Long range caliber dilemma

[txgunnertx]

Ok guys I am going to send a gun to Phoenix Custom Rifles to build a long range gun. Here is my problem, I do not know whether to go 6mm, 6.5mm, or 308. I am afraid that if I go 6, or 6.5 that I'll burn up my barrel within a year or two, and if I go 308 I'll get a longer barrel life. It is hard for me to spend this much money on a gun, and thinking about shooting our the barrel in a couple of years makes it almost impossible.

After reading my concerns what would y'all suggest I do.

Thanks

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Need more info. What are you going to do with the rifle? Are you competing with it? What discipline? Hunting only?

You need to help us answer your questions by being more specific.

Both Keith and Brad have a lot of experience shooting/hunting, I'd ask them as well.

 

[BGE541]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Do you hand load ammo or buy it out right? I think people have a misconception that 6.5 are "barrel burners" Yes you CAN smoke a barrel if you try to make anything alittle to fast, but I also know theres quite afew out there who have 3000+ rounds out of a 6.5 with handloads. 6.5 will have a a large trajectory benefit aswell as recoil benefit over the 308 but you dont have too try and push it.

 

[skog]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Think of barrels the same as bullets and powder, consumable. If you want to burn a barrel out slower then go with the bigger bullet in same size case. I am going 260 but 6.5 creedmore or 7-08 are good choices too with the best factory ammo being with the 6.5 creedmore

 

[wildcats]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

308 is not a long range gun,
Go with a 284 win or 6.5 Creedmore and you will still get decent barrel life.

 

[txgunnertx]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

It will mainly be a target gun, wanting to get into competing. I will use it some for hunting, but not much as it will be heavy. I hand load, but I got a small problem with trying to push stuff fast. I was thinking 6.5 creedmoor or 260, or 243, but was worried about burning up barrels.

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Well, the cost of ammo components to burn up any of those barrels will far outweigh getting a new barrel on. To me the annoyance of short barrel life comes from the downtime and aggravation of getting it replaced.

I say get the round you want to shoot, and let the chips fall where they may on barrel life. This hobby is supposed to be enjoyable, so enjoy it. The cents per round difference between the 260/6.5CM/243 aren't gonna be different enough to be a showstopper imho, especially compared to the overall component costs. Out of those i would expect the 243 to have the shorter life but that is again all in how your load it.

When you approach the end of your barrel life you could get your barrel order in early so you minimize the down time.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Barrel life will depend on your shooting habits, the ammunition, and so on.

On varmint fields, I've heard of guys burning up .223 barrels almost every year. I've heard of .243s wearing out in a single day...but that's buy guys firing one round after another.

 

[wildcats]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

If you go with any of the short 7s (284-7mm-08 or 6.5s and 6mm (Non magnum) cartridges,just order the barrel with a longer shank and you can always have your smith set back a couple of inches wich will alow you to get more life out of it.

 

[txgunnertx]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Well downtime is not too much of a worry for me, I guess my deal is to have to pay to have a barrel installed in a year or two and repeatedly. If it was a savage who cares I'd just throw it in the vice and do it myself, but a remmy ain't that easy

 

[stvaughn]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

It is if you get a RemAge barrel. DIY and save time & money
Steve

 

[steve123]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

If I were primarily concerned with barrel life combined with decent ballistics I'd run a 7-08 with 162-168 grain bullets slowed down a tad. Adding a few more clicks ain't no biggy. That should get you to 4000 rounds or so. If you had the barrel Melonited then maybe half again as much or even more.

 

[ctressler]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

The ballistics of the 6.5 are so much better than a 308, it's really a no brainer. The 6.5 drifts less in the wind and drops less, therefore it is a little more forgiving than the 308. How often are you going to shoot this gun? I've heard that if you don't push the 6.5 to hard, you should be able to get 4k rounds through a barrel.

The 308 will probably give you more rounds through the barrel, but I would rather have the flatter shooting/less drifting 6.5.

Hope this helps you decide, let us know what you end up building.

 

[Casey Simpson]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma


Fund a rimfire and shoot it at 200 yards. That's a long range gun.

 

[txgunnertx]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

I think ill be going with a 6.5x47 or a creedmoor

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CTressler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The ballistics of the 6.5 are so much better than a 308, it's really a no brainer. The 6.5 drifts less in the wind and drops less, therefore it is a little more forgiving than the 308. How often are you going to shoot this gun? I've heard that if you don't push the 6.5 to hard, you should be able to get 4k rounds through a barrel.

The 308 will probably give you more rounds through the barrel, but I would rather have the flatter shooting/less drifting 6.5.

Hope this helps you decide, let us know what you end up building. </div></div>

My thoughts exactly.

 

[JFComfort]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

We have been seeing 3,000-3,500 rounds on a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel before a set back or new tube is needed.

 

[Muttt]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

It all depends on what you consider a "shot out" barrel. Some bench rest shooters consider a gun shot out in one season. Then many hunters will use a rifle barrel for the life of the rifle and still have acceptable accuracy.

I have a Remington 700 chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. It's just your standard hunting rifle and is completely stock. It shoots just fine and is a laser beam on anything under 500 yards. It's going on 40 years old and still shoots MOA or better. It is plenty accurate and shoots excellent groups. I have plenty of fun shooting it have no desire to rebarrel it any time in the near future. Is the barrel shot out????? who knows, depends on what you are doing with it.

After choosing a caliber you want to shoot, I would think more about which reloading recipe is more accurate and less about which gives you the highest velocity. I never understood the desire for "pushing the limit". It burns out your barrel faster and typically isn't the "most accurate" round. I shoot my .308 at 2558 fps (average) because it shoots the smallest groups and is the most accurate. Sure I could run it hotter, but it would be a waste of powder, ammo and barrel life. Run a reasonable load in whatever you buy and you'll probably get more barrel life than you think. Just my .02 cents.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

if barrel life is a concern, and you reload then the 7-08 is probably your best answer.
Easily beats out the .308, plenty of good quality 7mm bullets for both match and hunting.

Other than that, I'd look to either of the sa 6.5's. You do NOT have to push them fast to reach 1000. The 6.5 grendel gets there with the 123's.

 

[Red_SC]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If I were primarily concerned with barrel life combined with decent ballistics I'd run a 7-08 with 162-168 grain bullets slowed down a tad. Adding a few more clicks ain't no biggy. That should get you to 4000 rounds or so. If you had the barrel Melonited then maybe half again as much or even more.

</div></div>

This is good advice if you're concerned with barrel life. The 7-08 will give better barrel life than a 6.5 while providing better BC than the .308's.

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Unless you need to run a 10 round magazine, (do you REALLY need to?) take a look at running a long action in .30-06 Spr./Ackley Improved or .280 Rem./Ackley Improved. Any of these will get you well past 1200 yards with good wind bucking characteristics AND good barrel life.

 

[Playerz1337]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

I agree about 7mm-08, good life and flatter. If you wanna spend a little more $ on powder, go 7mm Rem. Mag.

 

[DavidAR10]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Casey Simpson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Fund a rimfire and shoot it at 200 yards. That's a long range gun. </div></div>

You, sir, are a dick.

 

[txgunnertx]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

I want to stay in a short action as I already have it. My first go to was 6.5 creedmoor so I guess I'll do it and not worry about the barrel.

 

[Dustin Morris]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Sir,

Build the 6.5 Creed and don't look back. You might get 5000+ rounds out of a 308 but you'd regret not building the 6.5 the entire time. Worst case you'd build the 308 and figure out that its a sub par long-range gun and then have to spend the money to re-barrel to the 6.5.

Dustin

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Dustin gave you good advice with the 6.5 creedmore.

I would go a slightly diffrent direction. I would agree totaly that you would be much happier with a 6 or 6.5mm

You here a ton of guys talk how the 308 is great for long range shooting and IMO MOST of those guys are internet shooters. Even the truely good shooters who have faith in a 308 dont show up to a big match with one (Unless its 308 only). They stink in the wind no doubt about it. They are great if you plan on shooting 600 yards and in.

So lets discuss barrel life

A 308 should get a good 4000 rounds barrel life.
A 6.5 creedmore, 260, 6xc and the like should get 2500 rounds of barrel life

How many rounds are you really gonna shoot over a years time?

Also if you plan on shooting Berger bullets compare the cost of a 6mm 105 Hybrid to a 30 cal or even a 140 grain 6.5. The 6mm is generally about 10.00 or so less per 100 bullets.

I am a fan of the 6XC. You can get norma brass for very reasonable prices from David Tubb. My 6XC shoots better than any rifle I have ever had. I have shot my best groups with it at 100 and 1000 yards. 115 Dtacs are very resonable price too. And with the slower velocity of the 115 vs the 105 you should get a few hundred extra rounds of barrel life.

If you are a handloader go 6XC
If you want to buy great ammo 6.5 creedmore or 260 (The fedral gold medal match 260 is on the way)

 

[turbo54]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .257</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dustin gave you good advice with the 6.5 creedmore.

I would go a slightly diffrent direction. I would agree totaly that you would be much happier with a 6 or 6.5mm

You here a ton of guys talk how the 308 is great for long range shooting and IMO MOST of those guys are internet shooters. Even the truely good shooters who have faith in a 308 dont show up to a big match with one (Unless its 308 only). They stink in the wind no doubt about it. They are great if you plan on shooting 600 yards and in.

So lets discuss barrel life

A 308 should get a good 4000 rounds barrel life.
A 6.5 creedmore, 260, 6xc and the like should get 2500 rounds of barrel life

How many rounds are you really gonna shoot over a years time?

Also if you plan on shooting Berger bullets compare the cost of a 6mm 105 Hybrid to a 30 cal or even a 140 grain 6.5. The 6mm is generally about 10.00 or so less per 100 bullets.

I am a fan of the 6XC. You can get norma brass for very reasonable prices from David Tubb. My 6XC shoots better than any rifle I have ever had. I have shot my best groups with it at 100 and 1000 yards. 115 Dtacs are very resonable price too. And with the slower velocity of the 115 vs the 105 you should get a few hundred extra rounds of barrel life.

If you are a handloader go 6XC
If you want to buy great ammo 6.5 creedmore or 260 (The fedral gold medal match 260 is on the way)

</div></div>

Well...

Mammoth was HANDILY won this year by members of the AMU, using 308s...while any cartridge up to and including 300WM was allowed.

It is more about the indian than it is the arrow.

That said, OF COURSE there are other calibers that outperform 308, easily.

I think 4000 rounds from a 308 is very conservative. I just finished up my Savage 308 barrel with ~6000 through. It went away very fast once it started to go.

How many rounds a year? Well, that is a very personal question. I fired ~2500 last year. For someone that shoots a lot, like me, a 308 is a pretty good choice if you care about a barrel lasting a couple years.

My 2¢ is to choose a 7-08. The barrel life is good, brass easy to come by, and it is great ballistically. Drops a shade more than 260, but drifts less. 162 bullets are cheap and have a great BC. I like the 6.5CM, but am not cool with being beholden to hornady ONLY fir brass. I like the 260, but it hurts barrels more than 7-08 and you can't form brass from 308 without neckturning and/or reaming. Plus, it does not beat 7-08 ballistics. The 6.5s do, however, produce less recoil if that is a concern.

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

Your right!!!!! Mammoth was won with a 308.

And I shot a match with Tyler Payne one of the winners last month.

He wants a 6.5 or 6mm.

Would you like to research the last 100 matches and see how many were won with a 308? Lead the guy in the right direction. Be real.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .257</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your right!!!!! Mammoth was won with a 308.

And I shot a match with Tyler Payne one of the winners last month.

He wants a 6.5 or 6mm.

Would you like to research the last 100 matches and see how many were won with a 308? Lead the guy in the right direction. Be real. </div></div>

I don't feel I am misleading the OP at all...

1. I pointed out an awesome Indian can in fact compete/win a major event with an "inferior" arrow...the 308.
2. I pointed out my personal barrel life experience with my own 308. The OP has mentioned his concern over BL a couple times.
3. I suggested 7-08 for a number of reasons, including great BL and ballistics.

 

[The_FNG]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

I'm gonna throw a .284 win into this mix...

 

[turbo54]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_fng</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm gonna throw a .284 win into this mix... </div></div>

Well, if that's his flavor, I've got the reamer for a short action 284...

 

[The_FNG]

Re: Long range caliber dilemma

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_fng</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm gonna throw a .284 win into this mix... </div></div>

Well, if that's his flavor, I've got the reamer for a short action 284... </div></div>

I know, your FN is awesome and has inspired me to build a .284.