New rifle and sooo many options

[dogbuster0006]

I recently picked up a Rugger M77 tang safety in 25-06 got a hell of a deal and I own a couple other M77 and with minimal work both were tack drivers. The action and chamber are in great shape looks to have been barely shot. Outside is a whole other ball game, the gun appears to have been a four wheeler or truck and boat gun for someone because the barrel is all scratched up as is the stock. If it shoots 115gr bergers or hornady loads decently a stock swap and re-blueing is in order.

If it doesn't (fingers secretly crossed) what would be my wildcat choice for this particular action? I like the ballistics of a 6.5X284 and factory ammo is available even here in Alaska. I'm not going to shoot more than a hundred or so rounds a yr through this rifle, I've got an AR for that. So "barrel burners" aren't really an issue for me. Just want a little more pop out past 400yd than a 243, and no more recoil than 7mag. I can shoot hot loads through the 7 to hit anything bigger than say caribou. Let's be honest here who wants the **** kicked out of them by a light weight rifle. It'll end up with a lightweight laminate stock and most likely a 6-18x leupold scope, barrel in the neighborhood of 22", handy but with ability to reach out and connect.

What wildcats are good using a 25-06 or 30-06 case which are available everywhere and are easy to neck up or down? Thanks ahead of time guys,

 

[chad44]

I'm actually doing a build now just on what you are. I chose 7mm-08. I almost went with a 260 AI. Went with the 7mm cuz I shoot a 7 mag and have excess bullets. Good luck.

 

[MudRunner2005]

His .25-06 is a long action receiver...

Go with a .25-06 Ackley Improved or a .280 Ackley Improved. I think you'll enjoy either one of them.

 

[dogbuster0006]

Ive got a 7rem mag to cover the heavy end of things hell I might just see about necking that rascal down to about 224 cal and having a varmint gun that freaking screams. Not to bad mouth you guys but, your almost as indecisive as I am. The headline to this thread says it all...lol

 

[WildRose]

Ive got a 7rem mag to cover the heavy end of things hell I might just see about necking that rascal down to about 224 cal and having a varmint gun that freaking screams. Not to bad mouth you guys but, your almost as indecisive as I am. The headline to this thread says it all...lol

6.5-06 or 6.5x284 would be ideal for your purposes.

 

[snowpro440]

Call me crazy too, but I'm in the middle of a build that might be a barrel burner for sure and that's the .22 cheetah MKI 40degree shoulder. Yep going a little crazy on this one. I just wanted a 350 yard laser, supposedly not much difference in drop between 350 yards for small stuff on a 15 twist brux shooting 52gr bergers.Just wanted to go fast on this one .

 

[Tnwhip]

I rebarreled my old tang safety 25-06 a while back. I bought the rifle new and after all these years the accuracy went away. I wanted a little more powder than the 25-06. Not that the 25 ever let me down, but I just wanted a better bullet slection. Where I hunt now, I have up to 700 yards shots. I thought about going with the 6.5-284 but I had been picking up 270 and 30-06 brass for years and had a 5 gal. bucket of once fired brass. So I thought about the 6.5-06 or 280 Ackley and then after spending alot of time studying everything I just went with the 280 Ack. I just use my 270 brass but also use Nosler 280 ack brass. after fire forming. If you get it chambered for 280 ack just make sure your smith uses the new reamers for the Nosler 280 Ack. and you want have a problem. I had a problem coming up with a stock for the Ruger, just not many choices. I went with a Boyd Limanated stock. I installed a Picantinny mount so I would have more options on rings. It turned out good and what ever cartridge you deside to go with I am sure yours will too.

 

[junkpile]

Look for something in either 6.5 or 7 mm. hard to beat that BC in small bores.

6.5x284 or 6.5-06 with what you're describing.

 

[angus-5024]

Another vote for the .280 Ackley Imp.

 

[No Fear in Accuracy]

6.5x284 is an amazing cartridge but straight 284 (7mm) is even better. Just neck up to 7mm by using mandrel.

 

[WildRose]

Call me crazy too, but I'm in the middle of a build that might be a barrel burner for sure and that's the .22 cheetah MKI 40degree shoulder. Yep going a little crazy on this one. I just wanted a 350 yard laser, supposedly not much difference in drop between 350 yards for small stuff on a 15 twist brux shooting 52gr bergers.Just wanted to go fast on this one .

220 Swift fills that bill nicely and does so in a factory cartridge.

 

[dogbuster0006]

I found a thumbhole laminated stock from boyds for $75. I'm stuck between 6-06 and the 6.5x84 or maybe the 280 I just can't decide. The 6.5x284 ammo in 140vld variety is at sportsmans in bulk right now. I'm going to shy away from the varmint area my 243 will sling a 58gr vmax at about 3900fps so its stupid flat shooting. I agree whole heartedly the 6.5 has some crazy bc for their weight.

 

[WildRose]

I found a thumbhole laminated stock from boyds for $75. I'm stuck between 6-06 and the 6.5x84 or maybe the 280 I just can't decide. The 6.5x284 ammo in 140vld variety is at sportsmans in bulk right now. I'm going to shy away from the varmint area my 243 will sling a 58gr vmax at about 3900fps so its stupid flat shooting. I agree whole heartedly the 6.5 has some crazy bc for their weight.

I had a real hard time deciding on the "right caliber" in the 6.5's.

As a result I now one one .260, .264wm, and 6.5x284.

If I can find the components I may soon have a 6.5rem mag as well HA!

The 6.5 is never a bad choice and the 260 and 6.5x284 are great shooting rounds in the right rifle as well as being very economical in both the long and short terms when it comes to either loaded ammo or to load for.

I've also toyed over the years with the idea of a 6.5x300wm and 6.5 STW but I really can't justify owning either. The law of diminishing returns really kicks in at the .264wm case size when it comes to 6.5's and the 6.5x284 is very close in performance but much more economical over the life of the rifle.

 

[dogbuster0006]

Picked up my Leupold vx2 6-18x40 AO and rings today as well as a couple boxes of berger 115vld in 25-06. My trigger and stocks should be in by thurs so I've got some tinkering to do for friday night and be ready to rock on sat morning. Hard to believe at the 4 places I checked I could only find 5 boxes of ammo and all of it was hsm trophy gold maybe it'll like it, if not the search continues I guess. I'm already excited and this is just phase one of a build, I'll post pics as my project comes together.