Short action calibers

[Bear Charge]

7mm08

[kmon]

If you don't reload I believe you are leaving something on the table with performance at least accuracy wise for your rifles. With reloading your can pick your bullet and tune the loads for that bullet to your rifle. There are companies that will take your rifle, workup the most accurate loads for your rifle and chosen bullet then load them up when you need more ammo. The initial cost for a rifle is about what you would spend setting up to reload initially then match ammo for your gun is about the same as good quality factory ammo.

[Slick8]

What the build on your 6.5x47 L look like? I’m intrigued by this cartridge but don’t reload so that’s sort of a “problem” for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you're considering a custom build, you should really consider reloading for it.

There's multiple reasons; maximize the potential of a custom built rifle, tune a load and bullet combo that you can't buy at the store and chamber for something that isn't readily available.

Oh and it's fun and gives you an excuse to go to the range.

Again, I'll vote 260AI, 7-08AI, 6.5 or 7mm WSM in a 22-24 inch barrel.

I'm headed out Saturday to do a 10 shot 300 yard ladder test on my 22-250AI and 308. Should be fun.

[Jmsck12]

If you're considering a custom build, you should really consider reloading for it.



There's multiple reasons; maximize the potential of a custom built rifle, tune a load and bullet combo that you can't buy at the store and chamber for something that isn't readily available.



Oh and it's fun and gives you an excuse to go to the range.



Again, I'll vote 260AI, 7-08AI, 6.5 or 7mm WSM in a 22-24 inch barrel.



I'm headed out Saturday to do a 10 shot 300 yard ladder test on my 22-250AI and 308. Should be fun.

I am definitely going to be reloading in the future but right now I don’t have the space or time to do it. Plus I still have to take in lots of knowledge on the process of reloading. Seems like there are so many details to pay close attention too. At the moment I have a friend who gets my bullets loaded for me with his gunsmith.


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[Slick8]

Space isn't an issue as I reload from a small writing desk / cabinet. You have to get creative.

Time is a different story, you not only need time but it really needs to be quality uninterrupted time.

[B&C]

6.5 creed then 7-08 then 308 would be my choice. I have and love all 3. My next and last build will be the 257 Weatherby (obviously not a short action).

[Cajun Blake]

What’s the build on your 6.5x47 L look like? I’m intrigued by this cartridge but don’t reload so that’s sort of a “problem” for me.

Kelbly ATLAS Tactical
Manners T4A

my rifle looks like this, but with different glass (NF ATACR) and different stock color
I'll get some pics soon and post them up

[hardtner]

For around your budget, you can build a rifle like this one of mine. Stillers action, McM stock, Bartlein, Jewell



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[hardtner]

My 6.5x47 on a Rem action. Below your budget.



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[stxhunter]

Space isn't an issue as I reload from a small writing desk / cabinet. You have to get creative.

Time is a different story, you not only need time but it really needs to be quality uninterrupted time.

Initially reloading can be a lot to take in, but it's really not that bad. Deprime, clean if you choose, uniform primer pockets, size, trim, put a primer, powder and bullet.

Space wise, a single stage press, 1 set of dies, a good beam balance (or charge master) really doesn't take much room ( you'll need a couple of other small items as well). Even though I have a big area where I reload, my sizing is done on a press stand and I use an arbor press for seating my bullets.

Time wise: it's really not that bad either. I don't have a lot of time myself, but I reload when I do, often times in 10-20 minute increments depending on what task I'm doing. I can deprime 100 or so fired brass and throw them in the SS media in probably 10-15 minutes. I walk away and do whatever I need while they're cleaning. The next time I've got 10-20 minutes (may be that same day, may be a few days later) I resize my brass and prime. The next time I'm free I charge with powder and seat a bullet (might do 20 rnds, might do all 100 depending on time). This part goes by pretty quick with a chargemaster .

In my opinion if your going to go through the expense of building a custom rifle with a custom action in the $2000-$2500 range + glass at $1000-$2000+ you really need custom ammunition to complete the package and get the most out of your setup.

If you are dead set on not reloading. I would get in touch with Dallas Reloads. They can take your rifle and setup a custom load for it. In the future when you need new ammo they'll already have the recipe and should you decide to start reloading you'll have a great starting point.

For caliber:

What are you wanting to hunt with it? I saw you mentioned Nilgai. As much as I LOVE my 260AI it may be a little light for Nilgai, I've had friends who neck shot Nilgai with a 7mm mag that ran for a few hundred yards with a dangling broken neck.

If you were to take Nilgai out of the equation, and if you decide to never reload I would go with a 6.5 Creed, 7-08 or the new 6.5 PRC (leaning towards 7-08 or 6.5 PRC). If you wanted to include Nilgai in a short action caliber I'd probably go 7WSM or 300 WSM. Ammo can be hard to come by on the WSM offerings so you'd most likely have to order from online sources.

Lastsly, you mentioned the 6.5 CM being a barrel burner. If you're going to be HUNTING with the rifle, I doubt you'd go through the 1200-2000 rounds before the barrel craps out. If you DO, just spin up a new barrel. $300-$500 on a new barrel is nothing compared to the cost of ammo that will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1800-$3000 by the time your barrel needs to be changed. If this were my build, I'd highly consider adding a WTO switch lug to it, this will let you change barrels easily yourself.

[softpoint]

7/08 or 260Remington. I have both. If I had to choose, probably 7/08. There is no reason for it not to be 7/08. I have loaded bullets from 100 to 175 grains in mine. Superb accuracy with all weights. The .260 with 85 to 140 grains, with equally good accuracy. The capability to shoot the 175 grain would close the deal on the 7/08 for me.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

I shoot a 260 but I also reload if you don’t, go with a creedmor. I’ve killed deer at 325 yards with my 260 but it’s longest kill was 650 yards.

My brother was shooting a 7-08 savage tactical with a few mods and killed whitetail out to 504 yards. Now he is shooting a one off 7-08AI built by himself off a savage action. He is pushing 168gr Berger VLDs @ 2807fps with .40” groups at 100 yards.

I would say it all depends on if you reload or not. ( not sure if you said you do I didn’t read every post) but if you do I’d go 7-08ai or 260ai.

Lots of good calibers out there. Many will do what you are asking. Hardly either will do it better than the other.

[softpoint]

I’m a biased 260 fan. I’ve had mine several years and it’s killed many many critters. Recoil in my opinion is minimal. It’s as accurate as it can be and the only handicap is me, the shooter. I know, I know it’s not a creedmore but the difference is very minimal. I’m sure the creedmore is a great caliber, just too close to a 260 to buy another rifle.

The .260 is superior to the creedmore anyway, in a hunting rifle.

[kmon]

For years I loaded with a single stage press, balance beam, hand primer using a blacken decker work mate as the bench. It worked and I loaded ammo just as good with that setup as I do in my reloading room I have now. When not in use the setup was stored in the walk in closet in the apartment.

Reloading like some have pointed out is not that difficult. mostly pay attention to detail. I got started at 14 years of age so been at it a while.

[LWD]

What’s the build on your 6.5x47 L look like? I’m intrigued by this cartridge but don’t reload so that’s sort of a “problem” for me.


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If you don't reload the 6.5 Creedmoor is a much better choice due to factory ammo availability.

LWD