If You were going to build a Hotrod, What Caliber would it be
- Thread starter 1lessdog
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Depends what you willbe using it for, but of the ones you mentioned I kind of likethe idea of a 6.5x284. I have been considering one myself, it just seems like a good versatile happy medium cartridge. It’s common enough that quality brass exists but not too common rhat componants sell out immediately.
DaveTooley
Gold $$ Contributor
6.5 on a long action 6.5-06 AI slightly faster than a 6.5-284 I have a pile of RWS 270 Win brass
6MM 6MM Rem AI it just works
22 22-243 Middlested good brass
6MM 6MM Rem AI it just works
22 22-243 Middlested good brass
How far?
I'm in the early stages of researching building a standard action 6MM Remington as that will allow a repeating action with the 103/108 projectiles at hyper velocities. I'd like to see if this can push untoward 3300 to 3500 FPS.
There are many parameters but my thinking is based on over 50 years of varminting. In my opinion IN THE FIELD without carrying a bench, a tripod or other portable range tools, just a man and his rifle, as the target gets smaller and farther away great accuracy at hyper velocities are a solution. One that has worked for me out to 500 yards in a very high percentage of shots. I'm looking to see how far I can push that, cold barrel one shot hits on chucks in the 700 yard range in the high 90% range is the goal.
So I haven't see a decent projectile for that task over 6mm, the range yes but the 6.5x are too tough. Barrels of the right twist are a problem, mathematics say at 3400 FPS a twist faster than 9 1/2 may be an issue. Also there is no data on the aerodynamics on the projectiles at this speed. The bench rest boys seem the think the heavy 6's accuracy drops off at about 3000 FPS, but they may be spinning to fast.
The 6MM Remington gives decent barrel life, I've gotten 2000 with 65,000 PSI loads.
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If you have the need for speed, be aware of some of the drawbacks; very short barrel life, accuracy usually only so so, bullets disintegrating before they reach the target and using lots of powder.
I Shoot a 6 AI and love it, I saw a thread here where someone had built a 6mm PRC......not easy on barrels...but sounds exciting. 22 creedmoor...22-250AI....6mm AI....all would be fun.
6mm-284…no fire forming and all the speed you need. I used 87gr V-max in one and out of multiple calibers, it was the most reliable/easiest to hit with on distant pd’s. A 30” bbl 1-10tw 243 Win was a close second.
As mentioned, barrel life is a consideration and I would ask Bartlien about their ‘tough’ steel on this one!
As mentioned, barrel life is a consideration and I would ask Bartlien about their ‘tough’ steel on this one!
DaveTooley
Gold $$ Contributor
The best all round varmint rifle I ever wore out was 6MM Rem AI, 1-12 shooting 80 gr. FB bullets. Works well out to 800 yds. The most fun is a 17-224 Wby. 30 gr bullets @3400. Good to about 500 yds.
thekriebles
Gold $$ Contributor
You mentioned you have a long action and will be using light/short-length bullets. This would make most of your listed examples not ideal for the longer action. You have many to consider in wildcats, just naming a few for the long action:
22-55 Swede
224 Clark
22-6mm Rem. AI
22 Tejas
6mm Rem. AI
22-06 AI
6mm-06 AI
22-55 Swede
224 Clark
22-6mm Rem. AI
22 Tejas
6mm Rem. AI
22-06 AI
6mm-06 AI
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I got 87 grain VMAX just under 3600 in my first 6-284. 1-10 twist 24" with a "well seasoned" throat.
If I were building a "hot rod" rifle it would have to be the 25-06AI. Take a peep in the Sierra's Reloading Manual Edition VI at the ballistics. One would be hard pressed to outshine that performance.
A 25-06 AI with a 1 - 12 or 1 - 10 twist shooting 75 or 80 gr bullets may get a little over 4000 fps.
alf
Silver $$ Contributor
That'd be me, built two of them, 108 ELD-M's at 3425 in a 24" barrel, with outstanding accuracy....
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
For the most part, I'd say you pretty much already have most everything covered. I think anything you built, that you currently don't have, would just kind of be splitting hairs.
You could do a 22 Creedmoor but you already have a 22-250AI and 220Swift so I don't see much point. Another would be a 22-243 or 22-243AI but, again, you have the 22-6mmAI as well as the others that would be nearly the same so I don't really see any gain.
The only place you aren't already pretty well covered would be something in 6mm but you already have a Rem 6mm AI so the gains wouldn't be all that significant.
I guess if you just had to build something I'd probably go with a 6-284 or maybe even a 6-6.5PRC but you said you want to shoot lighter bullets and since you'll be using a LA Rem 700 neither requires a LA and I'd hate to waste a LA when you don't need to. One of, if not, favorite builds is my 6-284 and mine wears a 26in 12tw Lilja barrel. I shoot the 75gr Vmax and it's built on a SA Rem 700.
Shooting light bullets in things that are very overbore doesn't seem to always produce the kinds of gains one would expect. You could build a 22-284, that's a pretty significant hot rod but shooting light bullets it may not impress you, compared to say your 22-6mmAI, as it would if you shoot the 75gr and up bullets but a 22-284 could be something to consider.
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