Thread: Choosing calibre based on ammunition availablitiy

Morena.

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I'm 6 months into what is now slated to be at least a 12 month process of getting a firearms license. This huge wait time has sucked me into a black hole of looking into various calibres and cartridges. The missus isn't too keen on feeding the kids little bits of lead, so I'm leaning towards bonded or monolithic bullets.

I was initially keen to use the 120gr Barnes TTSX bullet in 6.5 Swede. While the Sako Powerhead II used that bullet, I couldn't find it stocked anywhere. I emailed Beretta NZ and was told that Sako are discontinuing that cartridge as they are having problems sourcing the projectiles. Once the worldwide stocks of Powerhead II are gone they will remove that line from their marketing. While a few outfitters have the same bullet in 6.5 Creedmoor, it seems silly to buy a rifle based on ammunition that will disappear soon.

So, I have a few options once I am licensed: A) Buy a 6.5 Swede and use Sako's Powerhead Blade instead; B) Buy a 6.5 Swede and learn to hand load the Barnes TTSX bullet; C) Buy a .308.

With those options in mind:
Does anyone have experience with the Powerhead Blade either in general or specifically the 120gr 6.5 Swede? What is the effect on game in terms of terminal ballistics and speed of kills? I don't plan on hunting long range. 250 - 300 metres would be my maximum, so the bullets do not need to be capable of quick kills at long range and low velocity;
Is there anyone in the Wellington region that hand loads and wouldn't mind me coming and watching them load some ammo? I have Nathan Foster's book on hand loading, but I'm reluctant to get into that art before I can watch someone do it and can gauge whether or not it's something I might be capable of;

Thanks in advance.