BATattack wrote:.308 and shoot FTR. .308 is easy to tune and easy to get consumables for. You can use any bullet in FTR and any trigger weight. Barrels last a long time so plenty of time to enjoy your shooting before running in and developing a new one. FTR is fairly portable and you don't need a $2000 front rest to be competitive. It's challenging to shoot and being an internationally recognised discipline so you can shoot it rite from club to world championship level.
What he said. You are already set up for 308. Barrels last a long time. More components available. More portable for travelling. Cheaper to get into.
edit. BUT, I see you mentioning you will be going a lot of 200y benchrest type shooting, so this changes things as the f/tr gun would not be ideal.
6mms and 6.5s such as 6BR, 6BRA , 6 Dasher, or medium sized 6.5s such as 6.5x47, 6.5 Creedmoor are nice to shoot off a bench for an afternoon of playing at the range, but are also coming back into favour more in Australia for F class. If you went for a 6BR, recoil will be light, very accurate, cheap to run and good out to 600y with no fire forming or extensive case mods. The 6.5x47 or 6.5 Creedmoor will be a little more recoil and cost, but better ballistics at longer ranges, no case forming.
Realistically, what distances do you think you will get out to? Most OPMs now only go out to 600Y
The 7MMs do have good ballistics but not as nice to shoot off a bench if that is your primary use.