Help Me Build 2 Long Range Hunting/Target Rifles

New to the site, and love all I have learned here so far. Hopefully this will be a fun discussion. I want to build 2 rifles that will be dual purpose. I am first and foremost a hunter that is getting involved in long range target shooting. I am looking to build two dual purpose rigs, probably one in .260 or 6.5 creedmor, with the other being a larger caliber rig. (I already have a LR 308 win) Here are my requirements for the builds, and any and all suggestions are welcome.


Build Parameters:
1. Dual Purpose Hunting/Long Range Target (Bullets available suitable for both and I do handload)
2. $1500 per gun price not including optics
3. Comfortable to shoot (Probably adjustable stock as I don't know enough to seriously say what fits perfectly)
4. 1/2 MOA Capable (I know I can't shoot that today, but I want a rig that is capable when I get there)
5. Good Trigger (I seem to already be sensitive to trigger pull and know to be accurate long range I have to account for this)
6. Savage Action
7. Durable gun that can handle both being at the range as well as lugging through the woods
8. Weight is not a major issue. I mainly hunt from a stand and I will take a heavy rifle that is a tack driver all day over a light rifle that isn't

Other than that these will be some of my first full builds. Guidance, suggestions, or even parts for sale are more than welcome. Tell me what I don't know!

Question, are you planning one in 6.5 CM and one in 260? Or are those starting options to pick from? If both I'd build one or the other. Not enough difference in performance. If your building two rigs, such as one heavy target/one light hunting then I'd still stick with one or the other. No need to have two sets of reloading components etc. maybe I'm misreading your first paragraph...

Hafejd I wasn't clear, so thanks for asking. Yes I was thinking one or the other. Plus probably a heavier round build. I was also considering a 6.5x284 in that category as well.

1. Savage Hog Hunter in 308. Spend the rest of the $1500 on quality glass. 800 yards and more easily attainable.
2. Savage Bear Hunter, 300 WinMag, again the rest goes on the glass. Will go well over 1000 yards.
Go to the .30's for their ability to buck the wind a little better than the 6.5's and their ability to share quality bullets.
If you're still craving the 260 after a while, that HH barrel holds its value well, swap it out for a 260 barrel for a reasonable upgrade fee. Use your 308 brass to form the 260.

Hot olds thanks for the info. I am looking to start with a receiver and build versus a factory gun. I feel like I a, ready to put some money towards accuracy. Also another criteria I should have added is a mag feed receiver and not a hinged floor plate.

also the $1500 per gun is not including glass. This is just for the rifle build and I will account for optics separately. I am pretty sure I will go with a vortex viper pst on both as I have grown to love that scope.

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Originally Posted by Hotolds442

Go to the .30's for their ability to buck the wind a little better than the 6.5's and their ability to share quality bullets.

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Eeeehhhhhhhh...... Except you have to shoot 200gr+ bullets from the Win Mag to have a chance at better wind "bucking" than the 6.5's. Especially from the 6.5-284 Norma, the massive difference in BC and realistic launch speeds just isn't in the 30's favor.

280
Timed and Trued stainless action
McMillan or Stockade composite
7mm Krieger, Brux or Bartlein barrel in 8.5-9 twist

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Originally Posted by darkker

Eeeehhhhhhhh...... Except you have to shoot 200gr+ bullets from the Win Mag to have a chance at better wind "bucking" than the 6.5's. Especially from the 6.5-284 Norma, the massive difference in BC and realistic launch speeds just isn't in the 30's favor.

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If were comparing a 140 gr 6.5 @ 3200 fps and a 200 gr 30 cal @ 2800 fps id agree with you.
But put them both at 3200 fps and it isnt even a contest.
Which is exactly why my 6.5x300 wsm is hopefully happy with its new owner.

I suppose that depends on how technical you want to be.

A 300WM isn't going to get that fast, but if we use a start of 3000fps, which is a little over-pressure using a 200gr hybrid target. Vs. the Creedmoor @ 2,700fps with a 140 hybrid target.
To 1,000, with a 10 mph side wind.

WM - 6.9 mils up, 1.6mils right
Creed - 8.9 mils up, 1.9 mils right

That drop is real, but also not what most struggle with, they struggle with wind. 0.3 mils at 1,000 isn't detectable by the average shooter. Certainly by the professionals, just not for the random gent wanting to stretch out his rifle.

...Since you seem to be a little short on your Leopard stocks at the moment, I'll make you a sweet deal on my barrel, dies and brass:cool::cool:

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Originally Posted by darkker

I suppose that depends on how technical you want to be.

A 300WM isn't going to get that fast, but if we use a start of 3000fps, which is a little over-pressure using a 200gr hybrid target. Vs. the Creedmoor @ 2,700fps with a 140 hybrid target.
To 1,000, with a 10 mph side wind.

WM - 6.9 mils up, 1.6mils right
Creed - 8.9 mils up, 1.9 mils right

That drop is real, but also not what most struggle with, they struggle with wind. 0.3 mils at 1,000 isn't detectable by the average shooter. Certainly by the professionals, just not for the random gent wanting to stretch out his rifle.

...Since you seem to be a little short on your Leopard stocks at the moment, I'll make you a sweet deal on my barrel, dies and brass:cool::cool:

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Thanks for the offer, but usualy for me once is enough to satisfy my curiosity.
And ive satisfied the 300wm curiosity also.
You understood i was comparing bullets and not specific cartridges.

Been running a 112BVSS .300WM in local matches for several years and several barrels. 190 SMK'S at 3050fps sure do shrug the breeze. We can only get to 1000yds here, so maybe he huge advantage of the 6.5s shows up farther out. I have used all the heavier bullets up to 240's but havent needed more than the 190's. BTW its a 27" 1-10 now.

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Originally Posted by pbmax84

Been running a 112BVSS .300WM in local matches for several years and several barrels. 190 SMK'S at 3050fps sure do shrug the breeze. We can only get to 1000yds here, so maybe he huge advantage of the 6.5s shows up farther out. I have used all the heavier bullets up to 240's but havent needed more than the 190's. BTW its a 27" 1-10 now.

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You no doubt have people telling you how wrong you are for using those bullets. But are they shooting better than you?
I somehow doubt youd be wasting 2 barrels finding what works for you.
As for the 6.5, 50 years ago lots of people were hunting long range with 6.5s in PA. Today, nobody is where shots could be beyond 1000 yds.