Thread: Caliber of choice for under 400m

708 / 308 can't go wrong.

.308 readily available ammunition in a variety of styles and weights. More than capable of 400 plus on all species except maybe scrub bulls. When you meet one up close for the first time whatever you're carrying seems too small.

Pffft bunji was hunting them with a blow dart gun

6.5cm for the misses and kids, get yourself the prc

Another vote for 6.5cm. Been using the caliber for years,easy on the shoulder for the family and kills deer out to 400m no worries

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Originally Posted by blake

Another vote for 6.5cm. Been using the caliber for years,easy on the shoulder for the family and kills deer out to 400m no worries

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This. 6.5 CM suppressed works for everyone and does the job.

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Dumb question, but how does a 6.5cm go with a short barrel? If one wanted a short barrel why would a 6.5 be a better option?
Hope I'm not derailing the thread too much

Originally Posted by Brad S

Dumb question, but how does a 6.5cm go with a short barrel? If one wanted a short barrel why would a 6.5 be a better option?
Hope I'm not derailing the thread too much

If you want a short barrel then 308

Seems to be coming down to a.308 vs 6.5 Creedmoor.
My take is if you will shoot (as you say) within 400 yards, the ballistic energy advantage goes to the .308 Win... but saying that the 6.5 CM also has no issue taking deer inside that range.
If you’re hunting at some extended ranges past 400 yards, or are worried about wind drift, the 6.5 CM is better... less bullet drop, wind drift and more velocity retention means more shots on target.

Saying that though, dialling for elevation is a much simpler proposition these days of laser rangefinders, custom elevation turrets, and ballistic apps so the .308 can be used. However, dealing with the wind can be a lot more complicated. Hunters often must face windy conditions so with this in mind, I give the nod to the 6.5 CM due to the advantages the cartridge has with a flatter trajectory and especially in the wind deflection department.

Also if you care about recoil (most do), then the 6.5 CM is better.
Recoil impulse depends on rifle weight, bullet weight, and load construction, but all things being equal, the 6.5 CM produces about 25% less recoil than a .308 Win.

As for ammo availability, I went into the local H&F last week and there was a heap of 6.5 CM ammunition - therefore my overall choice goes to the 6.5 Creedmoor over the .308.

anything really

308, 7mm07, 6.5creed, 270, 30-06, 243...

308 being the most abundant

Get yourself a Carbine Pig Dog in 308

There’s a mint sako 243 for sale at the moment. Flick the scope to another forum member if you don’t need it.

Originally Posted by Brad S

Dumb question, but how does a 6.5cm go with a short barrel? If one wanted a short barrel why would a 6.5 be a better option?
Hope I'm not derailing the thread too much

My go to 6.5cm has a 16 inch barrel. I only use factory ammo,Hornady 140g eldm or 143g eldx and it's taken reds and sika at 5yrds to 365yrds so goes ok with a short barrel.

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You want a decent size pill going at a reasonable speed, and a shorter action (if you get a rifle that doesn't use a long action and a spacer it saves some weight)
Something that shoots well from a shorter barrel and a can is also appealing, much handier in the bush.
Ammo availability is a factor unless you reload, (or you have to buy some retail for some reason)
Hard to go past a 308 on that criteria. Although I went a 708 which is close but not quite as common.

308