Perfect cartridge for lightweight rifle

[Lloyd Smale]

your both wrong. don't you know that the 356 is better then either of them. Cool people own 356's

Are you mad? That short neck? Absolutely not.

30-30, 30-40, 35 Krag, 45-70. All far better cast boolit cartridges than that short, fat, balding, objectionable cartridge. In fact, 35 Rem is a better cast boolit cartridge than the 358 Abomination.

[Texas by God]

I'm a certified Tikka nut and didn't mention the T3 because the op wanted to stay with a short action. They have won me over to where I own 3 of them.

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[FergusonTO35]

Model 70 were chambered in 284 and I think some 700s were. I believe the Kimber and cooper rifles have it as a chambering available also. In a hunting gun a variation of this cartridge might be interesting the 6.5 X 284 it was is popular with the long range shooters for awhile.

Did not know that!

[Tenbender]

243 first. 308 second.

[FergusonTO35]

243 first. 308 second.

Or, split the difference and get a 6.5 Creedmoor or 7-08. And, we are right back to where we started!

[Ragnarok]

For an all around lightweight rifle while keeping elk on the menu I'd suggest a Tikka T-3 lite in 270 WSM. 130 grainers for deer, 150 grainers for elk, and the action is long enough to seat the 150's out where they belong. Triggers are good and I've yet to find a T-3 that wouldn't keep them inside 1 Moa right out of the box. around 6.5 lb and less than $600. If you have the $$ the Finn lite is the higher end version.

Yeh...I own a T3 Lite .308 and a Winchester M70 Featherweight .270 rifle. The Winchester ain't no 'Featherweight' despite it's skinny barrel and skinnier stock. The stock itself is some pretty and rather heavy/dense walnut which explains some of the weight.


The Tikka T3 Lite despite it's long action and normal weight barrel is much much lighter.


One thing I might point out is that a really light rifle in a really potent caliber can be awful to shoot very much!

[sigep1764]

I have shot my college roommates Remington 700 7-08 and owned a Remington 30-06 742. I still prefer my Winchester 70 Shadow in 270. It has a plastic fantastic stock and isn't too hard to pack around. Maybe its because I've had it so long and just started loading for it but its always been fun.

[FergusonTO35]

Jack O'Connor sure liked that rifle and cartridge alot so you are in good company!

[Old Coot]

Cartridge for a light weight rifle? Unless you enjoy getting the tar kicked out of you I would recommend: 6.5x55, 6.5 Creedmore, 6.5x54, 6.5x50 Jap., or the 7x57 if you plan to hunt bigger game than Elk and Deer. Brodie

[doctorxring]

6.5 Creedmoor

How many moose have the Scandinavians dropped with similar 6.5 cartridges ??

It will do anything a 270 will do. I think Jack would love it.

[White Oak]

This is my wife’s Model Seven in 7mm-08. I don’t remember what it weighs, but I think it is under 7 pounds. She is small and this has been a perfect light weight rifle for her. Kills with authority, is easy to carry and light recoil.

[Texas by God]

This is my wife’s Model Seven in 7mm-08. I don’t remember what it weighs, but I think it is under 7 pounds. She is small and this has been a perfect light weight rifle for her. Kills with authority, is easy to carry and light recoil.

And there it is. The gun that made the 7-08 so attractive to begin with.

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[Drm50]

I have a Win pre 64 FW. I have had the new model Win Fws, Rem 7s-700 Mountain Rifles and
several types of Ruger 77s. The 270, 280, 7x57 are all good catridges and will kill elk and moose
but unless they were my only choice they are on the lite side. I know a guy in Utah that uses
nothing but a old Savage 250/3000 for everything. He is a crack shot and master hunter and doesn't shoot unless he has a shot. Which is beginning to become a lost concept. I use a 270 to
shoot damage permits. This is done off rest and shots are usually 100-200yds, deer stationary
6x scope- dead deer, that's not hunting it's killing under ideal conditions. Ideal conditions can be
elusive in the woods. I carry a rifle that will do the job when conditions are less than ideal.

[Shawlerbrook]

I have many different answers depending on what I’m hunting and where. Any of the 308W family of cartridges if one is looking for a scoped, long range big game rifle. I will add that the 7mm08 is one of my favorites. For a thick woods gun, it’s hard to beat the old thutty thutty.

[wmitty]

Wish Bob Hagel was in on this conversation... Elk with a 6.5 ? Really?

[Mr_Sheesh]

I'd heard of people shooting an elephant with a Swede 6.5x55 with that long 168 Gr. J-word bullet; It wouldn't be overkill, but might do it. Be smart to have someone backing you up though, it's IMO a bit underkill...

[Texas by God]

Wish Bob Hagel was in on this conversation... Elk with a 6.5 ? Really?

6.5x55 is widely used for moose in Sweden but I guess it isn't big enough for elk. Unless you can shoot well.

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[charlie b]

Just about any cartridge is enough for any game if you can hit the lethal spot at a close enough range.

[rockrat]

Neighbors Daughter shot 3 elk with a 243 loaded with partitions. 3 elk, 3 shots total. 287 yds lazered on the farthest, was told it stood there, shook for about 10 seconds then fell over.
Me, I would take a 7-08 or a 260rem. The 6.5 x 55 might be a bit too long for a short action, but it is a great cartridge. Nothing wrong with the 6.5 creedmoor either.

[lefty o]

6.5x55 is widely used for moose in Sweden but I guess it isn't big enough for elk. Unless you can shoot well.

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the swede moose are about the same size as our big elk. as always, bullet placement is more important than its diameter.