Caliber Choice

Vulture · #1 12-19-2010, 11:12 AM

Like most other newbies, I've come to this site looking for guidance in pushing my limits in long range shooting. I've lurked for quite a while and searched through lots of old posts. I am interested in setting up a rifle that will be used on deer, and long range practice. I hesitate to "qualify" long range as I have yet to shoot at any distances greater than 400 yds. My current rifle range is 300 yds, and I just learned of another near by range that goes out to 500m. Several years ago I was captain of my University's rifle team. Form, ie. trigger control, breathing, etc. will not be my issue. I see my biggest limiting factor being the wind. With that said, I am currenty looking at various chamberings in 7mm, .300, and .338. What I have not read in the usuall "7 WSM vs. .300 RUM" type of threads is discussion of "wind bucking". Is this because there is little difference, so it is a non-factor? Hypothetical situation, I have a 700 yd shot on a whitetail with a stiff cross wind. Is a 7mm 180g VLD going to be pushed of course more than the .338 300g pill? Thanks.

ewallace · #2 12-19-2010, 11:26 AM

Go here and play with bullet BC and velocity should answer some of you ?

JBM - Calculations - Trajectory

ewallace · #3 12-19-2010, 11:40 AM

I just ran some # the 180g 7mm out of a 7mm Dakota at 3000 fps at 700 yards Drop 13.7 MOA 10 mph wind full value 3.4 moa

A 338 laupa imp with a 300g SMK at 2950fps at 700 yards Drop 13.6 MOA same wind 2.8 MOA

angus-5024 · #4 12-19-2010, 12:01 PM

another factor is the terminal effect of the bullet. A 300 grain .338 pill is gonna give you a substantial amount more Kenetic energy and Momentum. They hit waaayyyy harder. they also hit your shoulder way harder, but to each there own. a 7mm does the job, the .338 does it with more authority. After 1K is where the .338 really shine.

Vulture · #5 12-19-2010, 12:23 PM

So in short, there is minimal difference. Thanks for the quick numbers. That confirmed my initial thoughts. It seems from most of my reading, the .338's really come into their own once you get past 1000 yds, and for larger game. Two things that I am not looking to accomplish with my first long range rifle.

Derek M. · #6 12-19-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulture

So in short, there is minimal difference. Thanks for the quick numbers. That confirmed my initial thoughts. It seems from most of my reading, the .338's really come into their own once you get past 1000 yds, and for larger game. Two things that I am not looking to accomplish with my first long range rifle.

For your FIRST LRR, keep it simple, is my opinion! 7mag/168 or 180 VLD is fine choice. I have 2. 7WSM good choice. Think of availability of brass, and brass forming if you decide to go with something interesting, which usually requires more work.

My 7s have Shilen and Krieger bbls.

If you like 30 cal, I recommend a big RUM and a 210 VLD or similar bullet. 200 AB is a great choice, and so is the 180.

Vulture · #7 12-19-2010, 01:04 PM

Derek, that's pretty much the opinion I'm starting to form. I've always been interested in .300 RUM because of how it looks on paper. When I first started lurking here, I was set on that with 210g bullets. Then if I really get into this and shoot out the barrel, decide if I want to step up to a .338 EDGE. 7mm mag and .300 WM were never on my radar, because they just didn't seem like that much of a step up from the .30-06's I've always hunted with. The more I read here, the more I'm starting to think that the 7mm that I'm pretty much trying to talk my self out of, may be exactly what I should be looking at. At least I know now that wind deflection probably wont vary significantly between what I'm starting to narrow down to.