What round for an all around rifle?

[GSRswapandslow]

Just about finished with one build, so i need to start planning the next. (thank you guys for advice in the past..it's helped a TON with my builds) I'll start this one at the end of the year, but I can't do anything without deciding on a caliber.

Needs:
Mag feeding 100% reliability
Good for NC/VA whitetail
Can run lighter bullets for groundhogs at 200-600yds
Can run steel out to 800 (possibly a 1000 if I join Hawks Ridge)
Good on barrel life

Action will be a trued rem 700 in an Xray chassis, timney 517 trigger, 4-16x44 vortex viper hs-t, 20moa rail, and burris xtr rings (I have the scope, rings, base, and trigger already)


Rounds I'm considering:
7mm-08
6.5 Creedmoor
6.5x47L
6 Creedmoor
6x47L



insight?

 

[mshelton]

6x47L

or

25-06AI

 

[GSRswapandslow]

has to be in a short action, should have said that!

 

[22DASHER]

6x47L would be perfect.

 

[expiper]

dont forget the old reliable .243 win.,,,,,,get an 8 twist and it will shoot from lil' to big uns great,,,I have one and like it,,,Roger

 

[GSRswapandslow]

the ONLY thing against the 6x47 (which was originally my first choice) would be overstepping the bounds of my 6br that's getting finished right now. it's a 1:12 though and will be shooting 58-75gr vmax.

 

[Hoier]

I would do the 6.5Creedmoor or the 6.5x47L good on barrels and accurate. I just built a 6Creedmoor and if barrel life was a concern i would've went another route. Plus looking at it now, it's hard to justify the 100fps over my Dasher with 11grs more powder.

 

[22DASHER]

No overstepping at all besides its a 6mm....

6x47L would likely be an 8 twist, shooting 105's at 3100+, perfect feeding from a mag with bullets seated long...comepletely different than your 6BR

That would be a perfect duo

 

[Phil]

.260 AI.


P.S....Try the 87 Vmax in your 12 twist, it may just surprise you......



Phil.

 

[timeout]

Build yourself a 6 Dasher on a 700 action with a BDL type stock. Go with a #4 sporter contour. I have found these barrels to shoot as well as the heavies, without all the extra weight to haul around hunting. The heavies are better for rapid fire target shooting, but you are building a combination rifle. There are always pros and cons when doing that. Purchase a very inexpensive "Kwick Klip" from Cabela's and I'll instruct you on modification to the magazine that will allow for perfect feeding. The Mag box will also allow for max cartridge length with 105 VLD's. I will be shooting deer with these come fall. A friend of mine killed some deer last year with 95 gr. VLD's and the wound channels were impressive.

 

[clowdis]

Too bad you're not considering a long action. For years the .257 Roberts was considered the best "all 'round" cartridge out there. Though some have been built on short actions it works best in long actions. Outside of that I'd consider one of the 6mm cases because they make a better groundhog caliber and the Virginia deer aren't that big. Maybe 6 x 47?

 

[justpassinthru]

260 Remington
Lapua makes the brass, excellent B/C of the 6.5 bullets, easy on shoulders and barrels

 

[hogpatrol]

One vote for the 6.5x47, easy peasy. If you're in to self abuse, exercises in futility and fruitless experimentation, go for the 6x47.

 

[Hoier]

One vote for the 6.5x47, easy peasy. If you're in to self abuse, exercises in futility and fruitless experimentation, go for the 6x47.

Pretty much why I haven't built one. I've heard to many stories of lack luster performance. At our matches, there is a few guys that have them and they never set the world on fire.

I do have a 6.5x47L and I think it's easier to load for than my 6br.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

A buddy just did a 6SLR and it is amazingly accurate.

 

[STOMP442]

Out of the choices you have listed I would pick the 6.5 Creed. Excellent ballistics excellent barrel life and the ability to buy high quality ammo right of the shelf if you had to.

 

[Sniper338]

6.5x47 lapua all the way from what you have listed...


260 or 7mm08 would be my seconds

 

[CharlieNC]

Out of the choices you have listed I would pick the 6.5 Creed. Excellent ballistics excellent barrel life and the ability to buy high quality ammo right of the shelf if you had to.

I love my 6.5x47 but just recommended 6.5Creed to my brother in law because he does not load. Of course I will smoke him at the range.

 

[JRS]

The 7mm-08 will do everything you are contemplating, and provide the best barrel life.

 

[hogan]

It is fun to own a lot of guns!

Owning precision capable rifles just all the more fun....


But... Might want to consider need vs. desire. Need an "all purpose" rifle? Maybe you already got one???

A .223rem will do the job IF you use enough twist rate (barrel spec) to stabilize an 80gr or even 90gr bullet.

A .308win or .30-06 is about The Best choice for all-around use. Why? Very common availability of both loaded ammunition and brass. Both are proven target rounds and there is about nothing in terms of game hunting that won't die if hit well with a .30cal bullet.


I read your wish-list specs... I dunno... Want to throw money at something you're gonna think is a custom rifle? Might really get more of a clue that leads you to an informed decision. Not really likely that you "need" all the bells & whistles. Best thing you could do re your list is upgrade your scopesight.

Got tons of funds? Well, no worries about any learning-curve losses; just chalk that up as you gain experience.

If you plan in advance, you can maximize your potentials. A switchbarrel rifle can enable you to configure your precision rifle with whichever ctg you choose. Doesn't take a lot of gunsmithing ability to swap-out a barrel and bolt. Not really anything beneficial about going short-action; not if you're going to handload and use high BC VLD bullets which are typically very long.

Figuring that you will only shoot mag-length ammunition, esp in a SA receiver is evidence of inexperience; or maybe you're going .338 Whisper with a suppressor? Got the $$? Why not? But such a rifle is either an assassin's tool, or a toy. Just looking to play with your buddies at the range???

For sure you don't need to do an accuracy job or true a Rem 700 action right from the get go. Buy an older 700BDL, getcha an H-S Precision Tactical stock and a quality custom barrel. Get your gunsmith to ream your chamber to .0005 over Go-Gauge and go shooting.

Spend the other money you have left over from initial rifle ideas on Near scope base & rings, and a better scope, top line viper is pretty good though; PST series. Scope base and rings are just as critical, actually more so.

Buy a quality boresighting tool like bushnell 74-3333 so you have the collimator grid to work with for diagnosing problems and returning your zero when swapping barrels or changing ammunition.

Custom guns are pretty dicey as investments. Buy a used Sako 42/22 or a used FN-Herstal police or patrol and shoot that one until you need a new barrel. .308win can easily group under .4" at 100yds and stay in the game out to 800 or more. Buy the new tipped Sierra 168s and you're up to 1000yd potentials, as the tipped bullet BC is same as the 175smk all the longrange guys used to use for more distance. What's not to like? FN-H chrome-lined match barrel will go 10k rds or better; not gonna find a better standard barrel or action to go with for that matter.

Buy a Sako 42 in .300win (if can find one) and get a .476 bolt body from Brownells and you have ultimate switchbarrel rifle for precision, can also get their .590 bolt body if ever want to go Lapua or Norma magnum. Find a used rifle and get the barrels you want setup as you want them.

FN-H Police or Sako TRG-42 is gonna hold its value, and perform for you right from the start. Not many others with their track record and value pricing.