something like a 6.5 WSM, 28". There are several builds on here I am watching. These are hunting rifles though, so they won't see the high round or string counts a lot of others see. Might even go 280AI or something since the 7mm 168 vld is around .617 G1. There are so many options these days it is sickening. LOL
The intention is to have a rifle capable of killing a wolf at a really long distance on a good day. We can hunt from 9000 down 4000 ft from September thru March. Biggest issue is wind. I have been good out 1500 on elevation and hold control. Just a lot of variation in wind in the mountains. Realistically I can see a barrel burner running a couple of years for me.
For example I burned up a 100 rounds just messing around, breaking in, and working up a load with different powders etc. My next 100 was spent shoot LR (for me) 600-1050 to get settled in and build some understanding and experience. About rounds went down range from 1333 to 1482 yards. The next 40 or so was figuring why my scope was off 6" to the right and I had some verticle flyers. Reduced powder load (new lot) and the rifle settled in. So let's say I go out this weekend and can not really improve much from the .5moa consistency of this rifle. I will likely not be looking for much more and understand this is where the rifle and I will be. I will a few rounds over the summer to keep working on wind skills but no a huge amount, lets say 200. That puts the barrel around 500. next year will be around 200. I don't see myself shooting a 100 rounds per weekend. I have bow shoots, camping, dirt bike riding and racing, etc all coming up : ).
