Help deciding a new build cartridge

[Bullchaser65]

Hi guys. Going to be building a new lightweight hunting rifle off of an MDT HNT26 LA CIP Chassis. Going to stick with a long action platform as I currently have a Kelbly's LA 7mag with a 26" proof barrel that I want to throw in the chassis as well. Looking to build with a 20-22" carbon barrel and most likely a defiance Anti action. I'm torn on caliber. Was hoping to be able find brass for it (lapua, ADG, peterson, maybe norma) and I don't want to get another 7mm. Going to try and shoot bergers as well.

1. 6.5 Sherman (how difficult is it to neck down brass?)
2. 6.5 PRC but I've heard I will have feeding issues out of a LA (not 100% sure I will using a mag)
3. 6.5-284 Norma
4. 6.5-06 (again, might be difficult to get brass)
5. 6.5 Sherman Max (again necking down brass)
6. 6.5-300 Weatherby
7. 270 Sherman
8. 6.8 Western (not sure brass availability)
9. 30-06 (have a bunch of brass and reloading stuff for it)

And I'm open to whatever else you guys recommend. Appreciate the help.

 

[CanyonHunter]

I'm going to say either 300 wsm or 284 Winchester, both will excel on long actions. I'd build the 300 around a 210 grain ish bullet or the 284 around a 175 or 180. Feeding won't be a issue with either and mag length won't be a issue.

 

[Bullchaser65]

I’ve thought about the 300wsm as well actually but not sure if that will be a fire breather at a 20” barrel

Don’t want another 284 since my 7mag covers that extremely well haha

 

[CanyonHunter]

If you go 300 wsm I'd lean for the 22 inch barrel. But I've seen quite a few threads here and other places about 18-20 in short mags lately. I'm going to rebarrel my 300 win to a 300 wsm soon with a 22 inch barrel.

 

[Bullchaser65]

If you go 300 wsm I'd lean for the 22 inch barrel. But I've seen quite a few threads here and other places about 18-20 in short mags lately. I'm going to rebarrel my 300 win to a 300 wsm soon with a 22 inch barrel.

Yeah I agree. Mainly was thinking 22” for a 300wsm

 

[ID_Matt]

What is your purpose? Will elk be a possibility? If so, the 300 WSM in a shorter barrel would be awesome. If you plan to just use the 7mm for elk, then a 6.5 SAUM (adg brass) in a short barrel would be awesome with 156's.

 

[Johnc427]

I would look really hard at a 300 WSM w/ a 20-22" tube and 200-215 class bullets. Especially since better brass is slowly becoming available (ADG). I'm doing a 20" 300 WSM and hoping to get 2800-2850 w/ 200.20x.

 

[Johnc427]

What is your purpose? Will elk be a possibility? If so, the 300 WSM in a shorter barrel would be awesome. If you plan to just use the 7mm for elk, then a 6.5 SAUM (adg brass) in a short barrel would be awesome with 156's.

I also have a 22" 6.5 SAUM. w/ RL26 it shoots 156's at 2950ish. They are LONG. It's also a great little caliber.

 

[Bullchaser65]

What is your purpose? Will elk be a possibility? If so, the 300 WSM in a shorter barrel would be awesome. If you plan to just use the 7mm for elk, then a 6.5 SAUM (adg brass) in a short barrel would be awesome with 156's.

Mainly will be deer and antelope. I’ll use my 7mag for elk
Will a 6.5 saum feed correctly out of a Long action?

 

[Bullchaser65]

I also have a 22" 6.5 SAUM. w/ RL26 it shoots 156's at 2950ish. They are LONG. It's also a great little caliber.

Long action or short?

 

[Johnc427]

Long action or short?

I did a 700 short action, with a Wyatts PRC kit. I would not do it again, getting it feed correctly was a PITA. I can't speak on one in a LA, but I think it would be better.

 

[ID_Matt]

Mainly will be deer and antelope. I’ll use my 7mag for elk
Will a 6.5 saum feed correctly out of a Long action?

I think a 20" 6.5 SAUM would be a sweet long range rig for your purpose. It will feed fine out of a long action. I have done 6.5 PRC's and 7 SAUM's on longs and they run great.

 

[JakeSCH]

Great news is that you have a lot of good choices. I would probably go with 6.5-284 next time because that brass is almost always available.

graf's has peterson in stock right now https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/85169

 

[Bullchaser65]

Great news is that you have a lot of good choices. I would probably go with 6.5-284 next time because that brass is almost always available.

graf's has peterson in stock right now https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/85169

That’s kinda why I threw in the 6.5-284
But definitely the 6.5 saum if brass was easily found

 

[kevin11mee]

I'd go 6.5 x 284. Good brass is plentiful and works great in a long action

 

[z987k]

Hi guys. Going to be building a new lightweight hunting rifle off of an MDT HNT26 LA CIP Chassis. Going to stick with a long action platform as I currently have a Kelbly's LA 7mag with a 26" proof barrel that I want to throw in the chassis as well. Looking to build with a 20-22" carbon barrel and most likely a defiance Anti action. I'm torn on caliber. Was hoping to be able find brass for it (lapua, ADG, peterson, maybe norma) and I don't want to get another 7mm. Going to try and shoot bergers as well.

1. 6.5 Sherman (how difficult is it to neck down brass?)
2. 6.5 PRC but I've heard I will have feeding issues out of a LA (not 100% sure I will using a mag)
3. 6.5-284 Norma
4. 6.5-06 (again, might be difficult to get brass)
5. 6.5 Sherman Max (again necking down brass)
6. 6.5-300 Weatherby
7. 270 Sherman
8. 6.8 Western (not sure brass availability)
9. 30-06 (have a bunch of brass and reloading stuff for it)

And I'm open to whatever else you guys recommend. Appreciate the help.

If you're worried about necking brass on the shermans, just go with the 7mm. That brass is ready to go.
7max on a long action throated for long high bc bullets seated to where it isn't taking up powder.

 

[Bullchaser65]

If you're worried about necking brass on the shermans, just go with the 7mm. That brass is ready to go.
7max on a long action throated for long high bc bullets seated to where it isn't taking up powder.

Yeah I just don’t want another 7mm since I already have a 7mag that shoots really well

 

[Ryan Avery]

After doing load dev on several Sherman 6.5 Max’s. There is nothing there worth the time on necking them down. Just get a 6.5 SAUM in a long action and go kill stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I agree with Ryan
Done the widcat thing a couple times
If I wanted an all around deer gun it would be 6.5 saum

 

[Bullchaser65]

Sweet thanks guys yeah i think im going to do the 6.5 SAUM. Any recommendations on powders? I've got 2lbs of retumbo but I dont think itll be fast enough burning for a 20" barrel. Plenty of H4831SC which i think would be decent