I had my first custom rifle built last year on a bighorn tl3 in 223 rem. If I built a second one this year perhaps on a impact precision action, what caliber would you go with for an occasional target shoot nothing competitive. Just long ish range bottle blasting and Steel plates. 6.5 creedmor, 308, 22 creedmor, 22 br or some 7mm cal? I’m thinking even a 308 would be good enough but a creedmor would be nicer with its trajectory. Any ideas?
Building a precision rifle in short action caliber, caliber advice
- Thread starter Mike112288
- Start date
Yeah I was pretty stoked about the 22 creedmor but the barrel life is garbage. I also like 204 ruger so not sure if that’s too close to the same as a 223. I used to own a 204 years ago but badly had the chance to shoot it. 308 has the military ammo going for it. As well but the 6.5 and 7mm biullets interest me more
and just because it’s different.I always thought 308 was a full boring cartridge. I was impressed by the 6.5x47 and 6.5 creedmoor and 6mmBr, 6mm Dasher, 284 win. Then I found a quality barrel in 308 to have put on an action I had. Now I wish I would have gone 308 years ago. It's accurate with just about every standard powder. I have no issue finding reloading components for 308 whereas it sometimes gets spotty to get 6.5 components at certain times of year. All of them are great. I'd stay away from the 22-250, 22 creedmoor etc but consider 223 and 222. Barrel life will become important to you eventually.
I find 284 Winchester very interesting. Great bullets available for 7mm and the recoil is manageable. However it can be a little harder to find 284 win brass unless you want to neck up 6.5-284 brass.
I find 284 Winchester very interesting. Great bullets available for 7mm and the recoil is manageable. However it can be a little harder to find 284 win brass unless you want to neck up 6.5-284 brass.
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284 Win ! Necking up 6.5-284 Lapua Brass to 284 is a single stroke thru the press ! Easy Peezy . RJ
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Lots of good choices and advice here so far, I think you need to consider a few other things too. Do you reload or will you be shooting mostly factory ammo? This is a huge consideration for obvious reasons, if you don't reload then you will have to stick to factory ammo offerings. This means sticking with more main stream options, 308, 6.5CM, 6 CM, 223, etc. Some others are available but can be tougher to get a reliable source. I had a rifle built last year in 6XC, it is pretty much a ballistic twin to the 6CM-which I should have built due to the various factory ammo options available now, and the selection of different brands and primer types for brass. But I am extremely happy with the 6mm choice, maybe slightly harder on barrels, but if you don't shoot comps you should be fine for a couple of shooting seasons on one barrel. 6.5CM also has great factory ammo options, and lots of choices when it comes to reloading components too, brass, bullets and powder are fairly easy to source now, I haven't had any issues anyways.
Good luck!
Good luck!
I'm putting together a switch barrel gun in 6 Dasher and 284. For what you are wanting to do I think the Dasher is the way to go. I really like my 6.5X47's as well. But as was mentioned if you don't reload then the options become a bit more limited. Then the 6 Creed may be a good option or the 6.5.
While not perfect in every way. The 6.5 Creed, that I shoot, is a dream to deal with, ok barrel life, dies and components are readily available, little recoil, low powder charge, shoot great, factory ammo options. Every time I shoot mine, I have a smile on my face. I still have a need for a 308 one of these days, and a 7mmRM. Or maybe a 300, or one of each.
Rod B
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Very accurate & long barrel life.
Best shooter I ever saw at 100m at the range had a 6mmBR. Looked like 1 perfectly round hole per group. Probably 15 or 20 groups. Insane.
