@LongRifles Inc. it will be used for target shooting and hunting KS deer . Longest walk is a mile so weight isn’t that big of problem . It will see dust , snow and ice.
It will be used to teach both my boys after the .223 .
Based on that, this is what comes to mind.
If you are a hand loader who doesn't mind the work that goes with it, I would offer the 6mm International as a consideration for a cartridge. If you're unfamiliar with it, don't worry. It's about as easy as it gets. Take a 22-250 and neck it up to 6mm. That's it. Buy some Redding dies in 22-250, and your set. Just bump the bushing size to what's appropriate for the larger pill.
Reasons:
- Exceptional accuracy
- Very moderate recoil
- One shot kills on deer
- Feeding is exceptionally good from an internal box or DBM
- Control round feed and Push feed actions handle it well
- Magazine tolerant with 100+grain pills
- Very forgiving at the reloading bench
- Brass availability is typically pretty good as your just buying 22-250 Remington
Cons:
Some will argue that there is a bolt thrust concern due to the aggressive body taper on a 22-250. I've listened to folks preach that sermon for 30 years. I still don't know exactly what they mean by it. I've yet to see a 22-250 pound a lug on a receiver or a bolt, and I've been loading for this cartridge since I was in my 20's.
If the added work at a reloading bench isn't your thing, then a 6.5mm Creedmore is a really good choice IMO. I watched a guy in WA state buy a case of it and run it through a rifle I built for him at a match. No load development or dicking around. He loaded magazines, went to work, and finished in the top 3.
Weight: Heavy rifles are easy to shoot from prone and positions using artificial support. So, if bipods and benches are applicable here, then sure; build them a 13+lb "gamer gun" and turn em loose.
Action choice. Most any receiver in a Remington footprint will work. To include a tuned-up M700. FWIW, I'm very fortunate to have a client who is in a position to spend whatever it takes, as he has done well for himself. I build quite a few rigs for him each year, and his boys got a pair of tuned-up M700's a few years ago on Christmas. They were both chambered in 6 International, and he told me they shot something north of 20 deer with them this past year. (Texas and the deer a day limit thing) This conversation was amusing as I could sense his "tone" as he groaned about being chained to the reloading bench to satisfy their appetites. My wife Kalli also has one of these that I built from
scrap parts (on a bet), and it is one of the most accurate rifles in our safe at home.
If a control round feed is your thing and money is no object, an ARC Mausingfield checks the box really well. The M70 is also a great choice, but I would try to track down an F/N SPR. I kick myself for not buying a mess of them years ago when they were almost being given away. Actions like these offer one notable difference from most push feeds: the bolt shroud is positively locked in position when out of battery. This is a big deal in a dangerous game application, as a failure can literally put you on the buffet menu. The 3p safety is nice as it's easy to keep an eye on when supervising little guys.
Hope this helps, and we look forward to working with you.
C.
