyone recommend a good book that shows calibers, casing and all the info that is a good bed side or toilet side reading?
What are your intended targets? What is your maximum estimated range? What is your budget?
My vote would be a sleek, well balanced, bolt gun in 243W. A 16” SS match grade barrel installed by S1 with a 308W rated threaded suppressor. 1.5lb narrow and straight two stage trigger with lots of overtravel. NF 2.5-10x32 with an R2 reticle. The toughest rings and base money could buy mounted as close to the boreline as possible. Stainless action with lapped and polished raceways. Stainless trigger guard and bottom metal. A good synthetic stock that fit me like a glove. Harris bipod. Krylon textured spray paint.
Unquestioned reliability!!! The fewer moving parts the better. Smooth feeding, cycling, action/saftey manipulation etc. Max weight 11lb loaded, bipod, suppressor, sling, etc. (9.5lb would be better) 3/8 to 1/2moa max vertical groups all day long. Not just when the stars line up. Non-exotic components (Winchester brass, Nosler or Hornady bullets, Hodgdon powder, F210 or wolf primers)
Posts: 290 | Location: Tsaile, AZ | Registered: Fri August 06 2004
I'm not sure. I'd like something that would be suitable in a 16-20" barrel, have the capability of taking a mullie at appx 600yds, as well as being a good self-defense round. With this in mind, it leaves me with the 308 win, in a large AR platform such as the DPMS AP4. You could use this rifle to o anything from hunting to winning the war. The ammo is relatively available, and there's a million different loads and combos out there to chose from. I'd like it to have a quality barrel and trigger, and an NF compact (either 1-4 or 2.5-10) on top. This would be my set-up if I were concerned about price and availability of ammo and parts.
If cost were no object, this is easy. A 300 WSM shooting a 200 grain DRT PT bullet on a DPMS AP4 platform with a 22 power NXS and Doctor red dot sight. Machined by somebody who knows what the hell they are supposed to do.....
If cost were a consideration, AP4 in 308 and the 155 Scenar bullet.....2.5 x 10 x 32 NXS
It is crazy to see, how everyone's opinion is so different then the next guy. But I like it, it goes to show you what works and what doesn't. And the geographics plays a big role.
I thought from all the data the 300 WSM seems to be a very good all purpose round. And if money wasen't a factor, I would think I would go with the .338 LM. Then again, if I wanted something that didn't rock my body, I would really like to lean towards the 6.5 Creedmore.
Well having had the luxury of only firing the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Lapaua and .260 Remington have almost identical ballistics, I choose the Creedmoor out of those three rounds because of experience with that round. Also, not being a reloader, as of yet. I would more likely take a round that was available. All three of those rounds I feel are great. And I think any shooter firing a platform with any one of those three has a great platform and doesn't need to make any changes. I completely went from expereince.
For long range shots, or sniping at night, I would have to choose the 30 Wolf, it is much more accurate than the 338 Lapua, and the wind deflection is nothing short of remarkable. But if you limit me to only one rifle and one bullet, its got to be a semi-auto that can keep me alive in MOUT situations, and reach out a little when needed. Thus the 300 short mag with the PT bullet.
Also, not being a reloader, as of yet. I would more likely take a round that was available. All three of those rounds I feel are great.
The way I look at it though, is the Creedmoor isn't exactly falling off shelfs, and I haven't seen one place yet that stocked it, so, being "available" probably isn't a strong arguement for the Creedmoor. Probably have a better chance of finding the 260 rem sitting on a shelf. I for one am looking hard at building something in 6.5x47 Lapua.
And along with those three, you could also throw the .257 Roberts which is more for the hunters, and the 6.5-284 Norma.
But I wanted to see what everyone else's thoughts are. There are so many different rounds out there. I strongly believe a lot of factors come into play. For example, geographics, What works for say open mountain terrain out in the west, wont cut it here in the mountains of PA. What works in the high deserts of New Mexico wont work in the flat farms of New Jersey.
I was curious to see what people prefered in other areas. I know a lot of the hunters here where I live still prefer a nice brush gun like a 30-30. But there is also a lot of traditional guys here with .308's and 30-06.
I find a lot of serious hunters and long distance shooters have a nice selection of weapon and calibers.But I think it really makes things more difficult to make a shooter decide on just one caliber.
Originally posted by Moose: I'm not sure. I'd like something that would be suitable in a 16-20" barrel, have the capability of taking a mullie at appx 600yds, as well as being a good self-defense round. With this in mind, it leaves me with the 308 win, in a large AR platform such as the DPMS AP4. You could use this rifle to o anything from hunting to winning the war. The ammo is relatively available, and there's a million different loads and combos out there to chose from. I'd like it to have a quality barrel and trigger, and an NF compact (either 1-4 or 2.5-10) on top. This would be my set-up if I were concerned about price and availability of ammo and parts.
Assuming you were using a 16" Semi auto 308 platform like I mentioned above, what would be your choice of bullet to "do it all". We're talkin everything from CQB, to precision shots for defense, to taking down game for survival. And what reticle would you chose for the CQB compact?
