I have been doing alot of reading on the internet and have discovered many accurate calibers, but almost all of them are not available in a rifle from factory so a new barrel must be installed. I have been looking at the 6-7mm category and there is a large selection, but many of these rounds only last 1500-2000 shots before the barrel loses accuracy. I would like a accurate caliber that will not eat barrels. If i would need to build a rifle to accomodate the caliber then it would not be a problem. I will also be reloading so factory ammo loads are not a big deal. Some of the rounds i was looking at were .243, .260 and .284. I would be using the rifle for target shooting and maybe some varmint hunting (100-5/600 yards) Any opinions/advice appreciated.
Opinions on an Accurate caliber with good barrel life
- Thread starter smile661
- Start date
I think you're overlooking the .308 my friend. It's the quintessential sniper caliber and has won many 1000 yard matches. It maxes out around 2700 or 2800 fps so it should last very long, and is an excellent hunting caliber for any animal.
I think 300 wsm and win mag are also good calibers but they won't last forever if you load them really hot.
7mm rem mag is also good too, but if long barrel life is your primary concern (you want to shoot LOTS) go for the .308 combined with 168 gr HPBT bullets, like Sierra Matchkings.
I think 300 wsm and win mag are also good calibers but they won't last forever if you load them really hot.
7mm rem mag is also good too, but if long barrel life is your primary concern (you want to shoot LOTS) go for the .308 combined with 168 gr HPBT bullets, like Sierra Matchkings.
Hands down the 30BR.
There are reports of guys who just can't wear them out. Look at 6mmBR.com under the 30br header. 7400 rounds and still dominating competitions says alot about barrel life. Extremely efficient cartridge. The best components.
Yes they are light bullets, but thats not to say as a handloader that you couldn't get an appropriate twist and load a few 150 grainers....which is about as heavy as you'd want to go for this round. The 110-125s are ideal. Theres even a new 135 Sierra thats doing well.
Accuracy that is almost on par with the 6ppcs....easily on par with 6BRs.
I love mine. I have used mine in several competitions from 100 to 400 yards and it never ceases to amaze me.
There are reports of guys who just can't wear them out. Look at 6mmBR.com under the 30br header. 7400 rounds and still dominating competitions says alot about barrel life. Extremely efficient cartridge. The best components.
Yes they are light bullets, but thats not to say as a handloader that you couldn't get an appropriate twist and load a few 150 grainers....which is about as heavy as you'd want to go for this round. The 110-125s are ideal. Theres even a new 135 Sierra thats doing well.
Accuracy that is almost on par with the 6ppcs....easily on par with 6BRs.
I love mine. I have used mine in several competitions from 100 to 400 yards and it never ceases to amaze me.
A .308 with 155 bullets and a 30 inch barrel can push 3000 fps and be accurate up to 5000-6000 rounds. However a .308 isn't really a varmint rifle unless you have really big varmints. Not saying a .308 can't be used but...
I would go with a 1:8 twist .223. You can shoot 75-80 gr bullets out to 1000 yards at paper target or lighter bullets for the furry reactive targets. Barrel life on a quality match barrel is about 6000+ rounds.
I would go with a 1:8 twist .223. You can shoot 75-80 gr bullets out to 1000 yards at paper target or lighter bullets for the furry reactive targets. Barrel life on a quality match barrel is about 6000+ rounds.
That sounds nice but i am on a budget. How would i go about getting a 30BR, what rifle would i start with and how much would it cost for it to be re-barreled and chambered? how hard is it to resize the 6BR brass? how available is the 30 BR bullet?
I built mine on my hunting rifle action..... a Remington model 78. Which is a very plain remington 700 ADL. It has no knurling on the bolt handle and no jewling on the bolt body. It was formerly a .308. I just never hunted much. I bought this rifle in excellent shape for $350. I got lucky and bought a used 30 BR barrel from a competitor friend for $200. It had less than 200 rounds down it. Every model 700 part fits on my model 78 so parts are easy to find. I had the barrel rethreaded as it was on a PGW action and the threads didn't match.
All said and done I spent about $1000 to build it.
I have a Redding set of dies that uses a 6mm -30cal expander ball. So neck sizing up is literally one stroke on the press......just lube it well
As for bullets, I use 125 grain Speer TNTs or 110 grain Hornady V-Max and they easily shoot into the .300 consistantly. My competition Match rounds are 115 grain Bergers which I purchased from Mysticplayer from this site. This load will give me honest 1/4 inch groups@100yards.
There is only one powder that you need to buy. H-4198. 32-34 grains will get you where you need to go. My barrel is a 1:18 twist so I can't stabalize 135 grain bullets.
I currently own a full blown custom 6BR and a fully tuned factory Savage LRPV in .223 with a 7 twist. Niether shoot as consistant as my 30BR will.
Rediculously easy to tune. Thers not much to do. They just plain shoot well..
If cost is an issue, then you may want to look elsewhere. Dies aren't cheap and niether is brass.
How many rounds do you shoot per year. Will you wear out a barrel in a year or two shooting 3000 to 6000 rounds??
All said and done I spent about $1000 to build it.
I have a Redding set of dies that uses a 6mm -30cal expander ball. So neck sizing up is literally one stroke on the press......just lube it well
As for bullets, I use 125 grain Speer TNTs or 110 grain Hornady V-Max and they easily shoot into the .300 consistantly. My competition Match rounds are 115 grain Bergers which I purchased from Mysticplayer from this site. This load will give me honest 1/4 inch groups@100yards.
There is only one powder that you need to buy. H-4198. 32-34 grains will get you where you need to go. My barrel is a 1:18 twist so I can't stabalize 135 grain bullets.
I currently own a full blown custom 6BR and a fully tuned factory Savage LRPV in .223 with a 7 twist. Niether shoot as consistant as my 30BR will.
Rediculously easy to tune. Thers not much to do. They just plain shoot well..
If cost is an issue, then you may want to look elsewhere. Dies aren't cheap and niether is brass.
How many rounds do you shoot per year. Will you wear out a barrel in a year or two shooting 3000 to 6000 rounds??
I really dont have the funds now to permit a custom build so i am looking at getting the Rem 700 5R Milspec .308. I already have a .204 but i cannot get it to group, but it is most likely due to the fact that the scope is cheap, i'm shooting factory loads and i am not a top notch shooter. If i get the .204 shooting good i can use it for varmints and then i would have a .308 for target and larger game. The scope i am looking at to go along with the .308 is a Bushnell Elite 3200 5-15x50mm Tactical, anyone using this scope?
I have been shooting for a while but i am just seriously getting into it now so i was looking for a good caliber to get range, accuracy and affordability. I probably will only shoot 1500-2000 rounds in a year.
I have been shooting for a while but i am just seriously getting into it now so i was looking for a good caliber to get range, accuracy and affordability. I probably will only shoot 1500-2000 rounds in a year.
I have the 3200 Elite in a fixed 10 power on my Tikka Varmint in .223 and I'm very happy with it. No doubt there are better scopes than the Elites, but I think it's a good choice if you're on a budget. You can always upgrade later.
The 5R seems like a great rifle from what I've seen. You might also consider the Tikka Varmint which costs about $200 less and shoots just as well, or the Browning A bolt Target model which costs the same, but has a longer barrel on it.
The 5R seems like a great rifle from what I've seen. You might also consider the Tikka Varmint which costs about $200 less and shoots just as well, or the Browning A bolt Target model which costs the same, but has a longer barrel on it.
Like Maynard said the 223 rem is a fine cartridge for you application minimum twist would be 1/8 even better a 1/7 you could shoot the 90gr bullets as well the 69,75, & 80s.
And shoot out to 1000y with very satisfactory results.and be able to shoot in the 2s with good reloading & shooting practice at 100y
I would think some members like Guntec-Ian robertson and many others could true up a action and put a quality match stainless barrel chambered in 223 for $600 to $800 you would have to supply a action & stock.
You can't buy a factory gun that will shoot any better and most won't and they don't clean like custom hand lapped barrels.
Barks suggestion of 30br is good one, he will beat the 223 shooting shorter distances just because of bullet size cuts a larger hole in paper,and will buck wind better. the 30br would not be a good choice to try and shoot 500y and out to 1000 the 223 will out perform it
because of higher BC of bullets .
If the bigger cartridges like you mentioned are very good but 260 & 243 will have a much shorter barrel life, more recoil and cost to load. .308 makes a nice longrange rifle.
Saying that if you really want to go big the staight .284win or the short mags with 180gr Bergers at 1000 will be top dog and barrel life is a better than the 6.5/284
The 6.5x47 lapua is a fine cartridge also but the 7mm bullet will work better in windy conditions at longranges.
just my 2c
manitou
And shoot out to 1000y with very satisfactory results.and be able to shoot in the 2s with good reloading & shooting practice at 100y
I would think some members like Guntec-Ian robertson and many others could true up a action and put a quality match stainless barrel chambered in 223 for $600 to $800 you would have to supply a action & stock.
You can't buy a factory gun that will shoot any better and most won't and they don't clean like custom hand lapped barrels.
Barks suggestion of 30br is good one, he will beat the 223 shooting shorter distances just because of bullet size cuts a larger hole in paper,and will buck wind better. the 30br would not be a good choice to try and shoot 500y and out to 1000 the 223 will out perform it
because of higher BC of bullets .
If the bigger cartridges like you mentioned are very good but 260 & 243 will have a much shorter barrel life, more recoil and cost to load. .308 makes a nice longrange rifle.
Saying that if you really want to go big the staight .284win or the short mags with 180gr Bergers at 1000 will be top dog and barrel life is a better than the 6.5/284
The 6.5x47 lapua is a fine cartridge also but the 7mm bullet will work better in windy conditions at longranges.
just my 2c
manitou
Then I would suggest a fast twist .223. Very hard to beat for range, affordability and accuracy. A Stevens or a Savage are the best deals going. Stevens have the 9 twist and some of the Savages have the 7 twist. Short to Long, Varmints to Targets.....the .223 will do it all.
If just targets is your goal, then there is nothing that a .308 will do that a fast twist .223 can't do equally as well. ....for 1/2 the cost to do it.
What size varmints are you hunting that requires the use of a .308??
If the longest distance possible is your goal, then a 308 is not the answer. thing 6.5x284
If the smallest benchrest-like groups possible are your goal, then the 308 is not the answer. think 6mmppc
If shooting and handloading on a a budget is your goal, then once again the 308 is not the answer. think 23 gains of powder compared to 45...or compare the cost of bullets
There are many calibers and cartridge choices that are vastly superior to a 308 for what you posted as your intended purpose. I'm a huge fan of the 308 so don't get me wrong, it all depends on what you want it for. The .223 sounds to me like it would be a better choice unless you're getting into hunting game. And this being the "Precision Forum".....
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
Barks gives excellent advice. (and I agree with him that it sounds like a Savage or Stevens .223 will probably fit your needs well)
BTW, a barrel needing replacement every 1500 rounds isn't the end of the world, should you end up choosing a 6.5-.284 or a .243 (the sort of high performance cartridges that will wear out a barrel in 1500 rounds; a .223 or .308 will go 3000-5000). Replacing a barrel costs a heckuva lot less than the 1500 rounds you'll have shot through it to wear it out.
BTW, a barrel needing replacement every 1500 rounds isn't the end of the world, should you end up choosing a 6.5-.284 or a .243 (the sort of high performance cartridges that will wear out a barrel in 1500 rounds; a .223 or .308 will go 3000-5000). Replacing a barrel costs a heckuva lot less than the 1500 rounds you'll have shot through it to wear it out.
Now i'm back to my original idea, i was looking at the Savage 10FP or the Precision carbine in .223 (accustock version). Its got a 1/9" twist, which is pretty good. How much more accuracy would i gain with the 24" barrel vs the 20"????
The only problem is that i have a .204 which is very close to the .223, so i was looking for a larger caliber that has better range, so i thought of .308.
The only problem is that i have a .204 which is very close to the .223, so i was looking for a larger caliber that has better range, so i thought of .308.
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
A longer barrel won't give you any more accuracy.
.308s are great, everyone should (sooner or later) have (at least) one. But, fast-twist .223s are also great, and sooner or later you "NEED" one of them too.
Try to get a 1-8" or 1-7" twist .223 instead of a 1-9", if you can; if not, don't sweat it. (an 8" or 7" twist will really help for making ammo that is good for shooting beyond 600 yards; a 9" twist will put a bit of a crimp in your bullet selection possibilities)
.308s are great, everyone should (sooner or later) have (at least) one. But, fast-twist .223s are also great, and sooner or later you "NEED" one of them too.
Try to get a 1-8" or 1-7" twist .223 instead of a 1-9", if you can; if not, don't sweat it. (an 8" or 7" twist will really help for making ammo that is good for shooting beyond 600 yards; a 9" twist will put a bit of a crimp in your bullet selection possibilities)
If i did get a .223 it would be replacing my .204 and i would use it for coyotes along with target shooting. Thats why i'm having a hard time accepting the .223 because i dont see any real benefit over the .204. Why is the .223 so much better??
So sell it, buy a fast twist 223 and never look back.
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
.223s can be had with fast twist rates (1-9" and quicker), and there are good long-range match bullets made for them (e.g. 75+ grain HPBT match bullets).
I've never had a .204, but I imagine that for short range (300y and less) varminting and plinking, that there's nothing they'd give up to a .223.
For longer range shooting, the .204 will suffer from a lack of good long-range match bullets; as far as I know, they haven't been invented yet (but they easily could be!). Just like a .223 shooting 45-55 grain varmint bullets, a .204 shooting varmint bullets will certainly send bullets at a target 600yards and further downrange, but they'll be blown around by the wind enough that the fun factor will soon fade. If and when a bullet manufacturer produces a ~60-grain hollow point boat tail match bullet for the .204 (and an appropriately-quick twist barrel is installed), then whatever a .223 can do at 1000 yards, a .204 will be able to do at 900 yards.
204 is not good on barrels at all. I love the ones I have had, but wore out a barrel in one weekend of gopher hunting. Poor chouice for long range.
You did say 6 and 7mm offerings in your original post.
But... for barrel life, as stated, the 30BR or 30X47 cannot be beat. I doubt you would ever wear one out with responsible use. They are both extremely accurate, but are not 1000M cartridges (the 30X47 could be).
With a good match barrel, the 6mmBR is unsurpassed for accuracy, ease of use and it is good for 2500+ rounds with careful use.
6.5X47 would give you exceptional barrel life (3500 rounds+ and exceptional accuracy)
223 and 308 are workhorse cartridges. Good performance good accuracy excellent barrel life and a myriad of factory offerings. The limitation will be the quality of the gun.
You did say 6 and 7mm offerings in your original post.
But... for barrel life, as stated, the 30BR or 30X47 cannot be beat. I doubt you would ever wear one out with responsible use. They are both extremely accurate, but are not 1000M cartridges (the 30X47 could be).
With a good match barrel, the 6mmBR is unsurpassed for accuracy, ease of use and it is good for 2500+ rounds with careful use.
6.5X47 would give you exceptional barrel life (3500 rounds+ and exceptional accuracy)
223 and 308 are workhorse cartridges. Good performance good accuracy excellent barrel life and a myriad of factory offerings. The limitation will be the quality of the gun.
Do as the many others have already mentioned and go with a .223 Remington. For what you're looking to do, it offers exceptional versatility and economy of use.
If you want to go the "new" route, a Tikka Varmint might be worth a look.
Why not just rebarrel the .204 you already have? It'll be less expensive than having to buy a new rifle and likely more accurate providing you purchase a high quality barrel and a competent gunsmith doing the chambering. Match grade .224 cal. barrels are readily obtainable here in Canada.
I disagree with the notion that one should have a 1:7 barrel. Unless you are planning to shoot VLD's exclusively then it's not worth it. Using VLD's will likely limit you as far as the rifle's magazine is concerned becasue the OAL of the cartridge will excede the dimensions of the magazine making it a single-shot affair. Chambering a .223 for VLD's will yeild you the most accurate results. However, doing so will likely limit your accuracy potential in terms of lighter bullets due to the amount of excessive free-bore.
Based on what you've indicated the rifle will be used for, a 1:8 or 1:9 twist barrel chambered with a "Wylde" dimensioned reamer will allow you great flexibility in bullet selection from 40gr. varmint bullets to 69-70gr. match bullets. You'll have full use of the rifle's magazine without having to worry about OAL issues.
If you want to go the "new" route, a Tikka Varmint might be worth a look.
Why not just rebarrel the .204 you already have? It'll be less expensive than having to buy a new rifle and likely more accurate providing you purchase a high quality barrel and a competent gunsmith doing the chambering. Match grade .224 cal. barrels are readily obtainable here in Canada.
I disagree with the notion that one should have a 1:7 barrel. Unless you are planning to shoot VLD's exclusively then it's not worth it. Using VLD's will likely limit you as far as the rifle's magazine is concerned becasue the OAL of the cartridge will excede the dimensions of the magazine making it a single-shot affair. Chambering a .223 for VLD's will yeild you the most accurate results. However, doing so will likely limit your accuracy potential in terms of lighter bullets due to the amount of excessive free-bore.
Based on what you've indicated the rifle will be used for, a 1:8 or 1:9 twist barrel chambered with a "Wylde" dimensioned reamer will allow you great flexibility in bullet selection from 40gr. varmint bullets to 69-70gr. match bullets. You'll have full use of the rifle's magazine without having to worry about OAL issues.
