Need help

[Colin78]

I'm looking for some suggestions on caliber for a new build I'm doing.

Here are the givens;

20" sendero contour barrel
Medium sized game, mule deer, pigs, maybe an elk
Medium range, not looking to shoot past 500 yards at game, targets maybe farther.
Can be long or short action
I reload, so no need for factory availability

So what caliber would you recommend keeping in mind the 20" barrel.

 

[L.Sherm]

Oh my, your gonna get alot to deciffer.
Reloader or not

 

[Colin78]

Oh my, your gonna get alot to deciffer.
Reloader or not

Thanks, I forgot to add that, I edited my post.

Yes I reload.

 

[Rick Richard]

Check out Plainfield Precision Rifles Facebook page in Shelby, NC and see what Brian did with a rifle build on a 20 inch barrel.

 

[L.Sherm]

Theres alot of options, just dont let mag box length or brass options hinder whatever you choose. One brass supplier means your at there mercy, theres promises that companys will pickup new caliber brass but that's not a guarantee.

 

[Colin78]

Theres alot of options, just dont let mag box length or brass options hinder whatever you choose. One brass supplier means your at there mercy, theres promises that companys will pickup new caliber brass but that's not a guarantee.

Yes sir, that's why I'm having such a hard time deciding, just too many choices, but it seems like a lot of them don't perform well in a short barrel, or maybe I should say many don't reach there volocity potential in a short barrel.

 

[adam32]

.308 Win...

 

[L.Sherm]

If you got a good barrel it will perform just fine, you will loose just a little velocity.

 

[L.Sherm]

Seems like the more slower powder it takes the more it affects barrel length

 

[Colin78]

Would it be foolish to build a 6.5 PRC with a 20" barrel?

 

[mountainman56]

Since you roll your own I would vote for the 284 Winchester.

 

[gohring3006]

.308

 

[riflelooney]

Its taken a lot of years for me to give you this answer....308... This is a cartridge that i never really could warm up to....I have shot ALOT of different cartridges over the years. I am 56 now....and i shoot more than most guys...less than some...And with the .308 you will spend less time with load development (as a rule) and more time learning what YOU can do...not the gun and cartridge. Buy a LTR Or a Gen2 700, get some Varget...RE15 or 4064 find a 175-185 bullet Buy a optic thats cost twice as much as you think you can afford....go forth and slay things

 

[Cornholeo]

I know you are building a new rifle, but have you considered buying a rifle off the shelf. Tikka CTR comes in 20" barrel which is threaded and uses box magazine. Me and a buddy have them in .260 and they just shoot right out of the box. they come in several flavors, 260, 308, and 6.5CM. Good luck with your new build if that's the route you take.