700 long action cartridge options

[NAK5891]

I have an old 700 long action in .30-06 that has been collecting dust since I replaced it a while back with a custom .308. I was thinking of making a project out of it and putting it in a new stock and definitely a new barrel. My question is, what cartridges should I consider (other than .30-06)?

Also, what is the largest cartridge I could use with this action? 300 win mag, 300 rem ultra mag? Or are those too big for the standard Remington 700 long action?

Thanks for your help, everybody! This is the first forum I've joined and have had some great results!

 

[HPMike800]

Before selecting a cartridge, you should have a purpose in mind. You have a 0.473" boltface and will have to get a diffrent bolt for a magnum cartridge.

 

[15Tango]

I'm going to throw a cartridge out there just to be involved.

Survey says . . . 284 Winchester!

Wayne

 

[NAK5891]

Mike, lets say I want a cartridge that performs very well at long ranges and still packs a lot of punch. I don't know a lot about those rounds and that's why I mentioned the 300 mags. So are you saying that these magnums could be used in that action if I got a larger bolt?

Thanks for your help.

 

[NAK5891]

Wayne,
Isn't the 284 winchester a "short action" round?

 

[jr600yd]

If you want a long range hunting caliber how about a 6.5/06 ? Good bullet selection, enough "punch" for most deer/elk size animals and easy to form brass from 25/06 - 270 - 30/06

Good shooting, Jim

 

[RonAKA]

You can do pretty much anything with a .473" head on the cartridge, since it is a long action. One quick way to identify cartridges you could use with the same bolt, is to look at other cartridges that use the same shellholder (#2 for Lee). See this chart:

http://www.handloads.com/misc/shellholders.asp

 

[15Tango]

Nak,

The 284 can be used in a short action but if you want to load the bullets out really far it's often necessary to run a long action, same with the 6.5-284.

Nothing wrong with running a short action cartridge in a long action, the Army's done it for years in the M24.

How about .30-06 AI? That'd certainly set you apart. I even found a picture comparing it to standard:

ETA: The bottom one is a 25 Gibbs I guess.

Wayne

 

[DCRYDER]

I went with a 280AI. Kinda wish i'd went with a 7mm GIBBS.

I think the ultimate cartridge for a long action remington with a magnum boltface would be the 7mm Dakota. Brass and dies too high or i would have done one myself.

 

[jonbearman]

I 2nd that motion DCRYDER. Go with a .280 ackley improved and have dave kiff cut the reamer to accept the lapua 30-06 case.Basically a shortened neck.Ex-piper did it and it works real nice and you have the .284 selection that is outstanding. The .280 can do anything on this continent. I had one and sold it ,wish I didnt because it was super accurate for a stock rem 700.

 

[40X Guy]

I second the 6.5-06, but Ackley Improve it. Excellent choice of bullets in 6.5 class.

Frank

 

[lpreddick]

my 6.5-284,with the appropriat bullet and powder,will explode varmints, compete at 1000 yards or drop large game. shoot it slowly and it will shoot small groups for over 1000 rounds. compete regularly and 800 may be all you get. my 6-284 will hotrod a 105 berger to 3400 fps and touch varmints at just about any range. so many choices and so little time.

if i can see you, i can touch you.BANG!

 

[NAK5891]

AWESWOME!!!! Thanks a lot everybody for all your help and insight!! Gives me a lot of info to look into and consider...which is exactly what I was interested in!

 

[HPMike800]

The shell holder idea is great, use the chart backwards. I don't know of anything with a 308 size case head (0.473")boltface that wont fit in a long action. You'll find lots of diffrent cartridges. I like the long throated 284, but, the 280 is a hammer too.

Yes, the mags will require a 0.535" boltface bolt.

 

[CJ6]

Wayne,
Isn't the 284 winchester a "short action" round?

Not if you want to seat the VLD style bullets out to where you can use'em in a magazine

 

[Kenny474]

Depending on what you plan to use the rifle for, the .280AI would be an excellent choice for longer ranges and better accuracy in the wind than most other non-magnum rounds. It would also make an excellent hunting round as well.

Now if you want a hunting rifle, a .338-06 or .35 Whelen would make great choices if ranges are to be kept short, and a 30-06AI would do well at longer ranges. Any of the three are plenty capable of taking any game walking on North America.

I have a 35 Whelen in a Remington 750 Woodsmaster Carbine that I recently traded a shotgun for and man is it a great round, and a great woods rifle as well. I don't yet reload for it, but even factory rounds have some serious punch. And a 225gr .35cal bullet is sure to stop most anything you decide to level the sights on.