Decisions Decisions - Long Action 700

[bdubb]

I have one of the early model Sendero's in 25-06 which I have mentioned a couple times on here and yet I'm still a undecided on it's fate as I have grown less impressed with it as it sits today. I'm looking to get a rifle build done in 2014 and have flipped back and forth on what direction to go with the 25-06 as it is touchy about what ammo it will shoot and I have thought about using the action for something else as I have several other hunting rifles that I can fill the caliber needs with in my opinion (.270 BDL, 7mm rem mag BDL, .30-06 enfield sporterized, etc.) and also have GAP building a Hospitaller based custom in 260 Remington that should be done in the next couple months. My hunting is done in Texas and mainly for hogs or whitetail, but I would like to make a speed goat hunt or elk hunt at some point in the future.

Option 1: Keep the .25-06 and rebarrel, true, cerakote, trigger etc for around $1500-$1800 of materials and work

Option 2: Use the long action to make an entry level .280 F-Class rifle (I've never shot F-class but have been considering giving it a go next year in Open)

Option 3: Sell off my .25-06 sendero and associated items and get a hunting rifle that's a bit more exotic like what GAP is doing with the 6.5 SAUM



The options above range a bit across the scale from a light hunting rifle to a heavy F-class, but I'm just curious to see what thinking some others may have to see if I can make up my mind eventually.

 

[2G5MK]

Have you considered a 6.5-06. I was in a similar predicament, and I ended up building a 6.5-06. I absolutely love the rifle. I use it to both hunt and shoot tactical bolt action matches. It will push a 140 Berger VLD at close to 3000 fps. Mine has a sendero contour barrel. It is very accurate: generally it shoots sub 1/2 moa, and will do 1/4 moa on a good day. My best group with it was .263 inches center to center at 316 yards. I know that was just a lucky group gifted to me by the gods of accuracy to give me unrealistic hope. I think you will find that the caliber will fill both your hunting and F-class requirements.