I have just acquired a minty 20x Unertl scope with posi-lock mounts that is begging for long range duty. I have a couple of rifles that could donate an action for the project; a short action Rem 700 and an 1909 mauser Argentino.

I'm looking for cartridge recommendations. I'm considering a l-o-n-g barrel 260 Rem on the M700 and maybe a 6.5-06 on the mauser...? I like the performance and selection of 6.5mm bullets. Other cartridges will, of course, be considered.

Weight of the finished product is targeted at around 18 to 20 pounds so that eliminates the real heavies.

The gun's primary function will be hitting tiny targets (varmints and paper - this is not a big game thing) at ranges of 500 to 800 yards, and maybe out to 1000.

Looking forward to responses...

redleg

My favourite 6 1/2 is the 6.5/06 Ackley. You would be looking at 108g Lapua Scenars at well over 3500 fps using H1000 or Vihtavouri N165/170. - and with a superb BC.

These do serious damage to varmints! case life is good, loading is easy, and its a far better bet than the 6.5/06 cooking cartridge, which really doesent have the guts in my humble opinion. Go for at LEAST 26in of barrel. Mines a Pac-nor 26 1/2 in. They may even do the polygon rifling in 6.5 by now. Real nice. My spin rate choice would be 1/9, so that longer pills could be used on occasion.

When I played with the same idea, I went with the 6.5 x 57. Basically a 6mm Remington, opened to 6.5mm. ( or 257 Roberts opened up).

Sierra 107's and 120's make for some decent 600 yd shooters. The 140/142s take it to 1000 yds easily. Recoil is minimal and it competes with the 300 Mag long range rifles with a fraction of the recoil ( high BC of the 6.5 bullets).

Talking to several friends who had the 6.5 /06 route, their velocities were not that much more than the 57mm case, but took a fair amount of powder more to get there ( IMHO). That just translated to quicker throat erosion and more recoil to me.

I built mine of a Winchester Model 70 action, with a 28 inch Heavy Sporter Barrel. A couple of FBI snipers I met at the local range liked it so much, they got the info on who built it for me, and went and ordered 2 to be made for their personal use.

I am doing this once again, but am going with a Bull Barrel, in 30 inch. This time tho, the action is a Mauser and the caliber is going to be 6.5 x 55. Main reason, less forming the brass, from the 257 Roberts/ 6mm Rem that is involved in the 6.5 x 57.

Very balanced cartridge. Excellent ballistics and no more recoil than a 243/6mm Remington. Heavy barreled, its recoil is even less, even with full powered max loads.

Good luck.

seafire,

I guess there would be no real performance differences between the 6.5x55 and 6.5x57 wildcat. I can't help but think the 257 Bob necking up .007" is that much work. Is the quality of 6.5x55 brass better?

I too am looking at a 1:8 twist long barrel; 29 or 30 inches.

Regards - redleg