Hello all,

I am debating a Long range build for a hunting rifle. I should start by saying that I would like to practice enough to become proficent at 600 yards. Also, I don't enjoy recoil and have had to work at getting rid of a flinch that developed with my younger magnum craze. I was thinking about a 308 but wanted some opinions. I am not looking for a short mag but rather the SA standard calibers. Any help and opinions would be helpful.


ddj

Not sure what game you would be hunting, but for long range on appropriate size game, 308 is an excellent long range caliber. 6.5x284 is the current "king" of long range calibers out to and including 1000yds and does not have excessive recoil. Some say barrel life is short, but that is from those shooting 3-4000rnds a year in match shooting. Very few hunters even come close to such useage of their rifles/calibers and therefore not an issue.
Personally I favor the 308 since there are volumes of load data available and it is a proven accurate long range caliber. Quality barrel, well bedded stock, good loads, and a "good shooter" can deliver 1 moa at 600yds on a regular basis. Not that rare to see a skilled shooter at a 600yd prone/sling match to use "box stock" Remington 700 Varminter/308 deliver a "clean" target at 600yds with 10 or more X's. All around useage, 308 is hard to beat with acceptable recoil and barrel life as well. JMO

As always MFD gives good advice, my slight disagreement with the above advice is on the precise sub-species of 6.5 mm to choose.

I've had a play with a 6.5x47 Lapua in a long actioned Tikka 695. The all up weight of the rifle was 9 1/2 lbs and shoots about like a hunting 243 without a moderator and like a 223 with.

the ballistics only lag slightly behind the larger cased cartridge MFD mentions above.

The literature indicates no unusually short barrel life and it has the fabled small primer pocket, maybe, ability to find low es loads from the guy's chronology reading.

The only real issues are that Lapua brass is expensive, though good, and although it's nominally a short action cartridge it works best with a long action for a target build.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek072.html


Best

GH

If you are not going to handload to BR standards, by all means, go w/ the 308.

Likely choices 6.5 x 284, 284 winchester or 308. I shoot both the 6.5 x 284 and .308 at 1000 yds competitively. Accurate barrel life on a 6.5 x 284 is generally less than 2000 rds.

A 284 winchester might be the best choice for hunting at distance. Good luck finding it chambered in a factory rifle.

Thanks guys,

I am planning on hunting deer, antelope, and possibly elk.

I have maybe 500 new brass for 308 but isn't a deal breaker.

I have just never warmed up to the 6.5's but not sure why?


ddj

Try using a 20 ga at skeet regularly for 2 or 3 years. Maybe 2 or 3 rounds a week. Then switch to 1 oz light 12 ga rounds. Then try regular skeet loads a while and then finally try the 1225 FPS trap loads. One pickup truck load of ammo will cure your flinch.

quote:

Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
I am debating a Long range build for a hunting rifle. I should start by saying that I would like to practice enough to become proficent at 600 yards. Also, I don't enjoy recoil and have had to work at getting rid of a flinch that developed with my younger magnum craze.

What I'm hearing is "build", "hunting rifle", "deer, antelope, and MAYBE elk", "low recoil".

I'd say standard .308 or maybe 7mm-08.

Something just came to mind. Check out this link to the Savage long range hunter model 11. You could can spend 4x as much and not get a more accurate or well made rifle than one of these...

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models

It is a good thought but and not to sound like an elitist but I'm not sure I want to run a Savage. Just my opinion. I think I would rather "trick out" a stock Remington or find a TI.


ddj

The 260 AI is a mighty fine round and easy to make. I like it better than the 6.5 X 284.

quote:

Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
It is a good thought but and not to sound like an elitist but I'm not sure I want to run a Savage. Just my opinion. I think I would rather "trick out" a stock Remington or find a TI.


ddj

.

Good decision.

Not to make this a "Savage love or hate" thread, but good decision .

The "low recoil" and "elk" part is what is tough but easily solved with a muzzle brake on a "elk suitable caliber".

I love the brakes I have. I have one on a .264 Winchester Mag that tames it nicely.

If it's only gonna be a hunting rig, why not go with the .264 WM? 7 WSM would be nice for targets and hunting. Lots of bullet choices

Sounds like the forte' of the 270 WSM.

standard 260 or 6 PPC
Forget Elk obviously - i dont think low recoil and elk are an option!
No one gun does all.
Short range with Barnes TSX in 260 could with well placed projectile only
APB

A 140 gr Nosler Partition out of a 260 will kill any elk out there just as good as the big magnums with proper shot placement.