Forced to shoot High Power again - a rifle?

[snaketail2]

I moved away from the warn/sunny Arizona desert - to the snowy central-US - now I Have to shot HP, I think its in the state regulations.

I know that the .22 version of the Ruger American has been well received - any thoughts on the 7-08 version? The price is certainly right, but is that trigger allowed?

No need to hurry an answer - we have howling winds, snow on the ground, and I think the first local match is still months away.

Michael of St Louis

[cslcAl]

If you're not in a hurry, by mid year Remington will have a SPS 260 24 in barrel with 1 in 8 twist.

Al Foust

[njjessee]

Hey Michael - I found myself looking for a high power rifle for Hunter class this time last year. Was looking for one in 260 Remington as well. I ended up buying the Savage 16 FCSS model in 260. It has the accustock and accutrigger and I've been very happy with it.

The rifle shoots consistent sub-MOA 5 shot groups with Sierra 142's and the trigger is a very crisp 2 1/2 lbs. I know it isn't, but it feels like a two stage trigger. The safety blade contributes some to overall trigger weight, so you take up some of the trigger pull weight just to contact the trigger blade. I do have Savage's target spring on order ($5.00) so I can adjust the weight down to right at 2 lbs.

The overall weight of the rifle with a Leupold 6.5 - 20 EFR and Burris Signature rings is 8 lbs 10 oz.

The only thing I've done is put some Devcon Steel Putty in the recoil slot of the bedding block to make it a perfect fit. I'll probably add a little weight to the front of the stock to bring it up to 9 lbs.

Noah

[DennisC]

I'm as dedicated a 7-08 shooter as you'll find...competed for years up at St Louis, and seldom failed on their rams. (although one bank is a bit tougher). With that said if I were staring over....I'd look awful hard at the 6.5 X47... Biggest difference in MY OPINION, is how we set up our loads. For example, 7-08 much lower velocities out to rams, and even rams no more than 2500fps... i rung measurably more @ 2550fps up to 2600fps. Cases are only 75% full of powder. Maybe some of these 6.5X47 shooters will chime in with particulars but what I hear is much higher velocities (pressures) to get the job done.
Side note on these 'low pressure loads'' with highly temp sensitive powders....shot same load St. Louis from frigid to July, Phoenix *110 by 9AM, Ridgeway --80*, Zwolle 40*-90*, Benton in the 90* and Mexia (so windy thermometer blew away, 100+)....and no I'm not using Hodgdon. During Nats at above mentioned Phoenix match there was a rifle destroyed by too much pressure in too much heat that was great when he checked it at home. (A 6.5).

None of this really matters until one gets bit by the software bug, momentum factors, etc. and attempts to match knockdown power of a 7 with a 6.5, ain't gonna happen....however as it was explained to me years ago, there are thirty points on the 'short line' which can be taken with a 6br and not take a single ram...30/40 consistently will win allot of matches. So....good sense in loading coupled with a good fitting, accurate rifle you enjoy shooting and have confidence in...it really don't matter.
On second thought....i do like the mighty 7

[malinois]

I agree with the small case thing....I have a 6mm Br barrel and a 7mm Br barrel for my Savage and I swap between them when I travel with the 6mm getting the nod if I have to travel far and shoot a lot...it make the reloading thing a bit easier when you only load one bullet...But I could do that with the 7mm as well and shot 162 a max's for all 4 animals. Love the savage for that reason. But right now the hard part is finding bullets for all the various calibers 6,6.5 or 7. ... I guess I will have to order up a 6.5mm barrel also. This high power stuff is sure addicting.

[BCloninger]

Just looking at availability, recoil and reliability it is hard to beat the 7-08 for the most practical answer. I would like to see more interest in off-the-shelf 260's, either from Savage or Remington (if they actually ship any of the SPS in 260 for 2014).

[snaketail2]

Is it easier to find 7-08 components than 6.5?

I agree with the idea that you can take everything except the Rams and still win - I seem to recall a Remington 700 shooter from 15 years ago that won the nationals with a .243.
But then again there is the power thing.

DennisC - Thanks - for the insight. Yes Phoenix gets hot - hotter than 110 in June!

M

[cslcAl]

Grice Gun Shop in Clearfield, Pa. is taking pre orders for the new SPS 260. They are $599 and they are stating mid year delivery. Al Foust

[dustinflint]

Is it easier to find 7-08 components than 6.5?

It's not THAT hard to find components in whatever you're shooting - powder has been a bit scarce but it's not too bad now. The key is to buy a bunch of whatever you're buying when you find it. I wouldn't make a caliber choice based upon current availability of components.

I agree with the idea that you can take everything except the Rams and still win - I seem to recall a Remington 700 shooter from 15 years ago that won the nationals with a .243.
But then again there is the power thing.

I've heard this before too and I bet it was originally said by someone who didn't win very many matches. But note that this issue only presents itself if shooting a 6mm - the right load in a 6.5mm will pretty reliably take down rams. The whole 30/40 thing assumes that the shooter hits every target and rings every ram. Show me a shooter that consistantly hits that many targets with a 6mm and I'll show you a shooter who needs to get a better caliber and start winning every match. Even if this made sense and there was someone out there who could do it, a 30/40 is not going to win very many big matches. How many times have you hit 10 turkeys in a row in a HP match (which would be necessary every time in a 40-shot match)? Or, 15 turkeys in a row for for a 60-shot match??? Easier said than done and not at all practical.

My opinion is that 6.5 or 7mm are the only reasonable choices for a silhouette rifle. If you already have a 6mm and just want to try it out, go for it. If you like shooting 6mm and dont care about your score, go for it. If you are buying or building a rifle specifically for silhouette, get a 6.5 or 7mm.

Between 6.5 and 7mm, I prefer a 6.5 because I can shoot bullets with a higher BC without having to pay the piper in recoil. I have a 6.5x47L and a 7mm IHMSA and I much prefer the 6.5 because I shoot very light loads that dont drift like crazy like the 7mm does. I believe that the wind drift on my 7mm cost me a state championship match in 2012.

If I was building a custom rifle, I'd go with a 6.5x47L. If I was buying a rifle off the shelf, I'd try to find a Tikka in 6.5x55 (hard to find) or I'd buy a Savage in 260 or 6.5 Creedmore (easy to find).

Dustin

[yankee]

FYI Looking at Midsouth this morning They had some 6.5 and 7mm match bullets. So you might want to take a look.

[ldholton]

If I were to start again with 0 stuff and didn't want to build and work up a bunch of custom stuff I would look really hard at a weatherby vangurd in a 7-08 or better yet to me, they have made a few for (I foget which distrubitor) in a 6.5 creedmor . They will make hunter class if you choose you bases&rings carfully (think Talley hint) and keep an eye on the weight of glass you will use. Triggers can be tuned to a really nice 2# . This is my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

[azbass]

I like the way you think ldholton ... thats exactly what i decided to do (and i am starting from scratch). It's Cabelas that has the Vanguard in 6.5 creedmoor. I ordered one last week and they just called me so i can go pick it up tonight. Also going with Talley rings and and a Sightron scope..

[BCloninger]

All of you guys ringing Rams might want to try the new Hornady 26!

[BCloninger]

Sir,I believe you are mistaken.
http://www.nosler.com/news-and-articles ... -26-nosler

So true! Shows how interested I am in that beast!