Strong agreement here. I've often thought that if I wanted to use just one bottlenecked centerfire cartridge, rifle or pistol, that would be it.
A few straight-wall cartridges and some rimfires could fill in for other purposes.
Versatile Caliber for Hunting
- Thread starter KZCafe
- Start date
A few straight-wall cartridges and some rimfires could fill in for other purposes.
Lonesome Dove
A man of vision but with no mission.
It is a fantastic cartridge but like all others it's not Magic!
I prefere the 260 over the Creed or any other actually when it comes down to nitty gritty. There are plenty of sources for brass.
Second is the Wildcat 6.5-06 pretty much for the same reason. Long or short action these two are a Gimme.
lonestardiver
TGT Addict
If you are considering the 6.5-06, you might be just as happy with the 6.5x55 Swede. Brass is more available with lots of published data as well as dies.
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Lonesome Dove
A man of vision but with no mission.
Had one one and it is a great round. Though the 6.5-06 brass is available by reforming.
25-06.
270.
280.
30-06.
That pretty much beats the 6.5 swiss
Lonesome Dove
A man of vision but with no mission.
I've settled on the 243 for my go-to gun but I kept a couple others should that hunt of a lifetime come around.
TrailerparkTrash
Member
You nailed it with the two above. 5,56 and .30-06 (if you want elk). Close thread.
I think that your uncle is related to my Montana husband!
Especially when my husband hunts in different types of terrain.
His 30-06 REMINGTON 700 (BDL?) rifle is JUST about HIS top favorite hunting rifle even though he loves his last remaining CF rifles. IT is a beautiful rifle too.
HE told me that IT would most likely be the LAST CF RIFLE that he would KEEP since it is such a great shooter and can COVER ALL BASES! In various terrains here in Western Montana.
He has the same rifle as your uncle and it is an older one which was bought NIB from Bob Wards here in this town LONG, long before I knew him too. He always tells me that story and the now 'ancient' salesman who sold it to him FINALLY did retire totally several years ago. I can say 'ancient' because WE are old too. Grin.
He does use the beautiful and tack driving Made in CT MARLIN lever action rifles especially in another type of terrain when he hunts too.
45-70 Government
30-30 Winchester
THOSE are his top 3 CF caliber hunting rifles.
Old Lady Cate
PS: I do not hunt but IF I did hunt, I would choose what I USED to use for woods/wilderness protection. My former MADE IN CT MARLIN 336C in 30-30 Win. Beautiful walnut and blue steel.
My husband's MADE IN CT Marlin (30-30 Win.) is the 336 SS model. Black walnut and stainless steel.
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In today’s World everyone needs a 5.56, and if TSHTF, a .308 w/ a GOOD Scope.
Those 2 cover all necessary bases.
Then a .22LR utility rifle, & maybe an AK.
A 9mm pistol or 3.
You likely need a good all-around 26” bbl 12GA repeating shotgun, too.
The above is a basic home “armory”.
Have a safe and plenty ammo for all.
However, remember that there is never too much ammo, most of our homes are very flammable, “bugging-out” is silly for most, and what we can carry is limited.
Welcome to TGT & the South !
leVieux
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In today’s World everyone needs a 5.56, and if TSHTF, a .308 w/ a GOOD Scope.
Those 2 cover all necessary bases.
Then a .22LR utility rifle, & maybe an AK.
A 9mm pistol or 3.
You likely need a good all-around 26” bbl 12GA repeating shotgun, too.
The above is a basic home “armory”.
Have a safe and plenty ammo for all.
However, remember that there is never too much ammo, most of our homes are very flammable, “bugging-out” is silly for most, and what we can carry is limited.
Welcome to TGT & the South !
leVieux
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Welcome to Texas! I was not born here but got here as soon as I could…great place!
Now onto your question…so difficult to get one answer as everyone has had different experiences and input. On this forum, most of it is going to be spot-on, so you will have to make a choice, given your constraints. For me, the 6.5 CM is a pretty versatile round; can find ammo for it that is not too pricey, is accurate for long range shooting, does not have considerable recoil (thinking kids here) and has decent stopping power. Not sure I would take it elk hunting, but probably okay for ethical kills for just about anything else in TX (some large exotics excluded).
I have a Browning X-bolt in 6.5 CM and it is a great deer / hog gun; my teenaged boys love it. It is a bolt-action. I also have an AR10 platform chambered in 6.5 CM and use it for long-range shooting. I put plenty of $$ into the barrel and optics but the fundamentals of the 6.5 CM round make it a solid choice. We were shooting at 1,200 yds this past weekend at our deer lease and I was able to hit a 16” steel plate three times in a row with factory ammo using the AR10 platform.
Optics are important…if I bought a $1,000 gun, I would plan on putting on a scope that is similar in cost. In the past I went cheaper on optics and have found that to be flawed logic.
Good luck!
