Thread: Looking for a good all around rifle

@HindmarshLM07 How is your head?
it's a simple question, "Looking for a good all around rifle," which has been and will be debated for years, with no definitive outcome.
Basicallybuy whatever you are comfortable with.
If, after a few successful hunting trips, there is something you don't like about the rifle, it's accuracy, or knock down power, sell it and buy something better.
You don't need to get it exactly 100% correct on the first try.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by Hugh Shields

@HindmarshLM07
it's a simple question, "Looking for a good all around rifle," which has been and will be debated for years, with no definitive outcome.
Good luck.

We do have a definitive answer, people just don't want to see it.
For years it was a Tikka in 7mm08, and now I think a better answer is a Tikka in 6.5CM or a Howa in 6.5CM. There are literally dozens of cartridges that will work, but 7mm08 or 6.5CM is the right answer for a new shooter/hunter.
People stop suggesting the obvious answer because it gets labelled as a "latte drinkers rifle" or get called "6.5manbun" or just because people want to be different, but for a new shooter these are the obvious choices.

The OP hasn't been very clear about what his intended game is, at first is was deer and big game but then has mentioned small game.
If he just wants to blast a few rabbits or wallaby then any of the "normal" hunting cartridges are fine, if he wants to shoot 50 wallaby/rabbits a week then it's a different story.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

We do have a definitive answer, people just don't want to see it.
For years it was a Tikka in 7mm08, and now I think a better answer is a Tikka in 6.5CM or a Howa in 6.5CM. There are literally dozens of cartridges that will work, but 7mm08 or 6.5CM is the right answer for a new shooter/hunter.
People stop suggesting the obvious answer because it gets labelled as a "latte drinkers rifle" or get called "6.5manbun" or just because people want to be different, but for a new shooter these are the obvious choices.

The OP hasn't been very clear about what his intended game is, at first is was deer and big game but then has mentioned small game.
If he just wants to blast a few rabbits or wallaby then any of the "normal" hunting cartridges are fine, if he wants to shoot 50 wallaby/rabbits a week then it's a different story.

you quickly forget how difficult it was to buy ammunition for either of those 2-3 years back...and must wear rose tinted glasses when look at price tags too.....but yes if shop around and buy lots when find it at ok price and dont shoot a lot its not too bad...

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

you quickly forget how difficult it was to buy ammunition for either of those 2-3 years back...and must wear rose tinted glasses when look at price tags too.....but yes if shop around and buy lots when find it at ok price and dont shoot a lot its not too bad...

Everything was difficult to buy ammo for 2-3years ago. Many things still are, match 22lr ammo is almost non-existent these days.

For the most centrefire ammo is close enough to the same price, so for a good all round rifle it doesn't really matter.
For a high volume shooter then 308 might be a cheaper option but 223 is by far the best, so again comes back to what the OP wants.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

Everything was difficult to buy ammo for 2-3years ago. Many things still are, match 22lr ammo is almost non-existent these days.

For the most centrefire ammo is close enough to the same price, so for a good all round rifle it doesn't really matter.
For a high volume shooter then 308 might be a cheaper option but 223 is by far the best, so again comes back to what the OP wants.

Yep guys have played this game before and keep coming back to the 308 and 223 combo's (223 in 1:8 twist that is).

Have had very fast rifles (they pencil through a lot, or cause massive carnage to good meat) also Magnums in 7MM and 300cal they're good for ego and distance shooting. Have had the man bun cals that shoot beautifully but cost an arm and a leg to feed to find factory or reliable reload supply that shoots well and doesn't break the bank.

Keep coming back to the 308 and 223. The 223 in a 1:8 I can load heavyish 75-80Gr or light varmint rounds. In heavier rounds I've had some really amazing terminal results (with good placement) on Reds so this became my sunrise sunset rifle of late. During the day for a walk I'd take the 308. Brilliant for fast reaction shooting on bumped animals (the old run 50y and stop ones) where you perhaps don't have as much time for precision or time as a set up 223 shot. But both work extremely well.

New Shooter - do yourself a favour add a good suppressor and pop a limbsaver boot on the 308 until you're used to it and get the trigger working well for you. 223 I always have a suppressor as the crack without tends to make em bolt but with suppressor they generally do a WTF and you have more time for a follow up.

Hope that helps - don't get caught up (like us all) in the fashion parade of hoping for the wonder 1 to rule them all. Invest in one or both of these - you'll find yourself coming back to em time and time again.

CD....

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem

Hope that helps - don't get caught up (like us all) in the fashion parade of hoping for the wonder 1 to rule them all. Invest in one or both of these - you'll find yourself coming back to em time and time again.

CD....

It depends, there are 100% cartridges that'll do almost everything, something like 22creedmoor, 22 BR, or 22GT will basically do what both 223 and 308 will do.
You'll burn more powder than 223 and have terrible barrel life compared to both cartridges but for most people 1500 round barrel life is more than enough.
I'm never going to recommend that to a new shooter though, not least because factory rifles and ammo don't really exist (might not be long before 22creed is available though).

It all depends on the context, the following situations all require different recommendations:
-all round hunting rifle (the topic of this thread): 7mm08, 6.5CM maybe 6.5Grendel, 243 or 6CM
-high volume shooter (who doesn't reload): 223, 308 or rimfire
-a reloader: whatever you want depending on intended game
-competition shooter: depends what discipline you shoot

TLDR;
6.5CM or 7mm08 are the "best" cartridges for someone who wants to chase a few deer, shoot a few wallaby/goats/rabbits and the odd pig.

223 and 308 and somewhat worth considering but 223 is too small for a new shooter IMO and is likely to lead to some animals dying in more pain than they aught to, and 308 recoils a lot in a light weight rifle and will do nothing more than 6.5CM other than teach someone to flinch.

It's a shame there aren't more 6mm CM factory rifles yet.

Originally Posted by whanahuia

Ive, just out of interest, gone through that entire thread. So whats there? The vast majority is fallow deer. After that comes red hinds, yearlings and spiker's.

Whats also there is a few very experienced hunters killing most of the animals.

Whats not there? Many big mature red stags. Roughly half of those that are there, have been shot by one person.

What that tells me is that its a tool for experienced hunters who can push the calibre too its limits. Who have the knowledge and patience to wait for the perfect shot, or even pass up a chance.

Whats also not there? any reference too situations where things did not go to plan.

Im going to use an analogy now. A good big Boxer will always beat a good small boxer!

There are things a 270, since it was used as an example, can do much better than a 223. Tough angled shots. Breaking the spine on a big animal if the shot gos high. Running shots where you dont have the same ability to put the bullet exactly right. Follow up shots when things have gone wrong.

This advantage of course lessens as you go up, so yes a 243 is a better choice, but there is still some advantage too a bigger projectile. Or we would all be using the small calibers for everything.

I'll go shoot a few more big stags for you. It will be a chore and I'll be terribly sad to do it

Originally Posted by gimp

It's a shame there aren't more 6mm CM factory rifles yet.

if what I read on you tube posts from USA the 6.5cm is already on its way out replaced with yes supposed bigger better - 308 and 270 just carry on regardless as they always have done

Dont do it for me Gimp, I wont be particularly impressed as I know it can be done. I also take it for granted that you will do it well. I have 100% success on deer and big boars with the .22 rimfire when ive used it. Because I knew where I had to be and when the right shot presented, When to shoot. Or not. Im not going to claim its a particularly good idea to do though.
I was simply pointing out the reality of that thread, as far as 223 use go's.

Originally Posted by gimp

It's a shame there aren't more 6mm CM factory rifles yet.

Yeah we'll just use a .243 and be happy and be able to find ammunition in most shops lol

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

if what I read on you tube posts from USA the 6.5cm is already on its way out replaced with yes supposed bigger better - 308 and 270 just carry on regardless as they always have done

All those US Youtube channels are full of shit, they just promote whatever the gun companies give them.
How many of them talked up how amazing 6.8 western is? If ever there was a new future obsolete cartridge that was the one.

6.5cm isn't going anywhere, 6cm and 22cm are going to do to 243 and 22-250 what 6.5cm did to 260.
They aren't anythign special, other than facotry rifles will be introduced in the correct twist rate, and good, accurate, correct projectile weight match and hunting ammo will be (and already is) available straight away.

Rabbit hole....
Rabbit hole.....
Rabbit hole......
@Beetroot broad brush stroke statements like, "All those US Youtube channels are full of shit," is not really helpful.

Recently I have been watching The Big Game Hunters Blog o YouTube. Very interesting, factual, well researched and informative. I would direct any new hunter/shooter to listen to the detailed comparisons he does on various cartridges.

Each clip starts with the history of each cartridge and rifles, then the family trees, then detailed comparisons between the ballistics, trajectory, energy, grouping etc. I have learnt a lot from watching this guy, very informative and very unbiased.

One thing John says in his talks on 6.5mm family is, "There are so many good 6.5mm cartridges, that all have very good and similar ballistics, that we are splitting hairs to say one is better than the other....."

I suggest the new guys watch The Big Game Hunters Blog, cartridge comparisons, with an open mind....

Originally Posted by Hugh Shields

Rabbit hole....
Rabbit hole.....
Rabbit hole......
@Beetroot broad brush stroke statements like, "All those US Youtube channels are full of shit," is not really helpful.

Recently I have been watching The Big Game Hunters Blog o YouTube. Very interesting, factual, well researched and informative. I would direct any new hunter/shooter to listen to the detailed comparisons he does on various cartridges.

Each clip starts with the history of each cartridge and rifles, then the family trees, then detailed comparisons between the ballistics, trajectory, energy, grouping etc. I have learnt a lot from watching this guy, very informative and very unbiased.

One thing John says in his talks on 6.5mm family is, "There are so many good 6.5mm cartridges, that all have very good and similar ballistics, that we are splitting hairs to say one is better than the other....."

I suggest the new guys watch The Big Game Hunters Blog, cartridge comparisons, with an open mind....

THank you Hugh many of the you tube from states are not biased and very informative -well worth a watch - so Hamish you cannot say we have not enthusiastically responded to your post if at times a little biased why not if we were all the same boring

Originally Posted by Hugh Shields

One thing John says in his talks on 6.5mm family is, "There are so many good 6.5mm cartridges, that all have very good and similar ballistics, that we are splitting hairs to say one is better than the other....."

Two things can be true at the same time.

I shoot a 260 and it's great, even has a little better performance the 6.5cm. I'm not going to recommend it to a new shooter though as their choice of factory ammo is almost non-existent, where as 6.5cm ammo and rifles (in the right twist rate) are readily available.

So yes, there are a bunch of 6.5mm cartridges that are all so similar it's like splitting hairs (same thing with 6mm and 7mm cartridges) but there is only one you'd recommend for a new shooter who is not a reloader.
You might recommend 6.5x55 also, but for simplicity sake the "best" one in this instance is 6.5cm.

Originally Posted by Hugh Shields

broad brush stroke statements like, "All those US Youtube channels are full of shit," is not really helpful.

Yes sorry, many of them aren't and broad claims are indeed not helpful.
But any one that claims 6.5cm is dead and/or dying is 100% full of shit.