Caliber question: short action, fairly flat, capable of Mule or WT at 500+ yards

cody c

cody c

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Hey all, I know my question pertains more to shooting game at distance than target, but I trust the wisdom in this sub forum more.

I have a left hand Remington 788 action, I'm planning a rebarrel and was planning on a 6.5CM, being a short action made for .308 family cartridges I have options, but also limitations. I was initially going to go with a .243 and 105-110 grain bullets, but the 6.5CM started to grow on me, now I'm having second thoughts.

My needs are a flat shooting cartridge that is more for coyote or deer, maybe goat or sheep hunting. I know the .308 is capable as well, but I kind of wanted a smaller caliber that shoots flatter than it. The 6.5-284 Norma seems about ideal, but I'm not sure if it would be ideal for the action.

What are your thoughts? Say about 600 yards max for deer sized game? It would be something of a companion caliber to my 9.3x62.

Appreciate any input or real world experience.
 
The 6.5 creed would be a good choice in my opinion, I would say it's capable under 1,000 yards on deer sized game. I took my white tail 2 years ago at just under 600 yards shooting 140gr Bergers in the 6.5 creed and he dropped in his tracks. I've always shot big magnums for deer hunting in the past but now I don't feel it's necessary with proper shot placement. Just my opinion but I don't think you would be disappointed with the 6.5 creed.
 
I have a short action vanguard in 6.5-284, with the mag I'm limited to about 2.885" COAL so I shoot 120gr sierra pro hunters. Haven't taken any animals with it yet but I hope to this winter.

Like you say not the ideal length of action but I got a good deal on the rifle as it was built by someone I know personally. 26" jury SS barrel, B&C stock, Hornady brass, sierra bullets for $800.

Here is a group, 5 shots at 100 yards and 1" squares. I'm sure it could do better with a better person at the trigger.

12AVnpT.jpg
 
6.5 CR would be a great choice because of all the factory ammo availalable. If you're a reloader, consider 260 Rem for a little more horsepower.
 
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Thanks for all the feedback, the first hand experience is great input as well.

I was debating on the 260, I think one could rechamber to it later if desired, but I'd rather not be dependant on reloading if possible
 
cody c said:
Thanks for all the feedback, the first hand experience is great input as well.

I was debating on the 260, I think one could rechamber to it later if desired, but I'd rather not be dependant on reloading if possible
Click to expand...

This is actually my plan once I shoot out the 6.5-284, I'll get the barrel cut and re-chambered.
 
any shortaction caliber will do what you would like just fine with correct bullet choice. If coyotes and whitetail are your main focus id be leaning hard at 243/243AI as you can shoot a lighter bullet for coyotes. I have seen many deer shot at long range with a 243AI with 105amax and it flat out hammers them. If the deer end of the spectrum is the main focus then a 6.5x47/6.5 creed/260AI would be my focus.
 
260,Creed or 6.5x47 will all work out to 600 yds. As far as flat shooting goes, there's much flatter. But when shooting long range you're not holding over, but dialling for elevation and wind. So between the three I listed there's only a click or two difference. They all run very close to each other. For a dedicated hunting rifle I'd go 260AI. For target and hunting a x47 or Creed.
 
I only have 200 rounds down the tube of my Savage Stealth. Saturday I took my first shots past my 100 yard load development distance.
First shot hits at 300, 400, 500, and 600 on steel. All less than MOA. In fact more like 1/2 MOA although no groups were shot. 4 liter milk jugs are not a problem. I can't wait to go shooting deer this fall with it. Loving my Stealth 6.5.
 
dryfire said:
6.5 Swede ? Often overlooked.
Click to expand...

Was thinking about that too, I'm concerned that it will be difficult to feed in the 788 action due to length.

Also, I'm thinking about ordering the howa drop magazine conversion, which comes in .308, 6.5CM and others, but not the swede.
In the long term I plan on a rebarreled in a varmint type profile and lightweight composite blank, with some sort of mag conversion. I'll have to measure out the action and do some more research first.
 
Id go for the 260. Remington makes a couple of different factory loads that I used to see regularly on the shelves at WSS I never looked elsewhere but if you LGS does not have they can get.
 
Lead hammer said:
I only have 200 rounds down the tube of my Savage Stealth. Saturday I took my first shots past my 100 yard load development distance.
First shot hits at 300, 400, 500, and 600 on steel. All less than MOA. In fact more like 1/2 MOA although no groups were shot. 4 liter milk jugs are not a problem. I can't wait to go shooting deer this fall with it. Loving my Stealth 6.5.
Click to expand...

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but what did you find your Stealth preferred?
After one range session, mine didn't care for the factory 140gr. Hornady or Nosler, but printed the Lapua 123gr. Scenars well over 38.5gr. of Varget and 41.5 of H4350.
I plan on retrying the factory loads next time with altering torque settings on the rear action screw.

Regarding the OP's dilemma, my (obvious) choice would be 6.5CM.
 
41.5 H4350, Hornady brass, Fed primers, loaded to mag length, 143 ELDx. It also shot factory 143's into 1/2" groups. I have 140 Bergers to try, but not in a hurry as it's shooting good.
 
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