I want a bigger bang...

[sandgroperbill]

Disagree. .223 is an awesome little caliber and relatively cheap and easy to find factory ammo for. .243 will still have you wanting more gun later on. Having said that, if you were recoil shy and only wanted one centrefire, then .243 would be a definite contender

[Chronos]

i'll post a few thoughts here rather than quote bretts excellent post on the 7-08 v .308 comparo

when you look at those numbers it's true to say the .308 will have more energy at close ranges but the 7-08 was designed to do one thing, deliver more energy than the .308 at 500m. infact it will do it with a lighter bullet, important not for a hunter but for a target shooter who is required to fire 40 rounds in a morning match, 80 rounds in a state level open match and 120 rounds if you shoot both hunter class and open silhouette classes


brett your ADI data is a fair whack away from the velocitied i was getting with 168gr sierra's and 2208 let alone 2209 which will get better velocities in a 24" barrel. if you's like to run the same load again using 2560fps you may get a better profile but i used to shoot with blokes getting closer to 2650 with 168's and 162 amax's

FYI when i switched from .308 to my 7-08 I was dialing 5" less drop from my 200m zero than my .308 load was (168gr SMK in both guns for rams at 500m)

Chronos




the cartridge excels with the 120-140gr range of bullets delivering good energy and wind drift past 300m

[brett1868]

Only had the ADI data to go off for the 7mm-08 so used it for both just to have an even playing field. I rarely shoot 30cal anymore as I've finished all my load development and the 22-250 or 257Wby Mag kill everything I currently hunt up close while the Cheytac has taken giant bunnies out past what's considered ethical. It's more about best calibre for the job I guess, and between those 2 choices I'd probably go the 7mm-08 due to lower recoil and less powder. Best advice so far I think was to choose the rifle first for fit and features then worry about the choice of calibre. I've certainly been guilty of walking into the gunshop, looking on the shelf, spotting something shiny and pretty, buying it then worrying about the calibre afterwards. That's how I wound up with the Sako 85 Laminated S/S .204 and I've never regretted that purchase. Rifles are a bit like women, I'm attracted to how they look, fall in lust and worry about the cost, maintenance and nagging later

[Strikey]

I agree with Chronos, those ADI figures are probably a little conservative as most silhouette shooters using a 7-08 ( which is still the benchmark calibre for that game ) will be loading their 162-168grn projectiles using AR 2209 for over 2600fps to guarantee knockdowns but this is going away from the OP's question of which calibre to choose to fit in between his .223 and in the future 300WM. I reckon a 25-06 might fit better than a .243 or a .257 Roberts for something slightly milder but can be reloaded to nearly equal the 25-06, then for something different maybe the 250-3000 or my personal favourite its Ackley Improved brother, sorry but I am a .25cal fan If the rifle is to be used mainly for target shooting then you can't go past a 6BR, buy a cheap action, have a barrel screwed in and happy days, easy to reload for accuracy with ballistics not far behind the .243 but who cares about velocity when you are making one hole groups

[Heckler303]

So much discussion over what Calibre he should use still. I'll voice my opinion again.


For a lot of cases, the venerable 'ol .308 is still a really good choice, its everywhere, its 30 cal, its very accurate, it'll take down buffalo if you put it in the usual spots as per the norm when hunting AND military 7.62/51 will fit it, which you would want in case all hell breaks loose.


Also, it has a good BANG to it

[Strikey]

Heckler, have you shot a lot of buffalo with your .308 down there in Tassie?

[aaronjo]

And the battle rages on!

On a side note, not bad for cheap factory ammo. Winny 55gr bulk pack. 100m.

That'll do me...

4 shots in 2 holes.

[Strikey]

All I can see is a whole lot of white paper with half a finger/thumb nail on it

[Title_II]

Just get a .50 BMG rifle and be done with it. You know you want to

All I can see is a whole lot of white paper with half a finger/thumb nail on it

Group is so tight the hole closed!

[Heckler303]

Heckler, have you shot a lot of buffalo with your .308 down there in Tassie?

I zipped my maths teacher in the arse with a pen gun, does that count?

[aaronjo]

After deciding on the caliber, then it's the rifle, then which scope....

This is just the first stage of selection criteria for a all round, relatively lightweight carry around hunting rifle.

The .223 Tikka Varmint is great for shooting outta a car or on a bonnet but I'm not gonna be walking all day with that...

[sandgroperbill]

So you want something light...

First question I would be asking is how recoil sensitive are you?

Tikka t3, weatherby vanguard/howa 1500 in synthetic or ruger american in .243? Don't get too close to .30cal or it may make it difficult to get your .300wm later on.

But, I go back to my earlier suggestion. Go choose a rifle first. There are a lot of calibres out there that are near enough as makes no difference in terms of hunting applications. Find something nice and light that balances well, fits your shoulder nicely and feels right. This is more important than calibre when it comes to hunting

[Baronvonrort]

After deciding on the caliber, then it's the rifle, then which scope....

This is just the first stage of selection criteria for a all round, relatively lightweight carry around hunting rifle.

Have you decided on calibre let alone rifle or scope...lol.

Nothing wrong with a heavier rifle, it will build up arms shoulders and back carrying it around.

[aaronjo]

Current plan is possibly a Sako A7 synthetic stainless in 7mm-08 with a VX3 or Zeiss Conquest.

Heading to the shop this coming week.

Always subject to change when I get there, lol!

[bigtone]

Lucky you don't live in Queensland where everything bigger than 338 lap is not banned but you just can't have one. Get a 50BMG just because you can. And it makes Queenslanders sad too which might be a bonus too!

[sandgroperbill]

He's in wa. 50bmg is banned and .338 is effectively banned. It is possible but you have to take it to the administrative appeals tribunal. Also, because of this, nobody stocks .338 lapua ammo.

[Broom]

I am starting to think a .243 is the best first centrefire, it can take more species and saves any urgency to get something bigger,if you start with a .223 you will be getting something bigger it's not a case of if but when.

Only hindered by the fact it's not legal for the larger deer species in a lot of places.

If it was I reckon a .243 with 90gr or 95gr pills would be the all round go-to for a lot of shooters.

[Baronvonrort]

Only had the ADI data to go off for the 7mm-08 so used it for both just to have an even playing field.
between those 2 choices I'd probably go the 7mm-08 due to lower recoil and less powder.

Nosler have some pretty good data for what they sell,worth having a look if using their products.
www.nosler.com/nosler-load-data/7mm-08-remington.

I didn't think less powder and lower recoil would be a factor for you

[brett1868]

I didn't think less powder and lower recoil would be a factor for you

Touché brother

Nothing like throwing 2.5kgs of powder to load 200 rounds to make a short guy feel just that little bit taller. I have to confess that I had my right shoulder surgically enhanced to deal with recoil. (Truth be told, I high sided a Hayabusa doing something stupid and ripped my shoulder out of the joint. It's all screwed together now and as a bonus almost it's impervious to recoil but don't tell anyone )

[Baronvonrort]

I have been through the motorcycle stage,started (road) with L plates on a RD250LC then moved up to GPZ and GSXR1100's, I recall an old guy saying youngfella there are 2 types of riders, those who fall and those who are going to fall.

You can stand a bit taller knowing we are happy with what you have,someone has to buy the guns that piss the antis off.

[Norton]

Nothing like throwing 2.5kgs of powder to load 200 rounds to make a short guy feel just that little bit taller.

Dunno about the feeling taller bit, I just remember my wallet recoiling from the shock when I started loading the .416

[aaronjo]

Allrighty, it's done and dusted!

Sako A7 Stainless in 7mm-08 with a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40 and Leupold PRW rings.

[Title_II]

Cool! Nice caliber and sounds like decent glass.

I have a question. If you live outside Queensland, WA, and other crappy gun law states, is there a limit on caliber/mm? I'm not looking for a state by state breakdown, just wondering if there is an overall limit or if you are allowed to have cannon and stuff.

[Title_II]

How about a 37mm gun? Rifled, cartridge rounds (not high explosive).

[anthillinside]

How about a 37mm gun? Rifled, cartridge rounds (not high explosive).

YES PLEASE

I can just see the result of submitting a Permit To Acuire .... Instant street party of red and blue disco lights ... and an extended stay at one of her majestys bed and breakfasts.

[brett1868]

Allrighty, it's done and dusted!

Sako A7 Stainless in 7mm-08 with a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40 and Leupold PRW rings.

Great choice, quality rifle and scope but I'm no fan of the Leupold PRW rings as I don't like springing them apart to fit over the tube. I use cellophane tape on the scope to protect it while using a pair of T-Handle hex keys to spring them open and over the tube before removing the tape. I'm sure you'll get a lot of satisfaction with this package, enjoy and let us know how it performs.

[Heckler303]

Hey, do any tasmanians here know whats the biggest calibre allowed in the state? I've seen 338. projectiles + full ammo stocked up in my LGS, but I'm not entirely sure if I could even put in a permit to acquire on that one. I did try ringing up Firearms Services, but the kind lady on the other end didn't even sound like she knew what a bullet was

[Chronos]

Hey, do any tasmanians here know whats the biggest calibre allowed in the state? I've seen 338. projectiles + full ammo stocked up in my LGS, but I'm not entirely sure if I could even put in a permit to acquire on that one. I did try ringing up Firearms Services, but the kind lady on the other end didn't even sound like she knew what a bullet was

I know one bloke down in tassie with a .50 Alaskan, don't know if there's a "caliber" limit as such, your licencing service should be your guide, if you can't get a straight answer i don't know what the next step would be



Chronos

[Heckler303]

Well after talking again to firearms services I found out the following:

There is practically no limit on caliber here in tasmania. Just as long as it doesn't go past 50BMG in terms of 'power' you're all good.

Actually, there's a range I could go to that offers 375, 416, 460, 577 and 600 NE, all the way up to (if you're bloody well rich enough) trying your hand at the 700 nitro express. Maybe I should borrow the 700 for rabbit plinking

[ebr love]

How about a 37mm gun? Rifled, cartridge rounds (not high explosive).

Non explosive? Why ruin the fun?