Action: 0.473 faced 70 SA CRF (CM) w/ the 3.05"ish mag

Barrel: Pac-Nor duplication of 70 FW contour, 1-9.5" twist 7mm (blank is 26" long)

Possible calibers: 7mm-08, 7x57, 284... all should work out fine on the 3" action.

What would you choose? Barrel length, etc. TIA...

OR, would you save the 7mm barrel for another project and go with a 338 Fed or 358 Win...

You also have the 7WSM..

I would go with a 7-08 or 284.. should get 2-300 fps more whith the 284.

I'd do a .358 win.

Weagle

9.3x62,

How could you NOT go with the 7x57?

Phil

Depends on the performance level you are after ?

Your choices are 7mm-08,284 win and 7MM WSM, you could also do 7x57 but you would probably have to seat your bullets in a bit in that size action.

Any of the first 3 are good choices, i'de probably choose the 7mm-08 or 7mm WSM

7WSM or 7SAUM are not on the menu. I haven't the slightest interest in owning either...

708 @24". Jay

i''d go 708 my self, ive done alot of reloading for that caliber in my good friends Encore handcanon. i''m very impressed with that caliber, your FW tube is a great barrel but rember one thing it is going to heat up very fast,i have on a my 6 pound 270 winchester,i love long barrels but in this case you mite think about cuting back your tube,i''m biteing my tounge typeing this , but that 26 mite be just fine your the Boss on this project,your action choice is Excellent,i''m a big 7mm fan Peroid, best of luck with your project, and keep us posted, jjmp

My vote is for the 7-08. Second would be the 7x57. I would avoid the WSM.

John

7-08. You can neck down Lapua brass for that also.

Having shot 7/08 a lot, getting 139/140 at 2960fps with 21", I cannot say I can want for more in performance with a 7mm, though many good choices in other rounds.

If I were building a gun, I would have to seriously look at the 338 F or 358 if it were for deer and up.

The 7/08 is great and can do well on smaller game, but if it were a 'meat rifle' the mid bore would be my vote, but then again I have a few 7/08's, even though I shoot my 6 and 7BR's more than any.

Also, if building a gun, I would personally go for a contour about .650-.700 muzzle, 21-23"
but we all have our own taste and needs.

Just my .02

None, but with a 3.05" mag I would be thinking a 7x57 AI....

First choice .284, unique and very capable.
Second choice 7x57, nostalgiac and capable
no third place!

Personally, I'd save the barrel for the moment and do a 358Win on the short-action.
Cheers...
Con

9.3x62: I's say scrap the barrel for this project and go for something really off the wall, a .338/57 O'Connor. I read a story by Chuck Hawkes on the caliber and apparently, it simply has not been done. Ole Jack apparently talked about it briefly one time, but it was just talk and never done. The thing is supposed to be a brush caliber pushing a 200 grain flatnosed bullet about 2,500 fps. I have a story that I got off the internet on it at www.chuckhawks.com/338_oconnor.htm. It's really an interesting read and a unique caliber, though the 8x57mm boys will argue that the ole 8mm Mauser will do it all, and more. Anyway, just a suggestion for you. Good luck ... Tom Purdom

Pacnor make a great barrel for the money. Build a 7x57 and have the barrel engraved as a .275 Rigby.

Fergus

Recently rebarreded my ULA with a 25" Pac-Nor s/s Super Match 5 groove. Great barrel! Original build was a 7-08. With 700 + worked cases remaining and good dies,I stayed with the 7-08. Were I starting new, I'd probably go with the 7 x 57 for even less recoil (due to case design).

There are a lot of practical reasons why a 7-08 is a great choice. Like excellent off the shelf ammo, brass availability, easy to handload, inherently accurate. And some are correct in saying that the 7X57 has a bit more capacity and is just a classic. Personally though I have always wanted a 284 win. It has a lot of unique attributes and the most ballistic potential. It really boils down to what is important to you. They are all very capable.

Another option you might consider is the 7X57 AI. Very comparable to the 284 win with a longer neck and better ammo/brass availability. A good option for a handloader.

284Win is "oddball" for brass. and even though the 284Win was developed as a short action round most custom
rifle builders chamber this in LA's so they can load the heavy bullets out. though putting a 284 in a long action when the 280rem is available (with more obtainable brass) seems pretty stupid to me... (seperate discussion)

With a .473 bolt face in a Short Action you are really down to one choice.... a 7mm-08 and I've never actually found shorter barrels to be all that much more "handy".

So I'd go with a 24" tube or if the blank allows longer.
It isn't rocket science to make it shorter later if you change your mind.


AllanD