What caliber to build new rifle?

[Sbeatty1983]

Planning on building a rifle on a Remington 700 action. I haven’t decided whether to go long or short action. I have seasonal access to 1500 yards, and want to take advantage of that any time crops aren’t planted, but most shooting will be 800yds or less. Will be doing some PRS matches with it and would like to have a barrel life of at least 1500rnds. Any recommendations from the more experienced guys around here?

 

[Sheldon N]

Short action, 6.5x47 if you reload 6.5 creed if you don't.

 

[_Windrider_]

Short action, 6.5x47 if you reload 6.5 creed if you don't.

what he said

 

[Sbeatty1983]

What about the new 6.5prc or 6.5 saum?

 

[Sheldon N]

Too much recoil for PRS IMO, less fun to shoot as a general plinking round, less barrel life. 6.5x47 is the easy button goldilocks to cover both ends of the spectrum of what you want to do.

If you'd said PRS only I would have leaned towards a smaller 6mm.

 

[Ledzep]

The short action magnums cost more (more powder, more expensive brass, less barrel life). You want a can or a muzzle brake for them, too. With no muzzle device it can get unpleasant for longer strings or a match for example with 50-150 rounds. I've shot mine in PRS style matches with a can and didn't think recoil was that bad. I've also shot a fast twist .22-250 shooting 90gr VLD's and it's a world of difference, zero recoil-- and that is an advantage.

With some of the higher BC 6mm bullets these days you can probably get similar trajectories (not energy) with a fast 6mm and still get 1500 rounds out of it.

6.5 Creedmoor is vanilla, easy, and it works. Lapua brass, 140gr pills, H4350 and run with it. Ammo is getting to be very common on the shelves, too.

I've shot 6mm Competition match, .260, and now 6.5 SAUM in my Mausingfield. I'm setting the rifle up to be a switch-barrel next and I'm between 6.5x47L and 6.5 Creed for a standard size caliber. Keeping the 6.5 SAUM barrel for the magnum bolt head. I hunt enough that I like the 6.5's over the 6's. I also like the barrel life.

Sorry if this isn't really a clear cut answer. Most everything works, honestly. Just a matter of finding what tickles your fancy.

 

[Mossyoak44]

If you go short action I say any of the 6.5s would do you well but if you go long action I suggest 280 AI or 284 Winchester. You could do a 284 in short action but to take advantage of the heavier higher ballistic bullets then a long action is better.