Does this exist? Varmint/elk switch barrel

[Mulligan]

why not do one caliber--.260 or .260 improved. 8" twist. then you don't have to mess around with 2 barrels

.260 is a bit light for elk at any distance
CW

 

[Mulligan]

You could easily do a 6BR or 6 Dasher for your varmits and 30-06 or 30-06AI for elk.
My '06AI will easily push a 180 nosler AB at 2950 which all the accuracy one could hope for.
The 280AI is a good choice, I have several friends using a straight 270.
No matter what you choose, realizing a mature bull is a big critter and due a lot of respect, is the first step. Your plan is good, I have several great shooting magnums and prefer to hunt with an old 700 (now on its third barrel and chambered in 30-06AI) my Pops bought my when I graduated from high school. I've harvested more than my share of elk with that '06 however all but two were inside of 500 yards. Remember, a multitude of sins are covered by the slightest breeze at 700 yards, besides sneaking through the woods is fun.
CW

 

[Frankr]

.260 is a bit light for elk at any distance
CW

depends on bullet speed...I don't know about the 260 straight but the 260AI in a 26" barrel with a 140 at 3,000 + FPS is good for elk to 1K...I seen the best of the west guys smoke a big bull at 950 with a 6.5/284 and a 140 dropped him right there also seen them wack a cow elk at 600 yards with a 243 and a 105gr ..in my testing yes the high BC High SD and bullet impact speed make it all work..now hit the same target 200 FPS slower and it does not work as well.. The 6.5 cal 140 class bullets are among the very best out there..They been killing moose with them for a century. the farther away the target the higher the muzzle velocity needs to be..we know for sure the 6mm 105's work well on deer out to 750 yards at 3,150 FPS slow it down to 2,950 FPS then 600 yards becomes questionable. just my experience and what I have seen from others.

 

[alinwa]

Yes it does exist......almost.

I have video footage to prove it, but I'm in complete disagreement with everyone here

Here's my vote.

300WSM 10 twist for the varmint rifle. The 300WSM with 110-125gr bullets is a spectacular varminator and it doesn't beat you up anymore than a .243AI. I've got vids of 112BIB's hitting prairie dogs at 4200fps that give whole new meaning to the phrase "red mist".....SICK varmint gun...unless you wanna save hides....a double-shoulder on a coyote sends the head flying like a tincan....

And for the elk gun, a well built 325WSM. This IS NOT IMO a "700 yd elk gun" but it's miles away better than the 7mm Mags and 280AI's and such. It really is a solid elk rifle to 500yds.

OR.....If I was doing this for myself, I'd build it on a long action. 338RUM-based wildcat for the elk gun and single-load the 300WSM for varmints. Still waiting for good RUM brass but with a 70/30 cull rate it can be made to work.


edited to add.....I just reread the OP and see "6mm varmint bbl"

sorry, I missed that.

So frag that, since the 243WSSM isn't a well designed round IMO, my idea misses your mark.

 

[AckleymanII]

[QUOTE="FJIM,
Switch barrel rifles are not that great..you will get tired of it fast. cool idea..but..

I disagree... i do switch barrels with all my custom builds... its handy as muck with an F on the front.

At $3000-3500 a rifle, and $3500 a scope, it aint easy to build a whole gun for each caliber. Illdo the math.. thats $6500-$7k a rifle... EACH.. so switch barrels save a muck ton of money..[/QUOTE]
+1

Every rifle I own is a switch barrel.

 

[284winner]

.260 is a bit light for elk at any distance
CW

Na

 

[284winner]

.260 is a bit light for elk at any distance
CW

Most guys that do this stuff are very proficient shots. A 260 is a great elk round. Not the best but still a great choice with the proper bullet and velocity. Yes, maybe you'll need range limitations. Many don't like shooting past 400-500 on game anyway. Perfect range for the 6.5 bullets.

 

[stacy]

REMEMBER IT NOT WHAT YOU DRIVE ITS WHERE YOU PARK IT DEAD IS DEAD !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mulligan]

Na

Well, if you consider the smallest caliber allowed to hunt elk with in Colorado is 6mm with 1000 ft lbs of energy at 100 yards. The beloved .260 is a lot closer to the lower end allowed in the field than some of the heavier cartridges that share the same bolt face the op is working with.
CW

 

[cmillard]

if the .260 wont do an elk in due to lack of energy or what have you, then archery should not be allowed, or handgun too. even though I have not hunted elk yet, seeing what the round is capable of and the wide selection of bullets, I wouldn't feel under gunned taking one out. but then again, I hunt deer in iowa with a handgun where a lot of others use a 12 gauge slug to kill them.

 

[savagedasher]

if the .260 wont do an elk in due to lack of energy or what have you, then archery should not be allowed, or handgun too. even though I have not hunted elk yet, seeing what the round is capable of and the wide selection of bullets, I wouldn't feel under gunned taking one out. but then again, I hunt deer in iowa with a handgun where a lot of others use a 12 gauge slug to kill them.

It is all shot placement . I have a friend that got two with one shot shooting 100 GR muzzy broadheads shooting a bow and arrow
Never touched bone . Complete pass through on the first . 12" penetration on the second .
Skill definitely not luck 100% . Larry

 

[Mulligan]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/elk_cartridges.htm
The above article is pretty good, basically if you are looking at whacking bulls at longer ranges......go big!
CW

 

[Mulligan]

http://jimzumbo.com/explore-jim-s-blog?view=entry&id=63

Here is a short read from Zumbo.

CW

 

[CharlieNC]

http://jimzumbo.com/explore-jim-s-blog?view=entry&id=63

Here is a short read from Zumbo.

CW

And he reports his new build is a 308! A modern bullet with minimum designed terminal velocity will get it done, meaning a big hole. Large scale studies conclude a proper size wound channel is what kills, not the opposing ends of the spectrum of pass through vs energy dump.

 

[JDMock]

Personally, I would prefer two separate rifles, but that was not the question. For a switch barrel, I would choose a .30-06/ 6mm Remington combo. If I were hunting mostly in thick stuff for elk, I might go with a .35 Whelen instead of the '06. Good hunting....James

 

[284winner]

Well, if you consider the smallest caliber allowed to hunt elk with in Colorado is 6mm with 1000 ft lbs of energy at 100 yards. The beloved .260 is a lot closer to the lower end allowed in the field than some of the heavier cartridges that share the same bolt face the op is working with.
CW

Well sure the 6mm at 100 with 1000 ft lbs of energy would be like maybe a light weight varmint bullet. The 105s are a different bullet entirely. Everyone has a minimum comfort zone caliber /cartridge they prefer. That's apparent on this and every other forum. Nothing wrong with that. I'm not sure I'd use a 243 on elk personally even tho I've seen numerous killed with one. The 6.5 caliber would be my minimum.

 

[ttfreestyle]

Ok after reading this thread a few times I will go with 2 guns. A savage with a prefit in 6br for varmints(I already have a 6x20 burris with varmint reticle and a savage target action laying around) and put my money in a lightweight huntin rig. I have wanted a nice big game carry gun for a while now. I love my switch barrel target guns but feel for hunting totally different types of game two guns will be best. Thanks for all the great info that helped this decision. Now to decide full custom or not. Thanks again.

 

[drover]

Good decision IMO.
Good hunting.

drover

 

[daniel brothers]

For switch barrels... can't you simply hexagon the end of the barrels and use a wrench to screw the barrels on and off, while holding the rifle down solid, or between your knees like a vise... and use permanent barrel nuts locked and ready... already set to specs for go - no go.

And then have to different scope settings already to go. Sounds simple to me...

I like this guy's simple solution...

summary: 1st choice - 22/250 and 30/06 - you can use the same bolt for both cartridges.

It seems like everyone should have at least one simple switch barrel setup.

Honey... these guys are making me spend your grocery money... again. That's okay Dan... we'll go on another diet so that you can have another rifle.

 

[MQ1]

And he reports his new build is a 308! A modern bullet with minimum designed terminal velocity will get it done, meaning a big hole. Large scale studies conclude a proper size wound channel is what kills, not the opposing ends of the spectrum of pass through vs energy dump.

He also states his average shot is 200-250 yards...and he seems to be very thoughtful about the shots he takes taking into consideration the capability of the cartridge...