i have an interesting question to the most serious of p-dog hunters here . If you were going to build a rifle capable of making a shot at that distance without luck thrown in what would it be? Caliber? Component used ect: was on a p-dog hunt recently and felt like i had the wrong gun except for my 6mm . Had a 204 and a 8 tw ar in 223 shooting heavy smk . We shot lots of dogs in the 300yd range but the small cals were no match for the winds . Best i could do with a 20mph crosswind was 500 yds by luck. I held almost 8min to the left to make the shot . I realize that there maybe a more inherently accurate caliber out there but if you cant have wind flags in he dogtown and cant get a lazered range what cal would be your best bet? Also i feel that it must be able to group inside a p-dog size target to 750yds to be able to change luck hits into something more predictable . I realize this is a tough question but im looking for insight on making these long range hits . Calibers i have considered are the 6mm rem or ack version, 6.5 284 6.5 x 47 or 6 dasher . Considerations of recoil and flat trajectory to spot misses are also of concern . Any thoughts guys?
600-800 yd p-dog gun ?
- Thread starter fordwrench
- Start date
Pat, It's very hard to beat a 6mmAI, use a 28" 8tw 1.250 dia full bull barrel with a weighted stock, your scoped rifle will end up weighing some where around 17 or 18 lbs, so it won't knock you off the scope and you can see your hits and misses. Believe me there will be way more misses then hits when you start shooting out around 800yds. It's absolutely my favorite long range p-dog cartridge and over the past 10yrs we've tried a lot of them and when the twowns are over 600yds we've consistantly killed more dogs with the 6mmAI. I killed several dogs out past 500yds my last trip shooting 120 Vmax's through my Diamondback, Krieger 30" HV chambered in 284 Win but I probably seen less then half of my hits due to being knocked off the scope.
Regards
RJ
Regards
RJ
Nodak7mm
Team Lefse
Pat,
RJ is spot on, the 6AI is awesome, but....but.. At the 700yd mark & on with the wonderful Dakota breeze, the 105/107's get pushed around too.
So once you enter that realm, bigger is better! Go with a big case, heavy-hi bc bullet, fat overweight rifle and a good brake.
Rod
RJ is spot on, the 6AI is awesome, but....but.. At the 700yd mark & on with the wonderful Dakota breeze, the 105/107's get pushed around too.
So once you enter that realm, bigger is better! Go with a big case, heavy-hi bc bullet, fat overweight rifle and a good brake.
Rod
thanks guys! We were talking guns the whole way home and im dying to put together long range p dog rifle. We figured make it heavy but i was tossing around the idea of running a 75gr 6mm at 3700 + or going with something bigger and zero it in at 600 and work from there. The wind was tough on us most days with one of them being a steady 22mph and gusting. We shot mostly from benches and i did shoot a little off a bi pod. Anyone care to comment on a good stock? I looked at a few, but am open to opinions. I say most of my shooting will be at the bench. Them darn p-dogs make a man do strange things! thanks guys!
Here is what I did for this year. I bought a Savage mdl 12 BVSS in 22-250 and replaced the barrel with a Shilen 260rem 8T 26" prefit from Midway. My best load was with a 120gr SMK (also 120NBT),41.6grs IMR 4064, fed210M, RP 260 brass neck turned. This load averaged 3005 fps in my gun. My longest PD shot had been 725yds. This year I wanted to reach out farther and with the 260 I got two at 800+ on the first day and on the 3rd day I got one at 915 yds. It took 3 rounds to get him. I would have tried farther but ran out of up. Next year I will try to stretch it to 1200yds.
pdog06
Gold $$ Contributor
+1 on the 260. I use one on my yearly trip and have hit many in the 700-800yd range. Just built a new one that weighs 18lbs and has a muzzlebrake on it so it wont move, and am hoping to get some at alot longer ranges this year(in 4 weeks ;D).
You can get the 120gr NBT to around 3050-3100fps, and the 6.5 bullets do really well in the wind.
However, I also use my 6br which does very well also. My longest hit with it is 872yds. using 87gr Vmax's. A standard 243 or 243ai will shoot these a good bit faster, which may help with the wind some.
You can get the 120gr NBT to around 3050-3100fps, and the 6.5 bullets do really well in the wind.
However, I also use my 6br which does very well also. My longest hit with it is 872yds. using 87gr Vmax's. A standard 243 or 243ai will shoot these a good bit faster, which may help with the wind some.
Nodak7mm
Team Lefse
Sorry Fordwrench,
But think Bigger!!!! The 75grs start to lose their direction at that range... I use to run 70grs in my 6AI and things would get pretty iffy at 600-700. Ran 105s the next time I wanted to reach out....
You want to shoot at 600 & beyond? I suggest you look at what bullet and cartridges are being used at 600 & 1K matches....
Rod
But think Bigger!!!! The 75grs start to lose their direction at that range... I use to run 70grs in my 6AI and things would get pretty iffy at 600-700. Ran 105s the next time I wanted to reach out....
You want to shoot at 600 & beyond? I suggest you look at what bullet and cartridges are being used at 600 & 1K matches....
Rod
Fordwrench,
I myself am working on such a project. There are a lot of calibers out there that will get the job done. I have looked at the 308, 308AI, 6.5x284, 284win., 6mmbr, 6 dasher 6.5x47lapua, Even looked into building a 338/416 rigby. At this point what I have decided on is A Bat Action, Most likely a Broughton 5c barrel, and one of Richard Franklin's design's, but now built by Greg West, undertaker stock. I'd like to have Richard Franklin build this rifle, but not sure that will happen. From what I'm told he is cutting back on his work intake. Can't blame him for that! I guess the man just wants to enjoy his life! I am consiedering chambering this rifle in 284 shehane. Having my own reamer made with one of the High BC 180gr bullets seated to my depth of choice.
As far as componets are concered. Here is my way of thinking. If you have the best action, barrel, stock, trigger, and gunsmith. That only leaves two things that can account for a miss. The nutt behind the butt touching the trigger off, or the same nut's hand-load's. In about a month I am going to send my Savage 10fcp in 308 to have a break installed. This smith's name is Nathan Dagley. I think his username on the site is 308nate. Any way he builds a break that has a 10* V port. Theroy has it that it directs the blast upward and not to the ground or bench, causing the blast to bounce back toward the shooter. Here is a link to his site. http://www.tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=ssgcustomrifles Muzzle blast has pushed me away from breaks in the past. So I'm willing to spend a little here on a factory gun, and try out one of Nathan's breaks. I'm hoping that the theroy is ture with Nathan's break. This allowing me to build the rifle heavy, and add a break to it. Reducing recoil and not having to wear dubble ear protection is a huge plus in my book. As well giving the shooter to better control the rifle in the bags, and get back on target if a miss accurs. Nodak7mm has a rifle with one of Nathan's 10* v port breaks on it. Rod (Nodak7mm) is the man that has convinced me to try one of Nathan's break's.
Good Luck to you in your quest! Everynow and then we all need a little luck! ;D
Mark
I myself am working on such a project. There are a lot of calibers out there that will get the job done. I have looked at the 308, 308AI, 6.5x284, 284win., 6mmbr, 6 dasher 6.5x47lapua, Even looked into building a 338/416 rigby. At this point what I have decided on is A Bat Action, Most likely a Broughton 5c barrel, and one of Richard Franklin's design's, but now built by Greg West, undertaker stock. I'd like to have Richard Franklin build this rifle, but not sure that will happen. From what I'm told he is cutting back on his work intake. Can't blame him for that! I guess the man just wants to enjoy his life! I am consiedering chambering this rifle in 284 shehane. Having my own reamer made with one of the High BC 180gr bullets seated to my depth of choice.
As far as componets are concered. Here is my way of thinking. If you have the best action, barrel, stock, trigger, and gunsmith. That only leaves two things that can account for a miss. The nutt behind the butt touching the trigger off, or the same nut's hand-load's. In about a month I am going to send my Savage 10fcp in 308 to have a break installed. This smith's name is Nathan Dagley. I think his username on the site is 308nate. Any way he builds a break that has a 10* V port. Theroy has it that it directs the blast upward and not to the ground or bench, causing the blast to bounce back toward the shooter. Here is a link to his site. http://www.tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=ssgcustomrifles Muzzle blast has pushed me away from breaks in the past. So I'm willing to spend a little here on a factory gun, and try out one of Nathan's breaks. I'm hoping that the theroy is ture with Nathan's break. This allowing me to build the rifle heavy, and add a break to it. Reducing recoil and not having to wear dubble ear protection is a huge plus in my book. As well giving the shooter to better control the rifle in the bags, and get back on target if a miss accurs. Nodak7mm has a rifle with one of Nathan's 10* v port breaks on it. Rod (Nodak7mm) is the man that has convinced me to try one of Nathan's break's.
Good Luck to you in your quest! Everynow and then we all need a little luck! ;D
Mark
MarkS
Silver $$ Contributor
fordwrench,
I would go with a custom action, A flat bottom stock, and a 6 Dasher or 6 BRX, with a 8 tw barrel. You will be good to 1200 yds or better for PD's with 105 vld's. Barrel life will be great. 6mmAI are great rounds, I have had 3. They heat bad and wear out barrels fast. You will spend half your time letting it cool. Nothing can run with the 6BR and 6BR IMP in 600 yds benchrest, and do very well at 1000 yds. If you were looking to kill bigger game, something bigger would be needed. The custom actions make great switch barrel gun. You could add any barrel you like. 6.5 x 47L, 308, 284, etc. The bigger rounds also thump the shooter too. I don't want to shoot 300 rounds in a day with something like a 308 or bigger.
Mark Schronce
I would go with a custom action, A flat bottom stock, and a 6 Dasher or 6 BRX, with a 8 tw barrel. You will be good to 1200 yds or better for PD's with 105 vld's. Barrel life will be great. 6mmAI are great rounds, I have had 3. They heat bad and wear out barrels fast. You will spend half your time letting it cool. Nothing can run with the 6BR and 6BR IMP in 600 yds benchrest, and do very well at 1000 yds. If you were looking to kill bigger game, something bigger would be needed. The custom actions make great switch barrel gun. You could add any barrel you like. 6.5 x 47L, 308, 284, etc. The bigger rounds also thump the shooter too. I don't want to shoot 300 rounds in a day with something like a 308 or bigger.
Mark Schronce
I had a 22-250 with a 1:8 twist shooting 80gr SMK's at 3200 fps that worked real well for long range pd's (1000 yds). The problem I had was bbl life, about 800 rounds. I had the bbl set back and chambered for 22br, lost some velocity but is much more accurate. I think both rounds would serve you well with low recoil. With the availability of Lapua brass in 22-250 the accuracy could be better than than what we used to see with other brass. Also any of the 6mm's mentioned should be good. Good luck and have fun.
I gotta throw in the 6.5x55AI. I shoot the 120gr NBT's at 3050fps for my pd load. Quality Lapua brass is cheaper than 6.5x47L brass and my fire form loads have shot just as well as formed loads.
I have only shot pd's out to 450yds so far but a few weeks ago I gave my first try at F-class shootin at 300 and 600yds and am sure it would have no problem doing what you want.
I built mine on a Savage RB/LP target action and 30", 8tw barrel. Recoil is not bad but I wouldn't mind trying a muzzle break. I shoot mine off a bi-pod but a portable table and bags would be better for 800-1000.
I have only shot pd's out to 450yds so far but a few weeks ago I gave my first try at F-class shootin at 300 and 600yds and am sure it would have no problem doing what you want.
I built mine on a Savage RB/LP target action and 30", 8tw barrel. Recoil is not bad but I wouldn't mind trying a muzzle break. I shoot mine off a bi-pod but a portable table and bags would be better for 800-1000.
Although not specifically designed for PD hunting, I shot my Tubb T2K in 6.5CM with both Sierra 142MK and Berger 140VLD this year, with a 12-42 NF scope mounted. My son shot a PD at a laser measured 720 yards with the rig. Reloder 17 gave better velocities and less pressure signs than H4350. The Bergers were more accurate than the SMK's, but shot best when loaded just short of the lands, which also meant they wouldn't fit into the magazines. For a factory gun I think it shot great, and with some even more tuning of the loads has a lot more potential.
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