Advice on LR calibers based on .308 family.

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Safeside

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Looking for some advice. I have done quite a bit of research, but have found floating ideas past CGN yields indispensable advice, and often brings up things I had not thought of.
Here is my dilemma. Preparing for PRS like shooting, requiring mag length bullets for rapid follow up. Range out to 1000 yards. Currently have a PRS rifle in .308, that I would like to consider re-barreling to change calibers as opposed to buying a whole new rifle. The question then is to what caliber and why?
.243, .260, .260 AI, one of the 6 mm or 6.5 mm variants based on a .243, .260, or .308 cartridge. (.308 family). High BC G7, high sectional density, reasonable recoil for follow up shots and reasonable barrel life, are all in the deciding factors. Avoiding crazy brass resizing, and reasonably available reamers and dies are a real bonus. Advice on where to purchase reamers and dies a bonus too. Thoughts?
 
Google PRS series blog.

Also see the black and green precision forum for info and links.

Seems to be a pretty even split between 6mm and 6.5mm... pros and cons to both set ups. I love my 6XC but will be getting a 6.5 Creedmoor shortly to try. Not good, not bad... just depends on the distance and winds.

I make my own brass so don't worry about crazy prices or loss. Dies are kind of pricey vs the 260/243's. Many gunsmiths have appropriate reamers now... you just have to ask. If going with a prefit, it is all done for you.

I can certainly help with all the bits and pieces.

Jerry
 
Here's my 2 cents..

If going with 6.5, 260Rem can have an edge if you reload (about 50fps more speed). 6.5 Creedmoor is shorter so if you want to run long Berger Hybrids in a magazine this cartridge has an advantage. Don't go with the Ackley because there can be issues with speed feeding from the magazine since the sharper shoulder and straighter wall can hang up on the chamber..

If going to a 6mm, the 6mm Creedmoor is slightly faster than the x47. Also, the two Lapua cartridges run small primers so they tend to blow primers unless you run a small firing pin and bolt face bushing...
 
6.5 Creedmoor or 260 if you're building off of a factory rifle. Avoid anything that requires blowing out a case because at some point you will discover you need new/more brass and don't have time to fireform before the next match.

If you're building off of a custom action, you can get one with a 0.062 firing pin. Then there are no pierced primer issues with a 6.5x47L. That would be my choice in a 6.5mm.
 
Thank you guys.
I was favoring the 260AI, and was not aware of the problem with feeding and stuck cases. Makes a lot of sense. And yes reliable feeding will be critical. which takes .260 AI off the list. This leaves .260, 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5x47. The gun, I am rebarelling pounds primers, and I would like to try and push the bigger Bergers 140's to 2900, so I am guessing that leans more towards 260 over 6.5x47, am I understanding this correctly.,
 
There is fast.. and there is accurate fast. in long 30" barrels, the 260rem is pretty much a 2800/2900fps node.

In a short barrel, I doubt you will be much over the 2800fps node without excessive pressures AND that means tuning headaches with temp swings.

And then you go back to balancing recoil and follow through. For PRS, what are the priorities? Is mobility more important then a few FPS? Is the range open or am I crawling through tubes and obsticles?

What percentage of shots inside 600yds... out to 1000yds... beyond????

At what point does recoil becomes a problem in my ability to hit?

I don't think there is one answer yet... the events are way too diverse (a good thing) to say this is THE combo. PRS to me, is a game of compromise...

Enjoy figuring out yours.

Jerry
 
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