Building a rifle backwards

[Bleys]

Howdy all,

I am rarely at a loss for ideas when it comes to rifles, at work they know me for coming up with a 'bad idea' every week, if not daily. Most of my bad ideas come in the form of cool guns I will never build like a .17 squirrel or a .22-243 middlestead. However, today I did something I never do, I bought a scope without a rifle to put under it. I brought home a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50 with target turrets, one of the old American built scopes.

I am looking for advice on what rifle to build or buy to put under this scope. I want this rifle build to be good for target shooting out to 500 or 600 yards primarily and on the occasional varmint or predator. I've been toying with the idea of any of the .22, or 6.5 calibers or .308 but I am not sure which one. Additional caliber suggestions are welcome as well as factory rifle suggestions or custom rifle ideas. I do not want to build anything over .308 until I have the time, skills and range to shoot past 600 yards on a semi regular basis.

If I build a custom rifle I want to stick with a Remington 700 action for logistical purposes (availability of donor actions and aftermarket parts). I am open to other brands in the case of factory rifles, but I have a tendency to tinker too much...

Thanks for all the advice,
Matt F.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I am a firm believer that everyone who wants to shoot alot with a rifle that willast should have a .308 Win.

Look into the Remington 700 5R MilSpec with a 24" barrel...I'm sure you'll be impressed.

.308 Win barrels will ****-near last forever, too. My smith used to shoot & win .308 in 1K comps. He says 10,000-14,000 rounds before the average shooter will notice any major loss in accuracy.

Also, that is a great scope. I have one sitting on my .257 Wby Mag. Best scopes for the money, IMO.

 

[acloco]

Might I suggest....223 AI with a 1:8 or 1:9 twist barrel.

If you are building backwards, then go buy the bullet of your choice, then by the barrel with the appropriate twist.

69 gr Sierra or Nosler HPBT at 3300 is rather fun. 55's at/near 3600 is great medicine as well.

 

[AZShooter]

That scope begs for a 257 Weatherby, the perfect occasional varmint plus antelope /deer rifle.

 

[MudRunner2005]

That scope begs for a 257 Weatherby, the perfect occasional varmint plus antelope /deer rifle.

Agreed...Which is where mine is located...And what my rifle is used for.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

That scope begs for a 257 Weatherby, the perfect occasional varmint plus antelope /deer rifle.

I'll go with that.

So many calibers so little time.

A 308 will last for years and years but a 257 Wby will have more 'bang'

 

[Tikkamike]

I have a browning a bolt hunter in 223 wssm you should buy that and put your scope on it then when you shoot it out rebarrel it to a 243wssm

 

[Bleys]

You guys just had to bring up the Weatherby magnums... What do you all think about the .240 wby? I do have to keep up appearances at work of only buying obscure calibers...

 

[Tikkamike]

You guys just had to bring up the Weatherby magnums... What do you all think about the .240 wby? I do have to keep up appearances at work of only buying obscure calibers...

the weatherby calibers are very cool IMO I prefer the short and super short magnums because they match and sometimes beat the weatherby performance but with less powder and cheaper brass

 

[MudRunner2005]

You guys just had to bring up the Weatherby magnums... What do you all think about the .240 wby? I do have to keep up appearances at work of only buying obscure calibers...

I'd go .257 Wby over .240 Wby....Just my opinion.

 

[Beng]

Look at the 6mmBR or .260Win , they should be more than sufficient for target practice and the occasional yote. Weatherby Mags burn a lot more powder than necessary, if you want to get to 600m.

 

[Bleys]

So I'm narrowing down the calibers to 6.5 but I've hit a rough spot. I already load 6.5x55 swede. Should I just build a longer heavier swede or try one of the other 6.5s like 260, 6.5-284, etc.?

FWIW my Kimber '96 seems to like 156gr Norma loads (2475fps) and my reloads 140gr game king (2620fps).

 

[MudRunner2005]

Try a 6.5 Sherman...

I was never really a big 6.5 fan, but since looking at the 6.5 Sherman, I'm thinking I might have to build one...

 

[Beng]

The Kimber '96 is build on original swedish Mauser 96 actions?
If so, you shouldn't load it to modern pressure levels. Only at modern pressure levels the 6.5x55 can compete with the rest of the standard 6.5s. Since you are already loading it, you could have one build on a rem700 long action, 26-28" barrel and 140gr bergers would be a sweet combo. (Im having this build on a tikka action.)
One problem would be left, namely keeping hot loads out of the old mauser action. Since this is problem you can't solve with absolute certainty and 96 blow ups are pretty ugly, personally, i'd rather build a .260 or 6.5 Creedmore, just to make sure all parts of my hands stay attached to my body. This particular problem set aside, the 6.5x55 is the perfect cartridge for your needs.