"fighting bolt gun" thread mkII- cartridge selection

[mattjmcd]

Rather than muddy the waters of the first thread, I figure that a second thread would be better to discuss the round needed for an ideal GP/fighting bolt gun.

I am leaving 7.62x39 aside for now, since a) there aren't that many guns where it'd be an option, and b) lack of range potential, and c) accuracy.

I am kind of stuck between .223 on the low end, .243 or 6.5SE in the middle, or .308. All seem to have their pros and cons. What say you?

[militarymoron]

i'd pick .308 for its good general performance at short to middle distances, wide selection of different ammo/loads and relative availability.

[JStor]

I'd also choose .308 for the wide selection of available ammunition and components, plus in the right rifle, the 308 Winchester is very accurate. Plus it has enough punch without getting into unpleasant recoil.

[ST911]

i'd pick .308 for its good general performance at short to middle distances, wide selection of different ammo/loads and relative availability.

I'd also choose .308 for the wide selection of available ammunition and components, plus in the right rifle, the 308 Winchester is very accurate. Plus it has enough punch without getting into unpleasant recoil.

These.

If not a .308, I'd choose another mainstreatm caliber suitable for medium to smaller large game that would pass the Walmart availability test.

[Gutshot John]

I'd invoke rob_s and say it all depends on a realistic appraisal of your requirements.

If you live in a relatively urban environment, you might be worried about overpenetration.

If you live in the middle of Alaska, it might not matter.

Assuming the "fighting" bolt action isn't going to be "fighting" griz, I'd argue that .308 and 30.06 are about as powerful as you want to get but wonder about their application for urban fighting or CQB type applications.

.223 has the virtue of being ubiquitous and very versatile across a variety of applications but loses terminal effectiveness beyond 400-500 yards. 7.62x39 is an interesting idea but doesn't bring much in terms of better range.

.243 or .270 don't really lend themselves to volume shooting but ballistically fit quite nicely in the role.

It really seems like a choice between .223 and .308.

[THE FROG]

6.5x55 Swede. Ammo is available from all the majors and the ballistics are, well, great!

[mattjmcd]

the "targets" might be mountain lion, smallish black bear, feral dogs, and feral men. "Game" might be hogs, Mule deer etc. Nothing really big.

[tpd223]

What skintop said.

.308 or 30-06 most likely.

..... and some of these;

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=40203

[BAC]

That depends on what you're expecting out of the rifle, no?

I'm thinking .223 is probably too light for most of what the "fighting bolt gun" would be used for. In the Southeast, .243 and .270 are readily available; .308 is usually available, but more often sold out. There are probably more kinds of .308 available than its 6mm and 6.5mm cousins, but I wouldn't feel short-changed by the .243 and .270 hunting rounds that are readily available. Reloading data, brass and components are easy enough to get a hold of (present powder/primer shortages notwithstanding), so whatever I don't find to my liking in a store I can roll my own.


-B

[Saginaw79]

Assuming it will have a reduced capacity, say 5 or 10 rounds most likely IMO that means a more effective cartridge.

I love my 5.56 ARs, but I also have 30 rounds on tap. With a Bolt Gun id expect more for less, as weird as that seems

For me as the ultimate fighting bolt gun in an Enfield modernized a bit, the .303 is a great cartridge, it performs like a .308 though its harder to find in the US than .308

So Id say .303/.308