Re-barrel dilemma

[SShultz]

Howdy Folks,

I'm looking for a little input on which direction to go. I have a Nosler M48 Liberty chambered in 26 Nosler. I have it in a McMillan game hunter stock. I am sentimentally attached to the rifle for several reasons so a new gun isn't an option. I would like to rebarrel it with a proof carbon fiber sendero lite at around 22 inches. The trouble I'm having is which cartridge to go with. The 26 slams mulies and does horrible things to pronghorn. I like it as a hunting cartridge, and now days with things crazy it's one of the only things on the shelf consistantly. My concern is I don't want another rebarrel in the near future. Once I work up a good load and get good dope on the rifle out to 1200 yards the throat is going to be half gone again. I'm thinking something like the 6.5 PRC, 7mm WSM or SAUM. I do have some brass and dies for the SAUM already, but I'm not opposed to buying more ammo or dies. I also have several boxes of 26 Nosler still. Should I just go with the Nosler again or should I go one of my other choices? I'm spinning my tires at this point. No the 7mm Rem mag is not an option. I don't want any belted cartridges. Not looking for anything bigger either as I have a full custom 300 PRC. What do you folks think?

Thanks
SShultz

 

[bsnyder]

6.5 Sherman short but I'm a fan boy now. I also am a fan of the 26 nosler as you stated it's a hammer my wife shoots that and loves it. I also like the 6.5 saum but my choice is the Sherman short.

 

[SShultz]

I guess I should have said that access to box pills is a requirement. I reload for most of my rifles but I always have a box or two of factory stuff in reserve. If for some reason I can't load I need to have the option of box pills

 

[BallisticsGuy]

How about a slower 6.5mm. 6.5CM is still a murdering machine on mulies and prongs.

 

[SShultz]

I already have one lol. The Nosler is a magnum bolt face so I need to stay with a mag cartridge.

 

[logman48]

6.5 Sherman Max.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

if it were mine - i would stay with what's familiar & what your confident with, get the load dialed and leave it alone, use another gun in your stable for practice/plinking. even if you only got 5-600 rounds out of the barrel that is going to last a LONG time if used for hunting. JM2C

 

[Quintus]

The 6.5x300WSM is pretty fantastic.

 

[Jakeweb09]

Saums are awesome cartridges and will hammer both deer and pronghorn no problem

 

[FEENIX]

Thank God I never have this kind of dilemma.

 

[Send it 284]

Howdy Folks,

I'm looking for a little input on which direction to go. I have a Nosler M48 Liberty chambered in 26 Nosler. I have it in a McMillan game hunter stock. I am sentimentally attached to the rifle for several reasons so a new gun isn't an option. I would like to rebarrel it with a proof carbon fiber sendero lite at around 22 inches. The trouble I'm having is which cartridge to go with. The 26 slams mulies and does horrible things to pronghorn. I like it as a hunting cartridge, and now days with things crazy it's one of the only things on the shelf consistantly. My concern is I don't want another rebarrel in the near future. Once I work up a good load and get good dope on the rifle out to 1200 yards the throat is going to be half gone again. I'm thinking something like the 6.5 PRC, 7mm WSM or SAUM. I do have some brass and dies for the SAUM already, but I'm not opposed to buying more ammo or dies. I also have several boxes of 26 Nosler still. Should I just go with the Nosler again or should I go one of my other choices? I'm spinning my tires at this point. No the 7mm Rem mag is not an option. I don't want any belted cartridges. Not looking for anything bigger either as I have a full custom 300 PRC. What do you folks think?

Thanks
SShultz

My 22" Benchmark 7 wsm is really impressing me.
I'm sending 195's at 2850 with 8 loadings so far in Hornaday brass.
I just shot my 3rd consecutive 2" group today at 775.

 

[Another Casual]

PRC isn't a bad pick. Before the shortage started it seemed that other companies were going to be making ammo for it and lapua brass is on the way. Realistically, any of the rounds you listed will do what you're asking. I've always like the idea of getting a 7 SAUM, kind of like a short action 280AI. If factory ammo is a must for you this round seems to have less support. Food for thought.

 

[Hand Skills]

Where can a guy find 7 SAUM loaded ammo?

If factory loads are a requirement, I think 6.5 PRC would be the safe choice.

 

[Wolf76]

what about a 270 or 300 wsm? can run an absolute hammer or regular hammer and there's factory ammo.