Question for custom builders (lefty 260/6.5 on a budget)

I'm after a lefty .260 or 6.5x55 for longer range rifle. In principle, I'm happy to stick with a std T3 stock or similar, and rather spend $ on barrel and glass. With restricted budget, what are my best options:

L/H action Tikka T3 or Remington 700 in any of the 308 based cartridges (308, 243, 7-08)

For 243, can the existing barrel be converted to 260 ? Rough idea on cost?

Alternatively, for all the calibers above, can you just swop out the barrel to .260 as per Wikipedia, or is it a bit more involved ?

Why not just buy a T3 in 6.5x55? Done, no additional cost...

I have not seem a lefty available in 6.5, only calibers mentioned above.

If lefty 6.5 are obtainable, then yup, problem sorted.

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Originally Posted by ebf

I have not seem a lefty available in 6.5, only calibers mentioned above.

If lefty 6.5 are obtainable, then yup, problem sorted.

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You're totally hot for 260s :D I'll let you hold my Mongrel if you play your cards right... ;)

Interesting. If by longer range you mean over 550 odd yards, my experience is that with the 260/6.5x55 you are starting to push the envelope.Not that they can't do it, but the kills start to become delayed. And that means they run, and that means they are hard to find, and that really annoys me. Nothing looks the same from 10 yards as it does from 550 yards :) If you are serious about "long range", get something that really nails them. I think.

If I'm likely to be shooting over 500 yards, I leave the 6.5 at home resting, and take the next size up.

How far up Thar ? 6.8 or 7mm or even bigger ?

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Originally Posted by ebf

How far up Thar ? 6.8 or 7mm or even bigger ?

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There are no rules, only guide lines. Think in terms of case capacity x bullet weight.

Personally, I would still go 6.5 and limit your range to under 500 or there abouts. Its a hell of a long way. Then when you have grown in confidence and competence move up to something like 280 or 7mm rem magnum if you want to start stretching things.

For me, my next size up is 300 rem mag, but its a step too far if you are just getting started.

Mine is only one opinion though. Plenty on here know more than I do (and some don't). You will just have to sort through the bull shit :)

And 243 cant be reamed to 260 as its 6mm not 6.5.
There was a mint left hand 6.5/284 on tardhole not long ago. Save some coin and surf till you find what you want or spend the next year puttin bits and pieces together and make what you want. Wouldnt do a build to you really know what you want.

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Tx Thar, sounds like pretty solid advice to me :thumbsup:

Happy to stick to sub 500 for animals and paper for anything further.

Agree with you about 300 rem mag...

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Originally Posted by ebf

Tx Thar, sounds like pretty solid advice to me :thumbsup:

Happy to stick to sub 500 for animals and paper for anything further.

Agree with you about 300 rem mag...

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Good, and anyway if you are like me, when I take the 300 everything I see is little and close :)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...l/P1030392.jpg

Don't tell Norway that Tahr, he'll think he's doing it all wrong or something.

ebf the 6.5 bullet is as good as it gets. You could shoot a 300 mag, but why fuck about? Just go build a 50 and be done with it.

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Originally Posted by Wirehunt

Don't tell Norway that Tahr, he'll think he's doing it all wrong or something.

ebf the 6.5 bullet is as good as it gets. You could shoot a 300 mag, but why fuck about? Just go build a 50 and be done with it.

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I think that he would mainly agree with me in regards to the killing effect at longer ranges. Have you ever seen evidence of Norway shooting anything larger than a Roe deer at medium ranges with a 6.5? I think that we would all agree that the 6.5 bullet is as good as it gets for certain applications.

Find a second hand T3 in any calibre with the bolt face you want. 260 will be any 308Win or 30-06 based case. You don't have to fuck with them and they generally shoot well. You can't just swap out the barrel to 260 (did not look at Wikipedia) but your gunsmith can. It will need to be fitted, chambered and headspaced correctly.

tx kiwijames.

so if you get a t3 and then an aftermarket barrel in 260, what would your rough guess be for the fit/chamber/headspace job ? are we talking 200, 500, 1000 ?

About $1000 for a new barrel, including chambering and fitting. Go to Trueflites website they list all their prices there. True-Flite Rifle Barrels and Shooting Accessories

Rem, Howa, Tikka doesn't really matter. What ever is in budget and available short action. Re-Barrel price bellow.

1. Re-Barrelling | GUNWORKS

If you were cunning you could get a t3 lefty in what ever caliber had the same bolt face as the 6.5x55 and buy a right handed 6.5x55 and just do a caliber swap between the rifles.
then just sell the other rifle.

ok, bill999 gets the smartie prize for the day...:D

There is a left hand ruger .270 on TM for $700, I know its a long action and not your preferred calibre but could be a good donor for something!

fuck we are retarded. tikkas come in 6.5x55 as per factory.

Tikka T3 Lite Stainless Synthetic Left Hand **Choose Calibre**

hehe, see reply #2 & #3

also (theoretically) available in 260 Rem from factory. both 6.5 and 260 1-in-8 twist.

i've never seen a 6.5 LH T3 in any of the local shops or websites (links to GC don't count, avoid them like the plague)

guess it depends on if you can convince one of the NZ retailers to get one in without charging a mad premium for the privilege :sick:

im sure reloaders suppliers would be happy to sort one out.
it may be a little wait tho
but before you do that let your fingers do the walking and ring around to see what each importer has.
one will be happy to sort you out

yup, dan @ reloaders has helped me out before, good friendly service, quick response. will definitely be my first call.

gotta save da dollars before i can think about getting da gun :o

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Originally Posted by ebf

hehe, see reply #2 & #3

also (theoretically) available in 260 Rem from factory. both 6.5 and 260 1-in-8 twist.

i've never seen a 6.5 LH T3 in any of the local shops or websites

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I have a friend here in Taranaki that has a left hand T3 in .260. Shoots great.