Long range mule deer rifle

[Aoudad shooter1975]

No doubt with the action you have..a 280 AI with a 165 game changer...

 

[BEEMAN]

If you are ok with doing some brass prep, do a 6.5 Sherman. Mine at max load drives 140 Bergers at 3339 fps out of a 28" Hart. I bet the new Berger 156 would work great out of a 6.5 Sherman.

 

[Canhunter35]

A 215 Berger at 2700fps is above 1800fps and 1500ft/lbs of energy at 775 yds.
Just saying You basically already have the rifle

 

[spindrift307]

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?

Go win a 300 win and never look back.

 

[LongProng]

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?

I built a 6.5-06 AI out of a 30-06 Sako Deluxe Finnbear that I brought home from Europe. I've been using it for years shooting long range. It will reach out to 1000 for sure. I did opt to neck down Lapua 30-06 brass but it wasn't very hard. It did require some neck turning. Another option is to use 25-06 brass and neck up which is quick and easy. The only issue is that Lapua doesn't make it. Cheers!

 

[Will Gray]

I would rework the bolt face for a magnum, adding a M-16 extractor, REMAGE barrel nut for a 338 EDGE barrel. You need a big bullet moving fast to kill effectively a 1000yds

 

[Sirrated]

Go to jbm tradjectory calculator and punch in the numbers for a 180 eld 7mm @2860fps and then punch in the numbers for a 147 eld @ 3050fps and compare the two in ft/lbs energy & wind drift out to 1000yds. 2860 with the 180 can be attained in 7mm RM, 280, 7mm rsaum, 7mm, wsm with a 26" barrel & correct powders. 3050 with a 147 gr can be attained in 6.5-06, 6.5-284, & 6.5 prc with correct powders & 26" barrel. Recoil when calculated for the two bullets @ given velocities will be only slightly more for the 180 vs the 147 in same weight rifles. I own rifles that shoot both of those bullets. The reason for my response is because I am embarking on building a medium weight rifle in either a 6.5-284, 6.5prc or 284 Winchester ( match reamer). I have run those numbers mentioned myself and it leaves me leaning heavily towards a 7mm cartridge right now.

Well put dj

 

[340Wby-4-everything]

300 win mag, easy change, easy 1000, plenty of oomph and bullet choices and if you decide to elk hunt too, you're well set!

 

[Ben Keller]

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.

If you think a 6.5-284 is a better rifle at 1000 yards for a mule than a 280 ackley you need help. Load it with the 162 or the 180 ELDM (I prefer the idea of the 162s with reloaded 26) and the performance will be outstanding out to 1000. It will be devastating.

280AI when hand-loaded is extremely similar to a 7mm ballisitically. You will see great results if you go that direction. Don't listen to all the 6.5 lovers. Not to mention if you ever want to use it with elk you would have a more than capable rifle.

 

[blkdog]

280 AI and never look back!

 

[BrentM]

7mm and standard bolt face the 280ai is a solid choice. I like 1:8 twist barrels for the 7.

6.5mm and standard face the 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 are excellent. I've built 7 6.5-284's and all were quite good. I run 147's at 3000 and 140's at 3100 in 28" barrels and mild loads. I ran 2950 in 24's is achievable too.

At 1k the 6.5 147 delivers around 1200 lbs and is 1900 FPS. It's plenty for deer. The 280 with a 180 at 2850 is 1300 lbs and 1800 FPS. A 168 Berger at 2950 is 1250 and 1820. Pick your poison. I like the sectional density of the 6.5, little flatter trajectory, and lower recoil but I'm a big fan of the 7 too.

 

[Zhomeguy]

Good info. What is better about the 280 AI besides a bigger heavier bullet? I've heard about feeding issues with 6.5-284.

You have a std bolt face long action as a "donor" so your restricted to non-magnum calibers in your long action, the 6.5-284 only has feed issues when used in short actions. The 6.5-284 and 280 AI are the 2 best choices..just pick the barrel profile that fits your stock and get the right twist...if you gonna shoot heavier bullets stick with a 1-8 twist in either caliber and buy a premium barrel n get it done by a knowledgeable smith n you'll be good to go!

 

[LongProng]

7mm and standard bolt face the 280ai is a solid choice. I like 1:8 twist barrels for the 7.

6.5mm and standard face the 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 are excellent. I've built 7 6.5-284's and all were quite good. I run 147's at 3000 and 140's at 3100 in 28" barrels and mild loads. I ran 2950 in 24's is achievable too.

At 1k the 6.5 147 delivers around 1200 lbs and is 1900 FPS. It's plenty for deer. The 280 with a 180 at 2850 is 1300 lbs and 1800 FPS. A 168 Berger at 2950 is 1250 and 1820. Pick your poison. I like the sectional density of the 6.5, little flatter trajectory, and lower recoil but I'm a big fan of the 7 too.

I'm with Brent on this. The 6.5 will work great on Muleys out to 1k. I have used mine for Antelope and Deer out to 600 and Elk at 3-400. The recoil on my 6.5-06 AI is very mild and I don't use a brake. I am also a fan of 7mm - I just finished up a 28 Nosler build for Elk at longer ranges.

Cheers!

 

[comen]

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?

7mm-300win, 8 twist for 195 Bergers or 180 Bergers. will get about 2900 fps with 195s, and over 3000 with 180s. Just run a 300 win into a 7 mag die far enough to set the neck. Save the 300 win die with the expander removed to FL the case every 3 or 4 firings. Running an X-Caliber 5R 8 twist 27". Opening the Boltface and installing a Sako extractor is SOP for a good 'smith. I run the 195s at 3.6"