6.5 versus 7mm

[backwoods83]

I like 7mm's but my vote goes to the 6.5x284(6.5wby is a wildcat btw) use a 27-28" 1:8.5 twist barrel and you can shoot 139 lapuas .617 bc or the new lot of 140 bergers .640bc at almost 3200 fps with excellent accuracy, or you can shoot 168 7mm berger .617 bc at 3000 fps from a 7mm with 15 grns more powder and if you run the numbers, whatever you hit at 800 yards will never know the difference and recoil is less than a 270 win.

[rscott5028]

6.5's will do the job. But for Elk, I'd lean towards 7mm (Rem Mag or STW) or 30 cal (Win Mag or WSM). ...better yet, one of each

You don't always get to choose the wind or the distance. But, you certainly can pick the cartridge. So, why come up short?

-- richard

[backwoods83]

No arguing but bc is bc, and my numbers say 6.5 140 berger at 3150 has 1240ftlbs 1990fps and 4.75" of drift with a 10 mph crosswind at 800 yards, 7mm 168 berger at 3000fps has 1270ftlbs 1810fps and 5.9" of drift at 800, so its all in how much powder you want to use, how much recoil is comfortable, your skills, good brass, and most of all what you want.

[rscott5028]

Berger's not the only game in town. But, a lot of guys like them due to the high BC.

6mm, 140g Berger = .612
7mm, 180g Berger = .659
.308, 230g OTM Berger = .711
.338, 300g OTM Berger = .818

Has anyone heard if the new OTM's are expected to perform well for hunting?

-- richard

[backwoods83]

Yeah Rich, open tip match they have a 175 and a 230, the 175 is rated at .510 and the 230 at .711 Bryan has tested them to actually be .518 and .719/.368g7, but he also stated the he highly recomends NOT hunting with them as they have the target jacket and will not open like a hunting vld.

[silvertip-co]

It's funny, I carried a LH 264 win mag from time i was 14yo til i was 36yo and was totally happy with it in every respect. Since 1986 I've had at least 6 different 7mm rem mags and I can honestly say I did not/do not like any of them( they were LH, RH, bolt action, and lever action). I still have one I'm struggling with. I just dont think 7mm rem mag is all it's cracked up to be. I reloaded for forty years and shot factory ammo too for the 264 and 7mm and a doz other cals. Currently I'm wringing out a(nother) 30-06 and seems to be goin my way.

[rscott5028]

Originally Posted by silvertip-co

It's funny, I carried a LH 264 win mag from time i was 14yo til i was 36yo and was totally happy with it in every respect. Since 1986 I've had at least 6 different 7mm rem mags and I can honestly say I did not/do not like any of them( they were LH, RH, bolt action, and lever action). I still have one I'm struggling with. I just dont think 7mm rem mag is all it's cracked up to be. I reloaded for forty years and shot factory ammo too for the 264 and 7mm and a doz other cals. Currently I'm wringing out a(nother) 30-06 and seems to be goin my way.

BC, MV, ES, Ft-lbs, blah, blah blah...

To your point, even more important is being comfortable with and confident in your equipment.