What’s a crossover caliber you ask? I consider crossover calibers to be any caliber that not only handles a variety of predator species like cats and coyotes, but a caliber you could also deploy on deer, pronghorn and maybe even an elk.
Doesn’t a caliber selection like this make sense? Regardless of what the mainstream news touts and the dribble that’s leaking from Washington D.C., most of us aren’t seeing huge rebounds in our weekly paychecks. If you are then you can quit reading this and pick up a Sharper Image catalog. If you’re not flush with extra money, then a crossover caliber makes sense.
You could claim than any caliber is a crossover caliber because really, can you carry too much gun? You can have too much gun if fur prices mean anything to you. I’ve shot quite a few coyotes with my .300 Winchester Mag., but I’d much rather punch a hole through a coyote with a 55-grain Hornady V-Max as opposed to a 200-grain projectile. Sometimes the 200-grain bullet punches a neat hole, but don’t bet on it, especially if it hits major bone.
A few fan favorites for crossover calibers include the readily available .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington and .25-06 Remington. These calibers come in a variety of rifle models and ammunition is easily found throughout predator country. And with today’s trend of budget-priced rifles you can find an accurate rifle for under $500. Savage, Remington and Mossberg all offer great prices on crossover models. Two I’ve personally shot are Thompson/Center’s Venture and Ruger’s American Rifle.
Ruger’s new American Rifle Predator has a heavier barrel and cool color scheme. It offers an adjustable trigger, custom bedding and a three-bolt lug with 70-degree throw for quick cycling when the coyote action is hot. And don’t count out its crossover capabilities, especially when you shop for it in the venerable caliber of the 6.5 Creedmoor.
When you team the 6.5 Creedmoor up with a 120-grain Hornady GMX bullet you achieve trajectories that when zeroed at 200 yards, only drop 6 inches at 300 yards and slightly more than 18 inches at 400 yards. As equally impressive is the energy the bullet retains. Even at 500 yards the bullet is still pounding out 1,211 ft./lbs. of power. That’s more than enough to take most big game species and put any coyote in the dirt.
Consider these crossover-caliber options when searching for your new rifle. What's your favorite crossover caliber?
