6.5 creedmoor-.260 rem-.338 federal-6.5x47 lapua-6.5x55 best sniper application

[creedmoorar]

out of those 5 calibers which would offer the best results in each caliber in an custom ar10 platform with a 20" free float match barrel, match trigger etc.

>accuracy
>effective range
>stopping power for big game hunting for any where from 200-1000+yrds
>variety of bullets

dont care for avalibilty becuase ill reload any round i choose

and who makes match barrels for 6.5 creedmoor/.260 rem/.338 federal/6.5x47 lapua/ 6.5x55 for an ar10

[Sean P.]

All can be accurate and can get you out to 1,000 yards.  The only thing that I worry about is stopping power on big game.  With the 6.5 and 260 you will be limited on how much weight you can shoot in your bullet which transfers into energy at 1,000 yards.  So for stopping power I would say 338 Fed BUT out of the choices you have I think that the rest have more potential for accuracy.  Not saying that the 338 cant be accurate, it can be very accurate but generally you can get tighter groups from your other choices.

[blurry6]

I have a 260 bolt rifle (AICS w/Rem 700 action) and like it a lot (very accurate, great ballistics, great bullet selection, mild recoil), but if I had to do it over, I'd probably get the 6.5 Creedmore. Once you start loading up the super-sleek, high-BC 139-142gr heavy VLD's you'll realize the benefits of the Creedmore - this class of bullets are extremely long and the more compact case of the 6.5 Creedmore gives a good amount of case capacity, but allows you to seat these bullets without the bullet shank going past the shoulder/neck junction and still be within magazine lengths. Not a big deal, but it can be if your after consistent neck-tension on the bullet which can be pretty critical all other things being equal. However, this is definitely one of those "noodling" issues and not likely to make all that much difference on an AR-10 platform for field use,... if it was a bench gun I wouldn't hesitate,... but here's my rankings:

1) 6.5 Creedmore - good case capacity, great case design, great brass, allows more play with seating depth as mentioned above.

> 1.5) 260 AI (Ackley Improved) the 40-degree shoulder allows even more case capacity than the 260 Rem, but the seating depth is still an issue here.

2) 260 Remington - Great case capacity, great bullet selection, great ballistics,... except for the neck/shoulder issue, it's GREAT!

3) 6.5x47 Lapua - great round with great brass,... Case capacity is not really an issue, but it does start to show it's limitations with its' smaller case,... Neck/shoulder issue is not a problem here.

4) .338 Federal - never played with this one, but I'm not too impressed with it other than the shear knock-down power inherent in the beefy .338 bullets,... It's basically a .308 case necked up to .338,... which doesn't really excite me. I guess if you're hunting fairly large game at not too great of distances it would be great,... but if this is a precision long-range rifle, which I'm assuming it is as the website is www.longrangeshooter.com, I wouldn't even consider it.

5) 6.5x55,... ? You mean the 6.5x55 Mauser? This doesn't even make my list as the magazine length limitations would shackle you in regard to playing with seating depths. Great cartridge, but I'd only consider it on a classic bolt-action rifle.

Hope this helps!

Ryan