What caliber should I look at next?

[GSRswapandslow]

For the past few years, i've shot rimfire stuff...and that's it. I love .22lr and really enjoy shooting it the 200yd range I have available to me. This year, though, I decided to buy another bolt action after selling my last few...and bought a rem sps tactical in .223. I've changed most of the factory parts out, and really enjoy shooting it and constantly doing load development. I've only gotten to shoot it as far as 382yds at my bil's tree farm...but I hope that I can find a longer lane to maybe reach up to 500yds. I can EASILY see 1000, 1500, 2000 (and longer!) clear shots...but it would be shooting over other folk's land..and I'd have to get permission (obviously) before I could think of doing it...that, and much more practice calling wind.

So...now that the .223 seems to basically be done, until it needs to be rebarreled and subsequently trued in the future...I'm considering doing another rifle. I'd like this to be more of a bench/rest gun...which is something i've never had...

Use:
shooting from bench 0-200yd
possible portable bench up to 500yd (i'll still shoot my .223 from the bipod/prone...so that won't really be a concern)

I'd like an easy to tune load...that'll be accurate enough to where i can focus on my fundamentals more than worrying if it was me or the round...

i'd like to stay under $1500, minus optics, and be something that's fairly easy to obtain...

I was looking at a 6mmbr savage...would that be the smart move to go for me?

 

[fredhorace77]

that would be a good choice. savages are neat to play with cause of all the aftermarket parts and you can also switch barrels out on your own with the proper tools and a little knowledge. also over the past 6 months i have seen several really nice benchrest rifles on this site for sale close to your price range...might be something to consider

 

[fredhorace77]

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3789366.0
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3790645.0
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3790148.0

 

[jonbearman]

6mmbr,ya cant go wrong.

 

[Shifty6br]

6br...6br...hmmm...amazingly accurate...ez load development...awesome factory brass..good barrel life...light recoil...did I mention amazingly accurate..6br I love that lil guy....

 

[STP]

Since your graduation from rimfire to the .223 Remington and have a handle on load development, the 6BR poses no additonal difficulties. It does not need an extra measure of effort. In a 1-9 twist barrel, simply seat a CCI 400 or BR4 primer...add 30gr of Varget and seat a 107gr SMK at or just shy of the lands and enjoy the results.

I recently switched to the Hornady Match 105gr BTHP #2458 when I stopped by my local gunshop awhile back and found no SMK`s in stock and the Hornady`s were the only heavy match bullet on hand. Much to my surprise (in my Savage), they are one to two points better than the SMK`s. Granted, I use a Redding bushing die set but did not change a thing. Go figure!

YMMV

Regards,

Scott

 

[GSRswapandslow]

that's good to know...as i ONLY shot hornady bullets... the only SMK's i even have on hand are the 53gr 1400's.......i keep a steady supply of Hornady bullets on hand though


so...6br seems to be what i'll do...(i kinda made my mind up before this thread...just wanted to see if anyone would talk me out of it or into a ppc lol)


so are the savage f-class the go to? I like the stock better than the BR stock they offer...i don't see why they'd do a slanted butt on them :-/ I could, also, buy just a target action and toss on a CBI and put it into a Shehane MBR....and come out a little more expensive, but it'd be just want I want....but would it HONESTLY be worth it?

 

[Nomad47]

that's good to know...as i ONLY shot hornady bullets... the only SMK's i even have on hand are the 53gr 1400's.......i keep a steady supply of Hornady bullets on hand though


so...6br seems to be what i'll do...(i kinda made my mind up before this thread...just wanted to see if anyone would talk me out of it or into a ppc lol)


so are the savage f-class the go to? I like the stock better than the BR stock they offer...i don't see why they'd do a slanted butt on them :-/ I could, also, buy just a target action and toss on a CBI and put it into a Shehane MBR....and come out a little more expensive, but it'd be just want I want....but would it HONESTLY be worth it? Yes

 

[GSRswapandslow]

haha, fair enough... I guess I could always ride over to scopeusout....he's like 5 min from my great-grandmother (she's 101, btw...just gotta brag when i get the chance) so that in and of itself is enough reason to head that way

 

[Dave T]

I was where you are at about a year ago and I put the same question to all the folks on this forum, except I was choosing between a 22-250 and a 6BR. I'm happy to say I chose the 6BR and have not regreted my decision. Only thing I would suggest is that you consider a Cooper Phoenix and it's near your price range, that's what I bought and for a semi custom gun for what they cost, I don't feel there's an equal. I hear the Savage suggestions, but they can't come close to a Cooper.
Just my opinion I could be wrong.
Dave T

 

[model 12 toby]

i'd start with action and buy each part and get exactly what you want. course some barrels right now take a while to get but it'd prob be worth it. Get other people to let you shoot their guns or just hold them in the position your going to be shooting in. Every thing makes all the difference in the world. weight, barrel contour, how far your going to carry it. muzzle brake? barrel length. take your time.

 

[Nomad47]

Jim Briggs likely has a 6mmBR in stock. He had the length, twist, contour, (that I wanted) to fit a Savage Target action in stock for my latest 6mmXC.
He likely has the Target action in stock as well. So if the stock you want is in stock somewhere, you could be shooting the rifle in about 10 days.
Oh, you would need the tools which Jim has in stock (less than $90). And a go gauge.