Mystic are you thinking I should go with a larger caliber? 260, 260 ai or 6.5 x 284?? I was considering those but i want a case that i don't have to fireform and with a barrel that will last a bit. The others seem to be very good performers at 1000 but more work to reload and greater throat erosion. Just what I've read however, I've no experience with any of them.
Interested to hear your thoughts...
In F Open and a perfect world, we would use a super loundenboomer with laser beam accuracy and just enough barrel life to finish a match. We would just aim in the middle and the bullets would never drift.
Well, we are all saddled with the realities of recoil, barrel heat, and costs.
So what are you willing to compromise on?
There are a growing number of shooters moving to 7 and 30cal magnums. Even the occasional 270 zapper.
Recoil is high, barrels can burn out in LESS then 1000rds but wind drift is reduced. Costs are way up there as a competitive shooter is thinking as many as 3 barrels a year and shooting costs around $1 per BANG.
When I started F Open, I decided on the best compromise which was an improved 260 which I called the Mystic. Then I started shooting the 260AI as Shilen had the reamer, was close enough to my wildcat and I had less to think about.
Did well, won a few matches, placed in several more. Consistent predicatable accuracy that still worked well in the winds.
Peak bore life is up to 1500rds (usually 1000 to 1200rds as match winning possible) so it was much better then 6.5-284 AND gave the same velocities. At least be able to reach the node that the 139/140gr VLD's want to shoot at - 2900fps without excessive pressures.
Lower recoil, lower component costs, decent bore life. Just a bit of fireforming and all is good. The 260R is now showing similar performance with some newer powders but I have seen a few barrels that just didn't like the pressures so speeds were limited.
In general, a 260 is going to thrive in the 28's fps and an improved version over 2900fps. Is 100fps worth the fuss?
If you want a no brainer off the shelf, the 6.5 Swede is it. Same case capacity as the 260improved/Mystic, great brass options and all the support a cartridge over 100yrs old can possibly have.
Do you need this increased ballistics? Entirely up to you.
I have seen a few top shooters smoke a wide field of "laser" beams using the good ole 6BR at 900m in a GALE. At the end of the day, it is still about reading conditions and if you get it right, the cartridge really isn't important.
BUT, it is far less forgiving. See my previous post on the 2010 Farky. Also review the two day matches this year.
There is no perfect answer as Open is most definitely a world of compromise. in fact, the best solution right now is TWO rifles.
If you want to be competitive, I strongly suggest you consider what ballistic advantage you can afford to have. The shooters you are competing with may not be as concerned with frugality vs wind drift.
A good shooter WITH a laser beam is going to be very tough to beat when the air gets bouncy.
If you are starting and costs IS an issue, there is not much better then the 6BR. It is as good a training platform as anyone can ask for AND is competitive.
YMMV.
Jerry
