2024 Whats your Favourite Centrefire Rifle

[Oldbloke]

"I recall Nick harvey saying back then semi's had no place in the game fields."

Ahaaa, that's why some said he screwed the average shooters in '96. ???

[Oldbloke]

I do always find it disappointing that others with no need for something, or the inability to understand why some others might find something advantageous, will not support those with the need in their own situations. Or even understand other's needs or wants.

I remember the pathetic people waddling around the rifle clubs denigrating anyone back in 1996 that they used semi-auto rifles for hunting, competition and through even just interest.
Those same 'Fudds" said it again in 2003 with the larger handguns.

The enemy within. I'm sure not deliberately so, but definitely self-obsessed and closed minded.

I'm all for people having whatever they want to own, and I sign all the petitions. I just don't have any use for suppressors myself. I owned one legally forty years ago but it was of such little interest I never bothered setting a rifle up to use it. When I was a kid I was immediately experimenting with very reduced loads in the .222Rem, within months of getting my first centrefire rifle I was making low subsonic .22LR-equivalent loads. In almost everything I own my primary loads are greatly-reduced loads as I rarely need to shoot to the extreme capabilities of a rifle. If I'm shooting 50m I'll use 50m loads, if I'm shooting 150m I'll use 150m loads, and if I'm shooting 300m I'll use 300m loads. I see no need to let off a full-noise .204/.223/7mm-08 to kill something that is 50m away.

Same here. For my 223 I have a "normal" load, a "22mag" load & currently working on a 22lr load.

What's the grain weight and fps(assumed) for this 22lr like load? 40grain 1100fps?

Currently have a load of 7.5gr AS50n behind a 55gr superoo does I think about 1900fps, or there abouts.

Use it occasionally foxes on small properties or where noise might be an issue, etc.


Just working on 22lr now.
I was given abt 300 55gr gas checked and lubed cas't lead 224 bullets. But they are soft. (45gr would have been better i think) Would have prefered non lubed as I could then powder coat them.

Anyway I tried 7gr AS50N and s**t result. I'm assuming because they are so soft and stripping
So, yesterday i just loaded to try.
3gr
4gr
4.5gr
Speed NFI

I also have some unique powder I can try if the AS50N doesn't work.

Same deal, but for rabbits but most will get shot off at the range. Aiming for about 950 to 1000fps. (Quiet) But certainly not fussy abt speed.

You can use any pistol, shot gun powder or trailboss if you have some.

I been reading some are loading 224 slug gun pellets with abt 2 gr of powder to get ummmm 800fps I think. Lol

[Oldbloke]

Deleted

[Oldbloke]

Just spotted this in the 2016 ADI manual.



3 or 4gr might be the number.

223 subbie Notes.jpg (64.28 KiB) Viewed 2515 times

[Late_Starter]

Tikka T3x .223rem. it just shoots. I have bedded my Tikka T3x 7mm-08 this year but have not got the load development completed yet. So there may be a new favourite in 2025, but my .223 is my go to rifle for hunting and club events.

[alexjones]

What's the grain weight and fps(assumed) for this 22lr like load? 40grain 1100fps?

Currently have a load of 7.5gr AS50n behind a 55gr superoo does I think about 1900fps, or there abouts.

Use it occasionally foxes on small properties or where noise might be an issue, etc.


Just working on 22lr now.
I was given abt 300 55gr gas checked and lubed cas't lead 224 bullets. But they are soft. (45gr would have been better i think) Would have prefered non lubed as I could then powder coat them.

Anyway I tried 7gr AS50N and s**t result. I'm assuming because they are so soft and stripping
So, yesterday i just loaded to try.
3gr
4gr
4.5gr
Speed NFI

I also have some unique powder I can try if the AS50N doesn't work.

Same deal, but for rabbits but most will get shot off at the range. Aiming for about 950 to 1000fps. (Quiet) But certainly not fussy abt speed.

You can use any pistol, shot gun powder or trailboss if you have some.

I been reading some are loading 224 slug gun pellets with abt 2 gr of powder to get ummmm 800fps I think. Lol

Thanks. Interesting concept this light 223 loads. I am to lazy to reload. But I do like how you use the same rifle but for a whole lot of different applications.

[ruger 375]

at the mment, my 375 ruger loaded with light sierra projectiles that are cheap and super fun to throw at regular aussie ferals from cats and bunnies to donkeys, any bigger and i load apprpriate pills. the real answer to this question may depend on where in the world i am at the time and what im hunting

[drone]

I only have half a dozen to choose from. Tbh, I nearly sold my favourite last year, it's an old Ruger #3 in 223, I found some PPU 62 grain sp bullets and loaded them up using Vv powder and 0.3 grn increments and amazingly all shot 3 shot groups at at least 1" at 100 yards, settled on a load of N135 that gives 3000 fps and shoots 3 shot groups that could make me a liar; obviously from a bench and rest but I also hit what I aim for when out and about.
I'm getting on a bit now being in my 80s and the guns I used to call my favourites are now up for sale as I won't use them in anger again, being a browning BLR 81 in 308 and a rossi R92 in 357.

[mickb]

back in the earlier/mid 20th century more load manuals had sections dedicated to light pistol powder loads in bottle neck rifle cases. I guess during less economic times it was an attractive option. The military also used light loads of bullseye in 30 cal small arms in ww2, producing subsonic speeds with ball ammo. They called them guard loads being they were used for prison and POW camps domestically. Its an almost forgotten art these days. Most people equate reduced loads with less rifle powder or a case full of trailboss but there is a plethora of options with other pistol/shotgun powders if you can find the data

[Obie73]

Miroku Winchester Model 1873 in .357, with 24" octagonal barrel, factory open sights. Beautiful, and fun to shoot. Fits me like a glove. I'm not into multiple calibres or actions. This rifle is the one for me. Love it.

[CJRBOLTGUN]

my remington vssf 223, laser beam

[dagedsta]

Love all my rifles, but my Tikka. 308 is my favourite atm.

Am seriously considering this. T3x ctr and putting it in a mdt ess with full pic upper. likely wont fit a 56mm obj but, 50 quite fine. I hear VERY good things. Frankly, worth a punt in my opinion .. more than a punt. From what I hear, they are remarkable and for my first serious rifle? It's full-send haha

Agreed?

[CJRBOLTGUN1]

Love all my rifles, but my Tikka. 308 is my favourite atm.

Am seriously considering this. T3x ctr and putting it in a mdt ess with full pic upper. likely wont fit a 56mm obj but, 50 quite fine. I hear VERY good things. Frankly, worth a punt in my opinion .. more than a punt. From what I hear, they are remarkable and for my first serious rifle? It's full-send haha

Agreed?

If i was in NSW i would go for it now ,I been thinking about a new one but cant seem to get over all the what ifs

[mickb]

Miroku Winchester Model 1873 in .357, with 24" octagonal barrel, factory open sights. Beautiful, and fun to shoot. Fits me like a glove. I'm not into multiple calibres or actions. This rifle is the one for me. Love it.

I like your style obie. Actually ran a 357 Rossi as my only centrefire for a long time. My hunting was only to 120 yards or so and it did fine. can run subsonics, cowboy, full house. Same ammo weight as 223 and even more compact to store, 1500 pcs to a 50 cal ammo can. Perfect for medium game, survival or zombie apocalypses

[jakethompson]

’ve used a bunch of rifles this year, but for me, the one that stands out is my Tikka T3x in 6.5 Creedmoor. It’s been my all-rounder—great for everything from range work to hunting, and it really shines at long distances. I can’t help but love how it handles under different conditions, especially with the adjustable stock. That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for my trusty old Ruger American in .223 for smaller game and varmints. Both have been solid performers in the field, and I can't imagine hunting without them.

Can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!

[Wapiti]

And long after '24 morphed into almost mid '25, it's still my Sako 90 Peak in 300WM. Super light, super accurate and hits like a hammer. As a hunting rifle should. It's pipped my 300RUM SS Rem 700 sporter as my fave wicked evil open country hitter.