Thread: LR gong options

so I am looking at getting a 2nd barrel for the short action Savage to use for medium/long range gongs (200yds - 1000yds+).

will probably be a criterion, so up to 29 inches

either 6.5 in 1:18 (creedmoor, x47 or 260) or 7mm in 1:9 (708)

then I can chop the factory barrel to 14" as a bush pig.

I dial for both elevation and windage. Reducing margin of error on windage is the primary aim here.

Now for the questions:

i am already set up for 7mm08 reloading, and have a stash of 162 amaxes and 7mm08 brass. Pretty much any way I swing the numbers, it looks to me that a 162 amax running at 2450 or above, is going to come out as close as damnit to the top-end 6.5 performers like berger vld 140 or amax 140 @ 2800. Am i missing something here ?

what barrel length and profile would you go ? It is for occasional carry, but I do not intend tramping for days. Typical gong compo involves between 2.5 and 10km of walking with a daypack. is there any real benefit beyond 26" ? i would prefer to stay away from fluting ?