What short action mag to build?

[Rottweiler72]

Anybody have any thoughts on a short action mag cartridge?
I have a kimber 270wsm that I had rebarreld and they screwd up twice on.
Short story is I have just bought a 2nd kimber 270wsm and now want to rechamber this into something else.
I was thinking 7saum but I already have the 270wsm, 270 win, 30-06 and 25creed. Thinking I need to have a larger caliber but don't really like hard recoil with arthritis in my shoulder and wrist.
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Squidgame]

Sorry about the arthritis, since you already cover a lot of ground, maybe look at 6.5 PRC or 7mm-08, they’re mild shooting yet still versatile

 

[jpndave]

6.5mm PRC for sure. I have that exact rifle and a Proof carbon blanket waiting to be spun up as soon as I get time to get it in the Lathe using the Wheeler improved reamer.

7mm-08 won't go in the mag bolt face.

You could also go to a 300 WSM. Or, if you want to chase obscure 325 WSM or wildcats beyond that. All of those get pretty snappy as you go bigger.

 

[Rottweiler72]

Out on the elk hunt right now. I have a cow tag , could have shot one this morning at 320 yards but the pack out would have been bad. Anyway the 6.5 prc looks good but it doesn't really do anything my 270 win does. I'm still thinking 7saum or 300 wsm. Don't really like the recoil of the 300 win mag that I sold so I don't think a 300 wsm will be any lighter in recoil but never shot one.
The older I get the less I like recoil.

 

[jpndave]

IME the 300 WSM is slightly less recoil than a 300 mag but not enough to really make a difference. The 6.5 PRC differences over the 270 Win are mostly in better chamber design, base accuracy potential (without a custom chamber in the 270) and the ability to shoot long heavy slippery bullets. Looking at comparable bullets for example, 143 ELD-X PRC is going to fly better than the 145 ELD-X in the 270. Even just energy is better in the PRC once you get past ~125yds. If you go to Hornady's site and compare the two loads the differences show up more the further you go out. Handloading can do more still. Do you "need" a 6.5 PRC if you already have a 270 Win? No. Is it better? Yes, in most every way.

I understand the recoil sensitivity. I can handle/take a lot of recoil but it's not enjoyable and the older I get the less tolerant of it I become. My current go-to rifle is a Kimber 6.5 Creed. I would do the PRC over the Creed but I really love that little rifle and mag bolt face is a no-go without stepping up from the 84M to the 8400. I am building a 7mm PRC. The original plan was the 300 PRC but after shooting both, I have decided the 7mm is the top of what I want to deal with recoil wise so the Bartlein carbon barrel I had made for the 300 is up for sale and I am getting the same in a 7mm.

I recently built up a little Howa mini action in 6mm ARC and that is a fun little rifle. I am looking forward to taking my grandson's out hunting with it when they are old enough. Going to be a minute for that but I am looking forward to it.

 

[Rottweiler72]

I agree that some of the smaller caliber are a heck of alot of fun. I built a 25 creed before it was standard Sammi chamber. I wanted a 25 roberts but brass was hard to find. I might still do the 6.5 prc and sell it but I dont think I'll get the money out of it. The 7 saum keeps me thinking about it for elk, but that it might disappear if the F class shooters find something else to play with. Kinda like the 6.5-284. Got Home last night from cow elk hunt time to start butchering.
I don't know why I want anymore than the 30-06 for hunting, I guess that why they call it gun nuts.