help picking LA chamber please

[mpstan]

Hi gentlemen,

First time post......... I have a Model 700 long action .270 that I would like to rebarrel to a target rifle. Mostly paper punching to 300 yards; would like to go out with my buddies some day to Wyoming and shoot prarie dogs... 400-500yds? I am an intermediate reloader with my .270s, my 6.5 Grendel and my son's 6.5x55 Swede.

Looking for low recoil, fun to shoot, accurate rifle. Have given thought to 6BR, 6 Rem, 6 RemAI, 6.5x47(small bullets) .... not sure how long action affects some of these calibers. Magazine feeding a plus but single shot would be ok.

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[TonyR]

When loaded for best accuracy at long range with high BC bullets, the cases specically designed for short actions will sometimes not eject a loaded round because the bullets are seated out in the neck away from the donut area at the neck/shoulder junction. For example, the standard length for the 284 Winchester is 2.800 inches while most long range competitiors load the 180 VLD Berger to an overall length of 3.200 inches. These fit fine in a long action but will not fit in the magazine of a short action designed for "308 length" cartridges. You might ask people here the lengths people seat to for any cartridge you are considering and perhaps take a dummy round with the bullet seated where you want it to your gunsmith to help with the chamber dimensions.

 

[rfair]

I had my LA 700 re-barreled for the fifth time and this time it's a 308! It's nice not to worry about mag-length like my LTR!
Decisions, decisions.

Good luck in your choice!!

 

[hammerjack]

Sounds to me like you need 6mmbr for what you want to do.The prarie dogs want like you very much neither will your buddies when you outshoot them.LOL jOE

 

[Rust]

Well, first thing off is I'd suspect that you don't want a real barrel burner and as the owner of a 6.5 X 284 and a 6mm AI, I can tell you they are hard on barrels. Well, at least regarding match level accuracy.

Consider the 30-06 AI. Nearly .300 WM performance with mid weight bullets, brass available from every maker, about the largest bullet selection there is, barrels from every maker in every useful twist. What's not to like. As an added bonus the heavier hunting bullets work fine too, with significant velocity over the .308.

A 125 Nosler BT would make a fine 300 yard and in varmint bullet. With the right match bullets it should reach out to 1,300 yards easily.

As a plus, in a properly cut AI chamber, factory fodder will shoot pretty well to and there aren't too many placed I can think of that '-06 ammo can't be found.

 

[Rem06]

i have a .30-06Ai and really like it,i load 180tsx for close range bear and 200SMK's. I just got a box of 210A-max to test for long range(1k-1.5k).It is a hammer and i wouldn't consider it low recoil or a top choice for prarie dogs or tgts,although it is fine for that if you don't mind the recoil?

having said that,I would be looking at 6.5mm shooting 130-140 Bergers in a L/A case. 6.5-06? but it would be hard on barrels.

my other most favorite rifle is a 6.5x47Lapua in a peredator short action.You would be better off with a S/A,many more choices to fit your requirements for prarie dogs and 500yd accuracy in 6mm or 6.5mm with lower recoil than a .270.