Light, flat & fast...What round should I choose?

[Andrew NOLA]

6.5 PRC
The ruger Hawkeye that comes in the hs precision stock

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

It's no secret that I'm a big quarter bore fan.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them but my personal favorite is a .257 Weatherby Mag.
I've used it on Coyotes all the way up to Elk and I jokingly refer to it as the "Hammer of Thor" because almost everything I've shot with it has immediately hit the dirt including elk.
A super super hot handloaded 100gr TTSX is my preferred load and is essentially a laser beam.

 

[farmer_john]

It's no secret that I'm a big quarter bore fan.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them but my personal favorite is a .257 Weatherby Mag.
I've used it on Coyotes all the way up to Elk and I jokingly refer to it as the "Hammer of Thor" because almost everything I've shot with it has immediately hit the dirt including elk.
A super super hot handloaded 100gr TTSX is my preferred load and is essentially a laser beam.

I dont see what the recent obsession with "laser beams" are/is its like i have a 6.5 creedmore im a sniper now....

 

[RedTag]

Could it be, deep down inside, you really want a left handed Savage 110 .243 Win.? Your friends may tell you it's wrong, and to ignore such sinful desires. But it’s okay…

 

[DLSJR]

I’m very partial to the .264 Winchester. I shoot a 127 grain Barnes LRX at 3,220 fps and get 3/8” groups with it. It’s been great on all game we’ve (we’ve because it’s become so popular that I, my son and the kids of several friends have all used my .264) used it on. Pronghorns, mule deer, Whitetails, elk, desert sheep. It’s flat, fast & very effective.

Anyone who thinks a 6.5 Needmore is an ideal long range rifle has never had a .264. Same bullet but about 400 fps faster.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I dont see what the recent obsession with "laser beams" are/is its like i have a 6.5 creedmore im a sniper now....

Over the last 20+ years of America's military conflict involvement, the 6.5 Creedmoor hasn't been a commonly used caliber by our snipers, so I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to say with your comment.

Personally, I wouldn't call a 6.5 Creedmoor a "laser beam".
With the same zero and same projectile (TTSX - 120gr vs 100gr in the .257wby) at 500yds my 6.5CM is going 500fps slower, has 9.5" of additional drop, and is hitting with a little less than 300 ftlbs of energy compared to my 257Wby. The 6.5 Creedmoor a very soft recoiling, flat shooting round, but it's not even close to a .257wby. My 257 is point and shoot out to about 450yds on deer and I don't need to hold off a deer or dial out to 500yds.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If you like shooting monometals, then look at the good old .270 Winchester. You should be able to push the 95gr TTSX to 3600 fps. I have been using the 110gr TTSX in a mid-level load and it chronographs at just under 3300fps, but Barnes shows a couple of loads at over 3400fps.

Brass is relatively easy to get, as is loaded ammo if you ever end up needing some. And you could easily use those loads on antelope and deer out to the range you mention.

The fastest I have ever loaded and hunted with is the .257 Wby Mag with the old 75gr X bullet and RL22 at a whisker under 4000fps. Shot some boar and a nice whitetail buck with that setup and it worked very well.

I had a good friend in Serbia who was a game warden. I took him a couple of boxes of .243 caliber 75gr X and he shot dozens of boar with those bullets in a .243 Winchester. I also used it on Roe deer.

Those fast little bullets seem to be quite effective.

@Arac
My mate built a 25 using my reamer ( not a Weatherby)
He is getting over 3,900 fps with an 80fn outer edge mono.
I get over 3,600fos with a 109gn TTSX.
Both devastating in game.
Bob

 

[Scott CWO]

6.5 SAUM GAP or the .257WM.

I have a 6.5 GAP (Gnat Ass Precision) shooting 139 grain bullets at 3200 FPS. Pendleton Ammunition makes ammo for it. It is one of the top calibers for long-range competitions. It’s crazy accurate. I’ve taken sheep, goats, pronghorn and lots of African plains game with mine.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

257 Weatherby is probably the sexiest round ever made. And they made a bunch in left handed guns. That’s what I would go for.

@Russ16

Now this is a sexy fast 25 that don't need no silly belt
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have used the 6mm and 257won deer and hogs and coyotes
Honestly 300 and in I would rather have the 6mm
I got the 257 wb for depredation use not hunting.
Even at 400yds the 87gr factory load destroyed a lot of meat. And one time right under 200yds. A shoulder shot with the bullet in and out in a stright line still blew out the stomach.

@Flbt
But those deer hit with the 25 were very dead very quickly with minimal tracking.
Hit a fallow just behind the shoulder with a 100gn Speer sppbt. When I skun it out the off side shoulder and leg came off with the skin, it was just jelly. But hey it was dead and I still got a lot of meat off it.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

+1 for the 257 Weatherby. the 100 gr TTSX shoots into a group the size of my little finger nail. Closest thing to a laser that I have ever owned. It is absolutely lethal on deer. I would not hesitate to use it on med size plains game down.

@ Red leg

100 gn TTSX @100 in my 25 at over 3,600fps.

200yds 115gn Winchester combined technology Silver tips.

117gn SST 200yards at over 3,300 fps
Got to love an ACCURATE, FAST 25.
I had to get used to the flat trajectory as I sometimes overshot animals. Back line hold at 400 and you will land one in the boiler room with no hold over. With the 100gn TTSX that can be extended to 450 as the drop at 400 is only 8" when sighted 2.5" high at 100.
Bob.
The only thing better than a fast 25 is a properly loaded you guessed WHELEN.
Bob

 

[Woodcarver]

Mt $0.02 would be for the 25-06. It's been my go to for antelope for a long time now, despite the fact I have to shoot an ugly rifle to use it (camo synthetic abomination of a stock). One of these days I'll fit a proper piece of walnut on it. While not the hotrod the 257 Weatherby is, it will do everything needed, and do it well. Easy to find both factory ammo, or components for reloading. Available in LH versions from several makers. Really like my 250-3000 M99, but the 25-06 does add more reach if it's needed.
Btw, since using it for antelope was mentioned, only 1 of over 3 dozen antelope was shot over 250 yards. The majority between 100-200. Last one at 80. They can be snuck up on...

 

[Arac]

@Arac
My mate built a 25 using my reamer ( not a Weatherby)
He is getting over 3,900 fps with an 80fn outer edge mono.
I get over 3,600fos with a 109gn TTSX.
Both devastating in game.
Bob

Right? From what I’ve seen the very high velocity makes a difference in the way game reacts to the shot.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Mt $0.02 would be for the 25-06. It's been my go to for antelope for a long time now, despite the fact I have to shoot an ugly rifle to use it (camo synthetic abomination of a stock). One of these days I'll fit a proper piece of walnut on it. While not the hotrod the 257 Weatherby is, it will do everything needed, and do it well. Easy to find both factory ammo, or components for reloading. Available in LH versions from several makers. Really like my 250-3000 M99, but the 25-06 does add more reach if it's needed.
Btw, since using it for antelope was mentioned, only 1 of over 3 dozen antelope was shot over 250 yards. The majority between 100-200. Last one at 80. They can be snuck up on...

Glad I’m not the only one with a soft spot for an old M99 in 250 Savage.

 

[GuttormG]

260Remington, more balanced then the x55 with light bullets, fits in a short-acton. Cases will never be an issue.

243 would also do what you want here..

 

[CBH Australia]

.257 Robert’s, .25-06 , 6.5x55 in a modern rifle loaded safely.

But, there is always the Manbun gun available everywhere and in designer colours for the trend setters and fashion conscious.

 

[Fatback]

Another vote for the 25-06. I am just basing this on my experience with them. Readily available factory ammo that had preformed well for me on whitetail and pigs. Have shot deer from 20 to almost 400 yards without any problems.

As a fellow lefty, I have had a couple of the Ruger M77 Mark IIs and they are nice shooting rifles. I currently have one in the laminate/stainless configuration that has a 24 inch barrel. The walnut/blued version I had also had a 24 inch barrel. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If efficiency is important that’s true but some of us just want raw speed sometimes.

@Russ16
My 25 gives over 3,600fps with a 100 grainer and 58gn of hogdon superformance in a 24" pipe
Now that efficient compared to the Weatherby and outruns the 25-06.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My hands down favorite cartridge for anything but bear and moose is the .257 Wby. Here's why-- great ballistics, like almost flat for 300 yds then not much drop to 400 without loss of much energy, very manageable recoil, doesn't split your ears, and most importantly-- it works. I have personally never seen much meat spoiled by this round. Almost every animal I have shot has dropped immediately and that includes the largest elk I have ever shot (huge 6x6 in West Texas-- I was actually on an aoudad hunt in the Chinati Mountains when the elk appeared. I got the aoudad that afternoon.) I have shot a couple of elk with a .340 Wby and had them stand and stare at me til they got bored and died. The .257 flipped the sucker over with 4 feet pointed up and he was dead when he hit the ground. I wouldn't purposely take a .257 on an elk hunt but I used what I had (for the aoudad hunt) and it worked like a charm. Great on deer and pronghorn. Left hand available I'm pretty sure. Good luck! BTW the elk was 406 yards across a canyon-- negligible loss of energy.

@'68boy
My 25 with a 100gn TTSX sighted 2.5" Hight at 100 is still 2.5" Hight at 200, zeroes at 300 and is 8" low at 400. So a dead on hold out to 400 = dead game. A backline hold will extend that past 450 yards.
Now that a fair stretch in anyone's book.
Bob

 

[Russ16]

@Russ16
View attachment 734730View attachment 734731
Now this is a sexy fast 25 that don't need no silly belt
Bob

I know it isn’t trendy but I love belts from an aesthetic point of view. And nothing is cooler than that weatherby shoulder.

But you do have the rim which is very cool. Kind of like why I still love the 220 Swift.