I know I want a switch barrel rig, now I need to make up my mind on caliber. I want a short 20" in. 308. I just can't make up my mind on a longer 26or28"barrel caliber. 308 would make it simpler, yes, but the 6.5x47 lapua sure looks nice. Barrel life is pretty good, accuracy is what I am looking for, and long range performance is promising. So do I get a .308 and 6.5, or just stick with. 308? Any input?
Step 3, caliber selection
- Thread starter Glenn Powell
- Start date
What is going to be the purpose of this switch barrel rifle? Once you know that caliber selection will be a might easier.
Roland
Roland
Short barrel will be for busting pigs from the truck. The longer barrel will be for long range paper punching, and maybe some coyote hunting. Pelt damage is not an issue, but long range is a must, its common to take a poke a half mile or more out. I am a decent shot, competitive? probably not, but i would like have the equipment to try if I can ever get the opportunity.
Well Glenn Pigs are tough but the .308 with a 20" barrel should do the job "UP CLOSE". That barrel length is just to challanged to maintain any type of good velocity numbers at distance.
Your quoted 1/2 mile Yote shot works out to 880 yds. The 6.5X47L just shines at that distance, and will have no poroblem with a Coyotes at that distance and even quite a bit further if the need ever should arise. Besides that the 6.5X47L is just a great cartridge. Easy on components, easy to load for, and forgiving to new distance shooters.
I have two switch barrel rifles and both of then while competition Rifles do have barrels chambered in the 6.5X47L. I will never be without at least one rifle in this cartridge. It quickly became my favorite for my F-Class 1,000 yard shooting and doubles as a pretty good Benchrest Rifle as well.
Roland
Your quoted 1/2 mile Yote shot works out to 880 yds. The 6.5X47L just shines at that distance, and will have no poroblem with a Coyotes at that distance and even quite a bit further if the need ever should arise. Besides that the 6.5X47L is just a great cartridge. Easy on components, easy to load for, and forgiving to new distance shooters.
I have two switch barrel rifles and both of then while competition Rifles do have barrels chambered in the 6.5X47L. I will never be without at least one rifle in this cartridge. It quickly became my favorite for my F-Class 1,000 yard shooting and doubles as a pretty good Benchrest Rifle as well.
Roland
Erik Cortina
Team Lapua Brux Borden Captain
I think a short barreled "47" will do short range and long range.
A short barrel "47" will have better ballistics than a long barreled 308.
I say build a short barreled "47", work up a good load with a 130 VLD bullet, and you are good to go on coyotes out to 1,000 yards.
A short barrel "47" will have better ballistics than a long barreled 308.
I say build a short barreled "47", work up a good load with a 130 VLD bullet, and you are good to go on coyotes out to 1,000 yards.
Eric, I agree with you that the 6.5x47L is a great all around caliber, but if "we" read the posters question and comments he may be wanting something a little different.
He states "I know I want a switch barrel rig" that comment now changes things. He no longer needs a do it all single caliber rifle. He obviously is looking for a "very" short barreled rifle for the pigs thus his comment "Short barrel will be for busting pigs from the truck". This I believe is the reason for the 20" barrel. If its a truck gun he may just need for it to be that short.
Now if my reading of this is correct, and he does want a Switch Barreled Rifle then the two different calibers will for certain fill that want. While I am personally a huge advocate for the 6.5X47L I am not sure a very short barrled 6.5X47L will fill the needs any better than a .308 at shooting a 1,000 yds. Key word there being "Very Short" like his stated .308 at 20".
I could be wrong about tht but I have never even heard of anyone owning one with a 20" barrel, much less shooting it at a 1,000 yds. I also know what you were thinking I Believe in making the 6.5X47L barrel longer than 20" and going with a compromise in length. But the man wants a short barrel and a switch barrel as well.
He also states he would like to have the equipment to try competition. In that case I think he is very well served with barrels to do both jobs. Something like this.His 20" .308 in a 20" barrel for the maneuverability in and around the truck for the quick shots at close range on pigs when the present themselves. Then a 30" 6.5 barrel for those longer and more precise shots on paper and in Competition. This "TO ME" sounds like a win, win deal. It scratch's the itch of just wanting a Switch Barrel rifle ( thats a cool thing) and does not force one barrel to be doing double work at two different jobs, were it would probably do OK but not great at either......
Roland
He states "I know I want a switch barrel rig" that comment now changes things. He no longer needs a do it all single caliber rifle. He obviously is looking for a "very" short barreled rifle for the pigs thus his comment "Short barrel will be for busting pigs from the truck". This I believe is the reason for the 20" barrel. If its a truck gun he may just need for it to be that short.
Now if my reading of this is correct, and he does want a Switch Barreled Rifle then the two different calibers will for certain fill that want. While I am personally a huge advocate for the 6.5X47L I am not sure a very short barrled 6.5X47L will fill the needs any better than a .308 at shooting a 1,000 yds. Key word there being "Very Short" like his stated .308 at 20".
I could be wrong about tht but I have never even heard of anyone owning one with a 20" barrel, much less shooting it at a 1,000 yds. I also know what you were thinking I Believe in making the 6.5X47L barrel longer than 20" and going with a compromise in length. But the man wants a short barrel and a switch barrel as well.
He also states he would like to have the equipment to try competition. In that case I think he is very well served with barrels to do both jobs. Something like this.His 20" .308 in a 20" barrel for the maneuverability in and around the truck for the quick shots at close range on pigs when the present themselves. Then a 30" 6.5 barrel for those longer and more precise shots on paper and in Competition. This "TO ME" sounds like a win, win deal. It scratch's the itch of just wanting a Switch Barrel rifle ( thats a cool thing) and does not force one barrel to be doing double work at two different jobs, were it would probably do OK but not great at either......
Roland
Erik Cortina
Team Lapua Brux Borden Captain
I understand about the switch barrel, the reason I suggested one rifle is because maybe he didn't realize he could do both with one barrel instead of two.
But if two barrels are wanted, I would chamber both in 6.5x47.
But if two barrels are wanted, I would chamber both in 6.5x47.
You hit the nail on the head Hombre, but 30" in the 6.5? Dose the barrel need to be that long to get the velocity to stay stabilized out to a grand? I was looking at 26, 28 in a light varmint contour, just to keep weight down, but 30? Really? If 30 is what I "need" than I guess it will be 30. Maybe I am a little barrel shy. :
Erik Cortina
Team Lapua Brux Borden Captain
Glenninjuneau said:You hit the nail on the head Hombre, but 30" in the 6.5? Dose the barrel need to be that long to get the velocity to stay stabilized out to a grand? I was looking at 26, 28 in a light varmint contour, just to keep weight down, but 30? Really? If 30 is what I "need" than I guess it will be 30. Maybe I am a little barrel shy. :
That's my point, a 20" barrel will keep you stabilized out to 1000 yards.
If 20 stabilizes out to 1k, then why dose everyone go so long on the tube? I'm lost :-\i can understand longer barrels when using open sights, but a shorter barrel is stiffer. What is the velocity with 130vld at 1k in a 20" tube? And what twist? 120tsx in a 6.5 would sure do a number in swine, I just feel a 165 has a little more "thump" for the larger pigs, 300+ pounders that is. I do deer hunt with a 6.5x284, and love the results of those 130 accubonds! But a 6.5x284 is really pushing those pills a bit quicker than the "47". And yes, I want a switcheroo just for the "cool" factor, even gonna build a trailer hitch vice so I can switch at the range ;D
Erik Cortina
Team Lapua Brux Borden Captain
It depends on the intended purpose at 1,000 yards.
The reason we use 30" barrels in competition is for weight, speed, and to be able to cut 2" off and rechamber.
Point blank bench rest guys use short barrels.
I have 2 identical switch barrel rifles for competition and one for hunting. The reason for it is that I hate switching out barrels. It's a pain in the a$$ to keep track of scope settings for each barrel. Once you switch the barrel a few times you will realize there is nothing cool about a switch barrel rifle.
The reason we use 30" barrels in competition is for weight, speed, and to be able to cut 2" off and rechamber.
Point blank bench rest guys use short barrels.
I have 2 identical switch barrel rifles for competition and one for hunting. The reason for it is that I hate switching out barrels. It's a pain in the a$$ to keep track of scope settings for each barrel. Once you switch the barrel a few times you will realize there is nothing cool about a switch barrel rifle.
OK, Here we go a little Rifle Philosphy. Thats good I like this type of discussion.
Glenn, I am a long barrel kinda guy. All of my rifles are competition rifles, that is were "My" interest lay. Your preference is just that yours, you cannot be wrong with what you want or don't want.
In the 6.5X47L, and I have three switch barrel rifles and each of them have at least one barrel in 6.5X47L, I want as long a barrel as i get simply becuase they are competition barrels. On my Farley actioned rifle I have a Kreiger barrel that is 34" long no taper 1.125" straight. Its a truck axle and looks it as well. Reason for that barrel is getting just as close as I can to the 22 Lb F-Class Open weight. It also tracks like a dream. The shortest barrel I have in 6.5X47L is 29" that is in a rifle I mostly shoot in long Range Benchrest matches and once again the weight limit made the choice for me. Thats me, do I "Have" to have barrels that long? Probably not but I also don't have to worry about them at a 1,000 yds.
Eric says that a 20" 6.5X47L will shoot and stabilize out to 1,000 yds OK with me. I certainly don't know if it will or won't, as I mentioned earlier I have never heard nor seen one that short. Doesn't mean there is not one that short though. I shot the 130 Berger Vld's at 3050fps and I am shooting pretty well in that node. You will never, ever get that number or even close I don't "Think" with a barrel as short as 20".
You also without careful bullet selection will not keep a .308 super sonic out of a 20" tube at a 1,000 yds. Even the guys shooting F/TR with 26" barrels have to go with the heavier bullets to keep them from transitioning through the sonic barrier, and that is a accuracy killer, the barrier not the heavier bullet.
In the end only you can make your choice. if you are wanting to build a switch barrel gun why not do that in such a way as to maxamize what you have. Your orginal ideas of a short barrel truck rifle and a long range rifle barrel that you could compete with is a good one. Don't cut yourself short ( Pun intended) with two short barrels. Like one 20" and one 24" or 26" that is a compromise you don't "HAVE" to make. Besides who says you only have to have two barrels?
Roland
Glenn, I am a long barrel kinda guy. All of my rifles are competition rifles, that is were "My" interest lay. Your preference is just that yours, you cannot be wrong with what you want or don't want.
In the 6.5X47L, and I have three switch barrel rifles and each of them have at least one barrel in 6.5X47L, I want as long a barrel as i get simply becuase they are competition barrels. On my Farley actioned rifle I have a Kreiger barrel that is 34" long no taper 1.125" straight. Its a truck axle and looks it as well. Reason for that barrel is getting just as close as I can to the 22 Lb F-Class Open weight. It also tracks like a dream. The shortest barrel I have in 6.5X47L is 29" that is in a rifle I mostly shoot in long Range Benchrest matches and once again the weight limit made the choice for me. Thats me, do I "Have" to have barrels that long? Probably not but I also don't have to worry about them at a 1,000 yds.
Eric says that a 20" 6.5X47L will shoot and stabilize out to 1,000 yds OK with me. I certainly don't know if it will or won't, as I mentioned earlier I have never heard nor seen one that short. Doesn't mean there is not one that short though. I shot the 130 Berger Vld's at 3050fps and I am shooting pretty well in that node. You will never, ever get that number or even close I don't "Think" with a barrel as short as 20".
You also without careful bullet selection will not keep a .308 super sonic out of a 20" tube at a 1,000 yds. Even the guys shooting F/TR with 26" barrels have to go with the heavier bullets to keep them from transitioning through the sonic barrier, and that is a accuracy killer, the barrier not the heavier bullet.
In the end only you can make your choice. if you are wanting to build a switch barrel gun why not do that in such a way as to maxamize what you have. Your orginal ideas of a short barrel truck rifle and a long range rifle barrel that you could compete with is a good one. Don't cut yourself short ( Pun intended) with two short barrels. Like one 20" and one 24" or 26" that is a compromise you don't "HAVE" to make. Besides who says you only have to have two barrels?
Roland
Eric, man that goes to show you how different people have different opinions.
I could not disagree with you more about switch barrel rifles. I will never be without one ever. You are right about sight settings I can see how that might bother some folks. For me it is easy as I keep very good log books for each rifle and each barrel. Changing sight settings is just natural for me, I know what to do and I personally have no problem at all with that aspect of changing a barrel.
Changing the barrels them selves takes me about 5 minutes and that long only when I remove the action from the stock. I usually don't need to do that and a barrel switch takes less than 2 minutes. So for me switch barrel rifles are VERY Cool.....
Roland
I could not disagree with you more about switch barrel rifles. I will never be without one ever. You are right about sight settings I can see how that might bother some folks. For me it is easy as I keep very good log books for each rifle and each barrel. Changing sight settings is just natural for me, I know what to do and I personally have no problem at all with that aspect of changing a barrel.
Changing the barrels them selves takes me about 5 minutes and that long only when I remove the action from the stock. I usually don't need to do that and a barrel switch takes less than 2 minutes. So for me switch barrel rifles are VERY Cool.....
Roland
Who knows, you might just talked me into three 
any one to help spring for a third? I would be more then glad to be the guinea pig to try a 20" 6.5×47. Thanks for the info guys, both of ya! Who knows? I might just get a 20" 6.5 just for giggles, sometime in future.
any one to help spring for a third? I would be more then glad to be the guinea pig to try a 20" 6.5×47. Thanks for the info guys, both of ya! Who knows? I might just get a 20" 6.5 just for giggles, sometime in future.Erik Cortina
Team Lapua Brux Borden Captain
I believe forum member Toney has a suppressed 20" 6.5x47 Lapua.
My hunting rifle has a 25" barrel, I shoot 123's at 3,000 fps. I would cut it shorter but it's fluted and it would not look good.
My hunting rifle has a 25" barrel, I shoot 123's at 3,000 fps. I would cut it shorter but it's fluted and it would not look good.
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