Rifle Project Dilemma...

B

Beepy

New member
OK, so I am getting a little bored.
My last rifle project went well and was a lot of fun taking a Remington 700 in .300 WSM and creating a 6.5x300 WSM. By the time it was all said and done, I had a cartridge that burned about 25% more powder than my .30-06s but didn't do anything my .270 Win. wouldn't do. Like I said it was fun and I would do it again under similar circumstances.
Which brings me to my dilemma:
I have an old Remington 788 in .308 Winchester that I bought new at a gun show in 1982. It has served its purpose well over the years and has killed more than its fair share of deer by myself, my brother and my nephew. However, it hasn't shot more than a dozen rounds over the last ten years and I last shot it about 4 years ago.
As I have been bitten by the 6.5 bug about 6 years ago, I have acquired multiple rifles in various 6.5 chamberings, including 6.5x.300 WSM, 6.5WSSM (A .243WSSM necked up to .254), 6.5 Carcano, 6.5x55 Swede (2) and a 6.5-06. I am considering taking the old 788 and turning it into either a 6.5-.284 or a 6.5 Creedmor.
I shoot silhouette competitions and currently use a Tikka chambered in 6.5x55 for Hunter Rifle class. I'm thinking the 788 in 6.5-.284 Norma with a Lija or Broughton barrel would make an excellent Standard Rifle class silhouette rig. It already has a Timney trigger and I have a spare Vortex 6.5-20x50mm scope. A new stock would be a part of the project, too. Maybe a laminated Boyds or a synthetic McMillan.

Suggestions are very welcome.

Like I said, I'm kinda bored and need another project... :o
 
For what 788 are going for I would sell it and buy used 700 to build on. Since
basically all you are going to use is the action, 700 would probably be less
expensive project gun.
 
Beepy - I'm a 788 buff and have 3 right now. I hate to say but you may be better off selling it and use the money for a 700. A lot of 700's can be had for less than 500 depending on model. My current .308 788, I paid $650 for it 4 years ago because I wanted one and you just don't see them in my area. May find someone willing to trade you a BDL or CDL for your 788.
 
The Creedmoor is less of a barrel burner than the 6.5-284, but both use same cool bullets.. I'm waiting on a 6.5 Creedmoor build to get finished by my gunsmith,,,,,can't wait.!!
 
I like the 788 rifles and love the accuracy they deliver. My 788 in .30-30 is one of my favorite range rifles. I don't think 6.5X284 is a good fit in that action, the main reason is magazine length. While the 6.5-284 does fit in a short action, a lot of people who shoot it prefer it in long action rifles. A larger magazine allows for more bullet and seating depth options.

I agree with hooligan1, the 6.5 Creedmoor is probably the best fit on that action. The only downside is it basically duplicates your 6.5X55 that you already use. If you are want a project and a different cartridge I urge you to look at the 6mm Creedmoor and what it can do with 105+ grain bullets.
 
look at the 6mm Creedmoor and what it can do with 105+ grain bullets.
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Hmmm.... Might be ok in the Prairie Dog fields, but I would use it for Metallic Silhouette competitions. The 105 grainers probably won't do the trick on the 500 meter rams. Many of the shooters are using the 6.5x47. It is not 100% reliable on the rams, either and solid hits can leave a ram standing.

Common cartridges I have seen at the matches are 6.5x47, 6.5x55, .308 Win. Occasionally I see a .270 Win. and even .30-06's.

Maybe I'll try to develop a .308 Win. load in the 788 for MRS....? I wonder if the factory 18" carbine barrel will be able to hold MOA out to 500 meters?
The problem with the heavier calibers and bullets is that they tend to beat a guy up towards the end of a 40 round match. And most of us send 10 to 20 rounds downrange to verify scope settings before the match starts. So there are some trade-offs.
 
The 7mm-08 was developed for the silhouette game.

With a 140gr bullet it is better than a 308 with 150 gr bullets, at least comparing bullets of the same design. So more energy delivered at 500, less recoil on the shoulder.

Of course a 260 Rem, or 6.5 Creedmoor launching 123gr or 140gr bullets is no slouch either.

Still, I'd sell the 788 and build on a more common action.

Jimro
 
The 6mm Creedmoor has as much energy at 500 yards with 105 grain bullets as your 6.5X55 with 140 grain bullets. That leaves you about 200 ft-lbs less energy than the 6.5X47 and 7-08 at 500 yards with 140 grain bullets. So if the X47 isn't 100% on rams at 500 then neither would be the 7-08, and you'll need a bullet with more energy at 500 yards.

Your .308 is perfectly capable of building a load that'll do this even with the 18.5" barrel, though it would be easier with a longer barrel. Are muzzle brakes or suppressors allowed in competition? If they are that will help immensely with recoil fatigue, but I'm not sure I'd want to have a brake on a 18.5" barrel. I had a 17.5" single shot barrel for my Encore and shot it both as a pistol and rifle and the blast from the brake made it a miserable SOB to shoot. I had to wear both earplugs and muffs while shooting, and I couldn't wear a hat as the rearward blast would blow it off.
 
Are muzzle brakes or suppressors allowed in competition?
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No. Not allowed.
MRS does not allow magnum cartridges or any external support (sling, etc.). Hunter rifle is limited to 9 lbs., including scope, and a minimum 2lb. trigger pull.
 
Go to a competition near yourself and see what they are shooting.
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From Post #1:
I shoot silhouette competitions and currently use a Tikka chambered in 6.5x55 for Hunter Rifle class.
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Cartridges vary among the competitors in our club. The preponderance is either 6.5x55 or 6.5x47. I think there are more 6.5x47's tho. Several shoot .308's and one guy shoots a .270 Win.
 
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