Cannot decide on caliber for next build

L

logan1080

Private
Minuteman
Sep 16, 2011
6
0
37
#1
Just starting to think about my next rifle I want built and caliber choice is killing me. I want a very accurate round out to 1000 yards that can be used for paper punching and varmint hunting. Long barrel/brass life, low recoil, affordable to shoot/reload, quality brass availability are all qualities I would like. I have 3 calibers floating around in my mind which are the .260rem, .280rem and .284win.

I know all would probably be great choices but I was just wondering if you guys have any ideas that would help me decide. Thanks and I appreciate your help.
 
#2
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

for what you are wanting i think a 6mm would be a far better choice. i would go along the lines of 6slr, 6x47 lapua, or 6xc.

chuck
 
#3
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

Just to add to your angst I would also consider:

6.5x47mm Lapua, 243 Win, and 7mm-08.

Other than brass cost (which is offset by long brass life), the 6.5x47mm Lapua fits your criteria better than the others.

As much as I like the 7mm's, I don't consider them to be suitable as a varmint hunting round.

The 6.5's have some very good bullets like the 120 and 123 gr A-Max. Ditto the 6mm's with the 105 A-Max.

The A-Max's are wonderful bullets to build a rifle around, because they are potent, accurate and cheap.
 
#5
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

Keep in mind brass has to be available. I heard 6.5x47 can be temperamental but I would consider it. I was thinking about a 6mm also but others have said there are better suited choices for 1000yards. Still considering .260 also.
 
#8
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

you can not go wrong with a 260..it will have the least amount of recoil out of teh three choices you listed and is a great 1000yd round and needless to say can kill any varmit on the planet.

It is a very accurate caliber as well.

Good luck.
 
#9
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

SA or LA? I'd go with a 6.5 creedmoor. Everything your looking for with the advantage of having reasonably priced match ammo readily available.
 
#10
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mohawk3A</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SA or LA? I'd go with a 6.5 creedmoor. Everything your looking for with the advantage of having reasonably priced match ammo readily available.</div></div>

I've been very happy with my 6.5 Creedmoor and would recommend it to anyone!
 
#11
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

Well if a SA will fit the longer bullets then I would built it SA. if not then I would go LA. I am down to the .260 rem or the 6.5x47 lapua.
 
#12
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

If you run the numbers, 260, 6.5x47, 7mm-08, 308, or any of the 6mms you will see that when you put a 168gr or 175gr berger in a 7mm-08 it is second to none. barrel life, lapua 308 necked down for brass, very low recoil, enough for any small game to 1000yds, higher bc THAN 6.5 and more energy than any 6mm or 308. Thats my choice.
 
#15
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mohawk3A</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd go with a 6.5 creedmoor. Everything your looking for with the advantage of having reasonably priced match ammo readily available. </div></div>

Ding ding ding ding. We have a winner!
 
#17
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: excaliber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you run the numbers, 260, 6.5x47, 7mm-08, 308, or any of the 6mms you will see that when you put a 168gr or 175gr berger in a 7mm-08 it is second to none. barrel life, lapua 308 necked down for brass, very low recoil, enough for any small game to 1000yds, higher bc THAN 6.5 and more energy than any 6mm or 308. Thats my choice. </div></div>

As much as I would like to agree with you, because I own a 7mm-08 with a long Shilen barrel, I had a 6.5 Creedmoor spank me for ballistics @ 950 yds. this past August out in Nevada. And to be truthful the difference in wind bucking ability wasn't all that much as he was missing a couple shots here and there as well me when the wind changed. In equal case sizes, the 6.5 mm did better than the 7mm. In equal velocities (which means going to a bigger case in 7mm), it ruled over the 6.5mm.
 
#18
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

I have to wonder how the OP defines good barrel life. 1500 rounds? 3000?

Also, what makes a good "varmint" caliber?

I've always wondered this. I can hit a prairie dog at 500 yards with my 308 just as well as someone with a 220 Swift...so why is the swift better for varmints again? I DO concede that small fast bullets kill little critters in a more spectacular fashion though.

All that said, I think a 7-08 is the way. Very long lived barrels, excellent ballistics, moderate/light recoil.
 
#19
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

While looking at building a .260 Rem or a .308 Win I found a great deal on a barreled action in .243 Win. I did some quick investigating and found THIS ARTICLE which convinced me to buy the .243 Win.

George's opinion is good enough for me
smile.gif
 
#20
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeo556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While looking at building a .260 Rem or a .308 Win I found a great deal on a barreled action in .243 Win. I did some quick investigating and found THIS ARTICLE which convinced me to buy the .243 Win.

George's opinion is good enough for me
smile.gif


</div></div>

The one thing I hope you caught on there, is with the small diameter of the bullet and the 'pretty massive' case diameter behind it, THEY BURN BARRELS PRETTY QUICKLY. It's okay if you're George and can rebarrel your own rifle with a barrel that costs what a wholesaler would pay.

For my money, I think you'd be happiest with a 6.5 (6.5x47, 6.5 Creed or .260 Rem) or a 7mm-08. It's best to use .260 Rem Lapua brass now for that as you don't need to trim. You should turn off the doughnut though. The bullet will be seated down into it making it tight enough to affect pressures.
 
#24
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

Go hit up the JBM Ballistics site and run the numbers. All will be good performers, I think your big difference is going to be in barrel life. The 6.5's are all going to be about the same (check out Zak's article over at Demigod). The 7mm offerings have bullets with about the best BC's (Demigod and Lintz)so I'd probably go with one of those. Recoil is pretty much a non-factor with all of these rounds. Get a brake and good recoil pad and should shoot like a .223. So I'd maybe rank importace of the factors you are choosing from.. is having Lapua brass the most important, or is barrel life, or is bucking wind (BC), etc? That should give you your round.
 
#25
Re: Cannot decide on caliber for next build

7-08

But my personal choice would be 6.5 creed, cheap to load and accurate from factory.
 
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