Help be build my next rifle (Long range, long action)

[Tommie]

Here’s one from left field...
How about 25-06 AI set up for those nasty Blackjack 131 grainers?

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Bat hr with a 284 Winchester or 300 win mag would be my pick. I believe the bat hr will work with a rem 700 chassis.

Also I believe northland shooter supply sells bat actions that can take barrel nut criterion barrels.

I wanted to use a BAT HR Lapua action so badly for my last build but I already had the Proof CF barrel on hand. Proof shank is only 1.200" so the barrel wouldn't have any shoulder with the HR tenon thread size

 

[284winner]

I've not decided on a standard 308 bolt face or a magnum yet. I do like the fact that Bighorn receivers offers a floating bolt head, meaning I should be able to switch out bolts from magnum to standard if I desire. I also like the fact that they offer them in Savage small-shank, meaning I can change barrels easily. If I need to dedicate it to a magnum bolt face, I'm okay with that. I've got a long action Savage that already has a 308/30-06 bolt head that I can play with and its plenty accurate with my Benchmark and Criterion barrel.

As far as what kind of long range shooting, It would mostly be for fun, but mainly paper punching or ringing steel at a long range class. Locally, I can only shoot 1,000 yards at paper targets. I'd have to drive a few hours to eastern Oregon to go out any farther than that and shoot steel.

Although, I would see myself shooting it regularly at our 600 yard night shoots. Basically 20 rounds on an F-class target. They do it every Tuesday night.


Tony.

Given your use, it's a no brainier for me. The 6.5-284 or 284 win would be a couple great options. Out to 1000 yards, both are top contenders. The 284 would be a little better for wind but at the cost of a bit more recoil. The 6.5 with 140s works pretty well in wind but with today's higher bc 147/150/156 bullets, I think it may be closer to the 284 than it once was.

 

[tonyben]

Given your use, it's a no brainier for me. The 6.5-284 or 284 win would be a couple great options. Out to 1000 yards, both are top contenders. The 284 would be a little better for wind but at the cost of a bit more recoil. The 6.5 with 140s works pretty well in wind but with today's higher bc 147/150/156 bullets, I think it may be closer to the 284 than it once was.

That might be just the ticket! I can stick with the standard 30-06 bolt head and use cheaper Magpul AICS mags.

Tony.

 

[tonyben]

What do you guys think of the 30 Nosler?

 

[swd]

What do you guys think of the 30 Nosler?

If that’s the route your thinking then take a look at the 300 Norma Improved. There’s a few discussions here on the forum.

 

[mikeinct]

I'd go old school with a standard .473 bolt face long action. A 30-06 Ackley improved. Set the twist rate for the 210/220 grain bullets. Get a Modest radial muzzle brake installed & you have a nice shooting,long lasting 1000yd steel ringer. mike in ct

 

[284winner]

I think I’m down to defiance or bighorn for an action. If I use the Bighorn, I’ve got a 26” Savage take-off 308 varmint contour barrel that I can recut to another 30 cal long action chamber and I can be up and running pretty quick.

I do like the Defiance deviant action though.

Tony.

Keep it simple. Just get a 10 twist 308 barrel by your favorite barrel maker and your good if you want to go 30 caliber. Pretty versatile round. Easily to load and cheap and easy to shoot. Ideal for 600. Little less ideal for 1000 yards. If your leaning more toward 1000 yards, it's tough to beat the 284 win.

 

[tonyben]

The rifle will be heavy in the JAE chassis and the barrel will be a bull barrel. The JAE has a nice soft rubber pad, so I don't think recoil will be a factor. This rifle will be strictly for paper punching and occasional steel, so looks like .284 is the "winner". Thanks for all the input. This is new territory for me.

If I do a Defiance action, I'll probably pick up a Criterion Rem/Age barrel from Northland Shooter's Supply.

Tony.

 

[284winner]

I've not decided on a standard 308 bolt face or a magnum yet. I do like the fact that Bighorn receivers offers a floating bolt head, meaning I should be able to switch out bolts from magnum to standard if I desire. I also like the fact that they offer them in Savage small-shank, meaning I can change barrels easily. If I need to dedicate it to a magnum bolt face, I'm okay with that. I've got a long action Savage that already has a 308/30-06 bolt head that I can play with and its plenty accurate with my Benchmark and Criterion barrel.

As far as what kind of long range shooting, It would mostly be for fun, but mainly paper punching or ringing steel at a long range class. Locally, I can only shoot 1,000 yards at paper targets. I'd have to drive a few hours to eastern Oregon to go out any farther than that and shoot steel.

Although, I would see myself shooting it regularly at our 600 yard night shoots. Basically 20 rounds on an F-class target. They do it every Tuesday night.


Tony.

Above is his possible usage

 

[10XSHOOTER]

If you have built M-14's, you should be familiar with a .300 Win Mag. with right twist can shoot 230 gr bullets, good to a mile.
Can get ammo anywhere if going hunting and lose ammo. Good Brass can be had!

 

[Longrange57]

Here is a 30-284 that I built and have shot a LOT of targets at both 600 and 1,000 yards, and I feel this is an excellent cartridge for punching paper and steel, and it doesn't cost a lot to shoot.

View attachment 1116936

Very Nice!

 

[Longrange57]

Keep it simple. Just get a 10 twist 308 barrel by your favorite barrel maker and your good if you want to go 30 caliber. Pretty versatile round. Easily to load and cheap and easy to shoot. Ideal for 600. Little less ideal for 1000 yards. If your leaning more toward 1000 yards, it's tough to beat the 284 win.

As mentioned, 280 AI, 284, 7 RSAUM, would be hard to beat. I've been very pleased with 2 different 6.5 x 284's, but the 7mm RSAUM is absolutely a shooter out to 1400 yds. Very accurate with both 162 ELDM and 180 ELDM. Also shoots Bergers well but best 5 shot groups with Hornady. Low recoil, just my 2 cents!

 

[284winner]

Hard to beat the 7mm caliber bullets

 

[Longrange57]

Hard to beat the 7mm caliber bullets

7 RSAUM...I wish I had built this rifle years ago! 300 yards...1/3 moa...2970 fps...not even pushing it hard!

 

[284winner]

Nothing you can't hunt with it in North America.

 

[ben_g]

284win is a pretty solid choice, 7SAUM is another.

For a 30cal I would go with the 300WSM, for me in an 8-9kg rifle the 300WSM would be the upper limit in regards to recoil.

 

[Jarhead6870]

I’ve both the Bighorn and Defiance actions and both are excellent. As you stated though, changing bolt heads on the Bighorn is a plus vs having a second bolt. I went straight .284 when I built mine up and couldn’t be happier; I’m running the 180 Hybrids and they have the legs to shoot well beyond 1000 yards should the opportunity arise.

 

[hunter67]

Im building a 6.5 Sherman now. Just a thought

 

[nmkid]

I considered a Sherman or a 6.5-06. I ended up going with a 280AI.