Not quite sure if this is the right place for this topic, first off, I bought a Remington 700 in 7mm08 from a friend, barrel was damaged once upon a time and was cut down 2", I am planning on truing (I hate the word blueprinting when related to firearms) the action, and going the whole 9 yards which includes a new barrel. The reason I am posting this here is because I am looking to make a precision long range rifle to see if I enjoy 1000y shooting or not. Since I am reballeling I am pondering different calibers, so far I am considering 7mm08 and 6.5 creedmoor, nothing to obscure that resale value is completely shot. I'd like to go with a 28" minimum length barrel with some contour and fluting so that it isn't limited to the bench, and not too cumbersome to use for hunting. Thanks for your input
Remington 700 SA rebarrel options
- Thread starter ekoso
- Start date
As stated, stick with a .260 or .308. This would allow for a 26" barrel and could be configured for dual-purpose (hunting and target). If you're not shy of recoil, many people favor a .300 Win Mag. Personal preference of course... Any quality barrel will do. I highly recommend Rock Creek 5R barrels. True everything up and enjoy!
Forget fluting. Fluting doesn't give you much and costs a lot. Competitive shooters who go through a lot of barrels never bother with it. If you want 28" to be manageable off the range, get a barrel with a Medium Palma or Sendero profile.
If you're planning on shooting F-Class, which it sounds like by "1000 yard competition", you will want to go with 308 since you can't shoot the 260 in FTR.
If you're planning on shooting F-Class, which it sounds like by "1000 yard competition", you will want to go with 308 since you can't shoot the 260 in FTR.
If you're looking at a dual purpose rig I'd suggest going with a 260 and a lighter contour / shorter barrel. I have a 260 with a 24'' #4 krieger and can take it past 1000 yards with surprising consistency. If you're shooting casually the lighter contour won't hurt you and you wont be lugging a 12+ lb beast through the woods.
Can't chamber a 300wm on the bolt face the op has
300WM will not fit in a short action.
Thanks for your responses, I already have two 308 caliber rifles, and since I neck size I'm pretty particular about potentially mixing up the brass (and having a new caliber is always a good idea in my books). I've read that the 260 doesn't have much energy for instant kills in the 400+ range, but I haven't honestly looked much into that. The 7mm08 that the rifle is already chambered in seems like an interesting choice, lighter recoil than a 308, and I've heard people I trust talk about how they notice that the 7mm08 needs less correction at longer ranges than thier 308 (of course this could solely depend on thier personal bullet selection) the 6.5 creedmoor seems to be gaining popularity, but it could just be a fad. As for fluting, I like the looks, and unless I make a barrel burner like a 22-243, I don't think it would be money wasted compared to the gratification I'll get just looking at it lol. Ted Gaillard lives about 40 min from me so I'll probably get a barrel from him.
Thanks again for the input, I can always use some more
Thanks again for the input, I can always use some more
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
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- Southern Alberta
Crack out a ballistics calculator and run the number for yourself. Energy at range will depend on the bullet BC, muzzle velocity and weight you use of course. Not sure what the metric is for instant kills, but any of those will do the job with a well designed bullet.
6.5 Creedmoor is going to replacing the 260. When Lapua finally gets their act together and offers 6.5 Creedmoor brass it will be the final nail in the coffin for the 260.
And before someone points out that it is a direct competitor to their 6.5x47L, remember that Lapua initially balked at offering 260 for the same reason. By the time they decided to offer it, it was already being replaced by the Creedmoor... the writing was on the wall. Lapua makes great products, but they are always way behind the curve when it comes to new offerings.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Curious what the 6.5 Creedmore does that the 260 doesn't? Why would folks suddenly abandon the 260 for a creedmore? Slightly shorter case?
The main thing driving the popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor is the availability of inexpensive match ammo. Many people buying their first rifles don't reload.
For a reloader, the Creedmore is a better case design. Brass doesn't flow as easily with the 30 degree shoulder compared to the 20 degree shoulder, so there is less trimming with the Creedmoor. The Creedmore has a longer neck, which makes it compatible with more bullets and allows you to chase the lands for longer. It is a bit shorter, so you can load the 140 gr. bullets to mag length without the shank going into the donut area. With the 140's case volume is a wash. You're losing case volume with the 260 because the shank of the bullet is going well below the shoulder-neck junction when you seat to mag length.
The 6.5x47L has most of the same features, but many people don't like the small primer, especially in cold conditions. There is also no inexpensive ammo for it, so it will never take off the way the Creedmore will.
For a reloader, the Creedmore is a better case design. Brass doesn't flow as easily with the 30 degree shoulder compared to the 20 degree shoulder, so there is less trimming with the Creedmoor. The Creedmore has a longer neck, which makes it compatible with more bullets and allows you to chase the lands for longer. It is a bit shorter, so you can load the 140 gr. bullets to mag length without the shank going into the donut area. With the 140's case volume is a wash. You're losing case volume with the 260 because the shank of the bullet is going well below the shoulder-neck junction when you seat to mag length.
The 6.5x47L has most of the same features, but many people don't like the small primer, especially in cold conditions. There is also no inexpensive ammo for it, so it will never take off the way the Creedmore will.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Great thanks for the info. Subtle differences for most but I guess larger implications for guys trying to optimize the rounds. Though I guess those guys are probably just moving to a 6mm.
Go to MidwayUSA and look at the match ammo for both. The cheapest 260 match ammo is $43.39/box while the cheapest 6.5 Creedmoor ammo is $26.99/box. New shooters are told that they should get a 6.5mm because it's the best compromise between ballistics and barrel life. Then they walk into a store to buy a rifle and compare ammo prices, which one do you thing they will choose? You can shoot twice as much with the Creedmoor, and performance is the same. It's a no-brainer.
It's painfully obvious that the Creedmoor will outsell the other two in factory rifles, and that more ammo manufacturers will offer it and there will be more components for it.
It's painfully obvious that the Creedmoor will outsell the other two in factory rifles, and that more ammo manufacturers will offer it and there will be more components for it.
In Canada it's not easy to get components let alone the ever scarce 6.5 creedmoor components. For that reason I would personally go with the 260 AI. You get more velocity, eliminate brass stretching and have can easily access remington, nosler and lapua brass. In a jam you can work with any of the 308 based cartridges to form 260 brass.
Should be making it up here soon. All of the big outfits in the US have stock of 6.5 Creedmoor. Midway, Grafs, Sinclair, Powder Valley...
You can fireform 22-250 into 6.5 Creedmoor in a jam. Many guys were doing that during the shortage.
You can fireform 22-250 into 6.5 Creedmoor in a jam. Many guys were doing that during the shortage.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
True I guess if you are going to be buying factory ammo it makes sense as a lot of people do when they start.
As a handloader, I am happy to have settled on a 260AI for now, until something new peaks my interest!
As a handloader, I am happy to have settled on a 260AI for now, until something new peaks my interest!
