Custom Rifle - 500 yards max - what cartridge

[Jerry D]

Guys I'm thinking about which cartridge I want to chamber my rifle in.

I know many many many cartridges are capable of 500 yard hunting - deer or sheep sized animals.

I want a very efficient cartridge and I don't need a magnum. Long barrel life is a plus as I'll be wanting to shoot this rifle often. Lower recoil is a positive feature.

500 yards is all I need.

I was thinking a 6.5mm or 7mm over the .30 calibers but the .308 seems to be an ideal candidate for what I'm wanting.

I was also looking at the .284 winchester as well but I do not know what barrel life to expect. On 6mmbr they say to expect 5000 rounds of accurate life for a .308. What can I expect with the .284? I've read a 6.5x284 lasts only 1200 rounds. Does that mean a 7mm .284 will last 1500? 2000? More? Less

What about a 7mm08? or 6.5-06 or others? Every time you neck down a cartridge barrel life would decrease from the original correct?

Short action or long action - it doesn't matter to me - what would you choose and why?

[MontanaRifleman]

If you want an efficient, long life, 500 yd rilfe rifle with low recoil, the .308 Win is by far your best option. Nothing really to think about. Next would come the 7-08. And as you said, the more you neck down the shorter your barrel life becomes on average. That was easy.

Good shooting,

Mark

[JD338]

Consider the 280 AI.
You can load it up to almost 7mm Rem Mag levels or load it down around 280 Remington, maybe even less. Case life is excellent and low levels loads will ensure long case life.

JD338

[Michael Eichele]

Originally Posted by MontanaRifleman

If you want an efficient, long life, 500 yd rilfe rifle with low recoil, the .308 Win is by far your best option. Nothing really to think about. Next would come the 7-08. And as you said, the more you neck down the shorter your barrel life becomes on average. That was easy.

Good shooting,

Mark

+1. Mark said it very well.

If you like to shoot alot and 500 yards is your limit you will be VERY hard pressed to beat the 308 for barrel life, cost of loads, low recoil and it is VERY effective to 500-600 yards. It can be effective further with the right bullet in good shooting conditions.

Many will argure that the wind drift is too much. At 500 yards, the difference between the 308, 708, 260, 280AI etc.... is very minimal. With an average 308 bullet used in a 308 versus the very best 7mm bullets used in a 708 the difference at 500 yards in a 10 MPH wind is less than 4" With the best of 308 bullets it is 2" of difference.

The key to maximizing a 308 is A: a 26" barrel and B: a wyatts box magazine and C: use the slowest twist needed for the bullets you intend to use. For 155's a 14x, 168's 13x, 180-190 12x, 200-210 11x. Stick to those principals and you will get much better than average velocities for the 308.

[Jerry D]

What fps advantage would I be looking at in choosing a 13 twist for 165 grain bullets over a 12 twist for all around use?

[JUDD]

308 ... No doubt if your gonna be shooting it allot

[sierra22]

Try a 6,5 mm with 120-140gr bullets. Softer shooter than 308, bucks the wind better and kills any deer at 500 yds.

6.5x55 is my favorite.
Have a look at 6.5x47 if you are using short action.
Both are very accurate cartridges easy to reload.

Expect 4-5000rds a barrels with match accuracy. It has a lot to do with cleaning, a friend had 3000rds through his 6.5x284 now. With 2 recrownings it still shoots 3/4 MOA and better.