Pack Rifle Project caliber selection

Blacktail · #1 11-26-2009, 06:31 PM

Thinking bout having a pack rifle built for ranges out to around 600 yards. i would like to not have it to light aroun 7-7.5 scoped. i have a short action so was considering the 6.5 rem mag or the 6.5x.284 but i am hereing the 6.5x.284 may have some feeding and seating problems on the short action. any thoughts ?

cinch · #2 11-26-2009, 09:24 PM

I have been thinking about that as well. Have you thought about the 300Wsm? That's what I'm leaning towards at the moment. Plenty big for elk.

Blacktail · #3 11-26-2009, 11:43 PM

Had one in the 8.5 range but didnt like the fact i couldnt seat the bullet out far enough accuracy was ok but wasnt as light as i had hoped. I bow hunt elk and already have a custom 7 mm stw and teh 6.5's intrigue me. Awesome BC and SD check out bergers site and look at the BC of the various calibers very interesting to see how the 6.5 stack up. For elk i would definitley lean toward teh 300 wsm or a 300 win.

cinch · #4 11-27-2009, 04:52 AM

Ya, I know what you're saying on the 6.5. Have you thought about the 260? They really seem to be gaining popularity as a long range shooter. My brother in law has one in a CDL SF and it is a lights out shooter.

KurtB · #5 11-27-2009, 10:12 PM

I've built one and have another in work. The first one was in 260 Remington with a Hart 1 in 8 twist number 2 contour. It has a Mickey Edge stock and weighs 6 pounds 2 ounces. It is shooting really long 140 grain accubonds into 2.25" at 425 yards presently.

The new one is going to be a 6.5-06 with all other components identical other than of course the long action. I like the 6.5s as the recoil is very mild and my daughter has claimed the 260 as hers. The high bc of the 140 accubond or 140 vld creates a very effective long range rifle with minimal recoil in a lightweight rig. Good luck with your build.

Blacktail · #6 11-27-2009, 10:25 PM

if you dont mind me asking who built your gun and what glass do you have on it.

KurtB · #7 11-27-2009, 11:17 PM

Dan Dowling in Palisades, Colorado built mine. I collected the parts, lefthanded Rem short actions take a while at times, and sent them all off to him. He trues the action, chambers and beds for me. I had the bolt fluted by Kampfeld out of Michigan and swapped out the firing pin and bolt shroud with a lightweight PTG version.

Scoped it with a VXIII 3.5-10x40 with M1 vertical turret on it. It would be 4 ounces lighter with a 6x36 CDS equipped Leupold, but the current one tracks beautifully and is yet to miss on game.

He is a wonderful smith and is well known in the industry.