Thread: Caliber of choice for under 400m

Hard to find a cal from 22-250 up that won’t do the job at those ranges, I’ve found bullet selection and scope choice of more consequence than calibre choice. Apart from a 7.62x39 that I had for a while, but maybe I didn’t try enough different projectiles before abandoning it due to poor killing performance.
I currently hunt those ranges with a few rifles - 6.5/06ai with 18” barrel, gets same speeds a a 22” barrel creedmoor. So realistically it’s good from point blank out to 600m. 22/250AI last deer I shot with that was 350m Cleon kill on the spot in the crease. Even a 6.5 Grendel has merit as a mid range rifle and would be the nicest to shoot of the rifles I’ve used. Sold mine when I needed cash… will buy another as soon as funds allow.

I was wondering if the grendel was suited to 400m. Ive got one but havnt shot that far with it

Good to see the old .308 strong in this thread. With all the ‘new calibres’ around the .308 still stands tall for knock down power and ammo availability. Im a fan as an all rounder as well.
I have been using a 25.06 extensively last few years as I like the flat shooting, low recoil characteristics. I also have a 6.5 x 55 that is also on my most used list. However for the 6.5 you need hand loading for you to get the best out of it.
In my safe I have 7 x 57, 257 Roberts, 30.06, and others that all do the job. My experience is the dude firing it has more of an influence on the success over the calibre.

I am biased - But .270 all day every day for everything - ammo is cheap as chips, and it is accurate out to those distances.

On the others mentioned - yeah, ok - .308 - I just never been a fan. 22-250 not enough bullet weight and noisy. 7.62x39 - I never succeeded there - but that may have been the rifle and oversized magazine at issue.

Originally Posted by Jaybe

Hi Team,

The captain has given me signoff to upgrade the old rifle to something new and shiny.

Keen to get some constructive feedback as to the caliber to stick with for upto 400m. 99% shots taken under 200m. We hunt North Island, mostly fallow, sika and some reds.

Have been happy with the 308 and it's ability to hit hard and allow some room for error. Do I stick with the tried and true (and bullet availability) or be open minded to some newer calibers like the 6.5 CM or 6.5 PRC. They maybe overly kill for the distance we generally shoot but sounds like the recoil is a lot less (also keeping in mind my young fella is near graduating off smaller pests)?

Cheers in advance.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

.243 Winchester is my cartridge of choice, 95 Targex or 95 Berger and 105 Targex my choice for big animal, small animal, far away or near. If you choose a cartridge based on "room for error" maybe drag a 20mm cannon about when you go hunting. No need to buy into the wheel they keep reinventing.

243 my choice, even more so if you are introducing kids. IF you are pushing out to 400 mtr look to Higher BC bullets several have been listed above. If buying new get a 1:8 twist factory barrel and then you are good to 110gr bullets, I run 108gr ELD-M in mine but they are not that great on skinny narrow bodied goats. Then come down to 75-87gr loads.
I'm not a fan of starting kids with a 308, the 7m08 does have some Good reduced load options avaliable or load some 100-110gr rounds at min charge.
Hard to go wrong with any 308 cartridge family in 6mm, 250,6.5mm or 7mm.

Then if you are reloading you could go over kill and build a 358win on a 308 action, then just load pistol bullets at 1700fps for the kids.
Mates kids took their First goats using my 358 with that load. however I think of mine as only a 300 mtr gun as I don't run it hot being a lever action.
Z

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

No issue to push a 140 eldm at 2600 from a 16 inch barrel. Kills shit very good to further than I would shoot with the little 6 power. Eldms work super well at those velocities.

Edit: also shoots factory 140's at 2500 ish.

I personally have and use 308 and 270. I have a 243 for the Mrs only because it was $250,

But since you have a good budget and you have young kids I’d lean more into the 6.5. I have a mate with one and it’s a real pussy cat to shoot.

I am biased 308 every day, "target will spin and fall when hit". Plenty of ammunition choices plus readily available.

50/70 can I get a heck yeah?

Originally Posted by Doghead

I am biased - But .270 all day every day for everything - ammo is cheap as chips, and it is accurate out to those distances.

On the others mentioned - yeah, ok - .308 - I just never been a fan. 22-250 not enough bullet weight and noisy. 7.62x39 - I never succeeded there - but that may have been the rifle and oversized magazine at issue.

I would not want you as my neighbor

If it helps I've just made up a drop chart for my 30-40 US Govt
Firing a 180 grain round nose flat base bullet at 2400 fps and a 200m zero
The drop at 400m is 1500mm or 12.75 moa of dial up

Things get messy beyond 400m with an additional 1800mm of drop for the next 100m

Originally Posted by Doghead

On the others mentioned - yeah, ok - .308 - I just never been a fan. 22-250 not enough bullet weight and noisy. 7.62x39 - I never succeeded there - but that may have been the rifle and oversized magazine at issue.

Been playing with a 22-250 lately. it's no louder than my 223 when both rifles are suppressed.

yeah me a fan of 22-250 mate has one - drops fallow very well indeed -was popular back in seventies with the meat hunters for neck and head shooting to get a little more money for ones hard won deer

What about 25mm.......?