Choose me a caliber, build me a rifle

[T3ninja]

Ok here we go. Point me at a caliber I may have overlooked for a long range rifle. It will be a plinking rifle, that I use for coyote, deer, and steel. Longest I'd be shooting a deer would be 600 yds at max. Around here a big bodied buck might weigh 220 lbs.. Coyotes maybe a tad farther. Steel, I'd like a rifle/caliber capable of making it ring at a mile. I know a mile is a stretch, and I most likely won't do it but once or twice a year, but I'd like the ability to do it When given the opportunity. So, now on to the build.. I'd like it to be .30 or smaller, accurate barrel life of 2500-3k rounds, 11-12lbs with optic, caliber capable of these distances using "common" components (Berger, Sierra,hornady,). Is there a caliber that will do all of these? Cost is always a consideration, but I'm trying to learn a little, so let me hear all your ideas !!

 

[dfanonymous]

limits you to 30'06 really. Other options to explore would be the 280 rem, the 6.5 creed is capable with a full 24 in barrel, the right ammo, and is in the barrel life usually of 2500-3k. Of course there are a bunch of other 6.5's that will work as well, but they are all overbore carts.
7mm mag, and 300 win mag are excellent ideas for specific for long range, 7mm being a little less on the recoil and a little harder on the barrel life.
There is the 28 nosler, and the 30 nosler if you are looking for magnum speeds but not actually have a belted magnum cartridge.
Some like the 270, and the 7mm08 but i can assure you they WONT be great for anything around a mile...i wont say it cant be done...you can shoot at a target at a mile with a .223 all day...you might hit it.
So to summarize, my list is of suggestions are: (in not any relevant order)

6.5 creed
280 remington
28 nos-barrel burner
7mm mag-barrel burner
30'06
30 nos
300 win mag
and just some variations of .30 cal carts. 300 rum, .308 norma, 300 weatherby and the 338 ultra...just to give some variety.

 

[T3ninja]

My original idea was to build a .260 Rem. that was kinda before the recent creedmore hype, I was going the "low end" route off of a savage action and just a barrel swap. Then life happened and now I have 2 little girls. So I just rebarreled to a nicer .308 barrel since I have all the supplies for shooting and loading .308. I ended up building the .260 for my dad and it shoot excellent, but I built it on a left handed action and thumb hole stock. He's not interested in taking it way out, and it's the most uncomfortable rifle I've ever shot because of the wrong handed stock. So I never got to play with it at distance. My second thought was .300 WM but I've never messed with the belted mags. Obviously it can't be that hard because of the numerous rifles that shoot it phenomenal. I also only had a short action so that was another consideration, I would have needed a long action. This one however will be from scratch. Thanks for the insighe, and it's right in line with my thoughts as well.!

 

[BEEMAN]

limits you to 30'06 really. Other options to explore would be the 280 rem, the 6.5 creed is capable with a full 24 in barrel, the right ammo, and is in the barrel life usually of 2500-3k. Of course there are a bunch of other 6.5's that will work as well, but they are all overbore carts.
7mm mag, and 300 win mag are excellent ideas for specific for long range, 7mm being a little less on the recoil and a little harder on the barrel life.
There is the 28 nosler, and the 30 nosler if you are looking for magnum speeds but not actually have a belted magnum cartridge.
Some like the 270, and the 7mm08 but i can assure you they WONT be great for anything around a mile...i wont say it cant be done...you can shoot at a target at a mile with a .223 all day...you might hit it.
So to summarize, my list is of suggestions are: (in not any relevant order)

6.5 creed
280 remington
28 nos-barrel burner
7mm mag-barrel burner
30'06
30 nos
300 win mag
and just some variations of .30 cal carts. 300 rum, .308 norma, 300 weatherby and the 338 ultra...just to give some variety.

I would look at the 6.5X47, Creed or 260 for what you are wanting to do. A mile is WAY out there. But deer out to 600 I would have no problem using my 6.5X47 with a 130 Berger. I ring steel with mine out to 910 yds. Far as my property allows me to shoot.

 

[dfanonymous]

My original idea was to build a .260 Rem. that was kinda before the recent creedmore hype, I was going the "low end" route off of a savage action and just a barrel swap. Then life happened and now I have 2 little girls. So I just rebarreled to a nicer .308 barrel since I have all the supplies for shooting and loading .308. I ended up building the .260 for my dad and it shoot excellent, but I built it on a left handed action and thumb hole stock. He's not interested in taking it way out, and it's the most uncomfortable rifle I've ever shot because of the wrong handed stock. So I never got to play with it at distance. My second thought was .300 WM but I've never messed with the belted mags. Obviously it can't be that hard because of the numerous rifles that shoot it phenomenal. I also only had a short action so that was another consideration, I would have needed a long action. This one however will be from scratch. Thanks for the insighe, and it's right in line with my thoughts as well.!

My opinion..based on some fact, like i said is the over bore. the 260 is like all the 6.5 carts..overbore which creates higher pressure, and effect on a barrel life. I have no problem with any of the 6.5s though i think they are great. On the other end, i am a huge fan of the 300 win mag as its one of my do all cartridges. I hunt most large game and i hit steel out at distance beyond a mile. With these magnums, you already know theres going to be a smaller barrel life than say a 308, but your are extending your reach for the same barrel life. The price point is a lot better than the .338s and so forth. Recoil is going to be there, but if you are use to it and have good fundamentals, it no problem...just when you start load the bipod...dont scope check yourself, ive seent it happen to the best. Good luck on your build.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Are you opposed to a wildcat?

Steve

 

[T3ninja]

I'd prefer a caliber that I can purchase brass for. I don't have any speacialty tools for brass prep or creation. So I guess it would be dependent on the parent cartridge and what all in involved with said cartridge. What did you have in mind? Thanks

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Id say a 6.5 of some flavor. But if your wanting 2500 rounds of barrel life then you'll have to go with like 260 or 6.5 creed.

 

[coop2564]

Your barrel life limits you. 7mm-08, 308, 280, 30-06 I would pick one of these just because I could Hunt something bigger than a deer if needed. If you wanted to bend on barrel life, 7mmRM would cover anything.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Your barrel life limits you. 7mm-08, 308, 280, 30-06 I would pick one of these just because I could Hunt something bigger than a deer if needed. If you wanted to bend on barrel life, 7mmRM would cover anything.

I 2nd this... ^^^

Also, barrel life on a 7mm RemMag is not as bad as people think, but it will be horrible if you shoot it hot and fire-crack the throat. So, as long as you let it properly cool, and don't shoot more than 3-shot strings, you should get decent barrel life in a 7mm RemMag.

 

[Canhunter35]

I remember listening to an interview with Todd hodnett and he was saying magnums shooting heavy bullets have a much improved barrel life.
But I agree with above suggestions. A 308 can shoot a mile with the proper twist. Is it the best, no, but I would select the cartridge best suited for the majority of your shooting as long as it can shoot a mile with accuracy.
Personally I would go with 6.5 cm or 280ai. Nosler makes brass for the 280 ai

 

[Dgd6mm]

.260 or .280AI.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I'd prefer a caliber that I can purchase brass for. I don't have any speacialty tools for brass prep or creation. So I guess it would be dependent on the parent cartridge and what all in involved with said cartridge. What did you have in mind? Thanks

We just recently built a rifle for a customer using the 300 Norma mag and did an ackley shoulder on it. Turned out very good. It was running 300rum vel with 10g less powder. Shorter cartridge so much nicer for longer bullets and mag feeding. Nothing special to form brass. Fire form with bullets or do the cream of wheat method. We have the reamer on the shelf.

Steve

 

[HARPERC]

I think 30-06 comes closest to your stated criteria.
I think your trying to do too much with one rifle, regardless of what you choose to chamber it for.