Just bought a G2 action and would like to put together a 20 - 22" barrel carbine under 7 pounds with a Leoplod 2-7 Compact. I would like to shoot 150 lb deer, goats, sheep or a 5 pound fox if necesary. I'm thinking a 250 Savage/25 Bulberry Imp, a 6x45, 6.5x45 or 7x45, or someting like that would be the best. Also have considered a 7-30 Waters. My 243's or 6.5x55 will work, but don't work in the G2. Any other ideas?

Inside 200 yards and on game such as you describe, the 6x45 (aka 6mm-.223) will certainly do the trick with the 80 grain Sierra Single Shot Pistol bullet (discontinued, but their 80 grain Blitz is virtually the same in performance). But the .257 JDJ or .25 Bullberry IMP (you can't chamber a Contender in .250 Svg., although a couple shops will do a .250 IMP if you promise to stick to standard .250 data) are wonderful rounds and offer superb performance with the 100 grain Ballistic Tip.

My next choice would be the 7mm Bullberry. I have used one in a carbine barrel for a number of years now and have been nothing less than impressed. You don't even have to go to the trouble of forming/trimming brass anymore; I simply order 7mm US brass from eabco.com and fireform. It comes up slightly short but is of no consequence in terms of accuracy or performance. The 7mm Bullberry is one of the easiest cartridges I have ever loaded for and is a pleasure to shoot. It is more efficient than the 7-30 Waters but offers virtually the same ballistics.

Then there's the always-reliable 6.5mm JDJ...

Although slightly more difficult to make up brass for a 6mm 30-30 Imp. is a great round in a Contender and doubles as an excellent varmint cartridge as well.

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the ideas. This certainly gives me some more food for thought and research. I think I like the idea of a moderately loaded 6mm/30-30 Improved which can push my favorite Sierra 85gr HPBT a little faster than the 6mm TCU and probably not kick much more. I was also looking at the 6BR, but it is loaded a little too hot for the G2.

I did find today that the 6.5 Grendel is supposed to be loaded to about 45,000 CUP for the loads used for the FBI tests which would seem to allow for it to be used in the G2. That would pretty well move it into a big deer/Elk/Caribou gun with a pretty reasonble recoil level.....so many choices......so little money and time!!!! Anybody else look at that possibility??

Thanks again!!

i have shot a lot of 250 savage from a contender and it is a really good round but only available as a custom barrel.

Eskimo,

What was the barrel length and were you pretty happy with the results? What loads were you using?

Thanks!!

I shoot 38 grains of h380 with a 100 grain balistic tip and I have chrono'd it in a 14 at 2610 but never out of a carbine length barrel.

and yes i am always amazed at the killing power of this fine medium bore

Eskimo,

I get about the same velocity from my Encore 15" in 7mm/08 with a 115 gr HP. Shot one doe last year at ~90 yds and she just laid down and never moved.

The .250 Savage out of a 22" carbine barrel should get 2800 or so and should make a really nice little rifle. Whose barrel are you using? Also, do you ever use an 87 gr or do you stick with the 100gr all the time?

Thanks!!

I shoot an SSK barrel and it shot the 100 so good that I never went down in bullet weight. The funny thing is i shoot 75 and 85 grain bullets in my 257 WTHYat 3950 and 3800...i think I have it backwards..

I do the same thing with my 25-06...100 gr shoots so well I never tried anything else. I have an Encore barrel in 6.5-06 Imp from Bullberry and am very happy with it....never tried SSK....maybe I should. Folks seem to be pretty happy with barrels from Mike Bellm too. With normal delivery times, guess I better order something soon if I want use it next fall. I'm close to being convinced on the little .250 savage in a 22" barrel....seems hard to beat!! I'm guessing yours is not an Ackley Improved version in the 14".

Mine is a regular 250 savage. i really never saw a need for more. It is great just like it is. good shooting lowrider