"Hunting Cartridges" for target use....?

[Sim G]

Over the years I've used what are usually regarded as "hunting cartridges" in the UK as a target cartridge. So far, I've a great deal of fun and success with such chamberings as .22-250, .220 Swift, .243 Winchester and 7mm-08. Using these to punch holes in paper certainly turns some heads on the firing line but surely the opinion that these are "hunting cartridges" stems more from the attitudes of firearms licencing departments and the types of shooting we have in the UK?

I'm looking to play with a new cartridge. I've had the idea of the 6.5 Creedmoor on the back burner for a while now and I'm reserving that for when the 7mm-08 barrel on the RPA is shot out......... but it just keeps on going!!!!

So, I'll throw it open for ideas. Anyone got any ideas? The only stipulation is that it has to be a relatively available cartridge for brass, dies etc, and, Matchkings, A-max or other target bullets must also be available. And as said, I'd much rather have something that is not generally regarded for target use!

I have seen an almost new Ruger #1 in .25-06, with a heavy barrel........ any advances?

[Porcupine]

Funny you should say that, I'm hankering for a Ruger No.1 (the poor man's Farquharson!) in .375 H&H and a Winchester 1895 in .405 WCF (my Speed-Lee has inspired me to build a safari rifle collection). What disciplines would these rifles be suitable for? Not that I intend to ever compete with them, but for the variation.

The No. 1 is noted for often suffering from poor accuracy out of the box, but this can be easily fixed. Can't help you with .25-06 though.

[dromia]

.222" Remington on a BSA action with a heavy barrel.

Mine will put almost any ammunition into 1/4" at 100 yrds, it has set trigger as well. Great for the foxes and roe up in Scotland. Easy to reload for, components and equipment readily available and at one time it was the bench rest cartridge of choice. To my mind a better cartridge than the ubiquitous .223".

[dromia]

BTW it was a target cartridge put to hunting use.

[Sandgroper]

204 Ruger, 257 Roberts, 270, ,338 Federal, 358 Win, 9.3x63mm.

[R.G.C]

.222" Remington on a BSA action with a heavy barrel.

Mine will put almost any ammunition into 1/4" at 100 yrds, it has set trigger as well. Great for the foxes and roe up in Scotland. Easy to reload for, components and equipment readily available and at one time it was the bench rest cartridge of choice. To my mind a better cartridge than the ubiquitous .223".

And why not push the shoulder a little more forward ad make of it a .222Magnum... Wonderful cartridge....

There os also the .260 Remington to consider. So asy to neck down the 7-08 or the .308...

If it is to experiment, try the .260 INCH or the .284 INCH...

R.G.C

[nicklm]

.284 winchester, now that there are some great 7mm bullets on the market and not so harsh on the barrel as 6.5-284

[DaveT]

.222" Remington on a BSA action with a heavy barrel.

Mine will put almost any ammunition into 1/4" at 100 yrds, it has set trigger as well. Great for the foxes and roe up in Scotland. Easy to reload for, components and equipment readily available and at one time it was the bench rest cartridge of choice. To my mind a better cartridge than the ubiquitous .223".

And why not push the shoulder a little more forward ad make of it a .222Magnum... Wonderful cartridge....

There os also the .260 Remington to consider. So asy to neck down the 7-08 or the .308...

If it is to experiment, try the .260 INCH or the .284 INCH...

R.G.C

BIG +1 on 260 Rem...I use it for both target and stalking.....brill accuracy!

[meles meles]

6.5x55 Swedish, paired with a nice old Swedish Mauser or Noggin Krag Jorgensen ? Always been good for dropping elks, might do adequately well against a printed paper circle...