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I'm pondering a project lightweight hunting rifle. I'm looking for opinions/info on the the best chambering in a couple scenarios.
A little additional info: I do not anticipate ever having this rifle in a situation where I would take a shot on an elk or deer beyond 200 yards. It will probably only have open sights, but I may put a low power scope on it, maybe up to 4-5x at the high end. Also, I hunt for good meat, not a trophy room. It's just my wife and me, so I'm more likely to take a smaller, hopefully tastier animal over a trophy-racked monster.
I want a short action rifle so I can minimize length and weight, but am open to considering a long action if it will be the better choice. The limiting issue is going to be barrel length and muzzle velocity. I'd like to get the barrel trimmed down to about 16.25" but would go up to 18 as a maximum. The base rifle is gonna be a stainless BLR, so that limits my cartridge choices to what they offer, which is a good selection.
Cartridges I'm currently considering: .308, .300wsm, .450 marlin, .30-06, .300 win mag, 7mm-08, .358 win, 7mm mag.
I don't think I need a magnum for my situation. I think it'll give me a bunch of unneeded recoil, muzzle blast, and unburned powder, but am pretty unfamiliar with magnums in general.
I'm leaning toward .308 and .450 marlin, but want some thoughts and feedback.
So, what round would you recommend out of a 16 inch? 18?
Thanks in advance.
A little additional info: I do not anticipate ever having this rifle in a situation where I would take a shot on an elk or deer beyond 200 yards. It will probably only have open sights, but I may put a low power scope on it, maybe up to 4-5x at the high end. Also, I hunt for good meat, not a trophy room. It's just my wife and me, so I'm more likely to take a smaller, hopefully tastier animal over a trophy-racked monster.
I want a short action rifle so I can minimize length and weight, but am open to considering a long action if it will be the better choice. The limiting issue is going to be barrel length and muzzle velocity. I'd like to get the barrel trimmed down to about 16.25" but would go up to 18 as a maximum. The base rifle is gonna be a stainless BLR, so that limits my cartridge choices to what they offer, which is a good selection.
Cartridges I'm currently considering: .308, .300wsm, .450 marlin, .30-06, .300 win mag, 7mm-08, .358 win, 7mm mag.
I don't think I need a magnum for my situation. I think it'll give me a bunch of unneeded recoil, muzzle blast, and unburned powder, but am pretty unfamiliar with magnums in general.
I'm leaning toward .308 and .450 marlin, but want some thoughts and feedback.
So, what round would you recommend out of a 16 inch? 18?
Thanks in advance.