What's the most versatile short action standard caliber

[Timnterra]

I'm building another custom rifle and all I need to buy is the barrel and reamer/ gauges. I have a short action Remington 700 with .308 bolt face and a grey bull stock. If you were going to build a short action rifle what caliber would you choose? I'm leaning toward the .260rem I don't own any 6.5 cartridges but I'm also tempted by the 6mm rem or .243ai. I don't want to build a .308 they are a dime a dozen. But I also don't want to be stuck with a caliber that I can't find components for. I will probably be using this rifle for coyotes, varmints, deer and steel shooting in wide open South Dakota. What do you guys think what rifle would you want?

 

[MudRunner2005]

The most versatile is a 3-way tie, IMO. There is no right or wrong amongst these 3 calibers. Although, I own 2 of the 3, I want to build a rifle in the other one someday, just because I think it would be fun.

The three calibers are (in no particular order):

.308 Win
7mm-08 Rem
.260 Rem or .260 Rem Ack Imp.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

What Mud said.

Of course the 308 has the most loads and components.

I have a 260 and 243 but for a short action 30 cal went 300WSM. My 308 is a Garand.

 

[Sully2]

Go with a .260 You wont regret it at all.