The Official 2020 TBH/APR Special

[raw10628]

What caliber would you guys choose for an all around balanced rifle that can handle mule deer and elk but will spend most of it’s time hunting whitetail in Texas? Based on the assumption that this was the only rifle owned. I am thinking of consolidating rifles considering I do not rifle hunt much. Would prefer to have one do it all type of rifle than several different calibers to keep ammo for. I also plan to shoot suppressed so barrel length is a factor as well.

[bphillips]

What caliber would you guys choose for an all around balanced rifle that can handle mule deer and elk but will spend most of it’s time hunting whitetail in Texas? Based on the assumption that this was the only rifle owned. I am thinking of consolidating rifles considering I do not rifle hunt much. Would prefer to have one do it all type of rifle than several different calibers to keep ammo for. I also plan to shoot suppressed so barrel length is a factor as well.

6.5prc or 280ai

[bloodtrail18]

What caliber would you guys choose for an all around balanced rifle that can handle mule deer and elk but will spend most of it’s time hunting whitetail in Texas? Based on the assumption that this was the only rifle owned. I am thinking of consolidating rifles considering I do not rifle hunt much. Would prefer to have one do it all type of rifle than several different calibers to keep ammo for. I also plan to shoot suppressed so barrel length is a factor as well.

I took this approach to last years build and ended up going with a 280AI. I grabbed a couple boxes of 140 grain Nosler ammo just to get it on paper as I planned to handload for it later on. I got it on paper with the factory ammo and then shot a 3 shot group that I covered with a dime. Needless to say, I haven't loaded any ammo for it yet.

[150class]

What speeds are you guys seeing from the 20” 7mm-08?

[CastAndBlast]

What speeds are you guys seeing from the 20” 7mm-08?

Enough [emoji51]

[Bullseye07]

6.5prc or 280ai

This is where I’m at. Can’t decide between them. Seems like the 6.5 prc is slightly flatter shooting, but the .280ai carries a little more energy.

I haven’t reloaded before, but I got a reloading kit for Christmas. Which one is easier to reload? I know factory loads shoot great for both calibers in the meantime.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Black Ice]

I took this approach to last years build and ended up going with a 280AI. I grabbed a couple boxes of 140 grain Nosler ammo just to get it on paper as I planned to handload for it later on. I got it on paper with the factory ammo and then shot a 3 shot group that I covered with a dime. Needless to say, I haven't loaded any ammo for it yet.

I’ve got a 280 AI in a Kimber Mountain Ascent that didn’t group the 140’s well so I thought about doing this build in 280AI because it’s one of my favorite calibers and I wanted a more accurate version. Figured I would just keep the Kimber for stalking and it was shooting around 1.5 inch groups. Ended up trying the ELDX 162’s and can cover a 3 shot group with a dime now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dukeflr]

raw, I’d think about a two rifle arsenal. When you go on those out of state hunts, it’s real smart to have two familiar rifles in case you take a bad fall, etc. You can accomplish this by shooting your buddy’s rifle before the hunt and share rifles if things go bad. It’s just real nice to have a lighter recoiling rifle for deer and a back up rifle that shoots heavier bullets for elk but still won’t beat you up.

You could use a 280ai with 168s as the primary elk, backup deer gun. Use a 6.5 with 140s as primary deer, backup elk gun.

[raw10628]

Does the 280 AI have good factory ammo options? I’m familiar with the 6.5 PRC but not the 280 AI. I do not currently reload or plan to in the future so I would be dependent on factory options. Have thought about going to Copper Creek or one of the other custom load shops though.

[huntingarcher]

Does the 280 AI have good factory ammo options? I’m familiar with the 6.5 PRC but not the 280 AI. I do not currently reload or plan to in the future so I would be dependent on factory options. Have thought about going to Copper Creek or one of the other custom load shops though.

The 280 AI has more factory options than the 6.5 PRC.I have both and in the 140gr range they are very close to the same.The 280 AI ability to shoot heaver bullets is where it shines.

[dukeflr]

280ai factory ammo is out there but not real common. Probably not too bad if you order it online or have Copper Creek load it up. I wouldn’t expect to find it in every Academy or Walmart though.

[Slick8]

What caliber would you guys choose for an all around balanced rifle that can handle mule deer and elk but will spend most of it’s time hunting whitetail in Texas? Based on the assumption that this was the only rifle owned. I am thinking of consolidating rifles considering I do not rifle hunt much. Would prefer to have one do it all type of rifle than several different calibers to keep ammo for. I also plan to shoot suppressed so barrel length is a factor as well.

Going to buck the trend here I'd go with the good ole 7rm. Not a lot of attention lately but look at what it does and it really fits your needs.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[150class]

Enough [emoji51]

I knew you would comment!

[CastAndBlast]

I knew you would comment!

[emoji12]... a valueless comment to boot!


I’m thinking going bigger on this build 300 wm, 28 nos, 280 ai, or 300 wsm. Just not sure what to do!?!?

[Black Ice]

280ai factory ammo is out there but not real common. Probably not too bad if you order it online or have Copper Creek load it up. I wouldn’t expect to find it in every Academy or Walmart though.

I sent you a PM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk