What caliber of rifle should I get ?

Originally Posted By: VarmintsBeware
So it is between the 7mm-08 and 308 for my choice. Now I am going to look at diferent brands of rifles in both calibers. That will be a whole new "post" sometime soon.

Those were my choices all along so naturally I'm agreeing.
As Far as the rifle thread goes, don't bother. I've already suggested the new FN built M70 and I'm ALWAYS right.
laugh.gif
grin.gif

Seriously though, I think you're off to a good start with getting one "good" all-around big-game rifle/caliber and would suggest looking into the best CRF that you can afford. Ruger, Winchester, CZ, and Kimber are all pretty good these days.

Originally Posted By: 6mm06
RePete, I can't help noticing that fantastic bobcat in your avatar every time I see your post. That is a great looking cat.


Thanks 6MM. We're fortunate to have some good Cats around here. He's not the biggest I've taken but close. Stretched 42" but he was skinny. Only weighed 29#. Here's a bigger pic.
012-3.jpg

Crappy pic cause he was wet, but here's a 38# Tom that stretched 43". (Treed by that little 37# Cur dog.
shocked.gif
)
S7300984.jpg

And a real pretty 30# female that stretched 39".
sallycat001.jpg

Both of em on the way to the fur buyers. As ou can see, that Tom was a Hoss.
sallycats004.jpg


Sorry for the hi-jack Wayne, but if ya couldn't tell, it don't take much to get started talking Cat hunting.
blush.gif

Luck with the new rifle.
 

Me too Wayne, sorry for the hi-jack with Bob Milek and RePete's bobcats. Hopefully the added information will help your post and not hurt. I think we can all agree that shooting bobcats with a 25-06, 7mm-08 or a .308 would not be prudent unless considering the bullet, and even then might not work out well.

RePete, my largest cat to date is a 30# 15 oz. female, taken last November. I took it with a 6x45 AR and night vision scope. I like your dog, too. Thanks for the photos.

David

 
Originally Posted By: 6mm06
I think we can all agree that shooting bobcats with a 25-06, 7mm-08 or a .308 would not be prudent unless considering the bullet, and even then might not work out well.



Agreed!
I mostly use rimfires when hunting with the dogs.
The cat in my Avitar was called and killed with my modified CZ527 in 17FB.
008.jpg

17 CF's are perfect for Cats IMO.
 
My favorite the .308! Ive owned them all and they all have a place but its hard to beat any military round. I prefer the .308 over the 30.06 in the 30 cals because its been my experiences that gun for gun, shooting factory loads, I have gotten better accuracy with the .308. I also like a shorter action and more compact hunting rifle. The .308 is a very effecient med. game cartridge and works very well for all North American game. My go to gun is the Marlin XS7 in .308. The best made "cheap" rifle IMO.I get consisent 1" groups with 150 gr. Remington loads. I use it on everything from grey fox to large hogs and it kills very effectively! It is not very fur friendly with 150 grain loads though.
 
WOW, this was one chat forum! I am happy everyone got along with some nice comments.
Oh, please don't worry about the so called "hi-jacking". Everyone got some good input and some real nice pictures to boot.
So 308 it is!(If I cant find a nicely priced 7mm-08) LOL

Now for the rifle. . . .

So will my 17HMR using 17grn VMAX work on a bobcat?

Once again, thanks to all joining in on my question forum.

Wayne
 
Originally Posted By: VarmintsBeware

So will my 17HMR using 17grn VMAX work on a bobcat?


IMO,,, NO, but some use it, or at least claim to.
I use a 22Mag for treed cats with shots being 25-75 feet. The 17HMR with a hunting bullet might get the job done in these instances but I like and use the old Winnie 40gr JHP's.
For called Cats I gotta say No Way. Sure you might get lucky, but Cats are almost electric (for lack of a better word) when hit and need more punch IMO.
I like my 17FB shooting 20gr HP's at 3940fps or my 17Rem shooting 25gr HP's at about 3850.
The 17Rem's more forgiving and really lays em down as well as being plenty for Called Coyotes.

PS, if you want to see some extensive chats, do a search on this site reguarding the 17HMR for predators.
tongue.gif
 
Originally Posted By: 6mm06
Fur-friendly I would say. Nice photo.

You betcha.
They look like they were stabbed with an ice pick when you pull the hide off.
.177 hole going in, and no exit.
I love that slushy sound when ya pick em up.
grin.gif


Here's the typical fur damage from a 17Rem.
If I wouldn't have pulled the hair back for the pic, you'd think it died of a heart attack.
006-4.jpg
 

I came real close to having a .17 Rem Dtech upper built for my AR, but was also eyeing the 6x45 with a lot of interest. I went with the 6x45 instead and Mike did a fine job on it. It's a great predator round in my mind, has been for me at least, but I would still like a .17 centerfire.

RePete hit the nail on the head about bobcats - when shot they generally do all sorts of acrobatic stuff, jumping, twisting and running. I've dropped a few on the spot, but not many. Most seem to get a spurt of energy when shot and they put that energy into action. That's been my experience, anyway.

As to the HMR for bobcats, I would stay away from it personally. It's a great little crow sniping round, and we have used it quite a lot on groundhogs with good success.

Pertaining to the .308, here are a couple of photos taken in Namibia in 2007. I used the guide's .308 to take both a warthog and springbuck. Plenty of cartridge for both.

Warthog1.jpg


DavidSpringbuckFavourite1.jpg



 
Originally Posted By: 6mm06
I came real close to having a .17 Rem Dtech upper built for my AR, but was also eyeing the 6x45 with a lot of interest. I went with the 6x45 instead



Ha,,, I did just the opposite (well sorta). I came real close to building a 6X45 bolt gun recently but nostalgia got the best of me so I opted for a 222. It's at the smiths right now, but it should be home soon.
17Rem was my first 17CF and still my favorite chambering. If I was an AR guy, I'd definatly have one in 17Rem.
 

Seems I just want too much! I want both a bolt 6x45 and also a .17 Rem upper. I've had thoughts of both for quite some time. Man, these forums have ruined me.

I've been kicking around what action to build a 6x45 on. What did you have in mind? I kind-of like the feel and such of Ruger actions as a beginning platform.

I know the .17 would treat bobcats much nicer than the 6x45 does. Still, the 75 gr. Sierra HPs I shoot in it aren't all that bad, unless I hit it in the wrong place. The bullet always exits, but generally doesn't tear gaping holes in the hide. It's a great coyote getter.
 
I wouldn't build a bench gun on one but I'm a sucker for a classic CRF bolt gun and the Ruger 77 is definatly that.
I know a guy that has several Rugers with premium barrels. Far as I can tell, they shoot as good as any semi custom and look good doing it.
 

I like the looks and feel of the Ruger action. I think that could be turned into a neat little 6x45 calling rifle.

Wayne, if you keep reading RePete's and my posts, you may give up the idea of a 25-06, 7mm08 or .308 and decide to go with a .17 Rem or 6x45. LOL.

 
NO, I think Im gonna stay with either 7MM-08 or 308. Nice africa safari photos.

I took a 300 win mag and 45-70 when I went back in 2003, and had a great time. Took 8 nice trophies, and I cannot wait to return some time in the future.

I am at odds on either 7mm-08 or 308. I guess I have to see what different brands/models/prices each caliber comes in.
Then I have to post(if I dare) as to what optics I should put on it LOL

Anyways, keep up the chat, keep up the stories and pictures. Thats what makes hunting forums like this one so much fun to visit.

Wayne
 
Realistically, they're pretty similar. You can get some better BCs with the lower weight 7mm, but it may not carry as long as the heavier 308 bullets. It's a coin toss, really. I just tend to be a 7mm fan!
 
The quaterbore is deff not "too small of a caliber". Its a good all around flat shooting versitile caliber that when loaded with 115-120 gn pills will drop any game in its tracks or a good varmit gun all depending on how you load it. But its all going to come down to your personal preference. Ask around and try a few calibers out. Its all in your feel for the gun/ caliber. FYI Savage makes a real nice 25-06 model 116 in synthetic, stainless thats a real tack driver.
wink.gif
 
VAkritterkiller,

I have seen a few Savages in model 11 and 116, in calibers 25-06,7mm-08 and 308. Saw one in 7mm rem mag too.
All were synthetic with blue steel actions/barrels and scope combos.

I also saw a Ruger MkII(I think)"Hawkeye" in brushed stainless/synthetic in 308.

I looked at Cabela's, and Get R Done gun store inventory.

Thanks for all input from everyone,
Wayne
 
Have you shopped gunbroker.com ? If you find a gun you want, you buy it and have it shipped to a participating FFL dealer near you, the guys around here charge anywhere from $10 to 10% of the gun's value.

gunbroker.com

marlin x7

 
Last edited:
Back
Top