Best fit between .22 WMR and .270 Winchester?

[Hogpatrol]

My hunting buddy buys used Savage short and long action complete rifles in calibers nobody wants or cheap ones in LGS, buys a premium custom pre-fit barrel, a Boyd's laminated stock and a Rifle Basix trigger. He winds up with an extremely accurate semi-custom for less than many of the factory offerings. Last one I believe he had less than $800 in it, a 6.5 Creedmoor with a Criterion barrel. He's done a 6.5-284, .17 Fireball, another 6.5 Creedmoor and a .243

 

[Ray B]

I got a Sako 85S 7-08 a few years back (stainless metal, laminated wood) and with a 4-14x Leupold it has become my go-to rifle for any general hunt in Washington state. There is a lot of overlap between the 7-08 and the 270 but a 243 would fill the spot between the WMR and the 270 quite nicely.

 

[BWH]

Your budget will allow for a lot. The 243, .25 or 6.5 calibers are superb options! Consider Tikka, Browning, Ruger, etc.

 

[larry4831]

223 would kill a lion easily, I have killed 4 or 5 deer with a 243 Winchester. I think the 243 is a great little rifle for shooting groundhogs , deer, game in that category you can’t beat it. I’ve also read stories where people have killed cats with a 22 Magnum, but I think I’d want some heavier than that, 243 would be the deal. With good bullets and if it were legal, I think it would be a good round for leopard.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I'm going to go a little different direction on this: most replies have been suggesting a caliber between 22 WMR and 270 and there are several good options mentioned, mainly 223 and 243. However, if you look at the muzzle energy of 22 WMR (300 ft-lbs) and 270 (2700 ft-lbs), what I'd suggest is something the 1000 to 2000 ft-lbs range, regardless of caliber. I had a Ruger M77 MkII in 7.62x39 that was fun for my kids to shoot and a good step up from a 22. CZ makes a bolt action in 7.62x39 too. Another option is a 44 mag bolt action. Lastly, a lever action 30-30 makes a good mountain lion rifle (shooting a treed cat at close range). I know the OP asked for bolt action options, but an old Winchester model 92 in 30-30 that my grandfather gave me is one of my favorite.

 

[MAdcox]

I completely agree. I grew up shooting my granddad's Model 92 30-30 and bought a Rossi lever action 357 mag. Great in the brush, light weight, quick to point and shoot, no recoil, low noise. Those would be great for shooting bayed cats.

 

[Ray B]

Maybe I'm showing my ignorance, but I was unaware that the Winchester Model 92 was ever made for (what at the time were) long cartridges such as the 30-30. I was under the impression that the 92 was a short action for such cartridges as the 25-20, 32-20 while the Model 94 was for the longer cartridges such as the 30-30 and 32 Spl. Was the 92 available in these longer cartridges?

 

[Rick Cox]

Reload or factory ammo? Really can't go wrong with either of your choices but I'd lean toward the .243. Have you considered something in 6.5? The Creedmoor has a huge following and a large offering of very accurate factory ammo.

6.5 is a great gun but it's pretty close to his .270.

 

[Rick Cox]

I will float out an idea in a slightly different direction - get an AR15 (.223) and a 6.5 Grendel upper. The Grendel turns the AR platform into a legitimate deer/pronghorn rifle, and you get the .223 upper for prairie dog work. You won't be able to bring it to Africa being semiauto, but it will be a fun rifle for AZ and range time. As far as lowers go, it doesn't really matter - just get a Chip McCormack drop in trigger and you will be good to go.

If you stick with the bolt gun, the Nosler 48 mentioned in this thread is a sweet rifle. I have it is 270wsm and 338 and they have been good to me.

Hate to hijack the post, but how do you like the safety on the Nosler? I have one and the safety is unsafe. It will 'come off' very easily, and cannot be trusted. I contacted Nosler about the issue but did not get a reply.

 

[MAdcox]

@Ray B sorry. Bad typing. you are exactly right, it was a model 94

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Maybe I'm showing my ignorance, but I was unaware that the Winchester Model 92 was ever made for (what at the time were) long cartridges such as the 30-30. I was under the impression that the 92 was a short action for such cartridges as the 25-20, 32-20 while the Model 94 was for the longer cartridges such as the 30-30 and 32 Spl. Was the 92 available in these longer cartridges?

No, you are correct. I'll have to pull mine out of the safe and get reacquainted with it. Also have an even older 1886 model (I think that's correct) in 45-70. Serial number puts it as circa 1906 manufactured and the 30-30 is mid 1930s.

 

[gillettehunter]

Go with the Tika T-3. They have a trigger that is exceptional for the price range. Accuracy in mine has been very good. Light weight to haul around for a Mtn hunt. Their actions are exceptionally smooth. The stocks are sometimes replaced with stiffer ones, but are usually adequate. If the 6.5's are too close to your .270 then get the .243. Very versatile little caliber. Lots of factory offerings available. Seems to fit the bill very readily.

 

[Dr Ray]

So when I'm in Dallas I've got to shop for something ... looking for a bolt action to fill the gap in my safe between my .22WMR and my .270 Winchester. Having difficulty choosing between a .223 Remington and a .243 Winchester. Purpose may be for a mountain lion hunt later this year or in 2019. Any thoughts on the .223 vs .243 debate or on manufacturers is appreciated!

243 with a 90 grain bullet such as a Speer is excellent. It’ll give you the crunch factor for the bigger animals such as a mountain lion. The 223 is too light for such if the shot is not perfectly placed.
223 is great but does not have the bigger crunch factor you will need.
If you want a 22 caliber I suggest the 22/250.

 

[flat8]

Hate to hijack the post, but how do you like the safety on the Nosler? I have one and the safety is unsafe. It will 'come off' very easily, and cannot be trusted. I contacted Nosler about the issue but did not get a reply.

I LOVE the accuracy of my Nosler, but think the trigger needs work. Have never had issues with the safety.

 

[Waterbuck2008]

243 with a 90 grain bullet such as a Speer is excellent. It’ll give you the crunch factor for the bigger animals such as a mountain lion. The 223 is too light for such if the shot is not perfectly placed.
223 is great but does not have the bigger crunch factor you will need.
If you want a 22 caliber I suggest the 22/250.

I agree with this, and I'm glad somebody finally mentioned the .22-250. A bit light for whitetail, though I've seen quite a few taken with good shot placement, but it's a fantastic yote and general varmint round.

 

[K-man]

How about something just a little bigger, the .25-06. Would be a good choice for Coues deer shooting distances. With the heavy end bullets, will take your mountain lion no problem. A fine coyote caliber too.

yeah, what he said. A browning a-bolt medallion in .25/06 is a great medium caliber flat shooting gun, even out to 500 yds. Cost is usually around $1000 to $1200. loads run from 85grain to 120. I know you already answered this but that's my vote.

 

[Dr Ray]

yeah, what he said. A browning a-bolt medallion in .25/06 is a great medium caliber flat shooting gun, even out to 500 yds. Cost is usually around $1000 to $1200. loads run from 85grain to 120. I know you already answered this but that's my vote.

Excellent choice but fairly close to a 270.
I like the flat shooting but it’s a bit severe on deer.

 

[K-man]

Excellent choice but fairly close to a 270.
I like the flat shooting but it’s a bit severe on deer.

Hah!! Funny you should mention that, before i bought mine my go-to
deer rifle was a .300 win mag. I remember a 200 lb buck being flipped onto his back with a frontal shot. Not near as much meat damage as you would think. Lots of western mule deer get shot with a .25/06. Like i posted, loads from 85 grn to 120grn. My only experience with a .270 was in Africa last august, a one shot dropped a springbok at 300 yds. Didn't even exit, but he didn't take a step either.

 

[Waterbuck2008]

My only experience with a .270 was in Africa last august, a one shot dropped a springbok at 300 yds. Didn't even exit, but he didn't take a step either.

I love it - Some of my favorite bullet stories end without an exit wound - All energy spent where it counts!

 

[Ernie Shipman]

243. Sako Finnlight. My last one shot sub 1" groups at 200 yards!