I just purchased a Remmy long action. I'm looking to build a long range carry gun but undecided on caliber. To be truthful i wanted a short action but this one came at a $$ i couldn't resist. I'm interested in the 6.5 or 7mm family but would like to stay on the low recoil side. I have enough shoulder Thumpers and don't need another. My goal is to choose a caliber where i can push a 140-160 grain bullet at around 3000fps. I would consider using a short action round in the long action as long as the feeding would not be an issue. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Remmy 700 Long action build??
- Thread starter 1holeaddict
- Start date
Well As far as Thumpers are concerned i currently own 2 -7mm mags, 2- 300win mags, 1- 7mm Ultra Mag, and 1-300 Weatherby Mag. So to answer your question im referring to a Magnum cartridge as a Thumper. As far as Long range im not talking a mile here im talking about a reasonable distance that would not exceed the limits of the caliber choosen. We all know what type of distance is the limits for a 140 grain bullet traveling 3000fps. As i stated i want a carry gun so max barrel length would not exceed 26".357Mag said:
Thank you
I have been putting alot of thought into the 284.newgun said:
.260, 6.5x55, or 6.5-.284 would be the choices if you are looking for something different then you already shoot. Same trajectories as your other guns just easier shooting. 
steelhead king
Silver $$ Contributor
280 ai
jonbearman
I live in new york state,how unfortunate !
Why not a 7mm-08 or AI . The 7mm-08 is very versital with relation to medium game and varmints.
I just finished load development on my Remmy 7mm08 and it shoots lights out. It will shoot 140 partitions or Ballistic tips under 1/2" (3 shot groups at 100). Bobby Hart did a 7mm08 for my brother and said the best barrel length for the 08 is a 23". Im not sure how the 7mm08 would function in the long action. This would be one of my first choices. Anyone have any input on the 7mm08 in a long action ??jonbearman said:
Straight .284 or 6.5X.284 sounds like what you are describing. Both are proven performers with great components. 
nicholst55
Brass Whore
I think a .260 Rem on a long action would be just the ticket. You can seat the bullets out to maximize powder capacity that way, and I've seen and read of several people going this route. For that matter, a 6.5-06 would work well, too. Mine shoots very well for what it is, although I have only killed paper to date with that rifle.
Started off with the only Kevlar stock that I could lay my hands on about 10yrs back to assemble a lightweight carry rifle and it turned out much like what you are looking to build. I found a Remington KS stock for a 700LA and ended up chambering in 6.5x06. Have a 22" pencil-thin Krieger ChroMoly barrel on it along with a small Vais brake. The action has been trued and lightened. Talley ring/bases and the Leupold Vari-X 3-9X Compact. All totaled, the rifle weighs 6# 3oz. The rifle recoils about like a 7-1/2# 22-250.
I can get the 140gr SST and Accubonds in the 2820fps range, the 129SST's at 2925fps at reasonable pressures when tested at 90F. Either 140gr bullet will have enough snot to take out an elk at 400yds with a solid hit.
If I had to do it again, I would likely entertain using a Pacific 6.5/284 Norma match reamer and have that long action available to long seat the bullets in the magazine. Other cartridge options are as others have stated: .25/06, .270, .280 and 30/06.
Although not a spectacular group, I fired this the other day from prone with a sling at 400yds and holding above the silhouette using the 3-9X Compact zeroed at 250yds.
I can get the 140gr SST and Accubonds in the 2820fps range, the 129SST's at 2925fps at reasonable pressures when tested at 90F. Either 140gr bullet will have enough snot to take out an elk at 400yds with a solid hit.
If I had to do it again, I would likely entertain using a Pacific 6.5/284 Norma match reamer and have that long action available to long seat the bullets in the magazine. Other cartridge options are as others have stated: .25/06, .270, .280 and 30/06.
Although not a spectacular group, I fired this the other day from prone with a sling at 400yds and holding above the silhouette using the 3-9X Compact zeroed at 250yds.
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My shooting partner inherited a custom 700SA from a mutual friend that has a 22" Krieger SS barrel chambered in .284Win that has a long throat. It has an older Lee Six glass stock and is pillar-bedded. The scope is a Nikon 4-12X with AO. The issue with the rifle is that it must be single-loaded with th9ose bullets seated long, something that you LA would not have an issue with.
We have tested the 154SST and a stout load of H4350 is clocking 2959fps. The 162SST is clocking a hair over 2900fps. Both of these loads are a full grain over recommended max. He is using WW brass and WLR primers. The only easy means of getting the 3000fps velocity would be to move up to the 7Rem Mag and it wouldn't buy much.
In my testing of his 154SST load, the rifle is pretty consistent 3/4MOA at 200yds. But, he gave it a whirl from the bags at 400/500 yards using a 250yd zero and then holding off in space above the target. Both groups came up a shade low, but it showed acceptable accy. At 500yds, this 154SST load would deliver >1500ft/lbs, enough for an elk.
Oh, the recoil factor: With a stout loading behind the 154/162 bullets is about on order of a .243Win with the Vais brake. Without it, the 162's smart a little and you can feel it after 5 shots. Although we have not weighed the rifle, I am going to guess that it is 7-1/4 to 7-1/2# without the glass. The recoil difference between it and my 6.5/06 is noticeable, particularly without the brakes.
We have tested the 154SST and a stout load of H4350 is clocking 2959fps. The 162SST is clocking a hair over 2900fps. Both of these loads are a full grain over recommended max. He is using WW brass and WLR primers. The only easy means of getting the 3000fps velocity would be to move up to the 7Rem Mag and it wouldn't buy much.
In my testing of his 154SST load, the rifle is pretty consistent 3/4MOA at 200yds. But, he gave it a whirl from the bags at 400/500 yards using a 250yd zero and then holding off in space above the target. Both groups came up a shade low, but it showed acceptable accy. At 500yds, this 154SST load would deliver >1500ft/lbs, enough for an elk.
Oh, the recoil factor: With a stout loading behind the 154/162 bullets is about on order of a .243Win with the Vais brake. Without it, the 162's smart a little and you can feel it after 5 shots. Although we have not weighed the rifle, I am going to guess that it is 7-1/4 to 7-1/2# without the glass. The recoil difference between it and my 6.5/06 is noticeable, particularly without the brakes.
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