Looking for advice on antelope and deer rifle

[EFR]

I just returned from my first antelope hunt and had a great time. I took a nice goat at 344 yds, my longest big game shot to date (Rem 700 mtn rifle, .270 win, leupold 2.5-8). Although all worked well, I would like to buy, build, or make a dedicated long range goat and deer gun. I have Rem 700 ADL in 30-06 sitting idle in the safe I could use as a start. I first thought of having it re-barrelled to 6.5-284. I read a lot of good about that cartridge here. The other thought was selling the ADL to fund the purchase of a new Remington 700 CDL SS fluted in 270wsm. The ballistics of the .270 wsm look really good, plus factory ammo availablity, and the current Remington $100 rebate sounds good. Buy this gun new, replace the stock with a good synthetic and on my way.

I currently have a Sendero in 300 RUM for elk, but a .270wsm could be a good back up gun for elk.

What do you think? The long range game is new to me and I appreciate your experience and advice.

As for long range, I see no reason for me to attempt a shot at 800yds if I can get within 250 yds. However, I would like to be able to shoot as far as my abilities and equipment allow.

Thanks,

Erik

 

[Dr. Vette]

What do you think?

OK, you asked.

You mention factory ammo so I will "assume" you don't handload and will have to buy ammo. Having owned a 270WSM and also only shooting factory ammo I can tell you that the ammo options for a 7mm Rem Mag and a 300 Win Mag are far greater than for a 270WSM. And 6.5-284 ammo doesn't exactly grow on trees, either.

If you do reload, the options in 7mm (and 30 cal) bullets are much better than the options in 270 sized bullets.

For the price of customizing either one of the rifles you mention you could buy a used Sendero in a different caliber and have "brother" rifles. Or, re-stock your 270 or 30-06 and make one of them a long(er) range rifle, leaving your 300 RUM for the real long range stuff.

Just my thoughts.

 

[bigngreen]

For the 270 WSM to really shine you really need to reload thought it will knock the stuffing out of any deer or goat and elk for that matter. I really dig the 270 WSM, it has just a little more of the good stuff than a 270 Win and is just a killing machine and fairly sweet to shoot. But, I would opt for all most any chambering in a custom barrel over a factory rifle if you have a doner sitting there offering up it's parts.

 

[EFR]

Drvette and Bigngreen, thanks for your thoughts. I should of stated, I do reload. I have reloaded for handguns and subguns for 20+ years, but just started with rifles. Cost savings and group shrinking to blame.

 

[angus-5024]

use the donor and go with one of these cartriges: 280(or AI), 270 WSM, .264 win (awsome round) or the plain jane 7mm Rem. I would personally opt for the .264 but the 280 AI would be a close second. How much are you going to be shooting this rifle? if its only gonna see 30rnds/year then the .264win would be my decision but if your gonna be shooting a couple hundred per year then I would go 280 Rem. You could also sell your '06 and use the funds to get a .264 Senduro if you want a good stock.

 

[roninflag]

it is the old question of what mix of calibers , weight of gun , and synthetic versus wood stocks as you add one more to your battery/safe. your choice . you are in maine? i am envious of your mtn rifle shooting so good so far. is it an lss , wood or titanium??

 

[Derek M.]

Many argue that Ackley didn't "improve" much of anything with any of his calibers to notice enough difference in the field other than giving other folks the "wow" or "neato" factor when they ask what you shoot. Nonetheless, I've never ruled out getting a 280AI built.

When I first read your post, my first thought was to use the 30.06 action, send it to a good smith and convert it to the 280AI. You can buy Nosler brass or even their custom ammo and you are set.

Since I own more than 1 7mm Rem Mag, I doubt I will ever build the 280AI, at least that is my thought right now. The 6.5x284 is an excellent choice. I own 2. I have a nice 3 groove Lilja SS in #3 contour in the safe because I was going to build a 270WSM but never got around to it. The more I think about it, I'll probably just build another 270 Win as all of mine kill the crap out of everything I've shot with them regardless of distance.

Frankly, your 270 will serve you well on any goat or deer beyond what you comfort zone is in terms of long range. The 6.5x284 would be a very good choice, however, to convert your .06. With most bullets, generally speaking, you will have a better BC with 6.5mm and 7mm bullets over .277 bullets with few exceptions.

If you decide to go with a 6.5x284, I can set you up with roughly 200 virgin Norma brass cheaper than you will find it on the net or at any store. I decided to go with Lapua in mine.

I still think a 280AI with a 160 to 168 class bullet will also serve you well and you would not be disappointed.

Let us know what you decide to do. If you rebarrel the .06, you may wish to take a hard look at the available 3 groove barrel makers out there: Benchmark, Lilja, and I think Broughton. I'm guessing others will offer 3 groove but those 3 come to mind.

 

[EFR]

Looks like it will be the custom route then. For all of the calibers mentioned, 6.5-284 seems to come out on top. I will do more research on Smiths, but Hart has a good reputation and the price doesn't seem too bad. I have two HS Precision stocks, I'd consider them too, unless I hear of a better stock (so long price is in reason).

ronin: My .270 is an early 700 stainless synthetic mountain rifle. I have never seen it in a catalog. The barrel is very thin, the stock is a cheap injected molded one that I free floated and bedded. The trigger was 4.5 lbs until I came back from Wyoming, now it is down to 2lbs 10-12 oz. This rifle really shoots. It is an honest 3/4" gun with Sierra 130 gr BTSP by Federal. I have never even loaded for this rifle because this stuff shoots so good. Although I live in Mass, most of my gun hunting has been for whitetail in the east. This set up is great for 30-140 yd deer, but it was a whole different story in the high desert.

Derek: Thanks for the offer on brass. I'd like to pick a smith and get this project under way first.

Thanks for all the help gentlemen. Any preferred or recommended gunsmiths around? I don't want to go crazy, I would like a good barrel put on the 700 and have the receiver trued and lugs lapped. Stock, bedding, and trigger I am comfortable with.

Thanks again.

 

[Derek M.]

I don't know about the guys on this forum in terms of the 6.5x284, but Dave Bruno in PA built mine. Let me know if you want his contact info. Do a search, I just posted it this week on another thread somewhere.

 

[JARHEAD1371]

Any preferred or recommended gunsmiths around?

Check out Jim See at Center Shot Rifles. He built my custom rifle last year and I am still 100% satisfied with it. He'll build my next custom rifle as well.