Help choosing a caliber for my first LR rifle

[Cowboy_CS]

This is kind of a continuation of my 6.5 CM VS 6.5 PRC thread from a while ago. First and foremost, I am etreamly new to LR shooting, so please bear with me. I am building my very first LR rifle and want to get things right. This gun is mainly going to be shot at the range. I would love to take it hunting here in central CO after deer and elk, but I don't plan to be shooting any game animals over 300yrds, and that is not going to be its primary purpose (I can alway borrow a 300WM for the one elk hunt I might do a year). I reload, so I'm not too worried about bullet availability, but would like to keep cost at least somewhat reasonable, so I can shoot more. I don't need to be shooting $3-5 bills every time I want to go out. My main goal it getting very proficient shooting as long range as possible. Again, Im just starting out, so I have next to no experience other then a LR shooting clinic with my stock Rem 700 in 308 with no brake, thin barrel, and stock trigger. As well as, a couple trips to the range shooting my buddies 6.5CM and 6mm BR Norma. Being able to see my shot and adjust for it is HUGE to me, that is what worries me about some of the magnum calibers. I know this can be mediated with a quality break, but big calibers are still big calibers. I've been warned by a few to resist the draw of the larger calibers and start with a smaller caliber with minimal recoil (with a good break obviously) to focus on becoming a better shooter, then think about moving up. However, some people on this page seem to not agree with that. So if y'all are in my situation, starting over from your first long range gun, knowing all you know now, what caliber are you choosing and why?

 

[gyantgunz]

I vote 7 saum. Recoil is very manageable. Great bcs with bullets. Used by a lot of f class and bench rest guys. Another option is 300 wsm. And if you just want practice get a 223 in a fast twist and shoot out to 5-600.


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[Cowboy_CS]

Was thinking more of a 1000+ yard caliber

 

[Broz]

If your mind is made up, and I truly feel it already is, Buy that 6.5 Creedmoor or a 6 BR and go for it. They both will do well on targets at 1000 yards, and hunting (now excluding elk) to 300 yards.

They will be harder to manage the wind the farther you go out. But you will develop skills needed. Just know they are varmint to small deer sized game calibers. Not elk rifles no matter what you read elsewhere or hear at the range from a Creedmoor fan boy. I have owned them all, and, shot them all to well beyond 1000 yds. There is a reason most are recommending larger rifles. But for sure to practice or build skills on targets they will work just fine.

 

[Dave Wilson]

Put another barrel on that 308, I'd vote for a 260, work on making that shoot, learn what you're doing, then build a long range gun if you want.

 

[Broz]

Was thinking more of a 1000+ yard caliber

The problem is you say you are a beginner , but you are not happy with solid answers you are getting. You wanted cheap ammo, low recoil, ability to spot shots, but you feel a .223 will not make it to 1000? The recommendation of a .223 was with a fast twist barrel for higher BC bullets suitable for longer shots. Sure the 300 WSM or & SAUM recommended will buck more wind, but also come with the recoil you feel you can not get by. If you shot my 300 win mag I would change your mind forever.

If, indeed spotting hits are important, the smaller rifles will allow you to stay on target easier, but not that much easier than a properly weighted and braked larger rifle. And when it comes to actually seeing impacts at 1000 yards and beyond, a larger bullet impact becomes way easier to see. Especially if it is off target like the smaller rifles will likely be on windy days.

 

[RifleTuner]

I think people starting out tend to overanalyse the options available. You have to realise there is no one "perfect" choice. Buy something that meets your basic criteria, commit to it and use it as a learning / training tool, then as you develop skills and experience you can update in the future.

Cartridges like the 223 (with a 1/8 twist barrel) or a 308 Win are great for starting out. They are easy to shoot and easy to load for. Generally a lot of components available, though granted right now thats not so much the case.

I have a lot of different rifles, but use my 223 and 308 a lot. I still shoot my 300 Winmag or 338 Edge at the range occasionally, but the 223 and 308 are my goto rifles for practice.

 

[matt_3479]

For price and learning they are right, the 223 is very good training rifle! First off unbelievably cheap. Super super easy to load for as it just eats everything well, and then some things exceptionally well. The few 223’s I’ve had over the years are almost too accurate if that was a thing lol this gives you the utmost confidence in your rifle, and allows you to focus on the fundamentals and making a good shot.

the 6br is a step up and it’s like hitting the easy button. After playing with 10-15 different calibers over the years, I’ve never quite seen anything like the 6br/6bra. Accuracy is without a doubt next level, and the most accurate caliber I’ve shot so far.

as far as hunting goes, I wouldn’t be against the 6br/6bra going for deer but not elk. I personally don’t like the 6.5’s for elk but it doesn’t mean it can’t be done. At the point I’d go 6.5 creed or 260 rem.

 

[Broz]

Back in my 6BR days I shot 107 SMK's and I remember Diane shooting a 4" 5 shot group with it at 1000 yards. We also took several antelope with that rifle 600 and in.

One that hasn't been mentioned yet is the 6mm Creedmoor. Our 6 Creed PRS match rifles shoot 105 Bergers at 3000 fps from Berger factory ammo which shoots very well. And some other custom ammo at 3100 with the 105 Berger. We can plain where steel out at 1000 yards and beyond. I know Christensen Arms is chambering the 6 Creed now in some of their rifles. A CA Ridgeline in a 6 Creed would be an awesome rifle. Ryan F just did a review on the CA MPR in 6 Creed. I shot this rifle and it drove tacks.

Christensen Arms MPR Review - Long Range Only

Christensen Arms MPR Review. Ryan Furman video review of the Christensen Arms MPR chassis rifle system. Long range rifle review.

www.longrangeonly.com

Not to go back to elk hunting, but there were a few elk killers talking about this very topic a while back. Might be an interesting listen.

LRO Podcast "Is a 6.5 CreedMoor a Elk Rifle"?

 

[matt_3479]

Back in my 6BR days I shot 107 SMK's and I remember Diane shooting a 4" 5 shot group with it at 1000 yards. We also took several antelope with that rifle 600 and in.

One that hasn't been mentioned yet is the 6mm Creedmoor. Our 6 Creed PRS match rifles shoot 105 Bergers at 3000 fps from Berger factory ammo which shoots very well. And some other custom ammo at 3100 with the 105 Berger. We can plain where steel out at 1000 yards and beyond. I know Christensen Arms is chambering the 6 Creed now in some of their rifles. A CA Ridgeline in a 6 Creed would be an awesome rifle. Ryan F just did a review on the CA MPR in 6 Creed. I shot this rifle and it drove tacks.

Christensen Arms MPR Review - Long Range Only

Christensen Arms MPR Review. Ryan Furman video review of the Christensen Arms MPR chassis rifle system. Long range rifle review.

www.longrangeonly.com

Not to go back to elk hunting, but there were a few elk killers talking about this very topic a while back. Might be an interesting listen.

LRO Podcast "Is a 6.5 CreedMoor a Elk Rifle"?

Only reason I didn’t mention it, is cause while my 6creed is running 105’s at 3130 fps and shooting really well. Barrel life and recoil is more then the 6br, 6bra, 6 dasher. And for practice and hunting medium game inside 300 I thought the smaller 6 might be better.
For pure hunting medium game, I’d take the 6 creed all day over the 6 br variants. Still plenty accurate, fast, flat shooting and a little more energy.

after building the 6bra and the 25 creed the 6 creed doesn’t see much use anymore

 

[Rageface1912]

Back in my 6BR days I shot 107 SMK's and I remember Diane shooting a 4" 5 shot group with it at 1000 yards. We also took several antelope with that rifle 600 and in.

One that hasn't been mentioned yet is the 6mm Creedmoor. Our 6 Creed PRS match rifles shoot 105 Bergers at 3000 fps from Berger factory ammo which shoots very well. And some other custom ammo at 3100 with the 105 Berger. We can plain where steel out at 1000 yards and beyond. I know Christensen Arms is chambering the 6 Creed now in some of their rifles. A CA Ridgeline in a 6 Creed would be an awesome rifle. Ryan F just did a review on the CA MPR in 6 Creed. I shot this rifle and it drove tacks.

Christensen Arms MPR Review - Long Range Only

Christensen Arms MPR Review. Ryan Furman video review of the Christensen Arms MPR chassis rifle system. Long range rifle review.

www.longrangeonly.com

Not to go back to elk hunting, but there were a few elk killers talking about this very topic a while back. Might be an interesting listen.

LRO Podcast "Is a 6.5 CreedMoor a Elk Rifle"?

Back in your 6BR days what was your barrel life like? (I'm hoping 3k or more)

I'm considering a 26" 6BR or 6.5 CM as a 1000 yard general training/ maybe prs rifle.

My wants and needs have left me with barrel life as the last deciding factor.

 

[Lancetkenyon]

I say a smaller bore, but still decent speed cartridge to push a high BC, bullet with light recoil.

My 6 Creed has the name "Mr. Confidence" for a reason. I shoot it to 1500 monthly. 105 Hyb @ 3188fps. We have taken pronghorn and mule deer with it. Great round for shooting LR on steel, and medium game out to 700ish with very little recoil.

My new 25 Creed is quickly becoming a great steel banger a long way out too. 1400 so far, hitting at will. 135 LR Hyb @ 2975fps is a mean round. Since it is only a couple months old, I have yet to take any game with it, but I have no doubts it would crush medium game. Still very light recoiling, but has a bit more bullet weight, and BC to help.

Neither one are an elk rifle unless you plan on head shots. Sure, people have killed elk with 6mms and .257s, but they are not ideal. Marginal at best. Save the elk hunting shots for the .300WM.

 

[terrapin]

You are over thinking it. Buy the gun you can afford to shoot A LOT. You don’t need to pick out a gun for the rest of your life, or one gun to do everything. I have “long range” rifles from 22lr to 300win mag. They all do different things.

That being said… 6mm CM factory ammo was consistently available throughout the shortage. Be smart about the rifle you buy and you can buy pre-fit barrels. After you’ve gone through a couple barrels you’ll know what you want.


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[scottrod338]

Back in your 6BR days what was your barrel life like? (I'm hoping 3k or more)

I'm considering a 26" 6BR or 6.5 CM as a 1000 yard general training/ maybe prs rifle.

My wants and needs have left me with barrel life as the last deciding factor.

I have Jeff's 6mmbr and would consider letting it go. Pm me if you're interested

 

[Stog]

I have Jeff's 6mmbr and would consider letting it go. Pm me if you're interested

Would seriously reconsider a 300 Win Mag.
They are in their element for long range marksmanship. They do alot of things extremely well.
Whatever your choice, i expect you will be totally consumed with your new affliction.
Best of luck!

 

[Alaska]

Easy Start with a 308 Win
Bergara B14 Ridge in 22” then if you need something for longer range same model of rifle in 300 Win Mag
Extremely Accurate Rifles !