I need Help...Caliber Decision

[MrK.]

I posted on here a week or so ago about which barrel to buy and weather or not a 6.5 284 would work in a short action Remington 700 action,see links below).

I thought I had my decisions made on this gun that I am getting built but now I am not so sure. My action is scheduled to be taken to the smith this weekend. The more I read on this site,and I have spent many hours)the more confused I get. In My mind I have gone from the 6.5 284 to the 6mm AI to the .243 AI to the standard .243 win to 6 mm BR. My Goal is to produce a rifle that is bughole accurate at 300yds and has the ability to kill deer at this distance and the odd coyote or feral hog out to 500yds. Feeding from the magazine is a mandatory as this gun will be a hunting gun first, paper puncher/ steel plate knocker overer second. The standard .243 win in my experience has the ability to kill at these distances but from what I have read may not be the most accurate choice. I currently have a pre64 Winchester Model 70 shooting speer 105 grains at about 2950fps and have had no problems dispatching Texas whitetails out to 300 yds with this combo. This gun is a family heirloom and while I dont want to retire it completely, I want to ease it into a more relaxed role. I have been a reloader for about 25 years and considered myself pretty meticulous until I started reading what some of you guys are doing. To tell you the truth, I have no problem weighing cases and bullets but I have no desire to neck turn or measure bearing surfaces. After break in and load development this gun will only see about 100 rounds or so per year at the most. I want a round that I dont have to nit-pick at that I can find a 1/2 - 1/4 MOA load in without too much difficulty.

I originally decided to go with a stainless fluted Krieger 8.5 twist barrel in 6.5 284 in Remington Varmint contour shooting 120gr projectiles. I have a remington varmint laminated stock and a Burris 4.5 x 14 scope to complete the package. While the scope, Rem 700 SA, the stock and the stainless fluted barrel are given at this point. the caliber and twist are up for grabs.

These are my worries about each round that I listed above.

6.5 284
I am worried about the ability to feed from the magazine with this round. If I get standard throating how far will a 120 grain bullet have to jump before it meets the rifling and how will it affect accuracy. If I decided to shoot 140 grains how deep would I have to seat them and how will this affect velocity and accuracy

6mm/,.244)AI
I am worried about this cartridge feeding from the magazine with the longer bullets and again the jump to the rifling these bullets and the shorter ones would have and the effect on accuracy. Also the forming of cases and all the variations is a concern. I am not new to fire forming cases as I have a 7mm TCU Contender pistol. Are forming cases for the AI rounds as easy as this?

.243 AI The same worries as the 6mm AI with regard to case forming and how does this compare accuracy wise to it to the 6mm AI?

.243 win
Although this is one of my all time favorite cartridges and have filled pick-up trucks with deer, hogs and a variety of vermin is this the caliber I want to get a custom gun in?

6mm BR
The praise for this round is obvious but how does it do on deer/ hogs and how easy is it for a novice to handle?

If you have read this far please do not try to answer all of my questions, just please recommend what caliber and twist you would choose.

Requirements Again:
1/2 -1/4 moa accuracy at 300yds
Feed from Remington 700 short action magazine.
Power to kill deer to 300yds- Varmints to 500yds
Easy reloading

Am I asking for the impossible?

Thanks in advance for any advice
swampstander

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=859136

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=860501

 

[Forum Boss]

Mike Bryant has engineered a feed solution for the Rem 700 short action by modifying the following and feed lips.

Not many people hunt deer with a 6BR, but if you check the ballistics, you're probably not giving up more than about 150 fps to a standard .243, maybe less. So yes, a 6BR would be suitable--and could certainly do the job a lot better than some people could think.

But you say: "After break in and load development this gun will only see about 100 rounds or so per year at the most". Then should you really be spending a hefty chunk of change on a custom?

"I want a round that I dont have to nit-pick at that I can find a 1/2 - 1/4 MOA load in without too much difficulty." There's a world of difference between 1/2 moa and 1/4 moa. For the latter you are talking a benchrest stock, single shot action, light trigger. Yes, there are a few non-BR style rifles that will shoot in the twos,now and then), but sit them down at a bench and see what they agg. That's the difference.

My instincts are 1) Keep the .243 for hunting, and don't expect it to be a tackdriver. It will certainly hold "minute of whitetail" and should feed and function fine.

If you really want a super precision varminter a 6BR or 22BR would be a good choice, but to ask that same gun to be a walk-around game rifle is a tough order.

But, you should definitely read this article: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek037.html

I think Maui Eric essentially built something close to your dream gun. A small game rifle that shoots in the Ones.

WARNING: Reading this may raise your expectations and,eventually) drain your pocketbook.

 

[rhino]

Why not 6.5x55? Factory ammo is easier to find and if you handload you only giving up 100-150 fps to the 6.5x.284.

Also the 6.5x47 might be interesting with the 123 scenars as well for ya.

My Sweedes have been dam accurate and fun!
RHINOUT!

 

[Forum Boss]

Rhino is right on about the 6.5x47. If the brass,and factory loaded ammo) become readily available I predict it will become a very effective double-duty round that can take deer, coyotes, and pigs, and shoot great at matches as well.

The 6.5x55 is a great round, with excellent match and hunting ammo available--something that can't be said for the Rem .260.

 

[badshooter]

I have a remington 700 in 6mm. I'm kinda new to this precision shooting thing, so what is the deal with accuracy and the throat in the barrel. I know what the throat is but what grain bullets can I shoot for the best accuracy. What does the OAL of the bullet need to be? How do I measure the throat depth?

 

[Ogre6br]

nope 6BR, 6.5x55 or 6.5 Grendel if you have to stick to a short action.
I know SFA about the new 6.5x47 so I'm not going to comment- but Lapua doesn't make junk.

later
P

 

[expiper]

Dont forget that 6mmAI's can be made from 30-06,,,and Lapua makes 30-06!!!! Just use a 7mmX57 die,or a 7mm/08-set out long) to do the initial forming then trim to length and use a 6mm Rem. FL die...there you have it ...the shoot em as 6mmRem or fire form them as AI's...Roger

 

[MrK.]

Thanks for the responses
HEREis almost the exact gun I originally planned to build. I emailed the guy with a few questions to get some insight on the 6.5 284 in a 700 short action. Maybe not a good idea seeing as he is selling it.

Moderator,
that is a great gun and I had to clean drool off of my keyboard when I got done looking at it. Definately out of my price range. But I have a trued 700 short action on hand and the smith can get me in the gun I want for around $600 with a fluted Krieger barrel in my choice of twist and caliber. The reason I mentioned the 100rds or so a year is to point out that calibers known for throat erosion are not going to be a problem for a few years. I am not really inerested in a dedicated varminter. Maybe I should stick with the .243 win? 1/2 moa would tickle me plenty in all reality.


Rhino,
Funny you should mention the 6.5 x 55. I just sold my 6.5 x 55 reloading die on ebay a few days ago,to help fund the current project). No big loss as it was a Hornady and I never did like it. I currently have 2 boxes of Sierra 6.5mm 140grain gamekings on there now. Won't this round require modification to the bolt face? I am only familiar with loading it for the old Swede. What kind of velocity can I expect out of a modern action with 120 grain slugs? I am not familiar at all with the 6.5 x 47 but it looks interesting. I will try and find more info about it. And yes, just like yours, my old Swedes were accurate and fun. I have won many a can of cold beer with my iron sighted Swede. I got 2 for $150 back in the early 80's. They looked like new. I miss them both.

Gunamonth
Thanks for your input. You are not confusing the issue as the 6mm really was on my short list I just assumed whatever the 6mm could do the 6mm AI can do better. I put the .243 on the list because it is one of my old standbys and I have dies, brass, bullets and an 8lb keg of IMR 4350 which my old Winchester seems to like. How is the 6mm compared to the .243 with regards to accurcy potential in your experience. What twist would you recommend for bullets up to 105 grains. I have had real good luck with the 105 grain Speers.

Thanks again

 

[rhino]

swampstander that is a 6x.284 not a 6.5x.284! Big difference! You think a 6.5x.284 is a barrel burner...the 6x.284 will toast your barrel even faster!

If your going to go with a 6mm and your gonna shoot 115 DTACS or bergers the .243 is a good place to be at!

Lapua makes the brass. Also a 6x47 using necked down lapua 6.5x47 brass would be nice as well.

6AI--well alot more work than a .243!

Use the KISS principle

Keep it simple stupid

Unless your a seasoned pro at reloading creating more work for you to do is silly IMHO!

Unless your one of those strange people that would rather be at the loading bench than at the range?

RHINOUT!

 

[MrK.]

Thanks for all of your input. I Am going to go with the .243 or 6mm Rem. I will let the gunsmith give a little input before my final decision. I will post up some pics when I get her done.