I want to buy a rifle that I can have fun hand loading with, but I don't want a popular caliber. Right now I am thinking about

[JM]

I want to buy a rifle that I can have fun hand loading with, but I don't want a popular caliber. Right now I am thinking about the .264 Win Mag, but I am open to other calibers. Does anyone have any suggestions? Opinions on the .264 Win Mag? Only requirement is that it can kill deer sized game.

[DSMbirddog]

I bought my 264 in 1970. It was a Rem 700 and very accurate with most of my loads. Less than MOA off the bench. My nephew has used it for whitetails the last two years. I shot deer, antelope, and hogs with it. Now some drawbacks. Expensive and difficult to find brass to reload. Currently only 3 factory loadings that I can find. Since it is a high pressure round brass doesn't last long and max loads must be approached carefully. Cabela's currently has a Model 70 available in 264 for about $1400.

[jhjimbo]

Take a look at NEF single shot rifles. (H&R 1871.com) You can get lots of calibers, some in heavy weight barrels. They also come in some of the pistol cartridges like .500S&W. Look for the actions in gun shops and the barrels on places like E-Bay and Gunbroker.com. If i remember, i made the target by my name with a NEF in 45/70.

[JM]

@DSMbirddog,
Cost aside would you suggest the .264 or do you think I could find better.
@JHP,
I have a NEF single shot shotgun and like it, but at this time I do not want a single shot rifle. I want something that could provide a quick follow up shot if needed.

[DSMbirddog]

The 264 Win Mag is a heck of a caliber. You can hunt long range varmints, shoot elk and moose, or compete in long range competitions. I will never regret owning mine. JM, I thought you needed to be aware of the difficulties reloading or buying ammunition. If I were doing it today I would find a used Rem 700 or Model 70 long action and have it rebarreled. I had my barrel free floated and the action beded.

[JM]

Cost is definitely important, but this wont be a rifle I will be shooting a ton.

[blake g]

mosin nagant, 7.62X54r it is rimmed but what i have heard is that you dont need to reload and there true $110 for 440 rounds of fmj if you dont like the mosin you can get a svt ,svd (dragnov), or many of the lmg the russian army uses .

[JM]

I'm sure the 7.62X54r would be fun to play around with, but when they offer "military surplus" ammunition it is just a bit too common for me. I want a caliber that you do not hear about very often.

[jhjimbo]

O.K., how about a Mauser 96 in 6.5X55. By reloading it can be used for anything from ground hogs up to and including black bear. It has more energy at 100yds than a 30-30 has at the muzzle. All that without a lot of recoil. I have a 4X12 scope on mine.
The .264 is a real hot rod - great for long distance shooting. The 6.5mm(.264) bullets have some of the best B.C. along with 7mm(.284).

[cowboy]

6.5-284

There's a reason it's one of the most popular calibers with the long range target guys. Super accurate and easy to work up a good load. Powerful enough to take deer out to 600+. Easy on the shoulder and wallet.

Since you mention the .264WM I am guessing you like to go fast and long range? A few others that I think are prety cool that don't require any wildcatting. Odds are no one else in deer camp will have one and you wont be able to find ammo locally.

+1 on 264 WM
257 Weatherby
284 Win
7MM RSAUM or WSM
7MM STW
30-378 Weatherby
I'll also throw in the 6MM BR, not the fastest or probably the best choice for deer but a pretty cool little round.

Good luck.

[floridahunter]

Mauser 7.65 Argentine, load me some cartridges while you're at it

[huntfishtrap]

I would vote for the 6.5 Creedmoore, one of the most accurate, flattest-shooting rounds out there.

[blake g]

ok thats fine Jm theres always .50 BMG .416 lappua .408 Cheytech .50 ae (desert eagle) or if you want it to be small and fun 17 mach 2 22bee or many othe huge rediculos rounds and my personal favorite the 28mm revolver.

[blake g]

sorry .416 barret but you could throw in a .338 lapua magnum those would be my kind of snipers ( the .338 lapua was the first round spicificlay desighned for snipers!)

[JM]

-Now you guys are making it hard on me. I'm going to have to take my time to decide which caliber I want.
-Blake, I own a meat grinder so there is no need for a sniper round =]. I own a .338 lapua and it blows up anything it hits(I shot a coyote with one and you could fit a softball through the hole). One hell of a fun rifle to shoot at targets, but overkill for what I will be hunting.