I have decided to build a precision/"tactical" rifle but I can't decide on what caliber. I have a rem 700sa and an AI chassis system. I do most of my shooting on my own personal range that reaches out to 370 yards. I also have a place where I can get out to around 700 yards. I also would like to have the ability to shoot 1000 yards if I ever get the opportunity. I have a lot of experience reloading and have been loading 308 for quite a few years. I am having a hard time choosing what caliber for this project. Do I stay with the 308? Or should I choose something that would be better suited for 1000 yards even though I don't know when I will ever get the chance to shoot that far? What are your opinions and/or suggestions?
308 or 260 or......?
- Thread starter Underthegun
- Start date
I would like to stay with the 308 because I know it so well, but like you say it is boring.260rem for 6.5 coolness! Pretty high BC with those long bullets. 308 is a little boring.
I'm building a 6mm X 47 Lapua on a Remington SA and AICS stage 2.0 stock but think that 308 Win has two advantages over other cartridges:
I'm sticking to a 6mm cartridge but 308 Win is almost impossible to argue against.
Alex
- Level playing field (F-TR shooters)
- Might be the easiest to load accurately cartridge
I'm sticking to a 6mm cartridge but 308 Win is almost impossible to argue against.
Alex
bulldog284
CGN Regular
- Location
- pigeon hill
stick with what you know already 308,if you think it is boring then try shooting it farther accuretly and you will see its not boring its a challenge..boring to me is having a round that takes all the guess work out of it,just my 2 cents.
when your shooting long distance for accuracy "guess work" will leave a precision shooter frustrated at the end of the day.
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
Are you planning on having a full-length barrel, e.g 26" to 30" long?
A 12" twist will do nearly everything you'd want - shoot 155s, 168s, 175s, and 185s, and shoot them very, very well.
I would recommend against using the mid-heavy (200-210 grain) or heavy (230 grain) .308 bullets, at least at this point. To really get the most out of them, you need to arrange for a lot of fine details that you might not be prepared to do at this time (chamber/throat dimensions, handloading those bullets, etc). And if you don't go through all those fine details, using heavy bullets is going to give you little to no advantage over the 155-185s.
A 12" twist will do nearly everything you'd want - shoot 155s, 168s, 175s, and 185s, and shoot them very, very well.
I would recommend against using the mid-heavy (200-210 grain) or heavy (230 grain) .308 bullets, at least at this point. To really get the most out of them, you need to arrange for a lot of fine details that you might not be prepared to do at this time (chamber/throat dimensions, handloading those bullets, etc). And if you don't go through all those fine details, using heavy bullets is going to give you little to no advantage over the 155-185s.
I was thinking 24 or 26". Not decided yet. And when I was thinking heavy bullets I was thinking up to 190. I forgot about the real heavy ones
Tactical builds typically use 1-10" twist barrels so that they can stabilize 180 gr. subsonic ammo.
The 190 SMK is an excellent bullet. There are many with better BCs, but the SMK is very tolerant of jump. I've shot out barrels with it without ever having to adjust COAL to chase the lands.
Unless you're going to go at least 30", there is no point in going more than 22" in a 308...
The 190 SMK is an excellent bullet. There are many with better BCs, but the SMK is very tolerant of jump. I've shot out barrels with it without ever having to adjust COAL to chase the lands.
Unless you're going to go at least 30", there is no point in going more than 22" in a 308...
Will the 1-12" stabilize the 190 SMK? I have 3 boxes of them but my current 308 hates them. I also have a couple boxes of 185gr Bergers.
Thank you everyone. For this brief moment my mind is made up. A 308 with a 1/12" barrel.
bulldog284
CGN Regular
- Location
- pigeon hill
you are doing the right move,have fun
260rem for 6.5 coolness! Pretty high BC with those long bullets. 308 is a little boring.
I'm rebarrelling my 700 to 260rem just for the 6.5 coolness. Can't argue that .308 works but it just doesn't appeal to me to be the same as everybody.
