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  #1  
Old 11-06-2018, 12:07 PM
weedcatcher weedcatcher is offline
 
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Default Help me decide

Hi All. I have a couple safes of guns. I'm heading out tomorrow to look for a whitetail buck, and I can't decide what to bring. Since there is no shortage of opinions around here I thought I'd ask for some. I'll be hunting in open stubble fields and coulees.
Options:
6.5x55 in Husqvarna 1640 sighted in with 120gr speer HC going 2900 fps

7mm-08 in Howa Alpine Mountain with 129gr SST Superformance factory ammo going 2850 fps

.270 in Husqvarna 1640 with 130gr Sierra Gamekings going 2980 fps

.30-06 in Rem 700 Mtn rifle LSS with 165 gr Accubond going 2900 fps

.280 Rem 700 Mtn rifle DM with 140 gr Sierra Gamekings going 3060 fps

All rifles shoot the load listed at MOA or better. Each rifle is wearing a Leupold scope except the Howa which is wearing a Burris. They are all 3-9x40.

Thoughts?
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  #2  
Old 11-06-2018, 12:11 PM
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I have a soft spot for the 6.5x55 myself
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  #3  
Old 11-06-2018, 12:26 PM
bitterrootfly bitterrootfly is offline
 
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.270, shoots flat, hits hard, gamekings just plain work: great expansion in the vitals and if a shoulder shot is required they don’t fragment as easily as the Speer hollow points or sst, at least in my experience.
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Old 11-06-2018, 12:27 PM
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They all will work take your favourite rifle!
Cat
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  #5  
Old 11-06-2018, 12:30 PM
weedcatcher weedcatcher is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catnthehat View Post
They all will work take your favourite rifle!
Cat
They're all my favorite. That's the problem!
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  #6  
Old 11-06-2018, 12:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weedcatcher View Post
They're all my favorite. That's the problem!
Then take the 6.5x55!
Cat
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  #7  
Old 11-06-2018, 01:10 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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It won't matter close your eyes and pick one.
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  #8  
Old 11-06-2018, 01:20 PM
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Where are you hunting and what type of hunting? Is one rifle more suited to the terrain or type of hunt than the others?

I say take the 280 or the 6.5 just because I have always wanted one. Lol

Or do it playoff format, choose between A and B the between rifle C and D then have the winners "square off". Or just close your eyes and grab one.
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  #9  
Old 11-06-2018, 02:29 PM
Gary K Gary K is offline
 
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take the swede
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  #10  
Old 11-06-2018, 02:38 PM
Don_Parsons Don_Parsons is offline
 
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I have 1 hunting rifle, pretty easy to pick the one that I need.

I'm sure you'll find the one that works best for your needs since you have a collection of them to chose from.
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  #11  
Old 11-06-2018, 03:22 PM
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.30-06 in Rem 700 Mtn rifle LSS with 165 gr Accubond going 2900 fps
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  #12  
Old 11-06-2018, 03:24 PM
Nyksta Nyksta is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DirtyBert View Post
.30-06 in Rem 700 Mtn rifle LSS with 165 gr Accubond going 2900 fps
All you need. Sell the rest.
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  #13  
Old 11-06-2018, 07:10 PM
Redneck 7 Redneck 7 is offline
 
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7-08 just because guys suggested the 6.5x55 haha
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  #14  
Old 11-06-2018, 08:22 PM
weedcatcher weedcatcher is offline
 
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Looks like the 6.5x55 is the most preferred. I thought the 7-08 would get more nods than it did.
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  #15  
Old 11-06-2018, 08:29 PM
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write them all down, ball it up, put it in a hat and pick!
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  #16  
Old 11-06-2018, 08:35 PM
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Twisted Canuck Twisted Canuck is offline
 
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Stubble and coulees...? Take the 7mm Rem Mag with 150 gr TTSX at 3100....

Or the 7mm-08.
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  #17  
Old 11-06-2018, 08:36 PM
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6.5x55
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  #18  
Old 11-06-2018, 08:41 PM
weedcatcher weedcatcher is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck View Post
Stubble and coulees...? Take the 7mm Rem Mag with 150 gr TTSX at 3100....

Or the 7mm-08.
Don't have a 7 Rem Mag anymore. Closest I have is a 7mmWSM. It's current pet load is 150gr Federal Fusions going 3100fps. It was getting the DuraTouch sticky stock problem so I sent it in to Browning Canada in Montreal about 6 weeks ago. Was told it would be back to me in 3 weeks. Still waiting.
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  #19  
Old 11-06-2018, 08:44 PM
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6.5 or 280... a little bit different???
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  #20  
Old 11-06-2018, 08:53 PM
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EZM EZM is offline
 
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I think you are splitting hairs here as these are all great cartridges.

Maybe sell them all and buy a 257 Weatherby and reach out and touch something far away...... lol ..... just kidding ...... keep the swede.

Or .....

Grab the one second from the left in your safe and enjoy your hunt !!!!!!
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  #21  
Old 11-06-2018, 09:25 PM
weedcatcher weedcatcher is offline
 
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Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I know they'll each do fine and there's not a lot between any of them in field conditions versus a whitetail. That's why I couldn't decide.
So thanks for the opinions.

I've decided to go with the collective wisdom of the group and take the 6.5x55 Husqvarna. I'm also taking the 7-08 Howa along in case it snows. The forecast says it might. The Howa is cerakoted and synthetic so it will handle the wet better than the wood and blued steel. If the skies are clear when I leave the truck then the 6.5 will be slung over my shoulder.

I'm only going to pull the trigger if it seems like a good mature buck. I've got 4 doe tags with my daughters as partners on. They'll fill the freezer with meat. Tomorrow's hunt is for a trophy. At least what seems like a trophy to me. My trophy may not be another man's trophy.

Best of luck to each of you this season!
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  #22  
Old 11-09-2018, 07:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weedcatcher View Post
They're all my favorite. That's the problem!
Well you need a few packers trudging along behind you....
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