Guys, I'd hate to do this, but what caliber should I rebarrel my long action AW for?

[Mr_Happyface]

Right after AI released their offerings at the SHOT show I bought a .300 Win mag AW.

I'm not too excited about the AX for various reasons, and I saw that the AT was only going to be short action so I bought it knowing would be my last chance to get a long action AW style rifle. Not to mention the price was damn good.


This was a little bit ahead of the schedule I planned so I'm not as up to snuff on the various options as I'd like to be, but I plan to rebarrel it as soon as it arrives to a different caliber.


Here's what I'm looking for:

A non-belted cartridge that offers decent barrel life (min 3000 rds), chambered in 6.5 or preferably 7mm that will remain above the transonic region out to one mile, fits the .300 win mag AW boltface, and will feed from long action AICS mags.


So far I'm looking at 7mm LRM, 7mm WSM, 6.5 SAUM.

Any other options?



Also, I did read the sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[280nosler]

First of all you should have an AW mag with an AW rifle, not an AICS. Secondly, You would likely have to have your bolt face opened by .002 to reliable allow the WSM and extractor to get around the rim. The WSM rim runs .5355, whereas the 300 Win mag runs .532. I understand from a few others that have used the SAUM from Remington, that although their SAAMI specs show the rim at .534, it runs closer to .533, and I know 2 people who have done the conversion to the SAUM with no opening of the bolt face. Assuming you want barrel life over 3K, (and rumor is that the 6.5 SAUM is in the 2400 range pushing 140's Bergers at 3160 fps), I think you best bet would be the heavier 7mm bullets (180 match hybrid Berger) around 2900 fps. The LRM should fit in the mag better than the WSM or the SAUM. Your mag should measure 3.375 inches or so, meaning the LRM would be able to allow for a variety of lengths and should function fine. Problem will be finding brass and a set of dies for under $300.

 

[George63]

So far I'm looking at 7mm LRM, 7mm WSM, 6.5 SAUM.

(min 3000 rds),

so far you are batting .000

 

[280nosler]

Just wanted to add that a 7LRM should stay supersonic with the 180 Berger Hybrid Match out to 1500 yards @ 55 degrees, 1300 foot elevation, 25% humidity. Given the fact that the slower burning powders seem to be in abundance these days, a 28 inch barrel should easily get you to low/mid 2800 range without pushing it.

 

[Mr_Happyface]

So far I'm looking at 7mm LRM, 7mm WSM, 6.5 SAUM.

(min 3000 rds),

so far you are batting .000

Yep, hence the post.

Have any suggestions?

 

[George63]

300 win mag barrel life is about 3000 - necking it down will always give a shorter barrel life, everything is a compromise

 

[leadbullet]

Do a 338 rem mag or a 338 RUM, both great ballistics also.

 

[Luvman]

What's so wrong slinging 200+gr slugs out of the .300wm?

As far as headspacing off the rim don't most reloaders bump the shoulder on the .300wm back .002-.003" and let it "headspace" on the shoulder anyway?

 

[10fp]

280ai

 

[George63]

280ai

not a magnum bolt face and unlikely 3000rd life

 

[jbell]

It really depends on when you consider your barrel to be shot out. I have seen a few 300WM barrels (that were being ran hard) go in around 2000-2300 rounds. To me if a barrel starts throwing fliers often or opens up around 3/4mao (shooter dependent) then it is done. I think you will have a hard time finding a caliber that will meet your barrel life expectations. What range are you planning on using this out to?

 

[19Scout77]

First of all you should have an AW mag with an AW rifle, not an AICS.

Would you please explain explain the difference between an aw long action magazine and an aics long action magazine?

OP, make sure you consider .338 magazines for you project as it is my understanding they may better feed the fay body cartridges.