First Rifle Build

[cook1536]

I have been on here for quite some time, learning a lot of information on hand loading and working on my long range shooting with my .223. I went with the .223 so my daughters would enjoy shooting without the abuse of recoil and so they will continue to shoot with me i will be keeping it as is but I want something bigger for myself. I'm looking at building and have found a long action in a Remington Sportsman 78 (aka 700) 30-06 that has a bulge in the barrel for a donor...pretty cheap, which i will send out to have trued. My reason for posting is I am undecided on what caliber to go with for this build. I would like to keep the same bolt face and i'm not opposed to using short action calibers. I want something that is not a "wildcat" round with custom dies, i don't want to fire form brass, and the reloading components are not to hard to come by. I'm looking at 500-1000 yd mostly but eventually 1000-1500+ yd. I am not into shooting competition, i won't be hunting with this rifle it is just for target shooting. i have been looking at a few like the Creedmoor's, .280, 25-06 (although lower BC bullets for this one). Just looking for some suggestions.

thanks

 

[TheBigCountry]

With a long action and standard bolt face, a 30-06 comes to mind. There was a gentleman here on the hide a while ago who had posts where he was loading a 30-06 with 200+ grain pills and his results were impressive.

if it was a short action, 6.5 of some flavor comes to mind.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

If this build is for you then I would suggest chambering in .284 Win for the 180 Berger hybrid that is a laser at 1,000 yards. If this build is for something the girls would shoot then maybe the 6BR which is also very capable out to 1,000 yards with minimal recoil and you can purchase the brass and dies in that caliber. Even though it is a long action you can absolutely have it done in 6.5 CM if that is what you are after just a tad bit longer bolt throw.

 

[lash]

Honestly, I think that you'll be plenty satisfied with any of the current crop of 6.5 choices for your use. Since you have a long action, the 6.5-284 is an excellent option for you, using the same bolt face and just add a nice barrel to go with it.