Rebarrel- what cartridge poll

[204guy]

So I have this mod 70. It's my wife's rifle. I bought it used for a song knowing it was a winlite. So it's a Mod 70 xtr featherweight with a McMillan featherweight stock. As it sits in the picture it's 7lb 2oz. And a great allround hunting rifle. It had a HARD 1/2" pad on it which wasn't going to work for her, so I cut it down a bit and put a decelerator on it not doing the best job cosmetically but functionally it's way better. It's a 7x57. She's killed a couple bulls and bucks with it. Since I bought this thing about 8 yrs ago I've acquired multiple suppressors and so, she needs a good med cal hunting rifle she can run suppressed. I don't want to invest any $ in this barrel as it's tired. The throats pretty eroaded and it's firecracked way down the barrel, it shoots about 1.5-2 moa.

Here's what we're working with:
-.470 BF
-3.2" mag box, it's got a block in the mag box setting it up as a med action, don't want to mess with changing it.
-6.5 or 7mm, I have a lot of bullets for both
-it will be cut and threaded @ 18"
-it will have a 6x Leupold with the LRD reticle. This keeps things very simple for her. So it's important to keep projectiles starting in the 2850-2950fps starting range. Shots will be <400 yds unless it's a follow up on a wounded animal.

 

[EmperorMA]

If suppressed I'd want a cartridge that does well in a short barrel. I wouldn't use any on your list.

I'd go 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Rem or 7mm-08.

 

[CApighunter]

6.5x55, but I’d AI it just for shits and giggles. Another option not on your list would be a 7mm SAW.

 

[204guy]

^That posted prematurely on me.


I've pretty well made up my mind but for the sake of discussion let's have at it.


I have brass and dies for the 7x57 and 6.5x284. I'd have to buy it for the others.

The 7x57 brass I have is pretty tired so can pretty much be disregarded.

She also has a rem mtn rifle in 260 that's in a brown stock as an unsuppressed lightweight hunting rifle. That barrel is to skinny to thread.

Also has a 1-8 18" 223 that's threaded so that's for deer and antelope.

This will be her "heavy" rifle for deer, elk, moose if she draws etc.

I'm LH so me using it is not a consideration.


Being LH I'm not really all that up to speed on what's all out their for RH short, lightweight suppressible rifles. If there's something in factory form I'd consider that as well.

 

[Laramie]

I would take future availability of bullets and other suppliers into consideration even though you have supplies on hand now. I love the 7mm-08 performance out of my wife's gun but terminal performance from all listed are close at reasonable hunting ranges- doesn't really matter as long as you guys feel good about the decision.

 

[Steve O]

I voted 7x57, but in today’s environment 7-08 would be a great choice as well being able to be made from .308 brass. I’d just make sure I have the right twist to shoot the heavier bullets well.

 

[B23]

I'm a really big 6.5-284 fan but since you are keeping it so short I'd opt for the bigger bore and go straight .284.
With the yardage you'll be using this for the higher BC bullets is moot and it's not like the .284/7mm bullets are any kind of BC slouch not to mention going with the bigger bore of a straight .284 over 6.5 will give you the option of heavier bullets.

A straight .284 would be my choice and with Lapua now making .284 brass you'll even have premium brass with the proper headstamp for even less confusion.

 

[ericmcd]

This is how I decide my calibers when picking a round. You say you already have .264 and .284 bullets. I'd build my rifle around my bullet of choice if I was you. First ask what's the biggest game you plan on using it for? how many fps and ft-lbs of energy do you need to have with your preferred bullet on that game? What is the smallest caliber that fits in that perimeter with a little wiggle room. So the common acceptable energy for elk is 1500ft-lbs, a nosler e-tip needs 1800fps to expand correctly. So if you want to use a .284 140gr e-tip out to 400 yards you need a cartrige that will push it at 3000fps. You just need to decide what range and what bullets. There's no magic caliber it's all just math

 

[Touchdown88]

I voted 275 Rigby. Only because I'm building one for myself on a pre-64 action featherweight action. The only thing I'm missing is a barrel band sling swivel and I should hopefully have my rifle ready by fall.

 

[robtattoo]

I'm thinking that you're going to struggle to get 2850 out of most short-medium length, non magnum 6.5s, without dropping to lighter bullets than you might prefer.
As much as i'm a rabid Swede fan, nothing over 129gn is going to get you the velocity you need (Gahd, it hurts my feelings to say that)
If you're going to be shooting light, fast monos, then Swede 'er up!

 

[z987k]

2850-2950 out of a 18" barrel is a magnum something. I don't think anything listed so far will get you there.

 

[B23]

As an option, if you go .284 and have Defensive Edge Rifles +P the throat, with 150-160gr bullet/s and an 18 inch tube, you'll reach your velocity requirement. Shawn +P my 6.5-284 and with 140 Berger's out of my 26 inch Shilen 8tw I'm well over 3200 using RL26.

Even in a short 18in tube a +P .284 with a 150 should get you to over 2900.

 

[wind gypsy]

284 or 284 jr.

 

[FLAK]

Dont get no cooler than 7x57.

 

[204guy]

284 or 284 jr.

284 Jr? I'm daft.

 

[wind gypsy]

284 Jr? I'm daft.

6.5x.284

 

[204guy]

Not to often you get to build on med action so 308 and 250 savage variants are pretty much out. I'm definitely leaning towards either the 284 or 6.5x284 only real concern is feeding. I'd also lose 1 down in the mag box.
I've got quite a few:
6.5, 120 etips, 120 ttsx, 120 by.

7- 139 lrx, 150 np, 150 scenars

BTW my wife could careless what its chambered in, I just like to play with this trivial stuff.
We were in Scheels a couple weeks ago and I told her she needed an elk rifle she that was suppressed. She really like the bronze Christianson's. . So it'll getting a cerakote job too.

 

[Laramie]

Not to often you get to build on med action so 308 and 250 savage variants are pretty much out. I'm definitely leaning towards either the 284 or 6.5x284 only real concern is feeding. I'd also lose 1 down in the mag box.
I've got quite a few:
6.5, 120 etips, 120 ttsx, 120 by.

7- 139 lrx, 150 np, 150 scenars

BTW my wife could careless what its chambered in, I just like to play with this trivial stuff.
We were in Scheels a couple weeks ago and I told her she needed an elk rifle she that was suppressed. She really like the bronze Christianson's. . So it'll getting a cerakote job too.

Lol, sounds like a good problem to have. Guessing quite a few on here wish their wife was more into it. Have fun with the process.

 

[wildwilderness]

Need to go .284 since you are using a shorter barrel the bigger bore will help keep velocity. Plus shooting with a suppressor the tiny bit of extra Recoil won’t matter, and the elk just die better with a bigger bullet.

 

[sneaky]

7mm08 running some Absolute Hammers will get you the speed you want out of a short barrel and will kill anything she wants to point it at.

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