I need help deciding between two calibers for a build that I'm gathering parts for. All I need now is a barrel so It's time to make a decision. Mark x Mauser action, McMillan classic stock, gonna be a Rock tube @ either 20" or 18" #5 contour fluted. It's either gonna be a 280 or an '06 (help me choose). Give me your opinions on the two calibers and barrel length you would go with and why. Thanks in advance, I'm curious how this debate might go. Oh, which ever caliber I choose it will be twisted for heavy bullets. Thanks again.
- Thread starter 264highlandhunter
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Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
I would use the 30-06. Can be loaded light or heavy, Can find bullets anywhere, surplus etc..
Ch
I would use the 30-06. Can be loaded light or heavy, Can find bullets anywhere, surplus etc..
Ch
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
I would go 280, 7mm bullets are pretty easy to come by as well and you can get some mighty slippery 7mm pills now. I recently had the same debate for my "carrying" rifle and there's a 24" #5 fluted rock barrel on the way to be chambered in 280AI then stuck on a 1948 rem. 721 action in a Manners T5. I figure it will finish out around 8.7lbs before glass and still be capable of reaching way out there to put the smack down. Definitely be easier to carry then the 15lb. guns in the safe and I can leave the prewar model 70 in the safe on the tough hikes.
I would go 280, 7mm bullets are pretty easy to come by as well and you can get some mighty slippery 7mm pills now. I recently had the same debate for my "carrying" rifle and there's a 24" #5 fluted rock barrel on the way to be chambered in 280AI then stuck on a 1948 rem. 721 action in a Manners T5. I figure it will finish out around 8.7lbs before glass and still be capable of reaching way out there to put the smack down. Definitely be easier to carry then the 15lb. guns in the safe and I can leave the prewar model 70 in the safe on the tough hikes.
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
My vote goes to the 280 as well. Although in a pinch on hunt out in the middle of nowhere 30-06 might be easier to scrounge up some ammo for.
My vote goes to the 280 as well. Although in a pinch on hunt out in the middle of nowhere 30-06 might be easier to scrounge up some ammo for.
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
Love the Mark X action. Why would you go short barreled on a long actions chambering? All that powder takes time to burn, I think you'll give up a fair amount if not all of the velocity advantage that would normally be gained over same caliber short action chamberings.
If traveling all over is in the gun's future 30-06 has the obvious advantage of ammunition availibility for hunting, but aside from Garand loads it lacks factory match loadings, handloading I believe it would offer good potential. The 280 is alledged to be a great LR performer. I would be curious to see the potential of a 338-06 firing match bullets, if we're throwing out ideas, it is a good hunting round.
So I spose the important question is what are your intentions for the rifle?
Love the Mark X action. Why would you go short barreled on a long actions chambering? All that powder takes time to burn, I think you'll give up a fair amount if not all of the velocity advantage that would normally be gained over same caliber short action chamberings.
If traveling all over is in the gun's future 30-06 has the obvious advantage of ammunition availibility for hunting, but aside from Garand loads it lacks factory match loadings, handloading I believe it would offer good potential. The 280 is alledged to be a great LR performer. I would be curious to see the potential of a 338-06 firing match bullets, if we're throwing out ideas, it is a good hunting round.
So I spose the important question is what are your intentions for the rifle?
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
You said you wanted an honest opinion right
I personally would not build a 280 or a 30-06 on a 18-20 inch tube. Make zero sense. you have taken away the ability of both cartridges going that short. There are better caliber choices for barrels of that length but neither of them would be included.
can it be done sure...does it make sense nope
You said you wanted an honest opinion right
I personally would not build a 280 or a 30-06 on a 18-20 inch tube. Make zero sense. you have taken away the ability of both cartridges going that short. There are better caliber choices for barrels of that length but neither of them would be included.
can it be done sure...does it make sense nope
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 25MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You said you wanted an honest opinion right
I personally would not build a 280 or a 30-06 on a 18-20 inch tube. Make zero sense. you have taken away the ability of both cartridges going that short. There are better caliber choices for barrels of that length but neither of them would be included.
can it be done sure...does it make sense nope
</div></div>well enlighten us. What would you build?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 25MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You said you wanted an honest opinion right
I personally would not build a 280 or a 30-06 on a 18-20 inch tube. Make zero sense. you have taken away the ability of both cartridges going that short. There are better caliber choices for barrels of that length but neither of them would be included.
can it be done sure...does it make sense nope
</div></div>well enlighten us. What would you build?
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264HH</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 25MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You said you wanted an honest opinion right
I personally would not build a 280 or a 30-06 on a 18-20 inch tube. Make zero sense. you have taken away the ability of both cartridges going that short. There are better caliber choices for barrels of that length but neither of them would be included.
can it be done sure...does it make sense nope
</div></div>well enlighten us. What would you build? </div></div>
7-08, 308, or a 6.5 like the 260 or creedmoor. I would even consider a 7SAUM at 20 inches (not 18)based on the case design. 7Creedmoor is another one to look at...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264HH</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 25MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You said you wanted an honest opinion right
I personally would not build a 280 or a 30-06 on a 18-20 inch tube. Make zero sense. you have taken away the ability of both cartridges going that short. There are better caliber choices for barrels of that length but neither of them would be included.
can it be done sure...does it make sense nope
</div></div>well enlighten us. What would you build? </div></div>
7-08, 308, or a 6.5 like the 260 or creedmoor. I would even consider a 7SAUM at 20 inches (not 18)based on the case design. 7Creedmoor is another one to look at...
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
I can only comment on the 30-06 as that is the caliber of my target rifle. I chose the 06 because it *could* reach out a little further than the .308 due to the extra case capacity (this has yet to come into play, so now I just burn more powder for the same or slightly more MV as the .308 guys)I also chose the 06 because it *could* throw out the heavier pills 190's, 208's (my go to target load is a 178 as it matches accuracy and velocity with a price point that I can live with). I shoot out to 750yds with no issues, but so do the .308 shooters with over 10gr less of powder. I like the .30 cal platform as it is has good barrel life. My 06 has a 26" barrel, I didnt pick it, as I bought it used, but I have no complaints about it, as it is plenty long to burn up even the slower powders like 4350 and still give a good MV. IMHO, an 06 is best enjoyed with a longer barrel to take advantage of the extra case capacity. YMMV
I can only comment on the 30-06 as that is the caliber of my target rifle. I chose the 06 because it *could* reach out a little further than the .308 due to the extra case capacity (this has yet to come into play, so now I just burn more powder for the same or slightly more MV as the .308 guys)I also chose the 06 because it *could* throw out the heavier pills 190's, 208's (my go to target load is a 178 as it matches accuracy and velocity with a price point that I can live with). I shoot out to 750yds with no issues, but so do the .308 shooters with over 10gr less of powder. I like the .30 cal platform as it is has good barrel life. My 06 has a 26" barrel, I didnt pick it, as I bought it used, but I have no complaints about it, as it is plenty long to burn up even the slower powders like 4350 and still give a good MV. IMHO, an 06 is best enjoyed with a longer barrel to take advantage of the extra case capacity. YMMV
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
This gun will be hunted with, that's why the short barrel (way nicer to carry). Although the increase in performance will be small because of the short tube I still have to belive that there would be some increase in performance over any of the short action cartridges you listed. The 7SAUM is not a realistic option (for me) in a mark x mauser.
This gun will be hunted with, that's why the short barrel (way nicer to carry). Although the increase in performance will be small because of the short tube I still have to belive that there would be some increase in performance over any of the short action cartridges you listed. The 7SAUM is not a realistic option (for me) in a mark x mauser.
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264HH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This gun will be hunted with, that's why the short barrel (way nicer to carry). Although the increase in performance will be small because of the short tube I still have to belive that there would be some increase in performance over any of the short action cartridges you listed. The 7SAUM is not a realistic option (for me) in a mark x mauser. </div></div>
the 280 you may still gain a "slight" advatange over the 260 and 7-08 I mentioned but probably not as much as you think and you will need alot more powder to do so, but I doubt you will from the 06 since that case design is not an effecient one and not really that impressive in longer barrels.
308 will be out performed by the 6.5s and 7-08 cartridge but still a damn good short barrel cal.
If you are sold on those two cals I would go 280. 7mm bullets have far better BCs then the 30cals. and hit HARD! well out of a longer barrel anyway LOL.
Good luck man...build what YOU will be happy with I am just giving my opinions which at the end of the day means little LOL. I am not i believer in handicapping a caliber I think at the end of the day you will regret it. by cutting a 280 down to 18-20 inches you are putting a serious handicap on this rifle. You don't lose much taking a 7-08 down to that length sure you will lose some but not nearly the amount you will by cutting teh 280 down.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264HH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This gun will be hunted with, that's why the short barrel (way nicer to carry). Although the increase in performance will be small because of the short tube I still have to belive that there would be some increase in performance over any of the short action cartridges you listed. The 7SAUM is not a realistic option (for me) in a mark x mauser. </div></div>
the 280 you may still gain a "slight" advatange over the 260 and 7-08 I mentioned but probably not as much as you think and you will need alot more powder to do so, but I doubt you will from the 06 since that case design is not an effecient one and not really that impressive in longer barrels.
308 will be out performed by the 6.5s and 7-08 cartridge but still a damn good short barrel cal.
If you are sold on those two cals I would go 280. 7mm bullets have far better BCs then the 30cals. and hit HARD! well out of a longer barrel anyway LOL.
Good luck man...build what YOU will be happy with I am just giving my opinions which at the end of the day means little LOL. I am not i believer in handicapping a caliber I think at the end of the day you will regret it. by cutting a 280 down to 18-20 inches you are putting a serious handicap on this rifle. You don't lose much taking a 7-08 down to that length sure you will lose some but not nearly the amount you will by cutting teh 280 down.
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
Short barrel => short action
7-08 or 308
Short barrel => short action
7-08 or 308
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
i would do it in .22 short
i would do it in .22 short
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
280 AI, look it up.
280 AI, look it up.
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
6.5x55 with a 22" barrel for the win.
(it is after all a mauser)
6.5x55 with a 22" barrel for the win.
(it is after all a mauser)
Re: I need help making a decision. Give me your HO
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">280 AI, look it up. </div></div>I've consisdered this for sure, but would I be gaining anything from the AI with such a short tube?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">280 AI, look it up. </div></div>I've consisdered this for sure, but would I be gaining anything from the AI with such a short tube?
