Ballistics Hole

12 February 2009, 03:10

Code4

Ballistics Hole

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 ?

12 February 2009, 03:26

AzGuy

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

All of your options are good....

12 February 2009, 03:38

fredj338

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.

12 February 2009, 04:27

30378

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

12 February 2009, 04:41

Pancho

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

Pancho
LTC, USA, RET

"Participating in a gun buy-back program because you think that criminals have too many guns is like having yourself castrated because you think your neighbors have too many kids." Clint Eastwood

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12 February 2009, 04:52

bartsche

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

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..

12 February 2009, 04:58

rolltop

quote:
30-06 is still the most popular/versatile.

This is my choice.

12 February 2009, 05:46

Stonecreek

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.

12 February 2009, 07:18

vip

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.

12 February 2009, 07:33

Buliwyf

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

12 February 2009, 19:46

merlinron

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.

12 February 2009, 22:53

Red C.

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.

13 February 2009, 00:51

Von Gruff

Still has to be the 7x57.

Von Gruff

13 February 2009, 01:07

Crazyhorseconsulting

1 more vote for the 7x57.

15 February 2009, 07:22

rcamuglia

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................

16 February 2009, 03:50

RaySendero

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.

16 February 2009, 06:06

N E 450 No2

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.

16 February 2009, 23:16

MikeyB

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

16 February 2009, 23:50

Bear in Fairbanks

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

Unless you're the lead dog, the scenery never changes.

I never thought that I'd live to see a President worse than Jimmy Carter. Well, I have.

Gun control means using two hands.

17 February 2009, 02:43

Doc224/375

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

My Dad said Talk is cheap it takes money to buy whiskey. Do it and than talk about it. Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!!