Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Red Dawg on January 23, 2010, 11:48:08 AM
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I am going to build a custom mountain rifle this year and just wondering what you guys think of each caliber. I enjoy huntind with a short action and I dont need another magnum cartridge. I know I am splitting hairs here but I am having trouble deciding which one to use.
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I'm a total 260 whore I own 2 now and a 6.5X55 swede. I absolutely love the 6.5's so thats where my vote goes. If i were to build a custom I'd build it around the Berger VLD hunting bullet 130 grn or so. I say this a lot but I think the 260 is the perfect deer cartridge.
Nothing against a 7mm-08, I've never owned one.
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7mm-08 will give you a larger variety of bullets to reload with. Also, you can always find 7mm-08 ammo at the local store, if you forgot your ammo for some reason. Plus, the 7mm bullet is about as ballistically perfect as you can get. Other than that, you are right, just splitting hairs.
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I am a big fan of the 6.5's. if you are going custom, why not 6.5-284?
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flip a coin, they are both good. maybe a possible bc advantage on the 260, but ya gotta reload for it. i am a 7mm-08 fan though. i dont think you can go wrong with either.
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the 6.5-284 is a good caliber is a great caliber but I am trying to go with a caliber with a popular parent case like the 308. I would prefer to go with the 30-06 derived cases but I have made up my mind that I want a short action. No other reason than that. What would you recommend for twist, I am planning on making this gun a high mountain deer/elk cartridge. I have read about 1:8 or 1:9 for the 260 and most all say 1:9 for the 7mm-08. I would most likely be shooting 130 gr for both I think.
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Both are good. I love my 6.5x55 with 1:8 twist. I tend to shoot heavier bullets more than 140 gr
Shooting 24 inch barrel
Have read that 1:9 twist for lighter bullet weights. I guess do some more research.
Have fun
Have been looking at the 6.5/284 lately.
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I don't have either caliber, but if I reloaded I'd get the 260 Rem. For factory ammo I'd get the 7mm-08.
Andrew
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1 in 8 will stabilize pretty much any 6.5 bullet. 1 in 9 might give you a bit of trouble on the longest ones. you can prolly get by at 1 in 8.5
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I vote 7mm-08. I've had both and still have a 7-08.
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do you fellas have any suggestions for a particular barrel. I am going to use a 700 action and wondering if anyone knows a good place to pick one up. I am thinkin of buying a 308 or something and just trick it out. Thoughts please. :)
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Many barrels to choose from, buy the best you can afford.
Douglas
Hart
just to name a couple to start.
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There are tons of choices...Shilen, Pac-Nor, Krieger, Liga or Hart all of them are good.
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Have you guys dealt with these comanies at all and do you think I can get away with a 22in barrel. I do want to go stainless. man I am getting exited to build this rifle. Now just need to make up my mind. The 7mm IS what I think I want to use, but the 260 sure sounds good also. :dunno:
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Ive got a krieger and a Pac-Nor and there both great. Mostly depends on the gun smith you are going to use.
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http://www.ershawbarrels.com/
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The next rifle I do will have a spiral flute on the barrel.
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I have Douglas barrels on all the rifles I have built. Excellent quality, and all shoot sub-moa.
That said, I really want to try a different brand on the next one I build, just to say I did. :dunno:
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I would definatly go with the 7mm08 just for the bullet weight variety available. also have you thought of useing the model 7 action versus the model 700??
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I dont know much about the model 7. I have only ever had the 700/721 action. Is there much of a difference between the two J. I think I am going to go with a spiral flute myself.
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Id do a 7mm-08 on a Tritium Remington 700 action and I also go with a 23" barrel + spiral flue....Here is what the actions look like..
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10069/REM280ACK1.gif)
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:drool: OOOOOh!!!! where can I pick one of those up. Are they much lighter than a standard action.
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Im not sure on the spec of those..Ive seen the actions for sale around the net :dunno:
That will be my next rifle..
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If you built the gun on a Savage action you could have both calibers. Just buy a stainless Savage in 7mm-08, play with it for a while, then pick up a second barrel in 260. It would be an easy swap, and you could do it yourself and save some money. Savage prefit barrels run around $250-300 from many barrel makers.
Andrew
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If you are building a rifle from "scratch"; I'm a big fan of Ackley Improved chambers. You gain a bit if velocity, and you can still shoot factory ammo in a pinch. You can fire-form most of the brass you will ever need while breaking in the barrel. Just my opintion.
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I like the 7mm-08 myself have killed a few bears wth mine
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I wasnt aware of a 7mm-08 AI. I know they do give you a bit more velocity. I will have to chew on that a bit. I am starting to think it is more cost effective to buy a whole gun than just purchase parts. :dunno:
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7-08, hands down! I have a Tikka that shoots 5/8moa with a handload! with a 162 a max. not a match grade bullet! good selection of bullets if you handload.
jethro
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I just looked at a test target from my Pac-Nor barrel its .2" with shots 11-13 out of the new barrel. :)
