Best caliber to build off a short action with small shank?

A

AROKHUNTER

New member
As the title says, what would be the best caliber to build off a short action with small shank? I have a short action coming that has a small shank and a .473 bolt face with a detachable magazine. The action will be a repeater and not a single shot. I will be using this as a hunting rifle, mostly for whitetail deer and the occasional coyote. I would like to get out to 400-500yds, no need for anything over 500yds for me. I also do not want a barrel over 24", and would actually like to stay under that. All of the guns that I have now have a 22"barrel or shorter. I currently have a 308, 7mm-08, 243, and a 223. I am in no hurry to start the build, so I thought I would see what some ideas would be.
 
Not what you asked for, but based on current rifles I would chamber it for .220 Swift. The 7mm-08 is probably one of the better whitetail rounds and I think you biggest void is between the .223 and .243.

Just my opinion.

Steve
 
Originally Posted By: BangFlopNot what you asked for, but based on current rifles I would chamber it for .220 Swift. The 7mm-08 is probably one of the better whitetail rounds and I think you biggest void is between the .223 and .243.

Just my opinion.

Steve

^^^^
I appreciate your opinion Steve, that's what I like to hear is everyone's opinion. You never know when something will get thrown at you and make you stop and think or even look a totally different direction. As to the Swift, I would have listed that I have a 22-250, but I just sold it. So I am not really interested in the Swift, but I know what you mean by the void. I am thinking that I want to stay in the 6mm or larger rounds. The 22 calibers just don't do anything for me. I am keeping the 223 because that is my AR15.

The 6.5 stuff is really beginning to appeal to me. I have been researching the 260, 6.5 Creedmore, and the 6.5x47 Lapua. This is almost as bad as researching the 7mm-08 and the 260.

The 6.5x47 Lapua is really starting to get my attention though.
 
I just built a pistol in 6.5x47 Lapua. I couldnt get any happier. Shot .4 at 200 first time out with just throwing a load togeather. The other is no recoil. It just gos BOOM.
 
I just do not see an advantage to a 260, when 3 of his current callers already share the parent case. I would look to a more exotic caliber.

Or, I would look at the same parent case and fill a void on the upper end with the 338 Federal. Same brass, you could build with a 20" barrel if you prefer, or stay with the 22" of your other rifles.

Sorry for not follow directions well.

Steve
 
Okay, here is a question that has come to mind. What are the pros/cons of a 7mm-08 vs. 6.5x47 Lapua? I have been looking into the 6.5x47 Lapua a lot and it is attractive, but I would like to know the real benefits over the 7mm-08.
 
Other than being different, in my opinion only cons. Ballisticly, the 7-08 will hold up to most if not all under hunting situations. You can buy it factory as well.

I personally feel you have all the basics covered for deer. Now maybe you should look at a long action. The you could look into a 25-06, 264 win mag, or even a 6.5x284 if you want to be different and fill the narrow window of voids you have.
 
Originally Posted By: BangFlop Now maybe you should look at a long action. The you could look into a 25-06, 264 win mag, or even a 6.5x284 if you want to be different and fill the narrow window of voids you have.

I hear ya, but I have decided that I am only interested in short actions and shorter barrels from now on. I will not have a barrel longer than 24" and the gun had really better need that full 24" for it to be there. 22" barrels and shorter are my thing. I have had a couple of 25-06 and I really do love the round and I would have one if not for being the long action. I had a 264 Win Mag & it is sweet, but not cheap. The 6.5x284 would be new to me, but again, long action. I also want a round that takes less than 50.0 grains of powder to perform at its peak. I am listening and hearing ya though. All great rounds from my experience and from what I have seen or heard.
 
I built a 260AI almost two yeas ago. I went with the 260AI because I was first planing on a 6.5x284, but I thought the ballistics were similar enough and thr short action and AI cases attracted me.

My opinion is that this gun is unreal. I got into F class with it pretty heavy the first year and I was shooting 195+ points my very first time out and there after, thats neck and neck with the top dogs. I have gotten a lot of comments on my shooting and I always blame the rifle.

I am shooting a 30" and get higher velocities but the round flies like a laser, wind is much more forgiving than with a 308.

The long barrel lets me pack my cases to the gills with slower powders. With 47.4gr. Reloader 19 and 47.7 gr. H4831sc shooting 140gr bullets. I was getting 3000fps with R19 but havent had a chance to test the H4831sc. A 22" barrel would do well with 120gr bullets and even 130gr Burger VLDs would be gold if you got the money.

Looking at all the 6.5s I liked the 260AI because I felt I got the biggest bang for the short action. Plus the Ackley brass is super trouble free.

Two weeks ago me and some buddies were shooting 500 yards through a near blizzard. Pretty steady 18-20 mph winds and snow. With two new guys shooting we each but two rounds on target then went down to see if we hit the 2'x2' board. It was a ten inch group eight inches left of the target. Proof how easy this gun is. Bullet only had the wind blowing it about 13 inches.

If you want a carry deer type gun, 6.5x47 vs. 260AI you wont notice any difference. For real precision long range stuff very tiny differance.
 
Last edited:
I was talking to a buddy of mine and he mentioned the 25-284. I had not heard of this one, but I have done a little research and it is just a short action 25-06. How sweet is that!
Please share any knowledge of the 25-284. I would especially like to know the minimum barrel length for this round.
 
For me it would depend on whether you reload or not. Some of the other calibers sound great, but if you can't find ammo what good is it. If you do reload then it is a tough decision, personally i would do a 7-08
 
I already have a 7mm-08, but I keep coming back to it. I am kinda running the idea through my head of building another 7mm-08 in a different configuration. Thinking...................
 
Anybody got some info on a 7RSAUM? Would I be able to use my Savage short action with small shank to build this, or do I have to have an action with a large shank?
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top