This is one of those, What Calibre ? questions.

I have a (2nd) FN Mauser '98 action ready for another custom rifle project.
I want to fill the Ballistics hole between .243W and 9.3x62.

I'm thinking 6.5x65, .270, 7x57, 7x64, .30-06.

Use will be small/medium, antelope/deer, plains game.

What are your suggestions and why ?

Hard to imagine a more "classic combo" than an FN Mauser in 7x57!!

All of your options are good....

quote:

Originally posted by AzGuy:
Hard to imagine a more "classic combo" than an FN Mauser in 7x57!!

All of your options are good....

Yeah, that would be my choice too, although I love my 280 & the 7x64 would be right there.

I would make it a 270 Winchester just because of the vast choices of ammo availability.

Another vote for 7x64. 30-06 is still the most popular/versatile.

First choice is 7x57 followed very close by 6.5 x 55. No need to endure more recoil than you have to. I might even suggest a .257 Roberts. roger

quote:

30-06 is still the most popular/versatile.

This is my choice.

I'm planning an 8x57 on my FN. 7x57 would also be an appropriate choice. Of course, chambering for either of these assumes that you handload as most factory ammunition is loaded to less than optimal velocities.

I'm hesitant to recommend cartridges on the .30-06 case like .270, .280, etc if your FN Mauser has a magazine only about 3.3" long, which limits these longer cartridges unnecessarily.

quote:

Originally posted by Code4:
This is one of those, What Calibre ? questions.

I have a (2nd) FN Mauser '98 action ready for another custom rifle project.
I want to fill the Ballistics hole between .243W and 9.3x62.

I'm thinking 6.5x65, .270, 7x57, 7x64, .30-06.

Use will be small/medium, antelope/deer, plains game.

What are your suggestions and why ?

If you reload 6.5-06 if not 280. Both are flat shooting, have tolerable recoil, and fill the gap for the animals mentioned. Paul.

Answer to your question is a 6.5-06. I personally would build a 375 Ruger.

my vote would go towards the 7x57, too. it will do anything any of the mentioned rounds will do, except maybe comfortably reach as far as the .270, but it's just not that often you have reach as far as the .270 will, so it's not that big of a deal. a 7x57 on a nice '98 says it all, classicly, too.
one other to consider might be a 6.5x57, std. or maybe in ackley improved. then you have everything a .270 is, as well. a little harder to find ammo for, but easy as pie to make, if you reload. with a 6.5x57, you can have the .270 performance and still keep a classic chambering on your '98.

We'll, here I go again, touting the .257 Wby Mag. It is one of the best long range guns for the type of game and hunting you listed. However, ammo is expensive if you don't reload.

Still has to be the 7x57.

Von Gruff

1 more vote for the 7x57.

270 WSM

An unbelievable round.

My buddy has one and calls it his "Death Ray"

He says it seems to have no drop compared to the ballistics tables; it's like a laser................

quote:

Originally posted by Code4:
This is one of those, What Calibre ? questions.

I have a (2nd) FN Mauser '98 action ready for another custom rifle project.
I want to fill the Ballistics hole between .243W and 9.3x62.

I'm thinking 6.5x65, .270, 7x57, 7x64, .30-06.

Use will be small/medium, antelope/deer, plains game.

What are your suggestions and why ?

C4,

I'm a big fan of the 270 Win and would chose it or the 7x57 to fit between the 243 and 9,3.

Lets see... .243 + .366 = .609 / 2 + .304.5.

So it looks like the 30-06 would be the perfect pick.

With bullets from 150gr to 220 grains, it is the perfect third rifle for your battery.

.30-06 or .280/7x64. Either of those 3 would be a great choice for most everything.

My vote goes for a .270 Win. For the animals you describe, it would fit the bill very well. It's my favorite rifle even for most of Alaska's game with 150 gr. bullets. Also, I'm a pure .27 cal. slut.
IF ya wanna go practical, then I'd have to vote for the ol' .06. Whoever said that we gun nuts were practical though?
Bear in Fairbanks

Seems like Roger and I agree once more . Maybe because we have been recoil beat enough

through the years !?. I still like a healthy pounding from the 7 Mags and .338 Mags just not

quite as often as I used to !.

bartsche
one of us


Posted 12 February 2009 04:52 Hide Post
fishingFirst choice is 7x57 followed very close by 6.5 x 55. No need to endure more recoil than you have to. I might even suggest a .257 Roberts. beerroger


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