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Caliber suggestions for new gun #5647542 03/12/15 03:06 AM
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elkhunter7x6 Online Content OP
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I recently had my first full custom rifle built in 6mm br norma and am ready to get started on a second. The primary pupose of the new rifle will be for hunting animals in the size range of antelope and whitetail. The gun will need to be extremly accurate and capable of making shots at 6-700yds. My top two choices right now are 280AI and 6.5x284. I have 30cals covered so I am looking to stay in the .264-.284 cal range. I am looking for suggestions and opinions. I hand load so all calibers are in play here.

Last edited by elkhunter7x6; 03/12/15 03:08 AM.
Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5647550 03/12/15 03:16 AM
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Being able to kill an animal the size of an antelope or deer limits your choices quite a bit. If I had the limitations you describe I would lean toward a 270 Win or 270 Win Mag.


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5647561 03/12/15 03:21 AM
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You have narrowed it down to a couple good ones. 4 years or so ago I narrowed to those same 2 and went with the 6.5-284 with no regrets.


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: Geezer Ranger] #5647564 03/12/15 03:23 AM
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Originally Posted By: Geezer Ranger
Being able to kill an animal the size of an antelope or deer limits your choices quite a bit. If I had the limitations you describe I would lean toward a 270 Win or 270 Win Mag.


Que?

OP, I vote 280 AI


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5647675 03/12/15 04:21 AM
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6.5 Creedmoor!

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5647791 03/12/15 10:34 AM
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280 A.I. loaded with 168 gr, or heavier, bullets.


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: J.G.] #5647799 03/12/15 10:49 AM
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This older Remington should be accurate and could easily be re-chambered to .280AI. The stock trigger should be adjustable too, unlike the newer M700s. And the Mountain Rifle is very attractive to my eye, and best of all, it's light enough that you don't need a dolly or gun-bearer to haul it around.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/5647251/1

More reviews on the Mountain Rifle:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...ountain_rifle_2



Last edited by dawaba; 03/12/15 11:05 AM.

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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5647851 03/12/15 11:58 AM
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I debated between the 7-08 and 280AI and decided on the 7-08 for a little less recoil. I have since decided to have the builder add a muzzle break so I am thinking should have went 280AI. Too late for me to change calibers now. No specs in front of me but I bet the 280AI will have quiet a bit more energy at range than the 6.5x.284. With hunting as your goal that should be a consideration.

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: wp75169] #5647884 03/12/15 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted By: wp75169
I bet the 280AI will have quiet a bit more energy at range than the 6.5x.284. With hunting as your goal that should be a consideration.


Exactly


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: wp75169] #5647893 03/12/15 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: wp75169
I No specs in front of me but I bet the 280AI will have quiet a bit more energy at range than the 6.5x.284. With hunting as your goal that should be a consideration.


Thts exactly why I am leaning more towards the 280AI.

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: dawaba] #5647927 03/12/15 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted By: dawaba
This older Remington should be accurate and could easily be re-chambered to .280AI. The stock trigger should be adjustable too, unlike the newer M700s. And the Mountain Rifle is very attractive to my eye, and best of all, it's light enough that you don't need a dolly or gun-bearer to haul it around.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/5647251/1

More reviews on the Mountain Rifle:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...ountain_rifle_2




My dad has the exact rifle. It has been a great gun, shoots great. He recently had the trigger turned down to a little over 2 lbs. Its slick.


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5648015 03/12/15 02:02 PM
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I had the same question a few weeks ago.
I decided to go with a 280 Remington that is being built now.
Good luck!

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5648497 03/12/15 07:20 PM
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6.5 Sherman, good discussion on Long Range Hunting.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/6-5-sherman-q-125601/


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5648650 03/12/15 09:23 PM
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Since you're already looking at the 280AI AND the 6.5x284 is on the table, why not just do a straight 284? Performance of the 280AI but the short-fat cases of the 284 which gives you a little more room in the action/mag.

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5648681 03/12/15 09:48 PM
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7wsm?

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5648806 03/12/15 11:06 PM
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Picking the caliber was the hardest part for me on the last build. There are just so many good options out there.

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5649036 03/13/15 01:46 AM
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Titanium 700 action, slim countour bbl of choice, McEdge, 1-1.5# trigger, load work-up & you're set on a speed goat gun.....that you'll want to elk hunt with too.

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5649156 03/13/15 02:58 AM
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Take a look at the 6.5 SLR.

Last edited by MacDaddy21; 03/13/15 02:59 AM.
Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: Strongbad] #5649450 03/13/15 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted By: Strongbad
Since you're already looking at the 280AI AND the 6.5x284 is on the table, why not just do a straight 284? Performance of the 280AI but the short-fat cases of the 284 which gives you a little more room in the action/mag.


I think the SAAMI .280 has more case capacity than the .284, and the .280 AI has even more.


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5650493 03/14/15 01:46 AM
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I'd do the 6.5x284, only because I already have the 280 and I'm going to have it punched to AI as soon as I have time to get it to the smith. Just like it sits though it's a hammer on deer shooting 140 gr. Accubonds. I'm having a hard time deciding on my next rifle but might give a 26 Nosler a try.


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5650583 03/14/15 02:44 AM
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I have a 6.5-06. Love it. 6.5-284 is Virtually the same case capacity. Great SD. Old load data showed Retained energy of a 140 exceeds that of 7 mm Mag at 500. I make the 6.5-06 brass from .25-06. Great availability and one stroke resizing.


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Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: Rocklock] #5651089 03/14/15 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted By: Rocklock
I have a 6.5-06.

There are a lot of good 6.5's out there and that is one of them.

Re: Caliber suggestions for new gun [Re: elkhunter7x6] #5652708 03/16/15 01:29 AM
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Between those 2 choices, the 280 AI is a clear winner. Nosler 280AI brass. I have never cared for the 6.5x284. You can not get the reported velocities unless you go long action and long barrel. If you picked the 6.5x284 on a short action, I'd pick another 6.5, like a CM or 260 for about the same speeds.

When picking a new rifle, I pick what bullet I want to shoot first, and how fast I want it to go, then design the rifle around that. (Or for a competition rifle, which round first for a short action). So, I'd select which size action you want, then go from there.


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