This is my first post so hoping to get some good info. I am looking to build a long range bolt gun. Looking at 6mm or 6.5. What is the best cartridge to go with for 1200+ yards? Also where is a good place to look for components? I have looked at some of the MPA chassis and I really like the style. Any help will be appreciated.
New long range rifle build
- Thread starter Kmhowell
- Start date
I have a savage 12 varmint in .308 now that I am shooting. It is a tack driver at 500 yards. But everyone keeps telling me that the projectile is to heavy for that range. My plan was to build the gun I have but now I'm not sure what direction to go.
Weight is not the issue.
it’s a combination of speed and ballistic coefficient.
With good bullets the 308 can do pretty decent but a good 6.5 will make the task noticeably easier.
I’ve had lots of success over a mile with my 6.5 but it’s certainly not optimal.
My 1200+ gun is in one of the 7mm magnums or 300 magnums.
Heavy and BC are descriptions of what makes a bullet perform better at extended distance. In essence they contribute to retained velocity, and that, in turn, permits a shorter flight duration. In less time, the bullet drops less and generally doesn't get blown around as much. But insisting on velocity can erode bores fast. Many competitors consider a new barrel as a consumable; I prefer not to do that.
No matter whether you choose to run the bullets at max, or to throttle back some, your wind skills will be an equally critical issue.
Whatever distance, I'd want the bullet to arrive there at about or better than 1300fps, which is the point where the velocity descends into the transsonic regime, and the turbulence picks up.
In a calm situation, the lighter bullets can be more accurate, but in the wind the heavy/high BC usually wins out. In no small part, the shooter's wind skills will either confirm or refute this. At 500yd, wind is less of an issue than at 1200yd, but a higher BC will certainly be of assistance out there when the wind picks up.
The 7mm chamberings allow a better BC with a bullet of less weight. This translates into lower recoil. That allows more practice, which is at the core of successful LR shooting because it's that practice that's going to augment your wind skills.
For what you want, the 280/7mm Express is a good choice, but it requires a Long Action. The Savage 110 Long Range Hunter 280AI is not a bad rifle to start with. 280AI chambered rifles can chamber and shoot non-AI 280 ammunition as well, and both are available as factory ammunition.
1200yd is a far piece. Some of us have spent a lifetime shooting and never gotten out that far. I managed 1100yd, once; and shot all of my LR comp at 1000yd.
In my situation, the .260 Rem has been my implement for going on 20 years. If I were starting out, the 6.5 Creedmoore may make best sense, and can be competitive beyond 1000yd. How far beyond depends on the altitude and on your wind skills. They are very crucial out beyond 1000yd.
If I were in an actual position to take regular advantage of a 1200+yd shooting venue, I'd be shooting the .280AI.
Greg
No matter whether you choose to run the bullets at max, or to throttle back some, your wind skills will be an equally critical issue.
Whatever distance, I'd want the bullet to arrive there at about or better than 1300fps, which is the point where the velocity descends into the transsonic regime, and the turbulence picks up.
In a calm situation, the lighter bullets can be more accurate, but in the wind the heavy/high BC usually wins out. In no small part, the shooter's wind skills will either confirm or refute this. At 500yd, wind is less of an issue than at 1200yd, but a higher BC will certainly be of assistance out there when the wind picks up.
The 7mm chamberings allow a better BC with a bullet of less weight. This translates into lower recoil. That allows more practice, which is at the core of successful LR shooting because it's that practice that's going to augment your wind skills.
For what you want, the 280/7mm Express is a good choice, but it requires a Long Action. The Savage 110 Long Range Hunter 280AI is not a bad rifle to start with. 280AI chambered rifles can chamber and shoot non-AI 280 ammunition as well, and both are available as factory ammunition.
1200yd is a far piece. Some of us have spent a lifetime shooting and never gotten out that far. I managed 1100yd, once; and shot all of my LR comp at 1000yd.
In my situation, the .260 Rem has been my implement for going on 20 years. If I were starting out, the 6.5 Creedmoore may make best sense, and can be competitive beyond 1000yd. How far beyond depends on the altitude and on your wind skills. They are very crucial out beyond 1000yd.
If I were in an actual position to take regular advantage of a 1200+yd shooting venue, I'd be shooting the .280AI.
Greg
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What use are we talking about? For target/steel shooting up to a mile you can get it done with the 6CM or 6.5CM. If you are looking for a dedicated rifle for 1200+ all the time the other posts have you covered... 300WM, 300PRC, and 300NM are all good factory options for extending your range.
I am defiantly keeping my 308. I love the caliber and the gun I have. I have planned on building it for a few years just havent had the money till now.
Experiment with the 170ish bullets in your 308 then slap a 6.5cm barrel on that savage.
Get a target trigger spring from gunshack for a lighter trigger pull as well.
spotting little 6mm bullets can be tough past 1000.
I do have a savage axis in 6.5cm so I'm familiar with the caliber. That was my first thought on what I would build.
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