Caliber for new Savage Build

[Torminous]

Hey Everyone,

I am building my first rifle for longer range hunting on white tail deer. The average weight in this area is 120-200lbs. The max range would be 700 yds. I also will be reloading my ammo. These ranges are on power lines and open fields. I will be carrying my 6.5 grendel for shorter ranges. I will be harvesting the deer for meat, so the less destruction, the better.

Some of the calibers I am considering:

257 wby
6.5 Creedmore
270 win
7mag

 

[snox801]

6.5 creedmore or .257 would be my choice. I have both and the .257 Roy is very flat and does work well but with the limited Bullets the 6.5 creed may be your better choice.

 

[Barrelnut]

Would go with a 6.5x284 or 260AI. More down range punch at that distance and maybe do double duty with the bullets for the Grendel. 7 mag is more punch for sure, but I don't think it is really needed especially with the high BC 6.5 bullets now available, unless evey deer you shoot is at 700 yards...

 

[Torminous]

6.5 creedmore or .257 would be my choice. I have both and the .257 Roy is very flat and does work well but with the limited Bullets the 6.5 creed may be your better choice.

Is the 257 wby or roberts better?

Would go with a 6.5x284 or 260AI. More down range punch at that distance and maybe do double duty with the bullets for the Grendel. 7 mag is more punch for sure, but I don't think it is really needed especially with the high BC 6.5 bullets now available, unless evey deer you shoot is at 700 yards...

I like bc of the 6.5, also it would be nice with the double duty. Will it have enough knockdown though at that range?

 

[Barrelnut]

Here's kinda what you would be looking at for 700 yards at sea level:

1) 6.5x284 or 260AI
140 VLD - start vel = 2950 fps - impact vel = 1973 fps - Eng = 1210 ft-lb

2) 6.5 Creed
140 VLD - start vel = 2750 fps - impact vel = 1812 fps - Eng = 1021 ft-lb

3) 257 Weatherby
115 VLD - start vel = 3300 fps - impact vel = 1978 fps - Eng = 999 ft-lb

4) 7MM Rem Mag
168 VLD - start vel = 3000 fps - impact vel = 2021 fps - Eng = 1524 ft-lb

I think the 6.5x284 and 260AI are the sweet spot at 700 yards. The 257 Weatherby would have less performance and burn more powder. The 7MM would burn more powder and have a bit more recoil than necessary. I've damaged lots of meat with the 7MM at shorter distances....

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Here's kinda what you would be looking at for 700 yards at sea level:

1) 6.5x284 or 260AI
140 VLD - start vel = 2950 fps - impact vel = 1973 fps - Eng = 1210 ft-lb

2) 6.5 Creed
140 VLD - start vel = 2750 fps - impact vel = 1812 fps - Eng = 1021 ft-lb

3) 257 Weatherby
115 VLD - start vel = 3300 fps - impact vel = 1978 fps - Eng = 999 ft-lb

4) 7MM Rem Mag
168 VLD - start vel = 3000 fps - impact vel = 2021 fps - Eng = 1524 ft-lb

I think the 6.5x284 and 260AI are the sweet spot at 700 yards. The 257 Weatherby would have less performance and burn more powder. The 7MM would burn more powder and have a bit more recoil than necessary. I've damaged lots of meat with the 7MM at shorter distances....

With all due respect, but 2750 seems a bit on the slow side for the creed. Unless you got one short barrel. 2800-2850 would be more appropriate I think...... not that it would make that much of a difference in numbers just throwing that out there.

Op, do you care whether it's on the short action or long action? If you want the short then I'd get the 6.5 CM. In the long action either the 6.5x284 or the 7mm Rem mag. The 7mm RM is probably my favorite deer smacker. With deer up here ranging from 150-220 lbs it does a fantastic job. I actually shot my 10 pointer this year with a 7mm RM that weighed 218

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Here's my 2 hunting loads at 700 yards

6.5 CM 140 eld at 2875... impact at 1942 fps 1172 ftlbs energy

7mm rem mag 162 amax at 3050..... Impact at 2107 fps 1596 ftlbs energy

 

[Torminous]

I am not particular on either long or short actions. I like availability of the 6.5 creed more brass. I also do like the 260AI. Are there any recommended readings on the 260ai?

 

[FEENIX]

Hey Everyone,

I am building my first rifle for longer range hunting on white tail deer. The average weight in this area is 120-200lbs. The max range would be 700 yds. I also will be reloading my ammo. These ranges are on power lines and open fields. I will be carrying my 6.5 grendel for shorter ranges. I will be harvesting the deer for meat, so the less destruction, the better.

Some of the calibers I am considering:

257 wby
6.5 Creedmore
270 win
7mag

"IIWY", I'd go with the 7MM Rem Mag from your list and you'd be set up for a long range hunt to include elk to 1000 yards.

The .300 WM is my go to chambering from antelope to elk size game up to 1000 yards and all my harvests had minimal meat damage - the worst was a couple of broken ribs.

 

[ATH]

Hey Everyone,

I am building my first rifle for longer range hunting on white tail deer. The average weight in this area is 120-200lbs. The max range would be 700 yds. I also will be reloading my ammo. These ranges are on power lines and open fields. I will be carrying my 6.5 grendel for shorter ranges. I will be harvesting the deer for meat, so the less destruction, the better.

Some of the calibers I am considering:

257 wby
6.5 Creedmore
270 win
7mag

So many good choices…largely depends on on how much recoil you want. For that scenario I use a 243AI.

 

[FEENIX]

So many good choices…largely depends on on how much recoil you want. For that scenario I use a 243AI.

I understand that muzzle brakes and suppressors are not for every body but they changed the world of felt recoil significantly. All three of my .300 WM's felt recoil are similar to that of a .243's.

 

[ATH]

I understand that muzzle brakes and suppressors are not for every body but they changed the world of felt recoil significantly. All three of my .300 WM's felt recoil are similar to that of a .243's.

Yes, that's another consideration. Though as much as I like my 300WM, for the described purpose and with meat damage a top concern, it wouldn't be my first choice. Dead is dead but the OP could get away with less horsepower on target.

 

[FEENIX]

Yes, that's another consideration. Though as much as I like my 300WM, for the described purpose and with meat damage a top concern, it wouldn't be my first choice. Dead is dead but the OP could get away with less horsepower on target.

That's the great thing about having choices and personal preferences. At 700 yards, .243AI is going to be my 1st choice to harvest a wild game humanely ... but that's just me as noted in #9 to the OP.

Cheers!

 

[pburton]

If I were to choose between the calibers listed by the OP, I would go with the 7rm. This would give you a lot of versatility. Although I really like my 260 rem and 7SAUM. Both would fit your needs quite well. There is also 280 rem or the 280ai. The fun thing about longer range shooting is that there are a lot of good choices. But, the frustrating part is that there are a lot of good choices. Good luck with your decision.