Hunting & Fishing 6.5x47 vs 260 vs 7-08 in a 20" Carbine for deer n hogs ???

[6.5BR]

Ok gang - if you wanted to build an efficient deer/hog rifle in a 20" bbl, possible varmint weight, but none the less, a shorty, which round would you choose?

No need for a 308 for more recoil and figuring a 6mm would be less than ideal to get powder burn in a short bbl.

I know a 7 might outperform the 6.5 on the 308 case, but is blast much worse in those than a 47 in a shorty?

If blast is much less w/the 47, thinking it might be the ticket. My hunch is trajectory will be similar for 130s in the 6.5s vs 140 in the 7mm, shots typically will not be over 400yds, but unconcerned if I had to stretch a little more.

FWIW, I'd possible consider 21" but no more. Speed loss is not a concern for my use, handling is...and blast.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Of the 3 you mentioned, I would think the 7mm would do best with the short barrel. Getting a more efficient burn in your alotted 20 inches. I fail to see any disadvantage to the .308 here, it meets all the criteria as well as any of the others.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

308 gets my vote if it has to be a shorty. the recoil differences are minor, barrel life is there, powder burn is there, and there is no replacement for displacement when it comes to bullet mass.

i have a 6.5cr and love it but if its gonna be short why not a 308.

 

[BoilerUP]

I have a multi-purpose Savage 20" 260 build in the works...I fully expect 2700fps from 140s and 2900fps from 123s.

 

[6.5BR]

On Powder burn - not concerned about the speed loss in a 20" in the above rounds, as all will sling 120-140 bullets at 2700-2900 with BCs sufficient for my purpose.

As to bore life in 308, sure they are better, but for a hunting rifle, the 47, 260, and 7/08 should last a very long time.

If I was assured of accuracy and expansion at longer distances, a 308 running 130 TTSX might be a consideration, but if building, I see a 6.5 or 7mm being a better all around fit for less recoil with bullets of like BC.

 

[coldboremiracle]

At the ranges you suggest, there just doesn't seem to be an outstander there. The differences in Recoil, trajectory, and performance are so minimal it seems that your preference is all that matters.

 

[jbailey]

I have a 21" 6.5x47 and it sends the 130gr JLKs at 2800fps and the 107gr SMKs at 3000. It does recoil a good bit w/o a brake (weighting in at 13lbs) so its back at the gunsmith for a mini-muscle brake install.

A 130gr 6.5mm Berger VLD at 2800 would be a pretty nice hunting round, but its probably right there w/ the 140gr 7mm Berger VLD. Not a lot of difference - bit better BC on the 130gr 6.5mm but more mass on the 7mm, going probably the same MV.

Good luck with your build!

 

[turbo54]

The closer you get to a "straight wall" case design, the less velocity loss you're going to see due to a shorter barrel, for any given case capacity.

Call it "barrel efficiency" for lack of a better term...

Thus:

338 Federal > 308 > 7mm08 > 260 > 243

That said, think any of the mentioned cartridges are going to more than fine for your stated purposes. However, in terms of which one will most closely match the velocities of it's longer barreled cousin, the 7mm08 wins.

 

[6.5BR]

Turbo - no doubt, 'expansion ratio' is what I always called it. Thanks all for the input.

 

[KClark]

I've killed a dozen or so hogs with 280 and 6.5x55, not all that many but they don't seem to bullet proof. My cousin is the hog slayer, he has killed tons of them with a 243 but has switched to a Marlin lever gun in 41 mag. He has never crippled a hog or been chewed on by one but none have been over 300lbs. A reasonable caliber, bullet designed for the job and bullet placement are the most important things. Of your three candidates I'd suggest whichever one you like best.

Always remember: It doesn't matter what you miss them with and you can't miss fast enough to win.

 

[DrewinTejas]

I am building a 7mm08 with a 17" barrel. The load im going for is a berger 168vld classic. With varget and pushing it kinda hard hoping to get over 2600fps. Has a ton of energy and should be easy to load for. Heading to smiths house tonight to take a look at the progress and get a neck turner. (308 lapua brass necked down is took thick in the neck)

 

[Garvey]

At the ranges you suggest, there just doesn't seem to be an outstander there. The differences in Recoil, trajectory, and performance are so minimal it seems that your preference is all that matters.

^^This^^

I'd give a slight edge to a 7mm just based on energy delivery. All will do fine though. Earhole every hog you have line of sight on.

 

[40xs]

neither deer nor hog will be able to tell the difference as to which one they were shot with. In other words "worrying over fine hairs". It's up to your personal likes, and availability of components.

 

[6.5BR]

Good replies all. Drew, 17" - using a can? What contour? Sounds like a neat rifle, my 21" were loud w/o cans... Check - H380/414 I believe is one I shot heavies w/long ago that did well. Varget was always my choice using 100-140s, 4064 was great w/140s. Coldbore - the 308 - just rather drop in recoil if possible b/c I'd prob sling 155s in one, vs 123-140s in the 6.5-7mm.

 

[DrewinTejas]

Good replies all. Drew, 17" - using a can? What contour? Sounds like a neat rifle, my 21" were loud w/o cans... Check - H380/414 I believe is one I shot heavies w/long ago that did well. Varget was always my choice using 100-140s, 4064 was great w/140s. Coldbore - the 308 - just rather drop in recoil if possible b/c I'd prob sling 155s in one, vs 123-140s in the 6.5-7mm.

It should be finished next week. Yes I will be running a can on it. Barrel is a sendero profile with some big ole flutes from Kampfield. This is going to be my go to hunting rifle. 168 Berger going 2650fps still hitting with 1150lbs of energy at 750yds. I like the heavies for higher bc and much more energy when you start stretching it out.

 

[6.5BR]

Drool !! That is cool - like very much, neat bbl. No doubt at those distances the heavies will do well for you. Reminds me of a 77/22 I had a 20" Bull 10/22 bbl chopped and reworked - at 17" - love the handling of that little 22 and it settles down nicely/quickly. Like to hear the weight on that set up, looks around 6 3/4 lbs or so I am guessing. I think you will be hammering game w/that little baby! Be interested in knowing later how the speed clocks w/those 168s. Coated? Whose bbl btw? Thanks.