Which Cartridge?

[Hornseeker]

I do most all my hunting with my 30-06, which is accurrate enough for what I do. I have the bug to build up a rifle that is a tack driver, something I can shoot confidenltly out to 700+ yards... I dont want to mess with my 06'... she's my baby... and works just fine for the thick, mountain country I hunt...

I've got a 300 winny that I am going to build up with a new stock and new optics eventually... then, if she dont shoot I'll rebarrel her.... I plan on that being my LR tack driver.

So, as far as rifles go, I have a 700 243 that my daughter uses that I can use anytime of course....

My main question is this. I have this old Rem 721 06'. It was my first bolt action gun and I hunted with it for about 15 years before getting my Abolt 06. She handles like a dream and shoots nice enough, but well...she just sits there nowadays. I am thinking of rebarreling her. Just cant figure out what i want to do. 338-06? 6.5-284? 270 Weatherby (I was looking at ballistics last night, and that 270 Weatherby is a flat shootin SOB...with a 130 or 150 bullet!)... 25-06....

Give me some input!!! If I rebarrel her, I'll probably get a new bolt, cerrakote the rifle and bed the stock and paint the stock.... plop a Leupold VX-II 3-9 or so on there... probably be a mountain gun more than anything, but could use it on the prairie too....

Im really edging towards the 270 weatherby.... I like that caliber....

[spookgus]

From the cartridges your considering you must reload. Take a look at the 6.5-06 AI. You would not need to replace the bolt.

I have a 721 in 30-06 also and could never bring myself to re-barrel it, since my grandfather gave it to me in the early 70's. I have adjusted the trigger and fitted an ADL stock to it which made it more scope friendly.

[JackOfAllTrades]

From the cartridges your considering you must reload. Take a look at the 6.5-06 AI. You would not need to replace the bolt.

Or a 270win AI.  Also no need to change the bolt face. Much better bullet selection than 25cal.

-Steve

[quadrafire]

I used to have a 721 in -06, wish I didn't get rid of it I would have done the same thing you are thinking. Always heard those actions were awsome. I really can't comment on any of you selections. Good luck.

[JimmyHoffa]

Sounds like you have a good list of LR cartridges already.  If you are interested in a shorter range, heavy bullet cartridge you could look at the .35 Whelen.  It is based off the .30-06 case.

[AWS]

Take a look at the 280 Rem AI, great selection of bullets, gets near 7mm RM velocities, fits your bolt face and Nosler loads for it. What more could you want probly leave everthing else at home after you build it.

AWS

[Hornseeker]

Decisions Decisions!!    There will be no perfect answer....aargh!

It'll be fun though. This gun has a little sentimental value since it was my first bolt gun... paid $110 for it.... it served me well.  I could let it sit...shoot it now and again... and just buy something else to build a gun out of!

We'll see. You guys will be the first to know when I do build something!

[257 Wby Mag]

Ernie, my pards hunted with a 270 Roy for about 15 years. I 've seen him work magic with it more than once, its a great cartridge! I also used to have a Browning BAR 270 Roy, killed 3 bulls with, great results. Getcha a Mark V Ultra Lightweight, thanks me later...

PS, after smokin that ripper bull with lo faithful, you might not want to retire her!! grin

[quadrafire]

Would you do most of the work yourself, or have a smithy do it? I think it would be fun, but Seems like you would have to pony up for some specific tools. I have the midway catalog and drool over alot of the stuff in it. Could get to be an expensive hobby.

[Alan K]

If I were you and the rifle has the sentimental value to you that it appears to, I would say leave it as is and build up another rifle.  I'd leave it in the condition you always remember it being and you can look at it up on the mantle and remember the times you had with it.   

I have 2 rifles and 2 bows I've retired because I've moved on to newer gear, but will never part with them or alter them because of the experiences I;ve had with them.

[elkslayer069]

 

[Hornseeker]

257....my dad has that Mark V Ultralight in 270 Roy..... LOVE That gun... Love it. Thing kicks like a 22 and shoots a 140 grain bullet dang near the speed of light!!! And I shot the big bull with my 10 year old Abolt...she's getting some history under her too now!

Quad... I'd have smith change barrel, Id fit and bed a new stock if I got one though... My feelings change like the dang tide... I am considering slapping the iron sights back on this old 721 and keeping it for those days I KNOW I am not going to get out of the brush, at all...and wet, and snow...and ....well, you get the picture. I have an old 94 30-30 for that purpose, but this ole 721 is a nice handling gun.....we'll see. For that matter, I could convert it to the Whelen or 338-06 and load heavies in it for hunting close quarters with iron sights.... Hmmmmm

Thanks all, its fun to discuss....

[bobcat]

For long range shooting I'd go with something like the 7mm Ultra Mag or 7mm WSM. All depending on how much recoil you want to endure.

[257 Wby Mag]

I'm with ya, I'm always thinkin of differant calibers, pro's and cons etc. Gives a guy sumthin to daydream about... Sure is fun though. Later

[AWS]

I rebored my 721 to 35 whelen. Works great with reciever sights do to the drop in the factory stock.  After eye surgery I could no long focus close enough to use iron sights any more so I dropped it into a 700 BDL stock and mounted a Nikon 1.5x4.5 MONARCH on it. Great rig for close in work and still enough X's in the scope to work well to 330yrds

AWS