building a rifle--need calibre suggestions

[doctorjj]

25-06 ai

 

[aeropb]

260 ai

 

[juicy]

35 whelen.

 

[DrivesGuy]

If I were going to build a rifle for fun, I would probably build a 338 Lapua. It has the effectiveness of the Barrett 50. It was designed as a sniper round with the ability to penetrate 7 layers of body armor and still affect a kill shot. If I went to hunt in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana or Colorado where a long range shot is necessary to take down an Elk on another mountain, this would be my caliber of choice.

 

[AllOut]

I don't see a .300 Win Mag in the mix... do a long range build

This was my first pick as well except he said he wanted to stay with the same bolt face as 30-06.
But the bolt faces swap out very easily on that bolt and new faces are only $25
Im a 30 cal fan so I say grab another bolt face and get a 300 WM barrel.

 

[mightymouse]

Another vote for .35 Whelen.

 

[brandt9913]

284 win

 

[264Magnum]

6.5x.284 Ackley Improved Whelen Magnum

 

[ASP785]

All of the suggestions so far are very good. It just depends on how fast you want to burn barrels out. I would say a 6.5 x 284 or AI variant to really reach out and touch something.