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I have a Charles Daly Mauser action that currently has a 30-06 barrel on it. I am changing the barrel to a 6.5-06. Building a long range Antelope and Couse deer rifle. Long range to me is 400 to 700 yards. I have no where to practice past that yardage, therefore will not shoot past that range. So here are the questions- 1-8 or 1-7? I plan to shoot nothing heavier than 140 but some of the new bullets like the ELDX are longer than a standard 140 Spire Point. If I go 1-7 and shoot lighter bullets like a 120 do you think there will be an over stabilization issue? What minimum length barrel, I am thinking 24 inch but open to 26 inch, nothing shorter than 24 though? I work for a living so price is a huge factor for me. I cannot afford higher priced barrel so I need the best bang for my buck but not some discount barrel maker, was looking at McGowen, Shilen, Douglas etc. In that price range what would you recommend? Any other input would be appreciated. I plan to have them short chamber it and I will finish it. I like my chambers a little on the tight side  | ||
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In that range, always Douglas. Because they are the best barrel in that range, and as good or better than most of the others too. Only difference; others hand lap theirs; ask them why. Oh, one in 8 is plenty. 24 inch . | |||
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You should have no trouble shooting lighter bullets as well. | |||
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You are very fortunate, there are a bunch of great barrels and Barrel makers on the market. Many people are stuck in a rut when it comes to barrels and only go with one brand. Truth is a lot of barrels are great. Brux, Bartlein, Lilja, Shilen, Krieger, McGowan. Douglas, Pac Nor maybe a few more. Whatever you do don't try to save 50 or 80 bucks on the barrel buy a good one. Don't give a second thought about "over stabilization" mostly hype and BS. When chambering the rifle give considerable thought to the throating and what bullet you are wanting to use. Go 24 or 26 whatever YOU want. In the last 6 years or so I've had barrels from Pac Nor,-2 Shilen, Lilja, Bartlein, McGowan-2 and I am extremely happy with all of them and they all shoot 5 shot groups well under 1". I have a 6.5 x55 Swede with a 26" McGowan barrel 1-8.5" twist that shoots 140's and 120's in tiny groups (under .5") and shoots 100's under an inch. Good luck on your project. | |||
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There's been some excellent reviews on X-caliber barrels lately and they are in that price range of Douglas and shilen too. Shoot straight, shoot often. Matt | |||
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I just ordered a Lederer cut rifle barrel. | |||
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While 1 in 8 is sufficient always go faster so go 1 in 7. You really can't over stabilize a bullet. I made the mistake of going 1-11 on a 30 caliber barrel because I would never shoot over 180 and that was Krieger's recommendation...guess what, it won't stabilize the barnes 175 LRX. Mike Legistine actu? Quid scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Thanks guys. I will go 1-7 and go with a McGowen. Called them today and got some good info and feel confident it will fit my needs. Another question, I have been doing a lot of research on this build. Brass is not available and this is my first wildcat build. All my other guns, the ammo and brass is easily available. So is it better to neck up or neck down? 25-06 or 30-06? What if I cut the chamber just a tad long and allow use of 270 brass? I hate trimming brass. I load for a friend of mine who has a 25-06 and would prefer to stay away from 25 headstamped brass. Would hate for him to get a 6.5 mixed in and have a kaboom! On the other side, mistakenly firing off a 6.5 in a 30-06 would probably not create any problems. I have a 270 WSM and will never buy a standard 270, that is why I suggest using that brass. Thoughts? I guess I could lightly touch the headstamps on a belt sander and wipe the headstamp, that could cause problems too though. | |||
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http://www.itdcustomgun.com/ I've used Mcgowen and IT&D - if price is THE driver, IT&D opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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I use LOthar Walther barrels almost exclusively. My question is at the ranges you quote why would you use light bullets that lose velocity quickly by comparison and tend to be very wind sensitive.. I use my 30-06 for those really long shots and have used the Sierra boat tail sierra BTHP target bullet for coues that weighed at least 200 grs. However recently, I have been using the Nosler 200 gr. Accubond for elk, whitetail and Mule Deer and its worked great even on Texas coues, Texas Hill Country Whitetail that are as small as Coues deer and our Idaho Mule deer. So far the Accubonds have performed on targets as good as my old faithful Sierras and the results on game are amazing on 900 lb. elk and 60 pound whitetail..A real eye opener for me. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I had IT&D in Minerva, OH do a Mini MkX in 6.5 Grendel with a Douglas XX barrel and it will shoot well under .5 and they also did a Ruger M44 into a 357 x 44 Bain & Davis with a Douglas XX that shoots super groups tight. I like Douglas XX barrels (and IT&D). Steve....... NRA Patron Life Member GOA Life Member North American Hunting Club Life Member USAF Veteran | |||
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Is ITD currently operating? | |||
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Yepper, www.itdcustomgun.com/ 1-330-868-6867 NRA Patron Life Member GOA Life Member North American Hunting Club Life Member USAF Veteran | |||
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I have tried calling and emailing ITD twice and cannot get a response. I am ready now to order the barrel and have given up on ITD. I ordered a McGowen already. Atkinson, I don't disagree with you at all. I hunt mostly Arizona and Couse deer shots can range from 100 to 1000 yards. I always try to get closer but when that buck you have been chasing for days finally provides a shot at 600 yards and you are about to lose light, I will take it. With that said, I cannot afford all these new scopes with turrets and mil dots so I taught myself to shoot the old school way. I hold over where I think my impact will be at that range and let it fly. Not trying to brag, but I have rarely missed my target on game. I want something that shoots flat and plus what is not cool about a 6.5-06? A friend of mine that I reload for uses his 25-06 almost exclusively for Couse and Antelope. The only thing I do not like about it is the bullet selections for the 25. I want to be able to go up to 140 if I want. Although I am hoping this build will yield great results with the 130 Accubonds. I also want to try the 143 ELDX. Although I do not know why, I have never had great results with Hornady bullets. Sierra's Nosler, Swift, in all my rifles fly awesome, I just cannot get Hornady to group well. I am very picky with my loads, if it won't shoot under .67 group size, I keep working it with powders, length, and brass until I get it under that number. I have yet to get a Hornady bullet to perform out of my rifles under 1 inch. A few have been right at 1 inch which for a lot of people is great, not me. | |||
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That 30-06 with the correct bullets can be a good long range rifle. Why waste the money on a new barrel for long range when you already have one. | |||
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Wasting money on a gun? Impossible unless someone is hanging a bunch of crap off an M4/AR rifle. Seriously, I have several reasons. The most important is I have always wanted a wildcat of some type and chose this as it fits my needs. The other very important is my Dad is helping me and with his arthritis and health, this will probably be the last project build we will do together. I hope to learn enough on it so in future I can do most of it myself. You are correct in that a 30-06 is a fine cartridge and good at long range. I just want something different and something I can play around with. | |||
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Just wanted to update anyone that may have the slightest interest in my build, I am sure I have a fan base of 2 (my wife and daughter). Anyway, I went with a Mcgowan, ordered it Mid February in 6.5-06 with a Douglas #5 contour (not a lightweight barrel lover). Called yesterday since it was past the 8 week ETA. Wouldn't you know with my luck....the machinist broke off the reamer just before he was finished and they estimate another 6 weeks before they replace the reamer and redo the barrel. UGH! Once I get it, I will post start and finish pics. Good news is I have the stock and 50 barrel break in rounds loaded. I did try to contact ITD several times and to this date no return calls or email. Kind of weird. Douglas gave me a 14 week ETA and in hindsight, that probably would have been quicker. Shit happens I guess. | |||
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Ordered a Shilen Savage prechambered for a friend. Took 4 weeks. I just finished chambering my Lederer barrel. It was an 8 week wait as promised. I've had the same good luck with Douglas, Bartlien, and Kreiger. A quality lapped custom barrel needs no break The problems from fouling in a new barrel is the machining fluff in the throat from the reamer. Just put a bronze brush in your hand drill and work it in the throat for 15 seconds and your barrel is broken in. | |||
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