What caliber???

[sheepaholic]

Hey everyone
I'm looking at building a lightweight sheep/goat gun with the occasional elk.
Anyhow I'm hoping it will be 6 lbs with the scope and sling I'm just not sure what to build I've been thinking a 6.5x284 but recently stumbled across the 26 nosler and like the ballistic numbers they claim.
Anyhow I'm just wondering everyone's opinion on these or other calibers that will work max shooting probably to +/- 700 yards
Thanks

 

[MudRunner2005]

If you're hung up on a 6.5......Go with a .264 Wiin Mag. But I suggest 7mm RemMag.

 

[Mikecr]

I don't see how you'll control the recoil on a 6lb gun -to hit/kill heavy game at 700yds.

The most inaccurate gun I've ever shot was a Barret light 50, BMG. This is a ~30lb gun that recoils ~1" while the bullet is still in the barrel!
I can imagine this as analogous to a 26Nosler or WinMag in 6lb trim..
Just sayin

If we could all have feather weight guns and eat our cake too -we would do just that.

 

[Engineering101]

sheepaholic

I was just at the range with a buddy doing some load development. He had two rifles with him - a 280AI and a 300 RUM. The 280 AI was right around 6 pounds and had him flinching by the end of the session. He had no problem with the much heavier 300 RUM. So... if you are planning on going that light be sure you can handle the recoil.

Having said that I recommend that you take a look at the 270 WSM. In the bullet weights you'd want to be slinging at goats is has some decent BC choices and it won't kick the crap out of you if you don't go too light. It is also a short action cartridge which goes along with your light weight goal.

 

[FEENIX]

Hey everyone
I'm looking at building a lightweight sheep/goat gun with the occasional elk.
Anyhow I'm hoping it will be 6 lbs with the scope and sling I'm just not sure what to build I've been thinking a 6.5x284 but recently stumbled across the 26 nosler and like the ballistic numbers they claim.
Anyhow I'm just wondering everyone's opinion on these or other calibers that will work max shooting probably to +/- 700 yards
Thanks

It'll cost you in pretty $$$ and recoil; there are others but for light weight rifle check out Summit | Proof Research

Good luck!

 

[davkrat]

For a light weight mountain rifle I would look at something like a .260 or Creedmore. Maybe a 6.5X47 Lapua? I don't even want to think about a 7 Mag or bigger in a 6 lbs. rifle

 

[17Fireball]

.260 Rem.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

As I understand it, 6lb rifle is a tall order no matter the caliber and chambering.

A brake will help.

Anything 6.5 and up but as has been said i believe bigger is better for your goals.

 

[stephenr6565]

Hey everyone
I'm looking at building a lightweight sheep/goat gun with the occasional elk.
Anyhow I'm hoping it will be 6 lbs with the scope and sling I'm just not sure what to build I've been thinking a 6.5x284 but recently stumbled across the 26 nosler and like the ballistic numbers they claim.
Anyhow I'm just wondering everyone's opinion on these or other calibers that will work max shooting probably to +/- 700 yards
Thanks

the 26 Nosler has some pretty incredible ballistics that can not be equaled by the 264 w.m. even if you push it to the max the fastest I have ever heard anyone pushing a 264 with 140's is 3300fps and that's really pushing it hard but realistically 3100-3200fps with a 26" barrel is what you can expect out of a 264 I know of some people reaching 3450fps with 140's from the 26 nosler but as you can imagine barrel life will be limited some people don't care about that and some people do my brother built one and trashed it in 168 rounds fire cracked throats & high velocity = bullets that wont stay together yes he was hard on it he was running about 3450fps with berger 140's also I have heard of a few people destroying their 26 nosler barrel in less rounds than that if you take care of it you could probably get 600 rounds out of it until its time to re-barrel I personally have a 264 W.M. & love it I am shooting 140 gr. barnes match burners @ 3140 fps I have about 350 rounds through it and I have been harder on it than my brother with his nosler I looked at the throat with my bore scope & I do have some fire cracking but it still shoots really good my last group which is the best group I have shot with this rifle actually its the best 3 shot group I have shot with any rifle at a 100 yds ill post a pic at the bottom of the post I am not gonna shoot it any more until after my deer hunt then put it through the ringer to see how much abuse it will take until it doesn't shoot anymore then re-barrel it for next year and baby the new barrel I figure ill get atleast a 1000 rds out of it if I take care of the barrel another thing to think about is the cost of brass nosler 264 W.M. brass is about $70 for 50 and 26 Nosler brass is pretty much the same price for 25 and nosler is the only source for 26 nosler brass and there is other sources for 264 w.m. brass like winchester, norma, & Remington also a 6.5X284 is a really good option they shoot really good & you could expect to shoot 2900-3000fps with 140's and a 26" tube barrel life would be around 1500 rds I have heard of people reaching 3100+ but I am sure they were pushing them hard or had a longer barrel if I were you and I was looking for a 6.5 caliber for a lightweight sheep rifle and the occasional elk out to 700 yds I would go for the 6.5X284 and definitely get a muzzle break if its gonna be around 6lbs sorry for the giant run on sentence

 

[Unofficial Gun Addict (UGA)]

A brake will help.

My sentiments exactly. If you are going to go that light... And want to push your bullets with that much velocity... A brake will likely allow you to shoot it well... Instead of developing an anticipatory flinch. 7mm rem mag would be a good choice. Great bc bullets available, and if you aren't reloading or are short on rounds, ammo can be found most anywhere. But there's always more than one good answer to any given question. You just have to find what fits you best. Good luck.

Boss

 

[sheepaholic]

I have a kimber 280ai and I don't think it kicks bad so I think what I'm looking for will be reasonable for recoil
Those proof research rifles are nice but I'm thinking I should be able to build a rifle for 3k and those are 5 for just the rifle
Just looking for something that will fling some lead at a hi rate of speed

 

[FEENIX]

I have a kimber 280ai and I don't think it kicks bad so I think what I'm looking for will be reasonable for recoil
Those proof research rifles are nice but I'm thinking I should be able to build a rifle for 3k and those are 5 for just the rifle
Just looking for something that will fling some lead at a hi rate of speed

I totally agree! However, as jfseaman noted ...

As I understand it, 6lb rifle is a tall order no matter the caliber and chambering.

A brake will help.

Anything 6.5 and up but as has been said i believe bigger is better for your goals.

... is dead on.

Most of the cost is in material (carbon) and the technology to manufacture them.

BTW, that .280 AI is very capable in launching some lead at your distance requirement. Might not be at high rate of speed as the 7MM Rem Mag (or larger) but it's no slouch at all.

Good luck!

 

[FEENIX]

Deleted!

 

[sheepaholic]

I'm liking my 280ai so far I just started doing load development for it but so far I'm pushing a 140 grain just over 3000 fps but I need to start with seating depth because it's still shooting 1 Moa and I'm hoping to get it under closer to 1/2 Moa
This new rifle is something that I can load a lighter round for my wife and kids to shoot (when the boys are old enough) and something I can hop up and use for coyotes to sheep to the occasional elk