I have been doing a ton of reading for my next choice in rifle caliber for a custom build. There are so many choices that are good choices so it makes this very difficult. What I am looking for is a caliber that I can buy the brass for, is inexpensive to reload/shoot, and is accurate as all hell at 600 yards and out to 1000 yards and maybe further for punching paper and yet will be a good long range varmint gun also. I would like barrel life to be long lived. I am thinking of something like the 6mm br or the .260rem. Something like that but I am totally new to these types of calibers so I am not sure. I currently have a .17hmr, 22-250 and a .300wsm and all are great but I would like yet another rifle as I am addicted to this. I am looking to get some form of the .338 for very long range and some other cartridge for around 1000 yards and under. Thats where I need your help! Sorry for the newbie like question. I have done lots of reading but I just cannot make a decision.
Which caliber? I know I know, here we go again.
- Thread starter Chevy1080
- Start date
fullersson
B&B Gunworks bbgunworks.com
From 300-600 yards I would recommend the 6br or some version of the 6br. Out past that I prefer the larger calibers. I have a few buddies who like the 6.5x284 for 1000 yard shooting and it seems to shoot pretty good a that distance, but I still prefer the larger .30 cal stuff. Brian Brown.
How bout 6XC ?
Cases, bullets, reloading equipment, loaded ammo, guns, located here - http://www.davidtubb.com/
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6xc/
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6xc-for-competitive-shooting/
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/09/normas-6xc-delivers-outstanding-performance/
http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-rifles-tactical-tubb2000.php
http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-rifles-competition-spectaclr.php
http://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/tubb-2000-in-6xc/
http://www.davidtubb.com/spec-tac-lr-rifle
http://www.davidtubb.com/6xc-norma-brass-100
http://www.davidtubb.com/d-tac-115gr-6mm-boron-nitride-500-box
http://www.davidtubb.com/6xc-seating-die
Cases, bullets, reloading equipment, loaded ammo, guns, located here - http://www.davidtubb.com/
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6xc/
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6xc-for-competitive-shooting/
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/09/normas-6xc-delivers-outstanding-performance/
http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-rifles-tactical-tubb2000.php
http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-rifles-competition-spectaclr.php
http://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/tubb-2000-in-6xc/
http://www.davidtubb.com/spec-tac-lr-rifle
http://www.davidtubb.com/6xc-norma-brass-100
http://www.davidtubb.com/d-tac-115gr-6mm-boron-nitride-500-box
http://www.davidtubb.com/6xc-seating-die
I've got a 260 Rem built on a DPMS LR receiver with a 26" Krieger barrel. LOVE IT! But...still looking for something bigger and better. Kinda got my eye on a 7 WSM. Heavier bullets, better BC's, higher MV's.
I'm guessin' the rig you want doesn't exist. There is no magic caliber that will do all that. One of the things that make the 6BR and its derivatives in 22BR and 30BR so great is their inherent accuracy and long barrel life. Cases that will burn enough powder to push a bullet with enough BC to "punch holes" at 1,000 yards will age a barrel much sooner.
The 6.5x47, 6.5 Swede or .260 Rem. are a fair compromise but seldom considered varmint cartridges. The 7s and big 30s really shine out beyond the 500-yard line, but not sure I'd care to spend many afternoons popping 'hogs with one.
I'm thinking the 6BR is capable of at least 80-90% of what you're talking about and with the right twist for the bullets you want to shoot it'll hold its own for a long ways. Your first decision is what kind of shooting will you do the most of. For me, varminting and occasional long-distance shooting would tip the scale towards the 6BR or Dasher or BRX. Mostly long-range with occasional varminting will tilt towards a larger case, heavier bullet, etc.
The 6.5x47, 6.5 Swede or .260 Rem. are a fair compromise but seldom considered varmint cartridges. The 7s and big 30s really shine out beyond the 500-yard line, but not sure I'd care to spend many afternoons popping 'hogs with one.
I'm thinking the 6BR is capable of at least 80-90% of what you're talking about and with the right twist for the bullets you want to shoot it'll hold its own for a long ways. Your first decision is what kind of shooting will you do the most of. For me, varminting and occasional long-distance shooting would tip the scale towards the 6BR or Dasher or BRX. Mostly long-range with occasional varminting will tilt towards a larger case, heavier bullet, etc.
Which caliber
CHevy -
Howdy !
Have yougiven thought to buying/setting-up a rifle as a " switch barrel"; and then having perhaps
3 seperate barrels/chamberings to fit on it ?
A rifle like a Savage bolt action is already by design... a switch barrel.
Pretty much EVERY responders cartridge recommendation(s) were .308 bolt face.
And if need, be, you can even swap bolt heads on a Savage.
Certainly. good trigger options exist, and many guys don't even try to have their Savage "trued".
You didn't mention your varmint quarry ( did you ) ?
While a large/hyper velocity .224" cal w/ a slow twist would be good for even 1,000 on live varmint like "soybeanus digestus"; the same cartidge combo might be a tad harder to score well with @ 1,000 and similar paper shoots.
The sixes' too, seem to provide a good compromise between paper and varmint. The heavier 6mm bullets proven to do well @ 1,000. And, there's oodles of ( great ) bullet choices, so nothing is really given up to the .224s.
The 6.5s can be made to shoot flat as anything, but are not often selected/reached for as the varmint calibre of choice.
For all calibre barrels you choose, you'd want to pic an ameable twist rate... one that could accomodate the weight span of your intended bullet choices ( in each calibre ).
In both .224" cal and 6mm, 1-8 strikes me as a fairly good middlin' point on twist.
The 1-7.5s twists and such, for the really HEAVY bullets in those calibres.
To further murk-up the water, something like a .250Savage AI could do a lot of what you ask.
Ackley held it to be one of his most efficient and useable wildcats. Bullet selections in .25 cal only seem to get better & better with time.
DK if tha thelped at all ?!
With regards,
357Mag
CHevy -
Howdy !
Have yougiven thought to buying/setting-up a rifle as a " switch barrel"; and then having perhaps
3 seperate barrels/chamberings to fit on it ?
A rifle like a Savage bolt action is already by design... a switch barrel.
Pretty much EVERY responders cartridge recommendation(s) were .308 bolt face.
And if need, be, you can even swap bolt heads on a Savage.
Certainly. good trigger options exist, and many guys don't even try to have their Savage "trued".
You didn't mention your varmint quarry ( did you ) ?
While a large/hyper velocity .224" cal w/ a slow twist would be good for even 1,000 on live varmint like "soybeanus digestus"; the same cartidge combo might be a tad harder to score well with @ 1,000 and similar paper shoots.
The sixes' too, seem to provide a good compromise between paper and varmint. The heavier 6mm bullets proven to do well @ 1,000. And, there's oodles of ( great ) bullet choices, so nothing is really given up to the .224s.
The 6.5s can be made to shoot flat as anything, but are not often selected/reached for as the varmint calibre of choice.
For all calibre barrels you choose, you'd want to pic an ameable twist rate... one that could accomodate the weight span of your intended bullet choices ( in each calibre ).
In both .224" cal and 6mm, 1-8 strikes me as a fairly good middlin' point on twist.
The 1-7.5s twists and such, for the really HEAVY bullets in those calibres.
To further murk-up the water, something like a .250Savage AI could do a lot of what you ask.
Ackley held it to be one of his most efficient and useable wildcats. Bullet selections in .25 cal only seem to get better & better with time.
DK if tha thelped at all ?!
With regards,
357Mag
Chevy1080 said:
Dan Lilja [custom barrel maker, hunter, and competitive benchrest shooter] may be able to help with your decision.
Here's what he's written about the .338 and very long range shooting: http://www.riflebarrels.com/articles/long_range_shooting.htm
P.S. Don't be afraid to call and talk to him too. He's helpful.
Ok...wait for it......
7mm-08
Best BC's of anything in the class you're considering, along with a very decent bullet selection, good brass is available, barrel life is equal to or better than the others, recoil is pretty mild, and most importantly...they'll shoot. The others mentioned are all good, but I'd do a 9 tw. 7mm-08 throated for 168gr vld's and the like for longer range, and shoot the lighter bullets for most of my varminting, inside of 500-600 yards. I love the 7's for all around shooting. The .280 AI or .284 are great too in a long action. They just don't offer much that the 7mm-08 won't do with less powder and recoil and better barrel life than the bigger versions. Some version of a 6BR would be high on my short list if I wanted something smaller....but you did say, no wildcats.----Mike Ezell
7mm-08
Best BC's of anything in the class you're considering, along with a very decent bullet selection, good brass is available, barrel life is equal to or better than the others, recoil is pretty mild, and most importantly...they'll shoot. The others mentioned are all good, but I'd do a 9 tw. 7mm-08 throated for 168gr vld's and the like for longer range, and shoot the lighter bullets for most of my varminting, inside of 500-600 yards. I love the 7's for all around shooting. The .280 AI or .284 are great too in a long action. They just don't offer much that the 7mm-08 won't do with less powder and recoil and better barrel life than the bigger versions. Some version of a 6BR would be high on my short list if I wanted something smaller....but you did say, no wildcats.----Mike Ezell
Chevy1080 said:
Bro, you are really missing out here.
I love my standard 6X. Its fast, flat, and extremely accurate. In hot windy conditions groups at 100 run in the 3s. Its 7.2 MIL to 1000. Head shots on steel targets at 800 yards are a gimme. Barrel life is excellent and it feeds slick as Willie was....
But it IS a wildcat!
jonbearman
I live in new york state,how unfortunate !
You know the op said long barrel life,why not the ultra usable .308 winchester or a 30 br.Most of what is mentioned are 1000 rounds and gone is the accuracy of some of them such as the 6.5x284. The .308 with a real good barrel will go thousands of rounds and you can buy the components at your local gas station or cvs pharmacy if you catch my drift.The .308 is alot of fun and easy to tune.IMHO I know there is lots of choice's out there,but why not.Why not the 30-06?
Any of these calibers are capable of good accuracy at 1000 yards. You should probably pick 2, like the 6BR or 6BRX and the .308. Take the cost of smith, barrel, barrel life, componets and all things to shoot out the barrel and divide it up and you'll have your cost. Shooting is not CHEAP and many people make desicions based on these facts.
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