What caliber?

[CHROME]

Let me start by saying that I'm no rookie to this crazy sport.

I'm torn on the caliber I'm leaning towards....therefor I won't mention what that is. I will be clanging steel from 100 yards to 1200 yards. I'm looking for the most ACCURATE round that will provide the following, while still keeping great accuracy.

1. Good barrel life. (more than 1000 rounds)
2. Good Accessibility of reloading supplies.
3. Doesn't have such a violent recoil.

Must be able to fit in a short action.

 

[DR1586]

Let me start by saying that I'm no rookie to this crazy sport.

I'm torn on the caliber I'm leaning towards....therefor I won't mention what that is. I will be clanging steel from 100 yards to 1200 yards. I'm looking for the most ACCURATE round that will provide the following, while still keeping great accuracy.

1. Good barrel life. (more than 1000 rounds)
2. Good Accessibility of reloading supplies.
3. Doesn't have such a violent recoil.

Lots of calibers that meet your criteria. If you want simplicity, 260 would be hard to beat. Lots of good bullets, good brass available, easy to make shoot, and better barrel,life than the bigger 6.5s, mild recoil at worst.

 

[hogpatrol]

6.5x47 Lapua is my pick.

 

[nakneker]

6.5x47L.

 

[ShootDots]

The .260A.I. With a 30" barrel, you can easily get 2925F.P.S. with 140 gr projectiles. They are flat, super accurate, and bucks wind pretty reliably. I got nearly 2000 rounds out of my last barrel.

 

[Toolbreaker]

Put me down for the 260, as well. AI is even better.

 

[snowpro440]

6.5X47L or 300wsm for the 1200 yes

 

[CHROME]

Forgot to mention....must be SHORT ACTION.

 

[22BRGUY]

Put me down for the 260, as well. AI is even better.

+1

 

[dkhunt14]

The 300 WSM is short action. Better in a long but will work in a short. Matt

 

[Wingnut00]

6 comp match. Around 4000 rounds barrel life runnin 105 bullet around 3200fps.

 

[Sniper338]

260
6.5X47L

6 dasher
6XC

 

[Zero333]

Hard to beat the 6.5*47L

True short action with long bullets.
Good Brass and barrel life.
Easy on the shoulder.
Accurate, and then some.

6.5x47L Brass might not be everywhere, but it's always out there.

No one has ever regretted going with the 6.5 Lapua.

 

[tripdad]

260ai im getting 2898 out 26" barrel with 140vld and RL 26. calculator says 1391@ 1200yd. 7year old at the time sons shoot a bunch of fire form loads so recoil very mild, light varmit contour

 

[BOBC]

Put me down for the 260, as well. AI is even better.

I'll go with Toolbreaker's answer. I have 1700 rds through my 260 and it eats just about any bullet weight I feed it. I have an 8 twist barrel and it handles 83 gr. FB to 141gr VLD's and an AI should do the same but with a higher MV.

 

[slm9s]

The rifle's weight will really determine what cartridge will have unacceptable recoil. Not sure if you're building a 10lb rifle vs 18lb for example.

Clanging steel at 1200 with a 6mm bullet will be really hard to spot hits. A 7 or 30 would be much better in this regard.

I would choose a 7 if it were me, 7-08, 7-08ai, 284, 7 creedmore. A 6.5 would work too, 260, 260ai, 6.5x284.

The short mags would be great, but I'm not sure if that's too much recoil.

 

[CHROME]

The rifle's weight will really determine what cartridge will have unacceptable recoil. Not sure if you're building a 10lb rifle vs 18lb for example.

Clanging steel at 1200 with a 6mm bullet will be really hard to spot hits. A 7 or 30 would be much better in this regard.

I would choose a 7 if it were me, 7-08, 7-08ai, 284, 7 creedmore. A 6.5 would work too, 260, 260ai, 6.5x284.

The short mags would be great, but I'm not sure if that's too much recoil.

Gun should weight in around 16.5 lbs .

 

[Jaybo]

260 would be my choice

 

[savagedasher]

First question it how much your going to shoot at what yartage? Till someone knows that their is no close answer . Larry

 

[johnfred1965]

The 6.5's get my vote: 260 rem, 260 AI, Lapua and creedmoor. In a 16 lb gun none of them should bother you with recoil, and they have all theaccuracy and reach you need