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I just picked up a model 111 in 30-06 and was thinking about rebarreling it to something more long range- probably in 6 or 6.5mm. Any suggestions on cartridge/barrel length welcome. I reload but I don't want overly involved case forming/$200 dies, etc.
Thanks
Dan
7mm Practical aka 7mm-300wm!
Super easy to find brass and reload for (it's just a .300wm case necked down to 7mm, some guys change the shoulder angles but it's not required). It will give you comparable performance to the STW without absurd throat wear. Fantastic LR cartridge.
If you're building it in a LA, I would definitely shade towards the 7mm side as you may need to make some modifications to get the smaller 6.5s to feed reliably. And if you're dead set on a 6.5mm... Creedmoor or .260 Rem would be my votes.
280 AI is another good choice and from what I understand you could utilize your existing bolt face. 24" barrel seems to be the norm with 280 AI.
Long range hunting or long range target practice?
The 6.5 caliber gives an excellent balance between high ballistic coefficients, velocity, and modest recoil.
The 6.5-06 or its Ackley version will be very hard to beat. You also have plenty of room for the shorter 6.5 Creedmoor and .260 Remington.
You mentioned "no elaborate fire forming or special dies"
Good long action 6.5 choices are the 6.5x55 swede and 6.5x284.
I also agree that 6.5 is an excellent long range choice, it and the 6mms are the most popular for long range precision target shooting. The 7mms & 30s shine for long range hunting.
Just depends on what your looking to do with it.
Possibilities are pretty much endless with your long action
Thanks for the replies. I reload 280 for my cousin and I like the caliber a lot but I'm leaning toward a 6.5-06. Resonable die cost and easy/cheap to make brass. I have a 260 already and this one will be mainly for target/ long range steel shooting.
Dan