I really like the 7X57,
But I't bugs me to put it on springfield.
So I think I would go 280. I have a 20 inch 30,06 that is shoots as fast as my 22 inch.
The faster powder in a shorter barrel thing seems like it should work.
But I read an article a while back and it really did,nt matter much in this guys test anyway.
In my opinion, barrel length after about 20 makes less difference than most pepole think.
Of couse if you go to extreemx like a .257 wetherby it matters more. But the 24 inch vanguards do real well when compared to 26 inch MK-5s and remingtons.
My 20 inch ruger .257 Roberts shoots about 70 FPS slower than my 24 inch springfield in the same round with 46 grains of H-414 under a 100 grain TSX. 3140 ruger 20 inch. 3211 for the 24 inch 03...tj3006

I'd take a cheap 21" .284 barrel if there are any extra.

mad jack,

Go to the big bore forum, look for the cheap cheap cheap barrel thread, follow the link!

quote:

Originally posted by LE270:
Jack O'Connor wrote that in every point where the Springfield differed from the Mauser, the Mauser was better.

Yup, we could have adopted the 93 as much as a decade earlier and had a rifle every bit as good as the 1903 and we'd have had the basis for a superior sniper rifle in WWI and WWII to boot.

quote:

What would you choose?

Put me on the side of those picking the .280 Remington. Even in a 21" barrel it's the right choice.

MHS,

Actually I was just choosing from within your stated parameters.

If it were my action, and I had to build something with it. A 338-06 would be my choice.

In all honesty, I would sell the 03 action and go with something else. I have owned a couple of them, and they just aren't my thing.

It's your action to with what you please. You are the only person that has to be happy with it.

Please report back when it is finished. With some appropriate gun porn please.

I probably should just sell the damn thing lol!

Everyone's got there own thing, but if it were mine I would go with a .338-06; which is what I did with an older Sako action. But selling it and getting something already done IS a hell of a lot easier.

I have no problems with the 338-06 at all and the thought crossed my mind. But, I have a 9.3x62 in progress and to me that's an overlap, I mean what can the 338 do that 9.3 can't? Besides shoot lighter then 232gr that is.