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One rifle for everything


AdamSouthEast
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I'm thinking of going for only 1 centrefire rifle when I put in for my FAC in the new year. I shoot casually at Bisley so not looking for some weird target rifle, as well as wanting to shoot fox & deer on a perm I currently shotgun over. I'd assumed I'd probably need to get two rifles for this reason; a 308 for Bisley and something like a 243 for fox/deer, however... I was just reading through the homeoffice guidelines and noticed an interesting extract:

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Although not set out in legislation, common rifle cartridges considered suitable for the shooting of foxes range from .17 Remington, and .22 Hornet to .22 -250 and .220 Swift, though there is a wide range of suitable similar calibres commercially available. In windy areas, where heavier bullets aid accurate shooting, or if applicants wish to use one rifle for shooting both deer and foxes, they may choose a rifle in 6mm (.243/.244) or 6.5mm (.264) calibre.

This got me thinking, the 6.5 creedmoor is the reigning champion of long range target shooting so Bisley shooting is covered, then according to this I could use the round for fox & deer too, so I'm starting to think I may just get one rifle. Other consideration may be the 6.5x55?

Am I being dense? Anyone got any experience with this?

Cheers

Edit - just to clarify I'm looking at getting only one centrefire rifle, I'll also put in for the obligatory 22lr.

Edited by AdamSouthEast
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Interesting approach and I am sure it's possible. The reason it wont happen, or not for long anyway, is these rifles have a strange habit of multiplying when you least expect it. It starts when you make your application. It's a brave person who does not apply for all those rifles you are likely to need / want. It makes sense to put them all down as who knows what will happen and it saves so much time and hassle later.  Once they are on your ticket..........................

Also why not get something that works best for each of the types of shooting you want to do? I would not want to shoot a rabbit with a 6.5x55 and there it starts again. 

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1 minute ago, oowee said:

I would not want to shoot a rabbit with a 6.5x55

You make a very good point... I was careful to specify 1 centrefire rifle in the OP.. don't think the missus would be too happy me bringing home what's left of a rabbit for the pot after it's been hit with 140gr of 6.5 😅

 

 

1 minute ago, Vince Green said:

Whats wrong with the .308 for fox and deer as well?, other than that 6.5x55. Stay away from the Creedmoor its too specialist

I'm basically just going off what the guidelines say and they didn't mention 308 as being suitable for foxes, though I can't see why it wouldn't be seeing as it is comparable in energy and velocity. I guess I'll just have to give my FEO a ring and test the water.

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You don't mention if you reload your own ammunition as this will impact your decision.

6.5 Creedmoor lives up to the hype and a 22" barrel will get you out to 1000 yards+ so you can strike a balance between range use and stalking - something like the Bergara B14 HMR would work well for you. Factory ammo is expensive with limited availability depending on your local gunshops etc

6.5x55 is a great caliber, loads of rifles to choose from, readily available factory ammunition. It requires a long actions though so more weight etc. This will get you out to distance as well, I don't know what ammunition for range use is available in the cal though.

Remember to have a decent budget for a scope, do not try and save money buy the best you can possible afford. Keep an eye on the amount of internal adjustment etc etc 

Good luck!

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24 minutes ago, BigEd85 said:

You don't mention if you reload your own ammunition as this will impact your decision.

I may have to learn! I wasn't really planning on it immediately as I shoot rifles fairly rarely so don't mind paying over the odds on the odd occasion.

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 6.5x55 is a great caliber,

Yeah I love the idea of this round, it's just so rare at the range it put me off a bit. The rifle I want; Tikka Tac also doesn't come in 6.5x55, though I know that shouldn't be a deciding factor.

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Remember to have a decent budget for a scope, do not try and save money buy the best you can possible afford. Keep an eye on the amount of internal adjustment etc etc 

Ahh don't worry there, the scope I was planning on getting costs more than the rifle, a nice S&B for 1000+ shooting. I did wonder how practical this would be on the fox/deer side, so another consideration for me to mull over.

Thanks for the advice.

Edited by AdamSouthEast
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1 minute ago, AdamSouthEast said:

I love the idea of this round, it's just so rare at the range it put me off a bit. The rifle I want; Tikka Tac also doesn't come in 6.5x55, though I know that shouldn't be a deciding factor.

 

 

6,5x55 is very common on Bisley at least a quarter of the members of our group shoot it, there was a bit of a cult status around it a few years because the long thin bullet is very accurate.

 

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Just now, Vince Green said:

6,5x55 is very common on Bisley at least a quarter of the members of our group shoot it, there was a bit of a cult status around it a few years because the long thin bullet is very accurate.

 

I'm clearly mixing in the wrong circles, haha. Well that's encouraging to hear, definitely a strong contender then. Cheers!

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257 Roberts  will do it all in spades and I have shot a large number of feral hogs in Texas with same   117 or 120 grain for deer  and  75 g V Max for fox....although the fox will not complain if you shoot just 117s:yes:.

Down side is you probably have to reload your own as this fantastic cartridge, far better than a 243Win all round is rarely seen here in the UK.

Plus side it is a nice light recoiling cartridge.

My 257 Wildcat is a Roberts on steroids a bit wilder than the Ackley Improved.

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1 cf to do everything got to have a 30 

308 or 30/06 maybe hard to persuade FEO for first CF but works well (I had very few things I shot that complained) 

If your looking at UK only few ideas for a 1 rifle man would be sticking 6/6.5:

6BR

260

6.5x55

6.5x47

6.5 Creedmoore 

6.5 Grendel 

243 

270 (I know tiny bit bigger)

thr last two if ts moe field than range  

 

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18 hours ago, AdamSouthEast said:

 

Yeah I love the idea of this round, it's just so rare at the range it put me off a bit. The rifle I want; Tikka Tac also doesn't come in 6.5x55, though I know that shouldn't be a deciding factor

 

6.5x55 is a cracker of a round and don’t worry about not seeing many at shooting clubs, I am in the minority with mine locally bu5 it still holds its own on the longer ranges with a worked up load. 

IMHO If you want to do both hunt and paper punch it will be almost a no brainer to reload. I have 2 albeit similar loads for mine and even similar bullets but different they are. 

Also don’t worry about the no 6.5x55 in the A1 TAC, get yourself a T3 sporter like mine, same barrel and action as the TAC but a more usable stock from the hide. I was in the I want a TRG in 6.5 and couldn’t get one but am perfectly happy with the Sporter....

Edited by The Burpster
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I use a 243 and hmr for everything. I shoot a fair bit and have never needed anything else. Obviously I use airgun and shotgun. But for powder burners these cover everything. I have tried pretty much most cf calibres and shot with people using all different types but these do the job for me. 

At a push would be tempted at a 260 as it would suit what I need

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