Whats with 3.5k ?

[trumdal]

I am fairly new to serious shooting. This is to say im 34 years old and have been hunting and shooting in one fashion or another since arround 7 when I got my first bb gun. I have within the last 5 years just come to understand how little I knew about the science of shooting. It all started when i purchased a FN pbr in .308. It has a 24 Inch Barrel with a 1/12 rh twist. After picking up the rifle I was intrested in seeing what it could do, having taken almost all my game with either an old .243 or a bow I had really never shot a accurate rifle. So I grabed my single stage press, a reloading manuel, a box of bullets and a small selection of powder, and began what would turn into 5 years of the most mind racking confusion one had ever experanced. I will not get into all the steps that lead me here but long story short I happened (for lack of better term) upon some decent advice and found a winning combo for MY rifle.

Currently I run the following:
Hornady A-Max 168gr.
46.2gr Varget
Federal 210 Primers
Federal Champion Case
COAL- 1.282
AT 2985 +/- 18 fps


Now for the big question, What is the deal with 3500 FPS.
I have seen all sorts of advertisment for 300rum, 30-378, 300 win mag, etc. and from what I can tell each run a .30 cal bullet at arround 3500 fps well respectitavitly starting at 3220 for the 300 WSm and ending up at almost 3500 for the 30-378.
Now before we get into it I do understand BAC and flight time and bigger faster is better, but that being said the above fps readings are all from 168 gr bullets. The problem is that I can shoot my .308 all day long with little fatigue at arround 3000fps but when i nuzzle up to my friends 30-378 it is flat punishing. Not to mention he runs arround 110 grains of powder to boot. All of this to grab 480 fps.
Is it worth it, does 480fps really make that large a differance? Or are we throwing good money trying to reinvent the .30 cal wheel?

Sorry for the long story to get to a point just thought a little back ground would be appreciated by educated readers. Thanks for your support.

 

[LouBoyd]

This is the longrangehunting site. What do you expect?
If you don't want to shoot large cartridges just move closer to the game. That usually improves accuracy too.

 

[Mikecr]

+1 Lou

 

[trumdal]

So your point is that the extra 500fps extends the useable killing range by near 200 yards? Ok cool I can see that point. I had not looked at energy at range and compaired the same selections. I had blindly loked at fps and was a bit disappointed. Its not that I don't want to shoot a larger rifle. I was simply asking if there relly is a benefit worth the added cost. I'm actually trying to decide on my next rifle and would like to go larger but don't know where to point my dollars. Thanks for you responses.

 

[trebark]

So your point is that the extra 500fps extends the useable killing range by near 200 yards? Ok cool I can see that point. I had not looked at energy at range and compaired the same selections. I had blindly loked at fps and was a bit disappointed. Its not that I don't want to shoot a larger rifle. I was simply asking if there relly is a benefit worth the added cost. I'm actually trying to decide on my next rifle and would like to go larger but don't know where to point my dollars. Thanks for you responses.

When building a rifle/deciding on caliber, reverse engineer the project. Which is to say, start at the target.

What do you intend to shoot?
From how far do you intend to engage that target?
What type of bullet has the terminal ballistics to get the job done?
What cartridge can push the bullet to sufficient velocity to get the job done?

These questions will help you narrow the field of potential cartridges down.

 

[lazylabs]

The real number most are trying to work on is wind drift. If you compare your 308 to a 300 RUM with a berger 210 and run the numbers to 1200 and look at wind drift only.

 

[trumdal]

Will do lazylabs. Thanks

 

[AZShooter]

Don't forget to consider the recoil. You mentioned the punishment your friend's 30-378 gave you.

Recoil calculator: Recoil Calculator

You can reduce recoil in several ways. Go with a smaller caliber. A 7mm will have less recoil than a 30 cal when comparing same BC bullets. Make the rifle heavier. Use a muzzle brake. Add a mercury recoil reducer. Even stock shape can help. You get the idea.

There is another factor when using hotrods that launch bullets at 3500 fps. Barrel life will be shorter but that is a small price to pay for the added performance.

 

[Nomosendero]

3K with a 168 in a 308?

 

[trumdal]

Yes at the muzzle. 2985 average with a spread of +/- 18 fps over a 10 shot string.

 

[royinidaho]

What's yur point?

Bigger and faster is always better to some of us. Whooo Hooo......

If recoil bothers ya, get a bigger brake....... and 16#s isn't too much for a far reaching rig.

When ya really wanna see where yur hittin' index the brake off a bit per Tubb's recommendation.

A 160 grain .65 bc projectile @ 3600 is a bit more magic than a 168 @ 3500.

Who care how much powder it takes or short brass and barrel life. Ya only live once may as well make it fun......

Pack the powder in, light it off, hit what yur shootin' at and carry as SEG (Shxx Eatin' Grin) around for awhile. It's plenty worth it.

Think of hitting that 2300+ yard chuck and the, what was it, 2700 yard or something rock. Hi 5s and SEGs around on those.......Priceless!!!

Enjoy the ride.......