Caliber choice for a new guy

[FrozenInMinnesota]

New here. Not new to long range or shooting.
Im thinking of getting into fclass in my area. They shoot out to 600 yards here.
I have a bergara hmr 300prc currently that shoots good. 26" shooting 210smk at 2890.
I have 2 308s i could use. One being a 20" bergara hmr and a 24" howa 1500.
But here's the kicker, I also reload for 284win but in a ruger m77 so thats a round id be interested building a rifle off of. My barrel guy has a reamer for long action only with a .220 freebore. Will that allow 175-180gr bullets seated long?

So my question is this, would you use the 300prc or one of the 308s for now? All my optics are ffp too currently

 

[L.Sherm]

20 shot strings in a 300 PRC are gonna generate alot of barrel wear

 

[FrozenInMinnesota]

I think you're right too

 

[Ledd Slinger]

No secret sauce there.
300 PRC is too much for 20 round shot strings. 600 yards is a walk in the park for a well tuned 308 win. 284 is good too.

Build a high quality rifle with a dual port action so you can load rounds from the left side without breaking your shooting position, use Lapua brass and top quality match bullets, then worry more about refining your rifle and load tuning skills

 

[FrozenInMinnesota]

Im currently using Peterson srp brass in 308. Id be using Peterson brass in 284 since Lapua is hard to get.

 

[CJ6]

All factory barreled rifles?

 

[FrozenInMinnesota]

As of now but I plan to rebarrel the bergara 308 to something next year. I mostly do prs and thats majority of my focus. But id like to do fclass as a fun thing more so than trying to win

 

[CJ6]

I'd pick a lighter recoiling cartridge like a 6mm br or variant Bra, Dasher etc. Cheaper components less recoil and easier on barrels very accurate too.

Edit...you're not going to be feeding from a magazine anyway.

 

[Krogen]

Are you going to shoot TR or open? TR requires .308 or .223.

 

[FrozenInMinnesota]

No idea which division yet. Maybe tr for now

 

[Ringostar]

Put a bipod on your 308 and go have fun at 600. Are you talking of Elk River? Guys will be very helpful with any questions or advice on whether you build for Open or TR in the future. For now go try it out with what you have.

 

[FrozenInMinnesota]

Hibbing and northwestern actually. Apparently I messaged the host and its pretty informal

 

[bks22345]

220 freebore for a 284 works perfectl

 

[D-4297]

I'd suggest going with .308 in F-TR . Lot of information available , and many very knowledgeable people to help you along the way . Besides , the "problems" have virtually all been worked out over the years , and there isn't any real "new" stuff that can't be solved by the people here . Common caliber with lots of available components and powders , bullets and primers .
You can always go to one of the "exotic" calibers when you get that "reloading" monster mastered !

 

[MikeRu]

a vote for 284 winchester if going for f open

 

[lawman29]

I mostly do prs and thats majority of my focus

Then you should do FTR as you will be building on the skill set for your main focus.

 

[swd]

For 600 yards the Dasher or BRX is magic

 

[ogre1911]

Dasher, GT are both great. You're already set up for a 284 and 600 almost always turns into 1000 at some point.

284 can do it all.

 

[mike mccormick]

20 shot strings in a 300 PRC are gonna generate alot of barrel wear

And a lot of recoil management issues

 

[mike mccormick]

I would shoot fTR with one of the 308s to start with. You can then decide how deeply involved you want to get.