Short Barrel Truck Gun Opinions

[smchop]

So Ray is getting some pretty good input on his thread, so I'm gonna give this a shot on my own thread. So I have an action laying around with no dedicated purpose, it's a Surgeon Short Action 591 repeater with a .308 bolt face. I want to build a dedicated truck gun, short barrel 18" at most. Primary use will be 800yds and in, critter getter and possibly deer. I know my options on .308 already and it may be the way it goes, but looking for some other input on different calibers, folding stocks, etc. Not in a rush to build it, but I'm ready to gather the rest of the parts. So fire away guys, opinions, photo examples of shit you like, weight will be a concern but not a set point. Here is a pic of the action to be used..............

[bobbyfairbanks]

Hard to go wrong with .270

[XC700116]

Hard to go wrong with .270

Except that it's a long action caliber, and a 591 is a short action.

[hurley842002]

Dang, and here I was thinking lever gun or something upon reading the title. Was going to recommend a 16" 30/30 or similar lol. I got nothing for the bolt gun, but whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be sweet.

[XC700116]

For short barrels, it's hard to beat a 308 for efficiency, I personally am not a fan of the cartridge for long range work, but there's no doubt it is more efficient in a short barrel than it's 6mm, 6.5mm brethren. Haven't looked into 7mm-08 in shortys personally, but it might be a good choice as well.

[mcantar18c]

.308 is a good "general purpose" caliber, IMO.

[smchop]

I know all the benefits of a .308 in short barrels and I agree they are hard to beat, I run a 16.5" GAP 10 in .308 and its a hammer. I reload and was kind of looking for something different. 7-08 has me interested, also saw someone running a .243 at 18" hitting 3000fps with 75gr amax, but thats to light for deer. A lever would be cool, I could sell this and probably cover the cost of a lever, Surgeons are not cheap, but I'm a big fan of the bolt! Keep it coming, anybody run anything with a folder other than a KRG W3, I've had that, excellent stock.

[mcantar18c]

.243 is not too small for deer...

[smchop]

.243 is not too small for deer...

You are correct, I was thinking more along the lines of the weight, I thought there was a minimum weight requirement for the bullet itself outside of caliber and energy.

[Colorado Osprey]

... I thought there was a minimum weight requirement for the bullet itself ...

There is minimums for Colorado big game:
70 grain bullet minimum/ 85 grain for elk and moose
.243 dia bullet minimum
Also, must have 100ft/lbs at 100 yards

The 243 does this easily in all aspects as well as able to punch little 55 grain bullets at laser speeds at critters
The 60 grain Sierra HP is death medicine on coyotes

I know a lot of people who shoot the 243 and like the 85's on antelope and deer. Personally I like the anchor factor on the 90's and 100's for deer and antelope.