I made my choice on which action I wanted that was pretty easy but I have been on the fence about what caliber I want. I am very partial to 308win and keep coming back to it considering I have an abundance of reloading components for it all ready and am very familiar with it both as a hunting and target round. I seriously doubt I will shoot much at all beyond 1000 meters but if I do I all ready have a fast twist 243 and a 300wm. I know that the 6.5 caliber rounds are ballisticaly superior at distance but the 308 would help me improve my abilities with reading wind and distance calculations and more or less force me to get more proficient in those areas. I know many have asked the question but just curious if most had some regrets with not choosing one of the higher performance rounds. I am at the point of ordering a barrel and need to get it to a gunsmith. Luckily that is an easy decision as well since both Dan Dowling and Gregg Tannel are less than an hour away.
Gunsmithing Caliber Decision ?
- Thread starter XLR308
- Start date
My Kelblys action has a standard bolt face but am considering the 7saum when my 300wm barrel goes south.
I have been back and fourth between the lapua and 6.5 Creed
, I guess now that there numerous good choices for brass the Creedmoor is a great option. I rarely shoot factory ammo in anything except the 68spc but only because I have cases of it.
, I guess now that there numerous good choices for brass the Creedmoor is a great option. I rarely shoot factory ammo in anything except the 68spc but only because I have cases of it.
Trust me I've been looking at it but not sure I want a wildcat for my first custom build. The ballstics of it are very appealing though. The atlas action is a pretty good base for a switch barrel set up.
Generally speaking, I wouldn't either but considering that you're doing the whole process in something you already should do it doesn't seem like a big deal. All it is is necking down lapua palma brass to 7mm. Being that you already have a 308 and plan on a 7 saum, the 7 saw maybe more beneficial in the long run anyways.
The 7SAW from a 22-23" barrel at a modest and mild 2650 fps with a 162eldm is definitely appealing to me as I said. From all I have read on here from other members who have dealt with them they do great work and are very helpful and the round is very capable as a multi role caliber. The places I get to hunt in Texas rifle weight generally isn't an issue so it would be a great caliber for stand hunting or parked on a long sendero.
7-08, if you're interested in shooting the 162, you'll get a bit more velocity over the SAW and plenty of brass is available, it is also just a matter of running .308 brass through a full length sizer if you have lots of that brass laying around.
If you wanted a bit more velocity then a .284 win is a pretty good round as well.
If you wanted a bit more velocity then a .284 win is a pretty good round as well.
I have looked at the 7-08 as well but would rather stick with something that has readily available match ammo even though I don't plan on running factory ammo the option is always there if I go with 308win or 6.5 Creedmoor.
I think I'm slowly talking myself out of the 308 since I all ready have one that is more accurate than I could have hoped for even though it is a factory rifle with minimal improvements done to it.
I think I'm slowly talking myself out of the 308 since I all ready have one that is more accurate than I could have hoped for even though it is a factory rifle with minimal improvements done to it.
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I still shoot a lot of .308 but if we are talking only having 1 rifle with out a doubt I would take my 6.5cm. If your heart is set on the .308 consider at 26 inch 1-9.5 twist and shoot the heavy 185's. You can still get 2600FPS with the longer barrel and Lapua brass.
That's kind of what I am thinking as well, my current 308 I shoot all the time has a 26" barrel and pushes the 178amax easily and very accurately at 2650fps with AR-COMP and is an easy load on my brass.
I'm afraid now if I build another 308 it will just sit in the safe.
I think I will start looking for a Bartlien 5R in 6.5 cal.
I'm afraid now if I build another 308 it will just sit in the safe.
I think I will start looking for a Bartlien 5R in 6.5 cal.
I have trued 700, brux 1-11 Sendero taper 22”, Rem LTR stk, Bisley chamber cut 308 w NF 3.5x15. It is like my steady. I like my 260’s. Never shoot 130’s. I buy ever decent priced 123 that shows up here. Prefer Scenars. BUT, If I were to start over they would be 6.5x47’s.
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I vote for the Creedmoor, when I picked up my Bergara HMR the CM was just getting popular. The 6.5CM is probably my favorite round after years of 308, 300WM and 300WSM. I still have 308 in my Stag10 and a Ruger 77 HB that's been a great shooter. If you haven't tried the CM it is worth a shot. My HMR loves 123s and a few 130s. It's picky about 140s and just doesn't like the 142s I've tried, but with the 123gr Scenars it's a laser. If you end up going with the CM get a twist geared for the heavier bullets if you plan to stretch it's legs. Maybe a 1:8 or 1:8.5 would be great for the 139s and 142s.
It's definitely a great cartridge and if I had my choice between shooting the 308 vs 6.5CM I would pick the 6.5CM every time I just like the recoil, accuracy and it is a very forgiving cartridge in windy conditions. So I guess it just depends on what your going to use it for. The 308 is the golden standard, easy to find ammo, components, etc. But if you looking for something different and want to be able to get factory match ammo the CM is the way to go. The 6.5x47 is no slouch, maybe even a more accurate cartridge? Just doesn't have the availability of the CM or ease of access to ammo/components.
It's definitely a great cartridge and if I had my choice between shooting the 308 vs 6.5CM I would pick the 6.5CM every time I just like the recoil, accuracy and it is a very forgiving cartridge in windy conditions. So I guess it just depends on what your going to use it for. The 308 is the golden standard, easy to find ammo, components, etc. But if you looking for something different and want to be able to get factory match ammo the CM is the way to go. The 6.5x47 is no slouch, maybe even a more accurate cartridge? Just doesn't have the availability of the CM or ease of access to ammo/components.
I just ordered 6.5 cm Bartlein 5r for my AI-AT. This time I am going 1-7 twist going to give the 147 and 150's a try.
I bought my action from Bugholes since that is the only place I found it in stock after months of looking so I will probably buy the barrel and trigger through them as well. They have a great inventory of quality barrels the hard part now is choosing one. KRIEGER, Bartlien, Brux, Rock Creek and others all highly reputable and capable its GOOD to have so many quality choices. I was considering a 7 twist but I'm sure any of the 8 twist barrels would serve equally well since I have no intentions of running anything heavier than 142 grain. My intended finished length I was considering no more than 23" to keep it somewhat compact with a folding stock. Just need to choose a contour now that is a good balance of weight distribution and stiffness. I like the m24 profile but it seems a bit overboard without fluting so the rem. Varmint is probably a better option. Any of you guys that have both I would appreciate any input as far as forward weight distribution and balance. The chassis it will be in most likely will be the MPA hybrid or competition just need to talk to MPA a bit and see if all of the weight shaved in the hybrid is all in the back end.
Found a Bartlien 5R #23 marksman contour that fits nicely between the two profiles I was considering. Seems to be the perfect balance of weight for what I was looking for to bad its Sunday and will have to wait till tomorrow to call Bartlien.
Thank you all for your input, just ordered a Bartlien 7.5 twist 6.5 barrel. The more I've looked into the 147ELDM and 150SMK the more it has peaked my interest in the 65 Creedmoor and shouldnt be giving up anything if I decide to run the 130 class bullets.
Its an M24 contour which is a bit heavier then I had planned on and would finish at 26" if I decide to stay with length , may go a little shorter though.
I have havent calculated anything yet but I would think that given the profile shortening the finished length to 22" would shave close to a pound add fluting and I'm back near were I really want to be but would prefer to avoid fluting.
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You are correct. I've done the calculations before and you'll end up with between a 5.2 and 5.5 pound barrel with an M24 @ 22".
I only own two rifles with barrels over 24" one in 308 and one in 243 both are 26" and seem ridiculously long to me compared to my others. Even though only a few inches difference in barrel length they just seem overly long to me. Weight isnt so much of an issue for me but balance is. If I plan on doing alot of walking and stalking while hunting I'm either carrying a 16" barreled AR in 68spc (favorite brush gun) or my sporter weight 270win if somewere longer shots are possible.
The available components and firearms for the .308 chambering are currently the best they have ever been historically, and the .308 (and/or .223) are mandated for F T/R Competition.
My 1000yd chambering is the .260 Remington, and I've been shooting it since 2001. Factory match ammunition for the .260 is readily available. I shot the .260 Rem (with my handloads) for a couple of years in 1000yd F Open.
Please keep us posted one the 150SMK's performance. I have a 28" 1:8" barrel on my .260, and I'm guessing it'll work with the 150SMK.
Greg
My 1000yd chambering is the .260 Remington, and I've been shooting it since 2001. Factory match ammunition for the .260 is readily available. I shot the .260 Rem (with my handloads) for a couple of years in 1000yd F Open.
Please keep us posted one the 150SMK's performance. I have a 28" 1:8" barrel on my .260, and I'm guessing it'll work with the 150SMK.
Greg
I will post results as soon as I get everything together and start working up some loads. I plan on swinging by Gre-Tan this week and hopefully getting to pick Greg Tannels brain a little bit about chambering and lead for the 147eldm and 150SMK in the 65 Creedmoor. He may have an entirely different opinion on the subject but I plan on listening to the advice of someone that has far more knowledge than myself on the subject and taking the best path forward to achieve the best results.
