Which Caliber: First Bigger Rifle

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Geno is right. I just did some online price shopping, and it looks like the prices of 6.5 CM are pretty close to .308 at this point. Federal Gold Medal Match seems to run slightly higher for the 6.5, but it's not out of line. So I don't think you can go wrong with either the .308 or the 6.5 CM.
 
The 6.5 Creedmoor is your huckleberry. You don't need a 30-06 unless you plan on hunting moose or large bear. A 308 used to be the go-to recommendation, but I simply can't go there anymore. The 6.5 is simply that much better. And I have three 308's.

Ammo is readily available even at Walmart now ranging in price from $18 a box for hunting loads up to $28 for premium target ammo. Walmart stocks more 6.5 Creedmoor ammo than 7-08 or 243 now. Hornady Precision Hunter and match grade target ammo are about the same price, but you won't find it at Walmart. Compared to 308 ammo is within $1-$2 and about 1/2 of the time 308 is more expensive. It just depends on the exact ammo.

Recoil is in between 243 and 308, but closer to 243. As a target rifle a 147 gr bullet will remain supersonic out to 2000 yards. The best 308 loads will run out of gas at around 1300 yards. And the 6.5 is proving to be more accurate.

As a hunting round it shoots the same bullet weights as a 270 ( which is 6.8mm) about 100-150 fps slower at the muzzle. Up to about 200 yards the 270 has a slight edge on paper, but the much more aerodynamic 6.5 bullets will catch up and pass 270 somewhere around 200 yards. No animal will notice the .3mm size difference in bullets.
 
I really appreciate all of the replies and info guys, really.

I decided on the 308 today after much deliberation.

As to the recoil mentioned by someone, as I mentioned in my first post I shot a friend's RA 30-06 recently and I found it quite manageable. From what I've read that's a pretty comparable rifle to the Savage in terms of weight so the 308 shouldn't be a big difference.

As to the hunting license, I keep mine renewed every year even though I rarely hunt.

As to the father in law comment, he's very pro 2A, an avid outdoorsman and has more guns than I even know about. We get along just fine. ;)
 
Good ol boy. I see you already made your decision. I would like to make a suggestion. If you bought the regular Axis without the accutriggwr, your going to find that the trigger is VERY heavy and gritty and not conducive to great shooting form. The Axis is a very accurate rifle but the stick trigger is its major bugaboo.
My dad bought one a couple years ago on sale on black Friday. He complained about the trigger pull being to heavy but considering he is not typically into rifles and just bow hunts, I paid it no attention. Then earlier this year, I shot it and he was right, it has a terrible trigger.I checked his trigger pull and it came out to 7 lb 1 oz. Plus it was gritty with gobs of overtravel..not good...BUT, there is an easy and inexpensive fix.
First, I ordered a MCarbo trigger kit. This comes with a lighter spring AND an overtravel screw. After spending 5 minutes at the most to install the kit, I remeasured the trigger to find it at a like 4 lbs 0.5 oz (I think). It was much lighter and had almost NO overtravel. Doing that might be enough for you.
I was still not happy with the grittiness it still had. I pulled the trigger back out and gave it a quick polish job then reinstalled. It now has a buttery smooth trigger with a clean break and no overtravel and breaks at 3lbs 10 oz. I believe. Its worlds better than before and took less than a half hour (mostly to polish) and $21.90 including shipping charges. It's as good as some timney triggers I have shot. Just something to consider. MCarbo are some good people and there is even a step by step video on their website to install the kit if needed.
If you got one with an accutrigger, disregard this whole post.
 
If you get into a big black bear with a less than perfect shot I would go 270, 308, 30-06 with the 308 probably getting the nod.
 
Steven the trigger is a little heavier than the higher priced variations with adjustable triggers, but IMO overall it isn't that bad. There's hardly any take up with a very clean break and no over travel. It is what it is for a $200 gun, but it's not terrible. Thanks for the aftermarket trigger advice.


Legion, it's just a plain jane black rifle but I'll see what I can do. Range report will have to wait at least until I get an optic on it, hopefully this weekend.
 
It's hard to go wrong with the .30-06 in this country. I hope there is never a time when that cartridge isn't a well regarded and patriotic as apple pie. Though in truth, all of those cartridges would do for what you want.

If you handload, then all the cartridges offer some potential for long range target shooting. If you do not handload, only the .308 and the Creedmore are going to have much for commercial match loads.

I have no experience with the 7-08, but I know that .284 caliber has some of the best long range projectiles available.

Between the .270 and the .30-06, I actually prefer the .270, but only because that was my first hunting rifle and so the cartridge has some sentimental value to me. The .30-06 might be slightly better for elk, moose, and larger game, the .270 might shoot a tad flatter at most hunting ranges and recoil marginally less, but they are close enough you have to nitpick to notice any practical difference. Same with the .308 and the .30-06. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. The .30-06 handles 180 gr and heavier bullets a little better, so depending on how big your bears get, that might be something to consider against the .308, and the .270. The .308 can be had in slightly lighter rifles and will have better factory options and availability for match ammo. Depending on how long of range you want to go, how steep your terrain or out of shape you are, that might be something to consider.

The good news is that if you put the bullet where it needs to be, chances are slim that any deer or bear is going to notice much of a difference.
 
Good Ol' Boy said:
Here you go but not much to look at right now....I'll get a better snap once some glass is on it.


View attachment 769495
Click to expand...
Congratulations on the new rifle. Got a buddy that also has an axis and his stock trigger was a tad less than 6 lbs so apparently there is quite a bit of variation on the factory triggers. Glad yours isn't terrible. Every Axis that I have seen are very accurate whether they have had that trigger job or not. It's well worth the <$22 but I'm sure it will be accurate either way. Can't wait to see what kind of groups you get. Btw, if you are expecting to keep your shots at 150 yards or less, might consider trying the cheap Remington Corelocts. They shoot very good in my dad's 30-06 Axis and a friends 308 Axis plus they do a number on deer with anything except extreme raking shots. Can' wait to see some target pics.
 
Congrats on your purchase! You got an awesome price! Enjoy and please post updates.

Geno
 
If you don't reload my vote is the .308, especially if there is bear involved. I own a .308 and like it a lot. The .30-06 is a good one too. Heck, every cartridge mentioned would work though I wouldn't use a .243 for bear. Many prefer short action but I wouldn't even think about that, you're talking about 1/2" more bolt travel. I own long and short action and all have their uses.

My favorite rifle is a Remington 700 in .25-06, it was the only center fire I owned for many years. It was used for groundhogs, deer and even bear hunting in Canada.
 
Look at all the things the 308 can do including cheap surplus ammo if you want to play or defense. It is a service round with all the benefits that this always has.
Another one that is very popular is the 7mm-08 that is sold as an all around white tail- bear round but in long range is a very good round that can put lots of energy and
momentum on the target.
The one thing is to make sure the barrel twist is the right one for the best bullets the 7mm has to offer as one could enjoy a 9 or even faster twist with the 7mm.
So in terms of versatility the 7mm can do all the things all other offspring calibers in 6mm, 6.5mm and the 308 itself do, and more. Perhaps the only exception would
be the 308 with 180-190gr bonded bullets for the largest game at moderate range but if you are not going to hunt large game or use for defense in the Yukon or
Alaska then not a big deal.
The nice thing about the axis is that the magazine has the longest COAL in the popular a short action rifles. The issue is the stock that in order to be consistent
with that type of budget rifle is going to be more a challenge including ergonomics too like any other budget rifle. But folks can work with them. It is actually a very strong action.

I started this thread so people could post their experience with high performance short action calibers and actions. Maybe the data posted here would help you with your decission...

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...gh-performance-in-short-action-rifles.826843/

Good luck.
 
If you want to keep things on a budget, it's pretty hard to beat the Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 scope. Very clear and the BDC reticle is very useful. Lots of them on sale for $99 right now.]

I would not at all feel handicapped with a Savage Axis .308 topped with a Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40. IMO that's the best combination for the money going right now.
 
Good Ol' Boy wrote:
Right now I'm leaning towards 308 or 30-06.
Click to expand...

About six months ago, I put up a similar post (also for a Savage Axis since that was what the gun store I was going to buy from was pushing) asking about 270, 7mm-08, 30-06, and 308. The consensus ended up coming down to the 308 Winchester. I haven't bought the rifle, yet, that will have to wait for retirement, but after reading the reasoning of the people recommending each of the cartridges, I think the 308 consensus was probably a pretty good recommendation and I do intend to act upon it.
 
LoonWulf wrote:
Im not sure the shop knew that it was fmjs as they had it with their hunting ammo.
Click to expand...

Maybe they had a deal going with the game warden. They sell FMJs as hunting ammunition. Most people probably don't know that they're not allowed, so they go out in the woods with them. The game warden find them, agrees to not arrest them in exchange for some money which he splits with the gun store. o_O

I am, of course, being facetious. The clerk probably just didn't look at the box too closely before putting it on the shelf. Wouldn't be the first time someone mis-filed something.
 
LoonWulf said:
good choice, that rifle should serve you well!

what glass you going with?
Click to expand...



Thanks.

Something budget oriented obviously, like to keep it around $100. Less would be nice of course.

I'll start by taking a look at the Nikon that was mentioned.

Of course suggestions within the budget are always welcome.
 
Good Ol' Boy said:
Thanks.

Something budget oriented obviously, like to keep it around $100. Less would be nice of course.

I'll start by taking a look at the Nikon that was mentioned.

Of course suggestions within the budget are always welcome.
Click to expand...
No first hand experience but my local gun dealer sells a lot of Redfield scopes. Says people are happy with them.
 
That's a seriously tight budget for a scope but not impossible. While it isn't perfect, this little guy IMO is in every way better than any of my 4 Nikon scopes, some of which were 3x the price: http://cameralandny.com/spec-sheet....ifle-Scopes&catalog[product_guids][0]=1257533

Excellent eye relief, clear glass, capped finger turrets, and dirt cheap. Only beef is the power selector knob could sure use a rubber cover to make gripping it easier.

Just moved one to my new 6.5 Creedmoor while I ponder whether better glass is necessary for what I do. At this point, I think no because this scope, much like my first Sightron is one of those rare values that stands out for what it does right.

IMG_5889.JPG


That's pretty ok in my book, even having pulled the third shot, for a $307 rifle package.
IMG_5888.JPG
 
Nikon, Leopold, Redfield, burris, and the bushnell elite 3200 and ultra hds, are what ive used and like in the 100-150 range. My personal preference is Nikon
Under 100 i like the bushnell trophys.

@cdb1 suggested the minox zv3 as a good option in that price range, and ive wanted to try one but haven't bought another scope recently.

Like the one Skylerbone is using lol
 
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