In between 7mm-08 & .308

[VLD Pilot]

Agreed, any one of those will stack critters up. I do know Lapua is making small rifle primered 6.5CM and 6.5PRC brass too. I always liked the 6.5x284'but that sub 1k barrel life was a bit much. Now you got the PRC which matches it ballistically, in a short action with better barrel life and readily available quality factory ammo.. well. Nothing a readily available at this point ..,..

Owning 6 barrels on two 6.5-284s, I've only had one give me less than 1400 rounds. I ran it hot full time over 3100 w/140s. The other 4 had over 1800 rounds on them running around 2975. The current one is at around 1000 now. It will also make 1800 easily. As stated above, the newest powders help as well as good cleaning regiments. The 6.5CM and .260 will give infinite round barrel life by comparison. I've got over 3k on my .260 running it around 2900.

 

[StanleyActual]

Owning 6 barrels on two 6.5-284s, I've only had one give me less than 1400 rounds. I ran it hot full time over 3100 w/140s. The other 4 had over 1800 rounds on them running around 2975. The current one is at around 1000 now. It will also make 1800 easily. As stated above, the newest powders help as well as good cleaning regiments. The 6.5CM and .260 will give infinite round barrel life by comparison. I've got over 3k on my .260 running it around 2900.

Well that ain't bad at all. That right there with the 6mm's . I had buddies tuning them years ago and they were doing barrel swaps around 750 Rds but those matches are abusive to barrels . Especially screamers like that 6.5x284.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Well that ain't bad at all. That right there with the 6mm's . I had buddies tuning them years ago and they were doing barrel swaps around 750 Rds but those matches are abusive to barrels . Especially screamers like that 6.5x284.

Pretty much get what you give. Run them hot, they die faster. 2950+ is the sweet spot for the 6.5-284. Seems like 2900 is hot for the 6.5CM. You may lose alot of life with it at those speeds. Just don't know cause I do not own one.

 

[StanleyActual]

Pretty much get what you give. Run them hot, they die faster. 2950+ is the sweet spot for the 6.5-284. Seems like 2900 is hot for the 6.5CM. You may lose alot of life with it at those speeds. Just don't know cause I do not own one.

Yeah 2900+ is getting up there for a CM. pushing 140z You can push it hard to match the slow end of the PRC but what's the point int that. Just run the PRC and you stil got room to push that one a bit .

 

[StanleyActual]

.30!8's will make a good shooter out of you tho. 308's and 223's make for good trainers

 

[VLD Pilot]

7-08 or .308 ? For me if I didn't have either, my choice would be the 7-08 w/140 or 150s. Perfect deer cartridge and bullet combo. The 308 w/150s makes a great deer round. Pushing mine around 3000 fps with Sierra 150 SBTs.

 

[StanleyActual]

7-08 or .308 ? For me if I didn't have either, my choice would be the 7-08 w/140 or 150s. Perfect deer cartridge and bullet combo. The 308 w/150s makes a great deer round. Pushing mine around 3000 fps with Sierra 150 SBTs.

I agree 100%. you'd be hard pressed to find a better selection off bullets than in the 7mm family.. .264's are great and all, but .284's is where it's .

Not sure if you can tell or not but I'm not a huge 30 cal fan. I like my .7mm's and 6.5's :!in that order

 

[VLD Pilot]

308 is a great round. Brass is everywhere. Bullets plentiful and recoil mild. Not much needed for killing a deer so it works fine. Sure most 6.5s and 7mm cartridges surpass the .308 in performance but the accuracy and over all package in the .308 is a excellent. There is a much smaller niche today for the .308 and it's mostly in competition to most.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

.30!8's will make a good shooter out of you tho. 308's and 223's make for good trainers

YUP,.. 'cause those Bullets,.. Drop like,.. a Rainbow !
Always practicing, to be able to,.. "Hit" something ,.. LOL !
For a .30 Cal,.. Gimmee, the .30-06 or, .300 WSM with, the 165's / 180's and,.. a case full of, 4350 !
Otherwise, it's the 7mm's with, 140's to 168's,. SORRY !
I'm just an, OPINIONATED,.. old Guy !

 

[StanleyActual]

YUP,.. 'cause those Bullets,.. Drop like,.. a Rainbow !
Always practicing, to be able to,.. "Hit" something ,.. LOL !
For a .30 Cal,.. Gimmee, the .30-06 or, .300 WSM with, the 165's / 180's and,.. a case full of, 4350 !
Otherwise, it's the 7mm's with, 140's to 168's,. SORRY !
I'm just an, OPINIONATED,.. old Guy !

I haha .agree with every word! That 308'will keep you honest and on on your toes.. The taser and flat ones make your lazy.

 

[LVJ76]

SORRY ! I'm just an, OPINIONATED,.. old Guy !

Couldn't tell

Pick your poison. 6.5, 7mm, 308, either will work. It comes down to everyone's preference. Even the 270 seems to be coming back little by little.

Me, I'm a 7mm guy, plain and simple. And yes, the wide range of 7mm bullets makes it hard to beat. Which ever you preference, load up and send it!

 

[Idaho Lefty]

@ Stanley,..
When Hunting, OUT of, the Woods / Brush,.. I LIKE, those, "Lazers" for, Big Game !
YUP,.. I'm still,.. "opinionated",.. LOL !
I got an Awesome "Deal" on a Tikka .270 WSM, a few years ago !
SO I,.. "make DO" !
A 140 Berger at , 3,185 FPS, shoots pretty "Flat" to,.. 3- 400 yds and YUP,.. I'm Lazy !!!
And IT'S,.. all the Recoil that, I,.. "want" AKA,.. shoot pleasantly without, "Flinching" !

 

[StanleyActual]

@ Stanley,..
When Hunting, OUT of, the Woods / Brush,.. I LIKE, those, "Lazers" for, Big Game !
YUP,.. I'm still,.. "opinionated",.. LOL !
I got an Awesome "Deal" on a Tikka .270 WSM, a few years ago !
SO I,.. "make DO" !
A 140 Berger at , 3,185 FPS, shoots pretty "Flat" to,.. 3- 400 yds and YUP,.. I'm Lazy !!!
And IT'S,.. all, the Recoil I,.. "want" !

The .270 's no slouch. Been pilling critters up for 60+ years and still going strong

 

[StanleyActual]

@ Stanley,..
When Hunting, OUT of, the Woods / Brush,.. I LIKE, those, "Lazers" for, Big Game !
YUP,.. I'm still,.. "opinionated",.. LOL !
I got an Awesome "Deal" on a Tikka .270 WSM, a few years ago !
SO I,.. "make DO" !
A 140 Berger at , 3,185 FPS, shoots pretty "Flat" to,.. 3- 400 yds and YUP,.. I'm Lazy !!!
And IT'S,.. all the Recoil that, I,.. "want" AKA,.. shoot pleasantly without, "Flinching" !

I picked up a 270 a couple months ago. 1951 Pre-64 M70zb. Beautiful rifle and that action….. Never gets old