Cartridge Selection Input Wanted

[FloridaCracker]

I have the following requirements for a deer hunting rifle cartridge:

1. Lowest recoil possible
2. Minimum of 1000 ft-lbs energy at 300 yards
3. Bullet weight 100-130 grains - probably 120 grain
4. Barrel length 24-26 inches
5. Gun weight not over 8-8.5 pounds

To give the downrange energy, the muzzle velocity will need to be between 2400 and 3100 fps with about 2500 for the 120 grain. I am currently looking at the 6.5mm Norma BR cartridge and I will probably use a remington action and an HS Precision stock.

1. Who makes reloading dies for the 6.5mm Norma BR cartridge?
2. Are there others cartridges that are more efficient and would better meet my energy requirement with less recoil?
3. What would be the optimum barrel twist for these bullet weights?
4. Can you recommend a gunsmith for action truing, barrel chambering and installation?
5. To help in planning budget, what costs can I expect for action, action truing, barrel, barrel installation and stock?
6. Suggestions on ways to lower costs will certainly welcome. All comments and suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

 

[ollie]

I would thimk that a 6.5x47lapua would fill the bill.

Remington 700 short
Bartlin barrel 8twist
Dave Bruno to put it all together.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

If "lowest recoil possible" is the prime criterion, why not go with a plain old 6BR, which will produce >1000ft-lbs of energy at 300,or even 350) yards with a 95-105gr bullet?

To use a 120gr bullet,20% heavier than a 100gr) the velocity would have to reduced by 20%,from ~3000fps to ~2400fps) to keep the recoil the same. A deer is going to be easier to hit at 300-350yd with the higher velocity round.

Hard to beat a no-turn 6BR for easy accuracy, and it meets all the other criteria, too.

Toby Bradshaw
baywingdb@comcast.net

 

[RJinTexas]

If it's just going to be your go to deer rifle why not a 260, it will do everything you've listed and not break the bank. Cheaper brass and reloading dies, and in a pinch you can find factory ammo.

RJ

 

[glo]

I am currently using a R700 SPS Stainless Steel chambered in .243 Winchester. The rifle cost me $700 out the door with all taxes and fees. It shoots a ½ MOA 5 shoot group at 100 yards. I have no flyers on the first shoot or as the barrel warms up. I have also bed the single piece scope base and set the trigger to about two pounds. I use Hornady custom grade reloading dies. Other than the Berger bullets this is the cheapest and most accurate, stock rig I’ve ever shoot.

I have been using a lot of necked down 7.62 Match brass, 40 grains H414, CCI bench rests large rifle primers and Berger 95 grain VLD’s. My muzzle velocity is averaging 2928fps from the 24” barrel. I am going to switch to H4350 and use 41 to 42 grains. This should get me up to 3000fps from that 24” barrel. Also I can use the reloaded ammo from 30 to 100 degrees without any discernable pressure changes.

Per your criteria
1. 7.5ft-lbf recoil; muzzle velocity 3000fps
2. 1043ft-lbf @ 450yds
3. 95gr Berger VLD
4. Barrel 24” 9 ¼ twist
5. about 8.5lbs with scope and ammo

My calculations using my Impact Penetration Factor show a 95gr Berger VLD bullet is good out to 350 yards for a live deer to 150 pounds. If you zero the rifle, 3” high at 100yards the bullet will drop 6.3” at 350 yards. The bullet drift in a 10mph wind at 90 degrees is 7.5” at 350 yards.

 

[MarkS]

FloridaCracker,

I am looking at building a deer gun in 30BR. It will shoot a 125gr at 3000f/s. Redding has the dies, casses are eazy to make. shoot great.

Mark Schronce

 

[bentwood]

Did you ever think of the 6.5 x 55 Swede.It is good out to 300 yards,A few popular rifles are out there for that caliber and ammo.Also a lot of reloading info out there.

 

[fc2a]

Sounds to me like you want a 6.5 grendel built on an interarms mini mauser action,Remington 799)or a CZ 527, with a 20 inch med sporter barrel. Should way eight pounds or so scoped, it be handy as heck. Great ammo from lapua, and cheap ammo from wolf.

Check out this link,if you have'nt already)!

http://www.alexanderarms.com/grendel.htm

I want one too!

Bad news is not everybody has reamers, only folks Alexander Arms has liscensed them to.

Then again I guess you could just by the AR-15, but that kind of takes away from the whole idea.

 

[LHSmith]

I'll add to the excellent choices listed above: 6 x 47 Lapua
6 MM offers many more bullet choices.
The heavier projectiles produce more recoil.

 

[FloridaCracker]

Ollie,

Thanks for your input. While I am sure that the 6.5x47 Lapua could easily meet the energy requirement, I am looking for a cartridge that will be a little more efficient and use less powder to reach my required energy/velocity.


Toby,

Thanks for your thoughts. I first considered the 6mm BR, but liked the greater selection of 100-120 grain high BC 6.5mm bullets. Can a 6mm BR achieve 2800 fps with a 100 grain bullet in a 26 inch barrel? What load would you suggest?

RJ,

While I like the 260 and would probably get one if recoil were not a problem, I am looking for a more efficient cartridge and require a little less powder. I appreciate your input.

Glo,

From your description, it appears you have a fine setup on your 243 Winchester. I have previously owned a 243 Winchester and found it to be an excellent cartridge, but am presently looking for a more efficient cartridge with a little less recoil. Thanks for your response.

MarkS,

I have looked at the 30 BR and have not eliminated it from my choices, but like the greater selection of high BC bullets in the 100-130 grain weights of the 6.5mm. Thanks for your thoughts.

Bentwood,

Thanks for the suggestion. I had not considered the 6.5x55 Swede. I I understand that it is very popular in Europe. I am hoping to find a cartridge with a little less capacity that would use less powder to reach my energy goals. Thanks again.

FC2A,

Great suggestion. I had missed the 6.5 Grendel. It's specs look like it will meet all of my requirements. Time now to compare gunsmithing costs. Thanks for your response.

LHSMITH,

Thanks for your thoughts. While I agree that heavier bullets generate more recoil, a good portion of the recoil generated with 100-130 grain bullets is generated by the powder charge.

 

[benjamin199]

I can get 2940 fps with a Berger 95gr vld out of my 6br with a 26' barrel, so 2800 with a 100gr should be possible.
My load is 30.3gr IMR4895 with a CCi BR4 primer using Lapua brass and a Berger 95 grain VLD jammed about .010' This is safe in my gun, please work up as your setup may prove different. This load has been very accurate out to 600 yards in Fclass competition.
Ben

 

[fc2a]

Don't get me wrong I do not own, and have not shot a grendel.

YET!!!

It is my next project though, wish id a tad o dat! Necking the 7.62x39 down to 6.5 is brilliant. In my opinion most new cartridge ideas seem to operate on gimmicks, and because i cans.
The 6.5 grendel actually fills a niche, and if the DOD can get over the rounds per weight thing, who knows grendel might not stick as well as 6.5x39mm NATO. Kind of ironic though that it's based on a soviet invention, good thing Mikhail Kalashnikov did'nt have a swiss connection!

Also makes sense if you have kiddos to take hunting.

Im sure you've read this by now.

http://www.6mmbr.com/65grendel.html