First of all, I want to say what an excellent site, I've learned a lot.
Now to get down to business. I'm going to bulid a rifle to shoot prairie dogs at 500+ yards (got everythng under that well covered). I've decided to go with a 6-284 shooting 75-100gr bullets (particularly berger 95gr vld). I'm leaning towards a single shot Surgeon action (www.surgeonrifles.com) with a 28" hvy varmint tapered (probably fluted) 1-9 twist Bartlein barrel (www.bartleinbarrels.com). The stock will be a Mcmillan A5 and the trigger will be a Jewell. Stock will be pillar and glass bedded, and action and barrel will be coated (haven't decided what coating yet). Now I just need to settle on a gunsmith. Any suggestions for the rifle? Any good gunsmiths in Nebraska, or surrounding states? Thanks for any input

Aaron

Everything you're doing sounds well. Only modification I would suggest is a Krieger barrel. None finer. Excellent caliber.

My take on this is the caliber. For the range you are planning on, I would opt for the 6.5x284. I think you would get better down range performance than the 6mm. Give me an emai and I will give you a quote on the assembly.

Jim

Here's what I built, with the same things in mind you have. I built a 6mm-06, on a 700 Rem/LA with a Pac-Nor Super Stainless Match Barrel. I had Pac-Nor barrel and fit the action for me. A 28" Sendero contour. I then dropped the action into a pillar bedded McMillan, checked the barrel channel for float, and went shooting. With 87 Grain Hornady HPBT'S, and IMR 4831, I am right at 3700 fps, 100 yd groups, are in the 3's. I topped it off with a Bushnell 4200 Elite 6X24 Mil Dot, and zeroed at 400 yds.

Last year near Cuba New Mexico, I had a chance to test the rig on a group of P-Dogs, at 409 yds. It was windy right to left, so I held a mil dot windage, and plop. Started knocking them over like match sticks. I was able to hit over 8 out of 10.

I would guess the 284 case, would give you about the same performance, as mine. My only recommendations, the longer the barrel the better, heavy contour a must, and pick one of the better barrels, Pac-Nor being one, and several other good ones have ben mentioned here.

I have had a blast with mine, I hope you have the same.


Jerry

I think that you're looking good to start with, everyone has their favorite barrel makers and actions but the really important part of this will be the quality of the machinist/gunsmith that puts everything together. Go with someone with a proven track record for long range builds.

The 6mmx284 is a great choice for the 500-1,000 yard shots as is any of the newer 6mm chamberings. Check out www.6mmbr.com for more options there.

30378, Krieger was my initial thought to. But then i started hearing about a new barrel maker that had actually worked for krieger for some time. After talking to the guys at bartlein, and some other guys that have their barrels, I've decided to go that route. Thanks for the input though, and everyone else as well.

Jim, sent you an email.

Aaron

Aaron-

To my view, the only issue is that Bartlein barrels have become so popular that their lead time is now as much as Krieger.

LOL.

flaco

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
My take on this is the caliber. For the range you are planning on, I would opt for the 6.5x284. I think you would get better down range performance than the 6mm. Give me an emai and I will give you a quote on the assembly.

Jim

There is much good advice listed above, Fjold's and 30378 to name a few.

For the very purpose you mention I must agree with Jim Kobe. It was my choice as well (6.5/284) and I also own and shoot a 6/284. I would suggest that you consider shooting the 107 Sierra's or 105 Lapua bullets for ranges in excess of 1,000 yards should you stick to the 6/284. I also shoot a 6 Remington 40X with a 1 in 8 Hart at 28 inches and the 107's do 3150 ft/secs. I am not sure that the 6/284 will do much better for practical purposes. Your decision should be based upon what ranges you hope to shoot successfuly at, and the wind deflection of your choice at that range. Drop is a given, but the wind is everything in distance shooting.