selling three guns for one needing opinions

[j_22250]

I recently built a 6x47 lapua and love it. I can't wait to take it hunting. i've herd that once you own a custom rifle you won't want to shoot anything else. the 6x47 lapua is going to be my coyote and deer rifle which will replace my 22-250 and 243. I am wanting to build another in a bigger caliber to replace my .308 and .270. which would be my deer, hog and maybe elk rifle if i ever go elk hunting. I'd like to build on my 243 witch is a rem 700 SA. i'm thinking of either .260 or 7mm-08 standard or improved. Are there any other cartridges that might be a better replacment or should i just stick with the 308 and get rid of everything else? My .308 is a savage heavy barrel and my 22-250 and .270 are howas. I hate to even think about selling them cuz they all shoot real good especially with handloads.

 

[wfeher]

the 260 is pretty awesome, definately a flat shooting round, i think a little better than the 7mm08. if your gonna shot long range i would take the 260 but close up shooting i would give it to the 7mm08 because of the high bc bullets you can use. the 6.5 also have high bc bullets. so no matter what you choose your not gonna go wrong either way you look.

 

[j_22250]

well, I'd kinda like to compomise i need something that will be flat shooting like the .270, but yet have plenty of energy like the .308. I've always wanted a 7mm-08 and think an improved version would be even better. i read a post a while back on how the 260ai surpassed the .308 in energy and trajectory at extended ranges. I haven't researched any of this yet, so far it's just an idea. By the time i choose the caliber, make all my final decisions and start selling guns it may take up to and over a year.

 

[olympian]

7mm-08 or .284 would get my vote for a hunting rifle. The benefits one gets from the high BC bullets in the 6.5mm target bullets do not transfer that well to hunting bullets. For a pure hunting rifle, I would go with a standard 7mm-08 over an improved. The benefits are not worth the trouble. Simplicity wins in the end.

 

[flatlander]

Why not have a gunsmith install a custom barrel chambered for a straight 284 on your Howa 270? The 284 is a wonderfully accurate cartridge, and when chambered on a long action,like your 270), heavier bullets can be seated out far enough to use all the 284's case capacity. I have two LR prone rifles chambered for a straight 284 with 30" bbls., and they're hammers at 1000yds. with Berger & JLK 180s. I get just over 2800fps with 180s using H4831, and a little over 2900fps with RL17. There are a multitude of excellent medium & heavy 7mm hunting bullets available that would work really well for what you're thinking of.

 

[j_22250]

2800fps with a 180gr bullet is impressive, but im not very fond of long actions. i havn't really had a chance to do that much research yet, but i like the high b.c. of the 162 hornady a-max. what twist rate is needed to stabilize bullets in the 140 - 168gr weight range?

 

[Thorbird]

A 9 twist would stabilize up to 168 grains.

 

[cliffe]

berger claims a 1 in 9" twist will stabilize their 180s. thats the twist that 284 win. gun of the week was using, can't remember the week, one of the last ones.
how much longer would a long action be, you could even go to a 280 rem. good luck cliffe

 

[j_22250]

i had a chance to do some looking around last night and i now dont think the 7mm-08 really has any significant gains over the 308. i compared both with 168 sierra BTHP with the same velocity and yes the 7m-08 is better, but not by much. not enough to justify ME[/U] spending alot of money over. i can't remember the actuall numbers; it was pretty late. i think ill keep my savage 10fp; it already drives nails. why spend alot of money to risk building a rifle that might not shoot as well. besides i already have all the reloading stuff. i might put a B&C duramaxx stock on it and maybe upgrade on the optics. proly money better spent. it'll be like a different gun only cheaper!!