Long range hunting rifle project

Silverado

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I posted some time ago about building a long range open country deer rifle. Here's what I've got so far:

I purchased a model 700 BDL SS in 300 Weatherby Mag from the EE. Mostly because it had the really cool looking factory scroll engraving on the reciever, and the magnum length action gives me lots of options. And those options are... what?

I kind of have a taste for some kind of chambering that has a 'western flavour' (whatever that means) and will give excellent performance with bullets probably in the 120 to 140 grain weight at 400 - 500 yards. Any suggestions?

Also, can someone give me the name of those (admittedly expensive) laminate stocks that look like high end walnut? I've totally forgotten, and can't seem to get close enough on google...

FWIW, please refrain from the usual litany of reasons why you don't think I should shoot game at long distance. I didn't ask for your opinion on that.
 
My favorites are the the 280AI and 7-08AI.. both great at long bombing!

With the Magnum bolt face, you'd be hard pressed to find a better cartridge than the good old 7 Rem Mag...plenty of rifle to 500+yds.

Other "cool" options are:

264 Win Mag
257 WBY
270 WBY

and if you're not worried about barrels, the 7 STW and 7 RUM will get you there without a problem.

It's really not much of a search to find a cartridge 500yd capable on deer... the 270 Win is plenty really.

The rifle stocks you're talking about are by Serengetti Rifles.

280_ACKLEY
 
long action

With that long action a 7mm RUM you have what you need, I am getting a custom built 257 weatherby built from scratch right now and in my opinion for deer it has super flat trajectory and fairly light recoil, my rifle will weigh about 8lb's scoped with a VXIII leupold 2.5-10x40.
 
Thanks Ackley, and I have a 280AI in the works, but as a mountain rifle. This is going to be a different beast all together.
 
Silverado said:
Thanks Ackley, and I have a 280AI in the works, but as a mountain rifle. This is going to be a different beast all together.

Tell that to my 6lb (all up) mtn rifle in 7-08AI.

When it began to shoot group after group after group... into the .3's I figured I may be onto something.

I've not tried it past 572yds on milk jugs... but it'll not miss if I do my part.

Your 280AI may suprise you...you may just have your long range deer rifle and mtn rifle in one package....in fact I'd bet on it!

280_ACKLEY
 
take that 30-06 mtn rifle you got for sale and rebarrel it to 6.5-06 with a 1:8 twist and shoot the new 130 grain Nosler Accubond, could probably get 3100 fps or so with a 26" tube. Re-stock and scope with whatever floats your boat and you got an excellent long range rig that is easy on the shoulder too. That bullet has a sleek shape and is probably going to be near perfection for deer. If you're stuck on the magnum bolt face then do 264 Win Mag
 
7 Weatherbys shoot pretty flat, as do the STWs. Or a RUM. 7 is a nice caliber for that sort of stuff. And the big magnums can drive 160s at qa pretty respectable speed, and that's the bullet I'd use. Maybe a 150 Scirocco or TSX would do the trick better and be closer to your weight desire.
 
I just set up a savage 112 vlp in 25-06,I am getting 3500 fps with 100 grain bullets and have been shooting out to 700 meters with it.Probably would not shoot a deer past five but man is it a blast.The rifle is topped with a 6.5-20x50mm,with the varmint hunter reticle.It is fantastic for shooting at long range.Love the combo!!If you do not like the rifle take a good look at that reticle and see what you think!!.
 
Have you considered 6.5/284 or for more oomph 6.5 WSM?
Cat owns one of these and has found it excellent as a target rifle.
I can't see it being any less effective as long range deer rifle.
The top thing about the good 6.5mm bullets out there is that they're mostly designed for lower intensity cartridges so even when they get all the way out there and have lost their high initial velocity they still will perform well and have superb penetration.
 
Save yourself alot of money and hassle, the .300 Weatherby will shoot as flat as any and possibly with heavier bullets, if long range hunting turns your crank I don't think you can beat the .300 WBY. Mag. unless you go to a heavier, harder kicking gun(.30-378 or some such).
 
kombi1976 said:
Have you considered 6.5/284 or for more oomph 6.5 WSM?
Cat owns one of these and has found it excellent as a target rifle.
I can't see it being any less effective as long range deer rifle.
The top thing about the good 6.5mm bullets out there is that they're mostly designed for lower intensity cartridges so even when they get all the way out there and have lost their high initial velocity they still will perform well and have superb penetration.

it works great out past three hundred!
FWIW, Silverado has shot this rifle and lkikes it, but can't get his head around my wildcats and choice of actions! !:D
downontheflats.jpg

cat
 
If you can shoot the 300 Wby well and it's accurate enough, I wouldn't bother to change it.
For me, the 300 mags kick more than I like, so I'm working on a 7 Rem Mag in an 8lb all up rifle. Stock's coming in a couple months and testing will tell if I need a custom barrel or if the factory job can shoot well enough for me.
 
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