Best barrel conversion for Long Action standard?

[Bclarke4]

I have a savage 111 in .270. I want to convert it to something.
I reload so that’s no problem.
I want to use it for mule deer on down to coyotes and also a lot of steel target shooting.
i have 6.5 cm already. Do you guys have any advice on what I should remage it to? Thanks

From stokkys. Long Action - Standard
".240 WBY, 6mm-06, .25-06, 6.5-284 Norma, 6.5-06, 6.5x55, 6.5x57, .270 Win, .280 Ackley Imp, .30-06, .338-06, .35 Whelen, .375 Whelen"

 

[Steel head]

280AI!

 

[Bclarke4]

280AI!

Forgot to mention I have a 7mm rem mag and a 300 win mag.

 

[Steel head]

Maybe a 6.5 x284 then.

 

[chevy_man]

The 280ai is good for anything elk and down. Broader bullet selection in 284 vs 277.

That said, the 6.5-06 is a better option than it used to be because bullet selection is awesome.

Being a long action, 6.5x55 is a true classic, with the ability to push just enough faster than a Creed to make it worthwhile.

I absolutely love my 25-06 and will never not have one in the stable. 115 Nosler partitions will put down an elk, and h1000 or retumbo will push you to 3200fps with a 115.
Be aware the ballistic tips and a lot of non-bonded bullets will absolutely explode at the upper end of the speed range.
It is a caliber that requires the right bullet for the job.

Then there is the new blackjack that has one of the best bc of any bullet on the market and it's only a .257. Need a 1:7/7.5 twist to run them.

 

[Bclarke4]

The 280ai is good for anything elk and down. Broader bullet selection in 284 vs 277.

That said, the 6.5-06 is a better option than it used to be because bullet selection is awesome.

Being a long action, 6.5x55 is a true classic, with the ability to push just enough faster than a Creed to make it worthwhile.

I absolutely love my 25-06 and will never not have one in the stable. 115 Nosler partitions will put down an elk, and h1000 or retumbo will push you to 3200fps with a 115.
Be aware the ballistic tips and a lot of non-bonded bullets will absolutely explode at the upper end of the speed range.
It is a caliber that requires the right bullet for the job.

Then there is the new blackjack that has one of the best bc of any bullet on the market and it's only a .257. Need a 1:7/7.5 twist to run them.

im leaning toward a smaller faster round so the last one you mention is interesting. I think I have my elk stuff covered. Does the .257 have the same bolt face diameter and action length? Thanks for the advice. Very useful.

 

[357Max]

I was considering the same for a std long action remage. Finally settled on 25x284, seems about perfect. Mine is going in a std long action Orias chassis with 3.715 mags this coming year. I've got MDT mags so I'll be putting the Long Rifles mag filler block in there if needed. https://www.longriflesinc.com/colle...agazine-filler-block-for-sa-magnum-cartridges

Efficient case design with it's 35 degree shoulder, and you'd be able to load the long high BC pills without running out of mag length.

Good brass is available 6.5 x 284 just needs necked down. https://www.bulletcentral.com/product/lapua-brass-6-5-284-box-of-100/

Shooting the 131 grain Blackjack ACE to 3202 FPS in 25×284 Win – Blackjack Bullets

Hammer bullets has a reasonably priced & good selection of .257 cal pills 67 -128 grn

https://hammerbullets.com/product-tag/257/

A good write up and info on 25x284 here. http://www.sportingshooter.com.au/news/the-25-284-a-short-coupled-25-06

 

[Bclarke4]

I was considering the same for a std long action remage. Finally settled on 25x284, seems about perfect. Mine is going in a std long action Orias chassis with 3.715 mags this coming year. I've got MDT mags so I'll be putting the Long Rifles mag filler block in there if needed. https://www.longriflesinc.com/colle...agazine-filler-block-for-sa-magnum-cartridges

Efficient case design with it's 35 degree shoulder, and you'd be able to load the long high BC pills without running out of mag length.

Good brass is available 6.5 x 284 just needs necked down. https://www.bulletcentral.com/product/lapua-brass-6-5-284-box-of-100/

Shooting the 131 grain Blackjack ACE to 3202 FPS in 25×284 Win – Blackjack Bullets

Hammer bullets has a reasonably priced & good selection of .257 cal pills 67 -128 grn

https://hammerbullets.com/product-tag/257/

A good write up and info on 25x284 here. http://www.sportingshooter.com.au/news/the-25-284-a-short-coupled-25-06

What twist rate did you end up going with and what would you recommend.

 

[wesc]

To be honest, you already have a (maybe *the*) caliber that is optimum for the versatility you spec’d (mule, coyote, steel) in your 6.5CM. Depending on your preferences, you’re basically looking for a duplicate set of ballistics/terminal ballistics but in a long action. In which case the 6.5x55 is perfect and gives the reloader a little more gas in the tank than 6.5cm due to the extra gr H2O capacity.
Having shot a fair number of -06 based LA cartridges, they are much less comfortable to shoot prone/seated for long periods—like shooting steel—unless you make the rifle heavier which will make the gun less comfortable to take muley hunting.
On average they recoil about 30% more than the Swede with some 50% more (felt recoil being different for an individual shooter and rifle with weight, barrel length, and stock fitment being the biggest determinants). All that said, some guys love them and really enjoy those calibers, especially for long range big game where the velocity is necessary for proper bullet expansion/terminal ballistics at significant ranges (500m +).

In addition, brass, dies, and bullets for days with the swede vs some of the other things you’ve considered.

 

[357Max]

What twist rate did you end up going with and what would you recommend.

I haven't purchased the blank yet......to many Black Friday deals got me distracted.
Bartlein 1:7.5 is what I plan to use. Between Blackjack and Hammer everything I plan on running in .25 will be monolithic solids.

I already have a 6.5CM as well, but I've got this long action Chassis with MDT mags sitting here empty.
This is just a fun gun for me. I hunt White tail and Sika deer in heavy brush at sea lvl 100 yards max.
My 35 Whelen has never failed for hunting, 1 shot DRT everytime.

 

[Bclarke4]

I haven't purchased the blank yet......to many Black Friday deals got me distracted.
Bartlein 1:7.5 is what I plan to use. Between Blackjack and Hammer everything I plan on running in .25 will be monolithic solids.

I already have a 6.5CM as well, but I've got this long action Chassis with MDT mags sitting here empty.
This is just a fun gun for me. I hunt White tail and Sika deer in heavy brush at sea lvl 100 yards max.
My 35 Whelen has never failed for hunting, 1 shot DRT everytime.

I’ve had several folks mention the 35 whelen also. Seems like an interesting gun.

 

[chevy_man]

im leaning toward a smaller faster round so the last one you mention is interesting. I think I have my elk stuff covered. Does the .257 have the same bolt face diameter and action length? Thanks for the advice. Very useful.

25-06 is just necked down 30-06.

There's also an AI, but the standard 25-06 is overbore already. 60 grns of powder behind a 115 will motivate it.
You can drop down to 100 grn bullets and push the speed higher.

 

[357Max]

I’ve had several folks mention the 35 whelen also. Seems like an interesting gun.

My 35 Whelen is a Rem 7400 auto loader weighing about 8lbs. Recoil is heavy with 250 grain loads. Sighting in this year 3 shots and my scope was DRT. Great hunting round, but not something you want to shoot 20 plus of a bench with.

 

[b6graham]

25-06. blackjacks or you can go tiny

 

[Jerry m]

.284 Winchester. But it sounds like you have big and up game covered. If you want small and really fast .220 Swift. Choose a fast twist barrel for either choise.

Good Luck

Jerry