Best bolt action caliber.

[SlightlyDistracting]

Tikka actually chambers 6.5 creedmoor in 3 or 4 models

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

They also make a 6.5x55 , which makes more sense in a long action.

Agreed.

[Prairiewolf]

Originally Posted by Wisebuck

I’ve hunted with lever actions all my life. .308 blr and .30-30 marlin.
Want to purchase a Tikka 3x but not sure which caliber. I reload so availability of ammo in stores is not gonna be an issue. I hunt moose, deer and thinking of getting into elk. Bears don’t interest me nor sheep or goats. Want a 400 yd caliber. Suggestions?

7MM Rem Mag + Tikka T3x = 400 yd capability + major recoil

If you handle recoil alright, there's your answer.

[brendan's dad]

I have 3 hunting rifles and they are all Tikka's

260 rem. This is a great deer gun and I already modified an extra stock for my son.

7mm rem mag. This is my go to, and grab it for nearly everything

9.3x62 Battue. This has yet to go hunting, waiting for moose, bear or bison.


If I could only choose 1 and did not need to worry about my son, it would be the 7mm rem mag. It is a laser beam and knocks down whatever I point it at. If you are worried about recoil, the 7mm rem mag is no worst then the 30-06. I did add a little weight to the rear stock and then filled it with expanding foam. Added a Limbsaver recoil pad and it is actually quite pleasant to shoot, even off the bench.

[SlightlyDistracting]

Originally Posted by Prairiewolf

7MM Rem Mag + Tikka T3x = 400 yd capability + major recoil

If you handle recoil alright, there's your answer.

This.

[Kurt505]

I don't understand why anyone would opt for a magnum rifle when the max range is 400yds?

Can someone explain to me the advantage of using a magnum would be at the 0-400yd range?

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

I don't understand why anyone would opt for a magnum rifle when the max range is 400yds?

Can someone explain to me the advantage of using a magnum would be at the 0-400yd range?

Because it's vitally important to you to holdover 19 inches, not 22 inches. Me, I can't tell the difference between three inches at 400 yards, and certainly can't hit it with any consistency. But I think my chances of hitting it are a little better with less recoil.

[Nyksta]

270 Win if you are fine with a long action. 308 win if you want a short action. Both will be great.

[Jerry D]

I would go with the 6.5cm.

I honestly feel it is replacing the .308... one peice of the pie at a time.

[SlightlyDistracting]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

I don't understand why anyone would opt for a magnum rifle when the max range is 400yds?

Can someone explain to me the advantage of using a magnum would be at the 0-400yd range?

This
I bought a 6.5 cm for this reason.
My tikka t3 in 308 is punishing after 10 or 15 rounds
My 6.5 cm is seriously the recoil of my 22-250. There is none.
I dont own a magnum .

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by Jerry D

I would go with the 6.5cm.

I honestly feel it is replacing the .308... one peice of the pie at a time.

Curious. I know zilch about the 6.5. Why would you say it's replacing the .308 when 6.5 only equals .256 caliber equivalent? Why not the .270? Thanks.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Curious. I know zilch about the 6.5. Why would you say it's replacing the .308 when 6.5 only equals .256 caliber equivalent? Why not the .270? Thanks.

In one word...... ballistics.

[Big Thumper]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Curious. I know zilch about the 6.5. Why would you say it's replacing the .308 when 6.5 only equals .256 caliber equivalent? Why not the .270? Thanks.

6.5 only equals .264 caliber

[SlightlyDistracting]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Curious. I know zilch about the 6.5. Why would you say it's replacing the .308 when 6.5 only equals .256 caliber equivalent? Why not the .270? Thanks.

Because .264 bullets are lighter and longer they are more aerodynamic and efficient traveling through the air. Gravity and wind has less effect.

[Nyksta]

gravity doesnt change my friend

[harv3589]

270 Win or 7-08 would be my pick. Will work just fine and not kick like the magnums. Heck I even like the 25-06 for the range ur talking about.

[SlightlyDistracting]

Originally Posted by Nyksta

gravity doesnt change my friend

No but bullets do.

[260 Rem]

In 6.5 I run both 260 Rem and 6.5 X 47L ...favoring the latter for being able to keep every bullet I shoot comfortably in the SA magazine box. For 6.5, I would recommend the ‘47 for a wildcat and the Creedmoor for a factory choice.
Been doing lots of thinking about 30 cal and would give real serious consideration for a 30 X 284 (284 necked up to 30 cal) if going the wildcat route, but would choose 308 Win without hesitation among the “standards”.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by SlightlyDistracting

Because .264 bullets are lighter and longer they are more aerodynamic and efficient traveling through the air. Gravity and wind has less effect.

Understood. I only wondered why he chose the .308 in particular as the caliber the 6.5 would replace.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

6.5 only equals .264 caliber

6.5 mm equals .255905511 inches in every conversion calculator I've tried. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

6.5 mm equals .255905511 inches in every conversion calculator I've tried.

The confusion lies in whether the bore is being measured by the lands or grooves A 6.5mm bullet measures .264.
The 256 Newton for instance was in fact a 6.5 not a 257 .
Cat

[Smokinyotes]

Honestly i dont know what the hype is with the 6.5 CM. Other than almost zero recoil and it doesn't use much powder, for a hunting cartridge what will the 6.5CM do better than a 6.5x55, 260 Rem 6.5x47L or even 6.5-284. Maybe someone can explain this to me.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

The confusion lies in whether the bore is being measured by the lands or grooves A 6.5mm bullet measures .264.
The 256 Newton for instance was in fact a 6.5 not a 257 .
Cat

Thanks Cat

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

Honestly i dont know what the hype is with the 6.5 CM. Other than almost zero recoil and it doesn't use much powder, for a hunting cartridge what will the 6.5CM do better than a 6.5x55, 260 Rem 6.5x47L or even 6.5-284. Maybe someone can explain this to me.

The CM has the advantage over the swede and the 6.5x284 by fitting into a short action. It loses out in performance to the 6.5x284 but has 3x the barrel life. It fits longer, high BC bullets into the 2.8" mag box that come standard on most SA rifles than the 260rem. It's basically a ballistic twin to bothe the swede and the 260 with only a minimal edge over the 6.5x47. Over the counter premium ammo, along with premium brass such as lapua are readily available for the CM where as the others not so much.

The CM really was designed to be everything the others in its category missed. Knowing the ballistic advantages of the 6.5 diameter bullet, Hornady set out to build the perfect short action long range cartridge. They did one heck of a job on advertising, but they also developed one heck of a cartridge. It's not just all hype, the 6.5 Creedmoor can actually back up all its hype, and that's the reason it's becoming one of the most, if not the most popular new cartridge today.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

The CM has the advantage over the swede and the 6.5x284 by fitting into a short action. It loses out in performance to the 6.5x284 but has 3x the barrel life. It fits longer, high BC bullets into the 2.8" mag box that come standard on most SA rifles than the 260rem. It's basically a ballistic twin to bothe the swede and the 260 with only a minimal edge over the 6.5x47. Over the counter premium ammo, along with premium brass such as lapua are readily available for the CM where as the others not so much.

The CM really was designed to be everything the others in its category missed. Knowing the ballistic advantages of the 6.5 diameter bullet, Hornady set out to build the perfect short action long range cartridge. They did one heck of a job on advertising, but they also developed one heck of a cartridge. It's not just all hype, the 6.5 Creedmoor can actually back up all its hype, and that's the reason it's becoming one of the most, if not the most popular new cartridge today.

Loads for modern 6.5x55 rifles have an edge over both the 260rem, and the Creedmoor. And since the OP specifically mentioned a T-3X, which only comes in one action length, the Creedmoor has zero advantage, and it gives up a bit of velocity to the 6.5x55 with lads worked up for the T-3.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Loads for modern 6.5x55 rifles have an edge over both the 260rem, and the Creedmoor. And since the OP specifically mentioned a T-3X, which only comes in one action length, the Creedmoor has zero advantage, and it gives up a bit of velocity to the 6.5x55 with lads worked up for the T-3.

Sure, but I was answering smokinyotes question, not suggesting anything to the op. Several manufacturers use shorter bolts for their short actions, quality over the counter ammo goes to the Creedmoor, and I'm not positive, but I don't think you can get lapua brass for the swede?

All in all, I still don't think the slight speed advantage that the swede has is enough to sway my vote its way, the Creedmoor has much more going for it imo, not to mention they got twisted right, right out of the gate.

[Hawkeye]

Lapua does make 6.5 x 55 SM brass; I have some sitting on my shelf.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Lapua does make 6.5 x 55 SM brass; I have some sitting on my shelf.

I did not know that.... until now.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

Sure, but I was answering smokinyotes question, not suggesting anything to the op. Several manufacturers use shorter bolts for their short actions, quality over the counter ammo goes to the Creedmoor, and I'm not positive, but I don't think you can get lapua brass for the swede?

All in all, I still don't think the slight speed advantage that the swede has is enough to sway my vote its way, the Creedmoor has much more going for it imo, not to mention they got twisted right, right out of the gate.

Lapua most certainly does produce cases for the 6.5x55, which only makes sense being that the 6.5x55 is likely the most common big game cartridge in use where Lapua is located. Again the OP mentioned the t-3x, which comes with a 1 in 8" twist for the 6.5x55. I have owned a T-3 in 6.5x55 myself, and two friends own T-3s in 6.5x55, and all three rifles easily shoot sub 1/2 moa for five shots, with multiple loads. And all three rifles will do that shooting the exact same load. I just don't see much room for improvement with any other 6.5mm cartridge in a factory T-3.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Lapua most certainly does produce cases for the 6.5x55, which only makes sense being that the 6.5x55 is likely the most common big game cartridge in use where Lapua is located. Again the OP mentioned the t-3x, which comes with a 1 in 8" twist for the 6.5x55. I have owned a T-3 in 6.5x55 myself, and two friends own T-3s in 6.5x55, and all three rifles easily shoot sub 1/2 moa for five shots, with multiple loads. And all three rifles will do that shooting the exact same load. I just don't see much room for improvement with any other 6.5mm cartridge in a factory T-3.

I get it, you like the T-3 swede, it's a fine choice if you're limited to a long action rifle.