Looking for opinions on next rifle

[Ucsspirit]

Here is the deal, Im trying to figure out what rifle to buy / build next. some quick back ground. I have several .308's 2 bolt guns, and M1A, and a belt fed. the typical AR in 5.56, a 22-250, 338 Lapua, and several other non evil, rifles. I just ordered a Shiloh sharps 1874 Quigley, however thats a 14 month wait. Now Im looking for a fun rifle to take out shoot at steel, paper, and the occasional hunt. I want something easy to pack, accurate with good ballistics. Reloading is not a problem as I do that for every gun I have now. I just don't know where to begin, a 260, 243, 6.5, 6.8, 7mm-08, even a 223. there are a ton of choices, then add bolt gun vs gas gun and that makes even more choices. The other catch is I want something that the future Mrs me would be happy to take out and shoot. I would love to hear what everybody thinks, and why you think that way. thanks for the help.

 

[strike33]

The .243 or 6.5 would be my vote. Terminal ballistics to take game, exterior ballistics to ring steel and punch holes at extended ranges and low recoil so the wife will enjoy all the benefits as well.

 

[Easy_E]

The .243 or 6.5 would be my vote. Terminal ballistics to take game, exterior ballistics to ring steel and punch holes at extended ranges and low recoil so the wife will enjoy all the benefits as well.

this would be my advice also only to add if your shooting a match 243 brass is much cheap if you lose a few here and there. I have a 6.5x47 with a brake and my plain barrel 243 seems to have less felt recoil to me.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I feel you're trying to do too much with one rifle. You want a target rifle that is capable of hunting and packability but also you're significant other can shoot. I would pick one or the other or build two rifles.

If you want a rifle that is fun to shoot all day long, has great barrel life and a woman will enjoy as well I would do a 223. If it was me it would be a 223AI, everybody should have one. A little better ballistics than 223, easy to fire form (just shoot 223 ammo), and the brass barely grows. The recoil even with 75's and 80's in non existent so you could easily make it a reasonable weight and use it for everything up to whitetails. A well placed Amax will drop a deer like a ton of bricks.

If you want something with more knock down and don't want another 308 you're going to have to realize its not going to have the same barrel life so won't make a good high volume target rifle. Depending on what you want to be able to kill it may not be the most friendly rifle to shoot in a packable weight either. I'd love to build a lightweight custom hunting rifle but after buying one Kimber Montana and then a second I can't talk myself into spending the money to do it. They weigh under 6lbs, shoot great, are rugged and have great ergonomics for what it is. The triggers on mine are both super crisp and break at about 3.5lbs. You may want to look into something like that and build yourself a nice low recoil target rifle.

 

[Ucsspirit]

Great information. I know that every rifle and caliber has trade offs, and I appreciate the advice. please keep it coming, the 243 and 6.5 so are are looking to be the place to start looking.

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

She would love America's rifle In 6.5? Am talking about an AR15 of course In 6.5 Grendel.
Just get one of the great cut-rifled barrels and Gies. trigger and build her a nice one!

 

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I just got my 6.5 Grendel AR from precision firearms, LOVE it! my favorite gun to shoot.