Need help deciding...

[ebd10]

OK, I have a decision making crisis and I thought I'd put it before this body of experts because, when it comes to knowledge, you guys are full of it.

So here's the problem; I have a Remington 700 Long Action sitting in my parts bin and I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. I've pretty much decided to make it into some sort of long range coyote/varmint rifle, but the problem is, what caliber? I'm ready for a 6MM something, but I'd like to know what others here have to say. The caliber I choose will be for a repeater. So far I've looked at 6MM-06, 6MM Remington, 6.5-06, and 6.5X55. Any caliber I've overlooked?

 

[alf]

6-284

 

[Erik Cortina]

243 Win? With the long action you can load the 105's and 115's and still feed from the magazine. But if it were me I would build a 6X284, just make sure you order more than one barrel at a time if you plan to shoot a lot!

 

[Gman]

Since you have a long action, I'd lean towards the 6.5X55 Swede. I personaly don't own any rifle in that chambering, but its a darn reputable cartridge. You can get Lapua brass for it,,so there is no extra brass work), I'm pretty sure barrel life is quite better than a 6.5X284, and it is known in Europe as an elk killing cartridge.,if you ever need that much ft lbs of energy with a heavier pill) Just my opinion.

 

[RJinTexas]

The long action would make a dandy 6mmAI and with a 9.25 tw you'd be able to shoot every thing from 55 NBT's to 105 Amax's and not run into feeding problems with the longer bullets. And if you decided to make it a switch barrel there's all the great calibers based off the 284 Win.

So many choices!!!

 

[ebd10]

RJ,
Tell me more about the 6MM AI. Where can I find load data and field reports?

 

[farmerjohn]

Before you do anything get PO Ackley's note books volume 1&2. I have done what you are doing at least fifteen times and have the rifles to prove it. The planing, research, changing your mind every day for a month, all these things are what make shooting so much fun. Parker Ackley spent his entire life experimenting with firearms and has at one time or another developed all the new stuff on the market today in one form or another some 30 years ago. In the notebooks you can find wildcats of all spec ices. Read the notebooks and anything you build will be fun. Good shooting!JF

 

[Erik Cortina]

243 Ackley Improved is also hard to beat, and you can get Lapua Brass for it!

 

[Gman]

Only you know how much time you want to spend prepping brass, fireforming, and working up loads. That is one reason that I love the 6BR. I want to shoot more, and do less cartridge prep/ work. I believe my next competition rifle for 100-600 yards will be the 6.5X47 Lapua.