Long range mule deer rifle

IdahoHunter208

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Joined
Jul 7, 2019
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93
Location
Boise, Idaho
Looking to either buy or build a long range mule deer rifle. I have an older r700 30-06 and am thinking about rebarrelling it to something. Not quite sure yet so I need some help. What are your thoughts on a rifle cartridge that can reach out and kill a deer at 800-1000 yards?
 
Mine is a 7 saum. Also have a heavy 6.5 creed. Getting a 300 winny soon.
If it's just for deer I would do something in 6.5 270 or 7mm
 
I've heard about feeding issues with 6.5-284.

Over and over. The folks who complain about the feeding problems occurring with the 6.5-284 are the ones who attempt to do the work themselves and don't have the faintest idea of what makes proper feeding work. It takes some action work but this cartridge can feed just as slick as any other when the work is done properly. A gunsmith who understands feeding is worth his weight in gold. Many do not.

If you want a 6.5mm cartridge but think the limitations of your action precludes using something other than an '06 based cartridge, look into the 6.5-06 Ackley Improved. When compared to the .280 Ackley Improved here is a way to look at the information.

The 6.5-284 will suffer less drop and drift when loaded with a 140 grain VLD bullet.

The 6.5-06 Ackley Improved will exceed the velocity of the -284 version yielding even less drop and drift.

The .280 Ackley Improved loses out to both the above when loaded with the 175 grain VLD bullets for drop and drift significantly but it has about 100 ft/lbs of remaining energy more than two above at 1,000 yards. You will also need a custom reamer made to allow for seating this bullet out in order to create the powder space you think you need. Or let your gunsmith throat out the chamber for you.

All three will kill a deer with the proper placement and the proper bullet design.
 
Over and over. The folks who complain about the feeding problems occurring with the 6.5-284 are the ones who attempt to do the work themselves and don't have the faintest idea of what makes proper feeding work. It takes some action work but this cartridge can feed just as slick as any other when the work is done properly. A gunsmith who understands feeding is worth his weight in gold. Many do not.

If you want a 6.5mm cartridge but think the limitations of your action precludes using something other than an '06 based cartridge, look into the 6.5-06 Ackley Improved. When compared to the .280 Ackley Improved here is a way to look at the information.

The 6.5-284 will suffer less drop and drift when loaded with a 140 grain VLD bullet.

The 6.5-06 Ackley Improved will exceed the velocity of the -284 version yielding even less drop and drift.

The .280 Ackley Improved loses out to both the above when loaded with the 175 grain VLD bullets for drop and drift significantly but it has about 100 ft/lbs of remaining energy more than two above at 1,000 yards. You will also need a custom reamer made to allow for seating this bullet out in order to create the powder space you think you need. Or let your gunsmith throat out the chamber for you.

All three will kill a deer with the proper placement and the proper bullet design.
That is very helpful thank you. The only thing that concerns me about the 6.5-06 AI is that brass takes more work to get it set up. I like that I can buy 6.5-284 Lapua brass.
Do you know of a easy way to get 6.5-06 AI brass? Neck down 30-06 to 6.5 then fire form to AI?
 
That is very helpful thank you. The only thing that concerns me about the 6.5-06 AI is that brass takes more work to get it set up. I like that I can buy 6.5-284 Lapua brass.
Do you know of a easy way to get 6.5-06 AI brass? Neck down 30-06 to 6.5 then fire form to AI?
There is nothing to fireforming AI brass, I dont know why people think it's so difficult. You shouldn't get serious about load development untill around the 100 round mark anyway so perfect time to fireform brass and test out powders you would be surprised how accurate fireforming can be once it's done I trim all to the same length and the you dont have to trim back again for a long time.
I neck down 30-06 Lapua brass for a 6.5x06AI then trim necks to a loaded .292 round using a .296 neck chamber. Only problem I dont like about necking up is the donut you get because of the shoulder being thicker. I prefer to neck down if I have the choice.
 
How about 6.5x55 Swedish?

Or a custom throat on a 30-06 barrel? I'm betting you could get respectable velocity out of 200gr Berger's with the correct throat length and some RL26?
 
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