+1 for 270 for whitetail. I have been shooting mine since late 1980s and it is a good mix of knockdown power and fairly flat trajectory. I also own a 300 win mag i use for larger game.

TX_COWDOC said:

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I love that thing. Makes the long poke effortless.

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I don't have that problem.

Another vote for 30-06. If you don't already have one you should. If you are going custom or do a rebarrel at some point there are lots of great options in the '06 family, like the serengeti or ai.
Someone on this board mentioned 338 federal the other day, that's another awesome choice if you reload. Friend of mine has killed a pile of elk with his

My money, I'd get a .308. (Already have a nice lighweight -06.)

mts6175 said:

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aggieforester05 said:

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I don't have one yet, but I'm really intrigued with the 6.8 Western. Similar to 7MM mag performance out of a short action, but with high BC bullets long heavy bullets and fast twist barrels. Developed by Winchester and Browning, so there's a good chance it will stick around. May not have a lot of advantages at normal hunting distances, but will carry it's energy further if shooting long distance. Should be a killer all around cartridge if ammo availability and price become reasonable.

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Been looking at the 6.8 hard, but have read elsewhere that certain bullet manufacturers (Barnes/Hornady/etc) have come out and said they are not going to support it. So it sounds like it's going to be limited to what Winchester/Browning can get their hands on or produce themselves.

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Where have you read that? Very disappointing if true.

ETA: Is this talking about the 6.8 Western round specifically?

You might want to consider a280Ackley Improved . My Kimber Mountain Assent weighed about 6 lbs. before putting on a scope. You will probably carry it longer than you shoot it. It's a 7mm about 80fps slower than a7mag.

I love my 6.5 Swede too. Just hard to find ammo sometimes.

For this purpose & price I'd buy the Tikka T3x Lite in Veil Wideland in 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag., or .30-06.

So I am a browning homer. But the hells canyon or western in 7mm or 300 is hard to beat. Honestly the AB3 shoots just as good and is lighter.

TX_COWDOC said:

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Lent mine to a 16 yo young lady last fall. She smoked a bull at 465 yards. She weighs about 120 lbs.

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COWDOC, which rifle and optic is this? Christensen rifle? I'm a left handed shooter too and would greatly appreciate your input.

pfo-
Custom rifle built with left hand Rem 700 action. Proof barrel. McMillan HTG stock. NightForce 5.5-22 scope. This was my answer for a lightweight Western states rifle. Prior to this I carried a variety of Weatherby Accumarks. Very accurate rifles but the added weight was killing me.

This 7mmSTW shoots factory ammo so well I have yet to attempt a hand load. You're welcome to come shoot it sometime.

ought1ag said:

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308 and 223 are the only bullets on the shelfs right now so i will say 308.

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THIS! I haven't seen any but these two calibers. Let that help you decide...

barnag said:

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ought1ag said:

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308 and 223 are the only bullets on the shelfs right now so i will say 308.

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THIS! I haven't seen any but these two calibers. Let that help you decide...

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Academy in NE San Antonio 3 weeks ago had .270, .300BO, 6.5CM, .223, .308, .30-06, .300WM and a few others as well, including pistol ammo and shotgun shells. This was on a random Wednesday afternoon. They just didn't have the real niche stuff (understandably… every company has reduced SKUs right now).

No idea if Russia messed that up, but there's been plenty out there.

Buck Compton said:

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barnag said:

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ought1ag said:

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308 and 223 are the only bullets on the shelfs right now so i will say 308.

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THIS! I haven't seen any but these two calibers. Let that help you decide...

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Academy in NE San Antonio 3 weeks ago had .270, .300BO, 6.5CM, .223, .308, .30-06, .300WM and a few others as well, including pistol ammo and shotgun shells. This was on a random Wednesday afternoon. They just didn't have the real niche stuff (understandably… every company has reduced SKUs right now).

No idea if Russia messed that up, but there's been plenty out there.

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I'm not in NE San Antonio. My point is, wherever you get your ammo, buy the caliber gun where you see the most available ammo.

You will never ever regret buying a 30.06!!!!

If you do plenty of us will buy it from you!!!!

Ammo Seek makes any caliber available. No more relying on Academy

barnag said:

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Buck Compton said:

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barnag said:

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ought1ag said:

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308 and 223 are the only bullets on the shelfs right now so i will say 308.

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THIS! I haven't seen any but these two calibers. Let that help you decide...

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Academy in NE San Antonio 3 weeks ago had .270, .300BO, 6.5CM, .223, .308, .30-06, .300WM and a few others as well, including pistol ammo and shotgun shells. This was on a random Wednesday afternoon. They just didn't have the real niche stuff (understandably… every company has reduced SKUs right now).

No idea if Russia messed that up, but there's been plenty out there.

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I'm not in NE San Antonio. My point is, wherever you get your ammo, buy the caliber gun where you see the most available ammo.

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Covid taught me I need a .350 legend, 450 bushmaster and a .224. I get your point but what was on the shelf in 2020 was the weird calibers. Fortunately, I keep stock of most of what I need and all the common rounds you couldn't find.

barnag said:

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Buck Compton said:

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barnag said:

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ought1ag said:

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308 and 223 are the only bullets on the shelfs right now so i will say 308.

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THIS! I haven't seen any but these two calibers. Let that help you decide...

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Academy in NE San Antonio 3 weeks ago had .270, .300BO, 6.5CM, .223, .308, .30-06, .300WM and a few others as well, including pistol ammo and shotgun shells. This was on a random Wednesday afternoon. They just didn't have the real niche stuff (understandably… every company has reduced SKUs right now).

No idea if Russia messed that up, but there's been plenty out there.

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I'm not in NE San Antonio. My point is, wherever you get your ammo, buy the caliber gun where you see the most available ammo.

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Then you can look online. But the story was the same at a place in Dallas a few weeks before that and Cabelas a few months ago. The point was that your first statement was off, that was just my most recent data point.

Ammo has been pretty available for the better part of a year now, even if it goes fast. And while maybe this supply situation would prevent you from buying a really niche caliber, I fail to see why my choice of caliber on a brand new gun (that I'm likely keeping long term) should be limited only by what I see on the shelves locally in the short term.

barnag said:

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ought1ag said:

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308 and 223 are the only bullets on the shelfs right now so i will say 308.

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THIS! I haven't seen any but these two calibers. Let that help you decide...

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Cabela's in Buda has been great lately. I've even seen 300 blackout, 30-06, and 7mm. They were all there yesterday, but they were expecting a big run this weekend. Good luck

Thank you so much COWDOC!

I took this bull at over 600 yards with a 6.5 CM. Watch: