Help me build a dual purpose F-open rifle.

[diego-ted]

I have been shooting F-open for about 2 years. Last year I had built and shot a 6.5X47 Lapua with a 30”1-8 Krieger heavy Palma tube on a Tikka action in KRG chassis. I shoot 130gr Berger VLDs. The rifle performs well in matches from 300 to 600 yards but is affected by wind drift more than I like at 1000 yards. The Burger VLDs are good but at .50 cents a round, they are expensive to shoot and sometimes hard to come by.

From my research it is hard to find one caliber that will handle both short and long range shooting equally well. Thus I was thinking of building a rifle with switch barrel capabilities.
I would like to build a duel purpose rifle that fulfills the following requirements.

1. Switch barrel capability that I can do myself without much fuss.
2. One barrel for 600 yards and under
3. One barrel for 1000 yards.
4. Both barrels have good usage life.
5. Both calibers have good inexpensive components for reloading.

I know I am asking for a miracle but want to see what you guys come up with. I figure I would start with a Savage target action since it affords the ability for me to change barrels with ease. I think I would like to shoot the Amax bullets for each caliber. I do not have the years behind me to win matches in F-class open, I just want to build something that I can practice with as much as I like, that will handle the 300-1000 requirments that will not break the bank.

Thanks for your thoughts, advice and input in advance.
Diego.

 

[Immike]

A 6br and a 284 would work well for what you described. Both are user friendly and uncomplicated. I have been doing something similar with a 6xc and the 284. The 6br would have better barrel life.

 

[treeman]

I second that motion

 

[spitfire_er]

6br and I'm a big fan of the 280 imp or even a standard 280.

 

[XTR]

I'm an F-TR guy and don't have a lot of experience with some of the more interesting mid range calibers but I'd definitely go with a 284 for long range, either a 284Win or 7mm RSAUM. If you wanted to simplify your bullet selections you might try a 7-08 for mid range. (I do have one for a hunting rifle) you could shoot the same bullets and with a long barrel I'd think it would be pretty easy to get the 162 Amax up to 2800 or maybe more. If you used the 284WIN you could use the same bolt for both.

JBM says that .284/162Amax at 2800 and the .243/115 VLD at 3000FPS are effectively identical at 600 yards.

Another mid range option might be the 260Rem. I scored for one who won the TN State Open long range title last yr. Easy to load, lots of components.

All of the above will work in a short action. You might have to pull the bolt to get a loaded one out but that's not usually a problem on a single feed target action.

 

[Terry]

The benchrest records are mainly set with 6 Dashers at both 600 and 1,000. Having said that I have a .284 Shehane as well.

Terry

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I just did the same project. Went with a dasher. After watching my buddy do a 284, I wont be going down that road. Just too darn expensive to load. Also, its much easier to swap barrels on an action without a nut, just tighten against the barrel shoulder.
Alex

 

[Erik Cortina]

You already have a 6.5x47, keep that for midrange.
284 Win is a good choice for long range.

Get an action that has no nut and has pinned recoil lug like previously stated, much easier to swap barrels.

 

[bobeager]

I campaign a Barnard action, 6 Dasher for the "shorts" and .284 Win with 162 Hornady match for the "longs". Now have 2 actions so that I no longer have to switch barrels. This arrangement allows versatility. If the conditions are "mild", can use Dasher all the way as it is easy to shoot and accurate. If conditions are "rough", can use the .284 all the way, as it is a little harder to shoot but will handle difficult winds.

The Barnard is easy to switch barrels, just purchase the barrel spanner, and if using the Vee Block bedding system, no issue with recoil lug alignment. Most blokes who switch barrels at the range have a barrel vice attached to theit towing hitch. Takes under 5 minutes, and is helped if you have two scopes with QRW rings.

 

[XTR]

... After watching my buddy do a 284, I wont be going down that road. Just too darn expensive to load. ....
Alex

If you're trying to run with the serious competitors at 1000 yards you are going to have to burn some powder. The 6's pushing the Berger 115 at ~3000 FPS are giving up about 35% more windage than a 180 Hybred at 2800. Even though the trajectory is flatter the 6 are seeing wind movement on par with the 308. Look at the difference in the scores between F-TR and F-Open. Even if the flat fast bullets buy you something that the ballistics tables don't reflect you're still behind the curve.

 

[coues52]

1+ per Erik C..I took his advice and did just that 6.5x47 for mid-range and a loong throated 284 for the long range..haven,t looked back..Danny