I would like a custom barrel for my Savage 110 for small game and punching paper at longer ranges, probably up to around 600, maybe 1000 if I ever get to a range to try that far. I would like something that doesn't kick hard, I don't want a muzzlebreak to see hits. I was thinking of maybe a 22-250 AI or 22-243, what are other good calibers for my specifications?


Thanks a bunch

1,000 yards means heavy for caliber bullets which is counter to being able to see the bullet strikes unless it is in a heavy weight rifle.

IMHO the smallest caliber that I would consider for 1,000 yards is 6mm with 105 -117 bullets. Even though my 6.5x284 weighs 12 Lbs I still have trouble seeing the bullet strikes with the 142 grain SMK's bullets.

I was thinking a heavy stock, heavy barrel, heavy scope, maybe I could see the shot. I saw a webpage on the 22-250 AI with 69-90 grain bullets, and with the stock on the gun the recoil was straight back and no muzzle rise. With something like this I was hoping to be able to see impact.

IMO the 22-250-220 Swift rounds are 500 yard max rounds.......if you're sincere about longer shooting I suggest the 6.5 rounds!

My only concern is bullet price and added recoil, plus reduced velocity for varmints. 6.5 isn't popular here, my local gunshop only carries a couple hunting bullets for it, .223 has almost an entire shelf. I would probably only shoot 1000 yards a couple times with this rifle if I ever got to a range with it. I only have one range within an hour or so that goes beyond 500, it only goes to 600. I thought a 22 caliber with a heavy bullet would probably be ok out there, but maybe not?

Tosave money I would avoid the AI series and go with a 6 Remington, the straight .22/250 with a 1 in 8 twist as heavy bullets are a must for extremely long ranges. The problem becomes that they (heavies) tend to lack in terminal performance on Pdogs and ligth varmints. You would be surprised at how light the recoil of a 6 Rem can be when shooting a big rifle. Also the 70/75 grain bullets can be quite effective to 600 - 700 yards and beyond depending upon wind of course. Vapodog is very right about the effective aspects of the 6.5 bore, and the 6.5/284 is the winner hands down. Recoil is surprising light also, and the rifles can be shot all day. When comparing the costs of match bullets, I don't think that the 6.5 would hurt you much more than the 6mm's or the better .22's. Good luck whatever you choose.

How much does 6mm AI gain? With a custom barrel it would cost the same, and fireforming brass would still be easy.

Tyler,you are sorta like someone wanting an economy car that will double as a dragster,or a sports car that can be used as an 18 wheeler. Redefine your real needs and it seems small game and paper---heck go with a .222--accurate and little recoil and you dont have to go heavy.

okay, buy a Savage 12BV-SS-S in 243 and rechamber to 6mm-284. Either the single shot (my preference for accuracy) or repeater (will feed the fat case with a little smoothing up) with an accu-trigger will shoot well under MOA at 600yds. The Berger 107gr VLD will stay supersonic at 1000yds if you get to a shoot.

Rich
DRSS

A 25-284 will get the job done!!!

Don

I've heard alot about a 6.5-284, would this be easier on barrels than a 6mm or 25-284, I know I'm being sort of hypocritical, worrying about barrel life after talking about 22-243 Middlesteads...

You might get a long throated 22-250 with a 1-9 twist. Down load for short range paper work & a case full of slow burning powder* behind 75gr. plus bullets for long range.

* I'm currently working with the DP 85 and it looks like a winner.Dp 86, which is no longer available works great also in the 22-250. roger

So what barrel maker should I try? Adams and Bennet are cheap, but I don't know if they make any custom stuff. Who else is well priced and good quality?

if it is a savage you want in 6.5-284, you could just plop down the 1200 bucks and order the new f-class rifle. if you want to rebarrel yours, and if you want a good barrel ready to drop in, then shilen has some for about 350 in just about any caliber you want. for hunting, AandB are very good for the price.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Tosave money I would avoid the AI series and go with a 6 Remington, the straight .22/250 with a 1 in 8 twist as heavy bullets are a must for extremely long ranges. The problem becomes that they (heavies) tend to lack in terminal performance on Pdogs and ligth varmints. You would be surprised at how light the recoil of a 6 Rem can be when shooting a big rifle. Also the 70/75 grain bullets can be quite effective to 600 - 700 yards and beyond depending upon wind of course. Vapodog is very right about the effective aspects of the 6.5 bore, and the 6.5/284 is the winner hands down. Recoil is surprising light also, and the rifles can be shot all day. When comparing the costs of match bullets, I don't think that the 6.5 would hurt you much more than the 6mm's or the better .22's. Good luck whatever you choose.

A lot of good suggestions, but I have to agree with the 6mm Remington... that and a one in 7 twist... 115 grain Bergers... 46 grains of RL 19 for an MV of 3250... make sure it is a long action... if short action then go with a 243..

a 6mm Rem can duplicate a 240 Weatherby on a long action...

Unless you are making it a single shot, in the 6.5 mm bore.. I'd skip the 6.5/284...

I know it is the big darling of a lot of camps...However, its shape makes it a pain to feed in a NON Single Shot rig...

The 260 on a long action will feed much more easily.. and the bullets can be seated long.. even the 142 and 139 Lapua match bullets...and achieve what a 284 case will do for you...

If you want a little more velocity and easily equal the 6.5 x 284 with less powder... then do a long actioned, long throated 257 Roberts or 6mm Rem or 7mm Mauser case necked to 6.5 Bore...

I had the rare opportunities to play with a 6.5 x 284, a 6.5/06 and a 6.5/06AI when building a long range 6.5 bore...

I also had access to a 6.5 Rem Mag and a 264 Winchester.... I never needed to play with those...

I put a 260 Rem barrel on a long actioned Rem 700.. and played with that...I ended up picking up a 260 Rem in a Rem VLS brand new on a horse trade...

For the real long range rig, I tested the 6.5 /284, the 6.5/06 and the AI also extensively...
With input from an older high power shooter I know at my local range ( he is in his 80s and has been competing since the 1950s).. I necked up a 257 Roberts case....and put a 28 inch Pac Nor Heavy Magnum barrel on it, with a 28 inch length...and a one in 7 twist...

Once it was done... it gave the same velocities as both the 6.5/284 and the 6.5/06.. and even bettered the 6.5/06 AI...

I went with the Roberts case because if it was inferior to the other cases, I could alway bore it out to one of the other calibers...It wasn't... and it used less powder to accomplish the same velocities..

The Barrel is stamped 6.5 x 57...

I also found out that the 6.5 bore match bullets usually are the most accurate in the 2800 to 2950 MV range...

I also went with the 6.5 x 57, due to it being a little different in this country.. and because it is actually a very old design..

However, if you want to get less complicated.. a 6.5 x 55 on a long action with a one in 7 twist will accomplish the same thing!

i duno, but i built a 22/250 AI with a 8" hart barrel to shoot the 80 gr sierras. it sure works great at 800, haven't tried it much further yet

Hard decisions...I think the 6mm Remington sounds like the smartest decision, and no fireforming or anything, just shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
So what barrel maker should I try? Adams and Bennet are cheap, but I don't know if they make any custom stuff. Who else is well priced and good quality?

I've had good experience with Shaw. A long throated .250-3000 they made for me screwed on a Stevens Mod. 200 and is MOA with most loads. roger

Sounds good, so if I want to use the 6mm for varmint and longer ranges with heavy bullets what would be a good twist rate compromise?

Shaw has good prices! But, 6mm Rem is only available in 1-10".