My uncle is planning on buying a new rifle soon, and we've been discussing what calibre he should get. We hunt Missouri, where there can be shot from 50-800 yards depending on if we are hunting crop fields or in the timber. He wants a rifle mostly for shots under 450 yards, but also for the occasional longer range shot as well. He also like cartriges that aren't that popular, just so he can say he has something different. We got it narrowed for now to .264 Win mag, 6.5-284, .270wsm. I really like the .264, but it's belted and I usually stay away from belted cartriges...I don't really have a good reason other than I've never had one. Any help and info will be appriciated.
The "Perfect" Deer Rifle
- Thread starter zjfty9
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
Zjfty9, out of the choices I would probably go 270 WSM, but I really like the 264. Maybe a 6.5 WSM?? That is unique caliber and would handle the load, but requires having a smith at the very least rechamber a barrel for you/him. There are some very good 6.5(.264) bullets to pick from.
I am in the process of having built just what you are talking about. I am having Kirby Allen (Fiftydriver here on the forum) build me a 7mm Dakota with a 26" #4 Lilja fluted barrel, to be my tried and true deer rifle. I told him I wanted to be able to do 750 yards and this is what we settled on. I am planning trips to Colorado & Alberta in the next few years as well as hunting here at home in Kansas and Oklahoma. Kirby has a whole stable of unique calibers of his own making if you uncle is willing to go custom, and they will all do the job.
Good Luck in your quest.
I am in the process of having built just what you are talking about. I am having Kirby Allen (Fiftydriver here on the forum) build me a 7mm Dakota with a 26" #4 Lilja fluted barrel, to be my tried and true deer rifle. I told him I wanted to be able to do 750 yards and this is what we settled on. I am planning trips to Colorado & Alberta in the next few years as well as hunting here at home in Kansas and Oklahoma. Kirby has a whole stable of unique calibers of his own making if you uncle is willing to go custom, and they will all do the job.
Good Luck in your quest.
trebark
Well-Known Member
You might not believe this, but.....I'm going to recommend the .280Remington. Awesome cartridge, lots of 7mm/284 bullets for reloading. It will easily take deer at 500 yards and with a well placed shot it will reach out to 750.
fariswm
Well-Known Member
If you headspace the .264 on the shoulder instead of the belt by neck sizing your cases, the belted case will last as long as any other case.
I have belted cases that I have loaded 15 times.
If you do not reload, then the belted case is a non-issue anyway.
I have belted cases that I have loaded 15 times.
If you do not reload, then the belted case is a non-issue anyway.
rem300ultra
Well-Known Member
I have killed deer in MO with both the 264 WM and 6.5 WSM, they are identical ballistically. I think the 6.5 mm diameter is ideal for whitetails. The long high BC and high SD bullets buck the wind well and penetrate very well. Recoil is not bad at all with either cartridge with a 130-140 gr bullet. Of course, the 280AI is a cool round as well. Then there is the 6.5-06AI, the 25-06AI......
trebark
Well-Known Member
.280a.i.
The .280A.I. is a great cartridge too. I like the .280Rem because ballistically you give up very little and commercial ammunition, while not always easily found, is available. This is an advantage of the A.I. calibers if for some reason your ammo is lost.
The .280A.I. is a great cartridge too. I like the .280Rem because ballistically you give up very little and commercial ammunition, while not always easily found, is available. This is an advantage of the A.I. calibers if for some reason your ammo is lost.
longrangebob
Well-Known Member
Mo' about that best deer rifle ...
Just to put in my "few" cents worth ... if you are thinking short action ... let me suggest a 260 AI .... or if long/std. action .... I will suggest the 280 AI also .... both will do you well with the nice selection of 6.5 and 7 mm. bullets ...
Consider Barnes TSX's .... and as was already mentioned ... if you lose your handloads you can always utilize regular factory loads in the AI's..... LRB
Just to put in my "few" cents worth ... if you are thinking short action ... let me suggest a 260 AI .... or if long/std. action .... I will suggest the 280 AI also .... both will do you well with the nice selection of 6.5 and 7 mm. bullets ...
Consider Barnes TSX's .... and as was already mentioned ... if you lose your handloads you can always utilize regular factory loads in the AI's..... LRB
landcbeitner
Well-Known Member
If you want more performance than the .280 you may want to go with a 7WSM, not that the 280 AI isn't an excellent cartridge. Then again now you're looking at Elk cartridges in my opinion. For deer I would go with something shooting a 6.5mm bullet. Heck, I mostly use a .243. JMHO.
