Good evening all,

I'm looking to possible build a bolt rig from a spare axis action that I have on the bench. To meet requirements, the barrel will be around 17'' and I'm thinking of running a LSS chassis. I'm planning on running a Holland's brake as well. Barrel will be Shaw or Mcgowen.

The main area of use will be shooting targets (700 yards max) and deer out to 400 or so.

I'd like a 6.5x284 but I'm unsure if I can get the most out of this round in a short action due to seating depth restrictions as a repeater.

I'm contemplating a 260 AI, 6.5 Creedmore, 308, 7mm-08...

Anyone have any suggestions? I've got a spare long action as well, but it's attached to my 7mm STW, although I haven't used that rifle since 2013.

I've also considered a MOA as well, but that will take more time as I can't "pay as I go" (wife gets upset when I buy expensive toys)

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Brenden

Is the brake included in the 17" of barrel length? I don't know that you'd miss a whole lot with the 260 AI relative to the 6.5/284 from a short tube, given your parameters. The 284 Win works in a Savage Striker mag so it may not even be an issue.

I have a long gun chambered in 6.5x284 Norma and it's a tack driver. It was, however, built on a long action. To get the most out of that caliber, you are probably going to have to load it long and use hardened lapua brass. I can tell you for a fact that I burnt out the first barrel at around 850 rounds. Every 100 rounds or so the throat eroded .002. So I played chase the lands with it. All that being said I still put a new barrel on with the same chamber specs. Retumbo gave me more velocity but 4831sc kept it very accurate and stable, but at lower velocities. If I were to do a 6.5 in a short barrel I would consider a 260 or 6.5 creed with 130 gr bergers or something similar.

Regards
Erik

.284 Win if you want expensive brass.
.260 Remington if you want cheap.

Ill probably end up running a 17" tube minus the brake. I'm still unsure, I'm in the planning stages at this point. I'd like to acquire a 6.5 though. I only own a 6.5x55 at the moment, and I'd like to try something else.

That and I'd like to play around with a different platform. I'm losing love for my encore.

Go with the McGowen barrel over the Shaw.
All of my McGowen's have shot great.