Mountain/long range rifle. Looking for input

[trjones87]

I'm trying to figure out which caliber I want to go with. I've been looking into the 264 WM and the 6.5's such as the 6.5 creedmore, 6.5x47 lapua, etc. I was leaning towards the 264 but I've heard the barrel life isn't very good.
What have y'all had success with? Would like to know more about the 6.5 calibers

[canny]

264 win would be my choice. Regarding barrel life, those come from a lot of bench shooters that shoot a ton. For a straight up hunting rig I woudnt worry.

[Cajun Blake]

never had a problem with my 6.5x284 as it reaches out and touches 'em

barrel life is all relative .... clean and take of your rifle properly and it will take care of you

[WyoHunter]

I'd opt for the .264 but lots of info on www.longrangehunting.com.

[texag93]

What is going to be on the other end of it? Deer.....or larger?

[trjones87]

What is going to be on the other end of it? Deer.....or larger?

I'm really trying to build one from larger but still use it on deer. I have a 243 I'm probably going to end up selling. I don't plan on going elk hunting anytime soon but would love to be able to handle most animals minus bear moose and the ones up there

[kcmarullo]

I use a custom 7mm STW for my 1000 yrd killer

[DTala]

you won't ever shoot the barrel out a 264 unless you shoot thousands of hot loads. Normal use it will last yer kids lifetime.

I've shot one since 1980 or so, killed a LOT of deer wit it. 125gr Nosler Partition handloads. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot bigger game with 160 gr Partition handloads.

[cactus kid]

I believe the long-range guys are opting for the 7 SAUM. It performs nearly as well as a 7 wsm but with less powder and recoil. It averages around 3000 fps with around a 170 gr bullet. Has very high BC and a wide range of bullets to reload.

Don't make the mistake of building too light of a gun. I know you are wanting a mountain rig, but build a solid platform rifle, cut weight elsewhere in your pack (or your midsection...).

[cactus kid]

And barrels are a tool, not an heirloom. A top of line custom barrel is about 600 installed. If you shoot 300 rounds a year, it will take 5 years to shoot out even the hottest barrel burners.

[JBS]

I'm trying to figure out which caliber I want to go with. I've been looking into the 264 WM and the 6.5's such as the 6.5 creedmore, 6.5x47 lapua, etc. I was leaning towards the 264 but I've heard the barrel life isn't very good.
What have y'all had success with? Would like to know more about the 6.5 calibers

You did not define what long range is to you ?

[JW]

6.5X284 Norma or 6.5 Creedmoore if it were me.

[trjones87]

You did not define what long range is to you ?

Would like to eventually get up to 1000 yards. By then ill have something bigger anyway

[Mike D]

6.5-284 is my first choice. Build it on a long action so you can seat those VLD bullets way old it will be a killer. If you want a factory rifle in that caliber, look at the Savage 111 long range hunter.

[Mike D]

6.5-284 is my first choice. Build it on a long action so you can seat those VLD bullets way old it will be a killer. If you want a factory rifle in that caliber, look at the Savage 111 long range hunter.

If you have the funds look into a Christensen rifle. I talked to them about this exact rifle last week and they told me to expect a finished weight with a 26" barrel of right at 6#, if not slightly under. With the 6.5-284, recoil is not a concern with very light rifles like it would be with one of the big boomer magnum calibers.