I'm looking for a caliber for a new build and not sure which cal to get? I'm thinking .338 edge, with a Lapua 300Gr bullet, it's BC is near .85, that sounds pretty good to me, I've also read maybe the 7MM-WSM? I want to shoot paper, not game with this rifle so accuracy is most important, any suggestions? I handload so ammo availability isn't an issue for me. My only concern is recoil, I don't want something that knock me out.

Thanks in advance!

Why not go with something smaller that will not beat you up on the firing line. Not sure what you consider long range but the 6.5-284 is one of the most popular on the 1000 yard shoots these days.

As kmon1 says the 6.5x284 is winning most of the big boy long range matches. Not sure how much you have shot a 338 lapua but there is nothing fun about it. Hard on your shoulder and very expensive to shoot even if you reload.

308 Win, 260 Rem, 6.5x55,7mm-08 will all get you to 1000yds with the right bullet. They wont beat you up and keep cost down. The big .338's do have a place at further distances but like most things, you need to crawl before you can walk.

I think the furthest shot we can take at the ranch is near 800 yards so that would be about the furthest, I like to be prepared for a 100 yards just in case I could get out to Tiger valley one day.

I was decided on the .260 but started to have my doubts after reading some on the .338, I have read good things about the 6.5x284 I'm just concerned about barrel life, how is it? I do like the 6.5 bullet

Match grade accuracy with a 6.5x284 is usually less than 1500 rnds but it depends on how hot you load. If you're only to 800 a good 260 or 308 is your brew.

I would add in the 7mm-08 to the list for that range, it was being used for long range ie 1k on the bench rest circuit in the late 1970s remington decided to standardize it in 1980.

My next planned purchade is a 6.5-284. If I have to replace the barrel at some point so be it, means I will have enjoyed some shooting

Straight .284 is good too.

For strictly paper punching, don't count out the 6BR.

No recoil, cheap to shoot, easy on barrels and can hold it's own at 1K if it's not too windy.

I had a switch barrel built: 6.5 x 284 and a 6BR.

What is "long Range"
less than 400 6mmbr will be great
400-1000 6.5-284 7mmstw is great also
1100-1500m 338rum, Lapua, .416-Barret..
1500+ 50bmg

I was told that any gun that will shoot a 1/2 MOA and the proper optics will make a good long range gun.

I am looking at the 6.5 X 47 Lapua

My next hunting rifle will be chambered in that or 6.5 Credmoore.

If your doing only doing the 800 but have hopes of 1K the 6.5x47MM Lapua or the .260 Remington is a great choice. 6.5x284 would be the choice if your consistantly shoting 1K.




Both the .416 Barret and .408 Chey-Tac would be better choices for shooting at 1500 meters and beyond. Most people use the fifty but it was designed for anti material not accuracy, even as recent of last year a British Sniper Team using .338 Lapua punched out the long shot record by an addition 45 meters (2474 Mts - 2706yds) than the previuos set with the .50bmg (2430 M - 2642yds) Both the .416 Barret and .408 Chey-Tac are much more capable rounds, that just have not had the right circumstance to flex there muscle. I truly expect before we Leave Afganist for the US to recapture the Long Shot Record and I have high hopes for closing on the 3000yds marker.

7 WSM

6BR?

Thought about it but I don't like that Lapua is the only one that makes brass for the round

I already have two 7MM rifles so I was looking for a different caliber

I'm kind of really leaning toward the .260 because my uncle just ordered one and we both handload so we can share data and such. We also shoot together so it'd be easier to compare results and ammo

.260 Even in the little Model Seven I have it seems to be very accurate and consistant if I dont let the barrel get hot. My wife can regularly shoot .5MOA with it, with a best of .375" group @100yrds.

There are quiet a few F class rifles out there winning in the .260 without any recoil to speak of in a 12+ pound rifle.

Nothing wrong with .260 or 6BR, IMO. Recoil is the devil, you can replace barrels easier than shoulders.

So there's noticeable recoil with th e.260? Thanks for the help guys!

Really, did you read it?

I'm a BIG fan of the 6.5x284. Easy to load, brass is out there in different brands. I load a 140 matchking AND gamekings,4831sc powder.Both of mine shoot very well, low recoil, and I hunt with them.
(I like the Norma brass in bulk!)

Oh ok sorry, just sounded a bit weird. Thought it was odd for it to have recoil.