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Author Topic: Lookin for a lite caliber  (Read 1580 times)

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Offline longwinters

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Lookin for a lite caliber
« on: January 05, 2007, 12:12:32 PM »
I have just gotten a contender in 7-30 waters.  IMHO probably the best deer cartridge for the Contender.  But I really don't want to pound targets at the range with this caliber/recoil.  So I am looking for a caliber that would have less recoil, be easy to load for and would be at home either shooting target or varmints (up to coyote size).  Possibly target to 300 yds or so.  Any suggestions?

Long
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Offline Gregory

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2007, 12:44:04 PM »
.223 in a 14" barrel is the only one I can think of.

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Offline OLDHandgunner

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2007, 12:56:41 PM »
I agree. The .223 should serve your needs.
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Offline spinafish

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2007, 07:56:16 AM »
6.8 SPC...
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2007, 07:57:37 AM »
6 TCU, best of the bunch by far.
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Offline jhalcott

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2007, 10:22:55 AM »
  Since you ALREADY have 7mm bullets ,why not the 7TC/U ? It'll even do for deer out past 150 yards! loads are every where,as are components. I have it in 10, 14 and 21" barrels. I also have the 7-30 in 14" .While I do not find the 7-30 recoil a problem,I think ANY excuse is great for a new barrel. I also have a 14" 223 that seldom gets shot because of the 7 tc/u's versatility!
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Offline jamie

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2007, 11:06:07 AM »
I was thinking 6/7 TCU also and as mentioned above you already have 7mm bullets.  It should do all you ask and take a deer if the oppertunity presents itself.
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Offline longwinters

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2007, 12:25:00 PM »
Thanks for the ideas.  I'll have to read up on the 6/7TCU calibers.  I had been pondering the 223 so more homework to do.

I have a friend that just picked up an Encore frame to put a 338-06 barrel on.  Should be interesting.   :)

Long
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Offline Lives2hunt

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2007, 02:21:31 PM »
jhalcott it sounds like that .223 you have needs a new home since its so neglected. I have a nice place for it at mine. GB you suggested the 6 TC which sounds interesting although I need to be educated on it. 
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Offline Cheesehead

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2007, 02:38:18 PM »
I looked at the case dimensions of the 6 and 7tcu on stevespages and then realized it is based on the 223 case necked up. I would think these rounds would also work well in an AR15 or any contender or encore.

Cheese
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Offline SD Handgunner

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2007, 06:19:20 AM »
As Greybeard stated the 6mm T/CU is a great cartridge. I have had a couple Custom 6,, T/CU Barrels over the years and have used them on everything from Gophers to Whitetail Deer. For Varmints & Coyotes I used the 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips at 3050 FPS. Accuracy was great as was bullet performance. When fall arrived I switched loads and rezeroed for either the 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer or the 80gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip. Either of these would average around 2700 FPS. I never did shoot a Whitetail with the 80gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip but did with the 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer and 80gr. Remington Power Lokt Hollow Point (the latter didn't expand at all on a broadside lung shot).

With all that said I am also a huge fan of the .223 Remington. I have used bullets from the 40gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips through the 52gr. Speer Flat Base Hollow Point with excellent results. I too have shot some 55gr. Spitzers but perfer the lighter bullets for more dramatic bullet performance on small carmints. If shooting some of the Winchester, Remington or Speer Bulk Pack Bullets the .223 is about as economical to load as any centerfire out there. I have obtain quite good results over the years with the Remington or Winchester 50gr. Pointed Soft Point Bullets in .223 Contenders with a few different powders, but for Hunting perfer the better Ballistics of the Nosler Ballistic Tips.

Larry

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Offline jw4570

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2007, 02:37:26 PM »
I like the 7mm TCU too.  10" and 21" barrels.  I've shot the 10" a little, but think I need a new rear sight (got the barrel used).

I have a 14" 223 barrel also, but I don't shoot it that much

The 7mm TCU will not work in an AR15, the OAL will be too long.  The bullet isn't seated that deep. 
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Offline Who Me?

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2007, 04:21:48 AM »
Quote from: longwinters on January 05, 2007, 12:12:32 PM
I have just gotten a contender in 7-30 waters.  IMHO probably the best deer cartridge for the Contender.  But I really don't want to pound targets at the range with this caliber/recoil.  So I am looking for a caliber that would have less recoil, be easy to load for and would be at home either shooting target or varmints (up to coyote size).  Possibly target to 300 yds or so.  Any suggestions?

Long

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the .204 Ruger.  It's perfect for varmints up to and including coyotes.  Light bullets, extremely fast & flat shooting and it will really blow up a prairie dog with the right bullets.  I bought a G2 in .204 last spring and then bought a 7-30 Waters 14" barrel about 3 weeks ago.  Just the opposite of you, I guess.   8)
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Offline MnMike

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2007, 04:17:38 PM »
I have a .223, which I love. Latey I have convinced myself I need a .204.

The only sensible answer is to buy both.  ;)

mike
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Mike Ellestad

Offline HL

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #14 on: January 11, 2007, 07:50:45 AM »
Try the 218 Bee or the 22 Hornet. Recoil is practically non-existant and they are very accurate out of the shorter barrels.
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Offline jhalcott

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #15 on: January 11, 2007, 08:26:17 AM »
  long,
I'm sorry but I did not ask whether this would be 14" or 21" barrel ! Another caliber that I love because of the lack of recoil  is the .17 REM ! In a 21" or longer tube this caliber will work on prairee dogs to deer(as long as the deer are small). A Ton of coyotes have been taken with it. Mine is quite accurate with the 25 grain bullets. WOW ! this is getting confusing ! Heck , just buy every one you see! :)
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Offline Kywoodwrkr

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #16 on: January 11, 2007, 11:50:17 AM »
jhalcott,
You have it all in proper perspective!
I actually like ALL the calibers mentioned, well the littler ones anyway, no 338 or etc.
Does anyone load cast bullets in their 223, 6mm ,7mm etc etc?
I'm thinking about getting either a 7-30 Waters or a 6mm TCU.
Have a 223 carbine barrel, and 7mm TCU 14".
Some other assorted shorter barrels.
But what I'd like feedback on it good and bad results, if any, with cast boolits.
Thanks.
DaveP   kywoodwrkr
longwinters, sorry for intruding but thought maybe the answer might help you as well.
Besides, I've been known to share boolits or the associated gear before.
D.
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Offline jhalcott

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #17 on: January 13, 2007, 09:15:48 AM »
woodworker, ( i don't like to use KY maybe I'm just anal) :o
  i've used cast in the 7T/CU with good to poor success. A 112 grian mold that casts too fat for the 270 works vey well. Another mold is the RCBS 168fn,this has worked REAL well in many of my 7MM's. I only tried commercial 22 cal cast bullets in the .223 so can't give a good report on them. Maybe a NEW thread in the "cast bullet" column is needed!
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Offline longwinters

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #18 on: January 13, 2007, 03:24:28 PM »
This would be for a Contender super 14".

Long
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Offline basdjs

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #19 on: January 16, 2007, 05:57:02 PM »
I've got two 15" factory barrels for my Encore and love both for different reasons.  One is a .243 that has mild recoil and is very accurate with 80 gr. loads. 1" groups at 100 yds. that might be tighter if I could shoot better.  I've used it out to 225+ yards with a 2X 7 pistol scope for groundhogs.  Haven't used it for whitetails yet, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so especially with 100 gr. loads (or even the 80 gr. at close range).  I've killed a number of whitetails with a  .243 rifle over the years before I switched to my Encore .260.

The other barrel, which I like because of its really light recoil and accuracy, is a .22 Hornet.  The recoil is so light that I have a 3X9 Nikon rifle scope on it that has enough eye relief (3.5 - 4.0") to let me shoot with my elbows in again my chest (might be called the taco position).  The Hornet's not as flat a shooter as the .243 or .223 but in the field, with a pair of shooting sticks, it's very accurate out to 100 - 150 yards. I'm sure that better shooters with a rangefinder could extend that range.   For me, the sight picture through a rifle scope is much better than through a pistol scope, especially in bright light so I enjoy shooting this set-up a lot.  Both calibers are easy to load for.  Both of my barrels shoot well with factory ammo as well.
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Offline determined451

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Re: Lookin for a lite caliber
« Reply #20 on: February 01, 2007, 09:52:18 AM »
223 Rem.  first choice...my favorite is 218 bee...similar to 22 hornet...have shot at 200...it does fine...have not shot at 300....it is really a fun caliber...D451
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