7mm and under long range rifle

[bullfrog]

One of my shooting buddies wants to have a rifle built for long range hunting/shooting in 7mm caliber or smaller because he hates recoil and super heavy rifles. He also wants a maximum 26" long barrel. He also wants it's trajectory and wind drift to be somewhat close to a 338 edge I'm currently having built so he can at least compete. I know it might be the impossible dream, but does anyone have a suggestion?

[liltank]

Well, as far as going as far with trajectory, the possibilities are numerous. As far as being able to take large game as far as you, not so possible without building a magnum of some type.

Target: 243 with tight twist rate barrel shooting 105 and heavier pills, 6x47 Lapua, 6mmBR, 6.5x47 Lapua (my choice), 260 Rem, 6.5x55 Swede, 6.5x284 Norma, 7mm-08, 7x57 Mauser, 284 Win, 308. Put a break on any of these and then you have a short range (400 to 800yrd) deer rifle, (300 to 500yrd) elk rifle. Shot placement is essential on some of these calibers.

Hunting (deer, Elk): 6.5x284, 264 Win Mag (low recoil), 280, 280AI, 7mmRM, 7WSM, 300WSM, 300 Win Mag. All are very manageable under recoil with a proper fitting stock and a muzzle break. (800 to 1200yrds with proper set up)

Tank

[Buffalobob]

You might consider a 2587 Wby with a 1-8 twist and a 28 inch barrel, minimum SAAMI chamber and target leade. It will shoot the Wildcat 130 gr and 142 gr HP RBBT very well.

Two groups shot a couple of months apart





An antelope killed at 1025 yards



A cow elk killed at about 450 yards and I would not hesitate to shoot to 1K on elk.

[338RUM]

6.5/280 Ackley sounds to be a good bet for your friend, it utilizes very efficient 6.5 mm bullets and is based on the 30/06 so finding brass will not be a problem, or you could order the nosler 280 AI brass and neck it down. with a 26" tube it should produce about 3200 FPS with a 140 gr bullet, but keep in mind the velocity given will be a max load and some rifles will not be able to get that speed, and may be left at 3000 FPS it just all depends on the rifle. As long as he knows the difference between paper punching effective range and hunting effective range he should be well served with a 6.5/280 Ackley

[rscott5028]

While the other suggested cartridges are all valid, it's my understanding that the 6.5x284 is arguably one of the most successful long range match rounds ever invented.

With lots of choices for high BC and quality bullets and brass, I think it's an excellent choice.

That's not to say that a good shooter with a factory 243 can't outshoot a mediocre shooter with a 6.5x284. ...especially in the wind. But, if he can't shoot long range with this one, then it's not the fault of the cartridge.

There are some pretty good choices in factory rifles and ammunition as well.

Good luck!

[roninflag]

i have a 6.5-284, 7mm mag and a 300 wm among others. the mags all have a break and kick very little. i wish i had had one installed on the 6.5-284 too. get a break . gert a krieger barrel. enjoy.

[elkhunter51]

Grey Bull Precision makes an awsome 7mm long range rifle.