2 Gun Combo

[BryceM]

Why would you only want to have 2 guns? I'm sure I could get by with 10 or 12........

On second thought, no, I couldn't.

Force me to go with two, and I'd probably opt for a .375 H&H and a 6.5 something. My .260 Rem AI suits me well. My problem with the .375 H&H is that it's good for almost everything but perfect for almost nothing.

 

[cash_tx]

6.5 Creedmoor and 375 Ruger would make a fine two-gun combo that you certainly can't go wrong with. Are you referring to the two rifles that are in the list of guns you currently own, or would you be making a new acquisition for either caliber?

Another alternative to strongly consider would be a 270 Winchester and 375 Ruger combo. The 270 Win. has pretty much all the same benefits as the 6.5 Creedmoor in terms of widespread ammo availability, bullet selection, and downrange ballistics; and then some. With the 270 Win, you could use a moderate factory load with a lighter bullet for a mild shooter like the 6.5 CM; but you could also turn it up to a significantly hotter level in terms of bullet weight and/or velocity than the 6.5 CM should the need arise. Of course, handloading would make this argument all the more valid.

 

[swashington]

As a fellow lefty I share your need for the left handed rifles. My personal choice is a Ruger left handed 300WM and a Ruger No1 in a 416WM. These two will get me all the planes game and any DG animal. The 416 I just recently acquired and still waiting for its arrival. 10 more days according to the tracking info.

 

[Safari Dave]

A 6.5 CM and a .375 Ruger would work just fine.


My choice would be a .300 Magnum and a .375 H&H (or something a bit larger, like a .416)

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Golf allows you to carry up to 14 clubs in your bag. Same applies to rifles, so don't limit yourself to just two.

I really like the 375 Ruger (duh) but it's not a fun rifle to shoot a lot. I love the 338 WM. When I look at my rifles, I like to look at typical bullet weights. Less than 100 gr, 22 LR, 223 and 243. For 100-150gr, a 6.5x55, 30-30 and 270. For 150-200 gr, 7x57, 7mm RM and 30-06. Over 200 gr, 338 WM. For 300 gr, 375 Ruger. For 400 gr, 404J. I have no need for anything bigger.

 

[Andrew62]

6.5 creedmoor is a great caliber. I've taken many African plains game using 120 grain Barnes TTSX bullets out of my 6.5 cm. Like yourself, I do not handload, I rely on factory loaded ammo. My last several African hunts have been with my .308 and .375H&H. Using my .308 with 165/168 grain bullets I have taken dozens of zebra, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, etc.

 

[Neophyte]

6.5 Creedmoor and 375 Ruger would make a fine two-gun combo that you certainly can't go wrong with. Are you referring to the two rifles that are in the list of guns you currently own, or would you be making a new acquisition for either caliber?

Another alternative to strongly consider would be a 270 Winchester and 375 Ruger combo. The 270 Win. has pretty much all the same benefits as the 6.5 Creedmoor in terms of widespread ammo availability, bullet selection, and downrange ballistics; and then some. With the 270 Win, you could use a moderate factory load with a lighter bullet for a mild shooter like the 6.5 CM; but you could also turn it up to a significantly hotter level in terms of bullet weight and/or velocity than the 6.5 CM should the need arise. Of course, handloading would make this argument all the more valid.

I currently own both.

6.5 Creedmoor and 375 Ruger would make a fine two-gun combo that you certainly can't go wrong with. Are you referring to the two rifles that are in the list of guns you currently own, or would you be making a new acquisition for either caliber?

Another alternative to strongly consider would be a 270 Winchester and 375 Ruger combo. The 270 Win. has pretty much all the same benefits as the 6.5 Creedmoor in terms of widespread ammo availability, bullet selection, and downrange ballistics; and then some. With the 270 Win, you could use a moderate factory load with a lighter bullet for a mild shooter like the 6.5 CM; but you could also turn it up to a significantly hotter level in terms of bullet weight and/or velocity than the 6.5 CM should the need arise. Of course, handloading would make this argument all the more valid.

i currently own both in a platform I like.
I also have the .338WM but it’s not stainless. I could have it Ceracoated but I hate to touch anything on it as I like the way it shoots and I don’t want to risk messing that up.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I've done the wean up and down game before.

I think a 375 and 6.5 combo is great. But also takes away a lot of the fun.

I paired down to a 338 and 308... Then added more again.

 

[CZDiesel]

I guess I’m old lol But to go half way across the world to go on a classic safari and use a 6.5cm…
Whatever, to each their own, but the cm is a joke sold by the black rifle community!!!

 

[Sheldor]

30-06 and 375 H&H.

Done.

Welcome

What he said.

 

[Sabre]

My opinion is that 308 with a bonded bullet is probably one of the most versatile and capable calibers for the widest variety of animals. I'd pair that with whatever dangerous game rifle you settle on.

 

[Sabre]

I guess I’m old lol But to go half way across the world to go on a classic safari and use a 6.5cm…
Whatever, to each their own, but the cm is a joke sold by the black rifle community!!!

6.5 Creedmoor was favored and pushed a lot more by long range bench shooters than it was by the "black rifle community" as you call them. It was specifically designed for long range target shooting and improved accuracy on targets with less recoil.

It is now offered in some AR platforms, but you are generally trading a bit of the accuracy it was designed for by using it on that platform.

 

[CZDiesel]

6.5 Creedmoor was favored and pushed a lot more by long range bench shooters than it was by the "black rifle community" as you call them. It was specifically designed for long range target shooting and improved accuracy on targets with less recoil.

It is now offered in some AR platforms, but you are generally trading a bit of the accuracy it was designed for by using it on that platform.

No it wasn’t! It was specifically designed for the AR-10 platform!

 

[JeeperCreeper]

No it wasn’t! It was specifically designed for the AR-10 platform!

100% false unless you're trolling. I'm new here, so I'm not sure how often that happens here.

Hornady has specifically stated it's for precision long range. Even the name "creedmoor" is a precision shooting brand after which it is named.

I love 6.5 Creedmoor haters. They always cite the "man bun cult of Creedmoor" but I have yet to meet a fanatic lover, only fanatic haters.

 

[Sabre]

From Wikipedia:
The 6.5mm Creedmoor was designed specifically for Long-Range Shooting


This next quote is literally from the chief Hornady ballistics expert that created the round:

What was the caliber specifically designed for?

"We originally envisioned it as a target/match cartridge that would have good longer range performance. We quickly realized it would also make a superb medium weight hunting cartridge."

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Even the name "creedmoor" is a precision shooting brand after which it is named.

An NRA Shooting Sports Journal | History Lesson: 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge Origin

An article from the SSUSA vault on the 6.5 Creedmoor, prior to its rapid rise in popularity as a cartridge that offered the qualities and capabilities of older long range rifle rounds, minus the excessive recoil. The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge excels at not only Camp Perry and Camp Atterbury...

www.ssusa.org

The 6.5 Creedmoor is named after Creedmoor Sports, which was inspired by the historic Creedmoor rifle range in Queens, New York. The name Creedmoor comes from the swampy moorland that the NRA bought in 1872 from Mr. Creed for its long-distance shooting range. The surrounding farmland reminded visiting British and Irish shooters of their “moorlands” back home.

The 6.5 Creedmoor was developed in 2007 by Hornady ballisticians Dave Emary and Dennis DeMille for competition shooting and long-range target shooting. The cartridge is a necked-down modification of the .30 Thompson Center. It has a high ballistic coefficient (BC), which means it retains its velocity even at longer distances. The 6.5 Creedmoor also has mild recoil, making it suitable for shooters of all skill levels.

 

[Philip Glass]

This is more of a mental masturbation question but here goes.

I’ve used .223, 7-08, .35 Whelen, 30-06, 22-250, 25-06, .300WM, .243, 45-70 Govt, .338WM for various purposes over the last forty or so years.

My one and done for the lower 48 has become the .338WM. Wyoming Antelope, Coues Deer, to Moose and Black Bear. With that said I purchased a .375 Ruger because it was a left handed bolt and stainless steel. Only two of the above named cartridges were in a left handed bolt. I now refuse to own a right handed bolt rifle.

I’m considering a two gun battery but in all likelihood the second rifle would sit in the safe except for range time and training with a lighter recoiling rifle. So the question is; For a two gun battery for worldwide hunting what would you think of the 6.5 Creedmoor and .375 Ruger?

I’m shooting factory ammo these days but the other cartridges were handloads. I no longer have the desire or time to work up loads. Factory ammunition is easy for me to find in these two cartridges although very limited for the .375 Ruger. Only Hornady seems to be supporting this cartridge on a consistent basis. If I can’t get the Hornady factory ammo to shoot well I’ll take up reloading again but only for that cartridge.

So what are your thoughts on a two gun battery consisting of a 6.5 Creedmoor and a .375 Ruger with the understanding that the .375 Ruger will likely see 90% of the hunting time unless I’m calling coyotes?

.375 and .300WM covers the world.

 

[IvW]

My choice for African pg would be an Africa Bergstutzen.
9.3x74R/7×57R.....1 gun 2 calibers.
I would add a Kipplauf in 7x65R.....
No finer 2 gun pg combination I could imagine....

 

[steve white]

Many times I've pondered the fact that I believe I could do every bit of the hunting that I could ever imagine with a 5 gun total battery. Doing such would sure give a lot of opportunity to go quality over quantity also. If I was to take this step, I believe I'd go this route:

Custom Bolt Action 223 - Varmint/Predator Work
Custom Bolt Action 7mm SAW or 7mm-08 - Anything in NA, except big bears & most African PG
Custom Bolt Action 375 Ruger - NA Big Bears & Africa
Over Under 28ga - Upland & Dove
Auto 20ga - Waterfowl

I'm probably unlikely to take this step anytime soon. However, as my son grows older, I very well may begin giving him the majority of the firearms that I currently own & land in this position.

Two shotguns, neither of which is all that waterfowl capable, and still no .22lr? Don't be so hard on yourself--you need more! (just like me)

 

[steve white]

If you are only going to have two guns, they should both be bespoke, perfect specimens. I would suggest also multiple barrels to diversify? And surely you mean just rifles, not pistols etc. included in the two.