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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
Elk Build--.300 Dakota, Norma, or .338 Norma?
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<blockquote data-quote="Conrad" data-source="post: 666304" data-attributes="member: 9177"><p>Thanks guys, these are very good thoughts and contributions. </p><p> </p><p>Durak to answer your very valid question first, the main reason is case design. I want to be able to seat the BT of the bullet above the neck shoulder junction and fit it in the magazine. The cases I mentioned are shorter than the RUM, and make this easier. The Norma was specifically designed to meet this criteria and thus the best. DK is tight, but not bad. The Dakota is a great case design though and QL shows it to be very efficient in comparison to the cartridges using 10 more grains of powder. I have a thing for 30 degree shoulders too.</p><p> </p><p>I stick to Hodgdon powders in all my rifles. Retumbo seemed to show the most velocity. According to QL, 94 grains of Retumbo gives 3065 fps with a 200 AB seated at 3.58 in a 24" barrel. </p><p> </p><p>I'm going to use a Bighorn action and found that AJ lists weights on his site that are lighter than expected. The sporter is 28oz, and the tactical is 33oz (long actions). I have a precision counting scale so I've been weighing everything that I have in my possession so I can get pretty close at estimating weight. If I run an A3 edge with a 24" barrel, I think I can come right at 11lbs with my 3-15 Premier mounted. I got to play with one of the bighorn actions at the Steel Safari match in June and it's a beautiful thing. </p><p> </p><p>As far as offhand shooting and the like goes. I dabble in the local across the course matches with my AR, but admittedly haven't had time to shoot them much in the last year and a half. I have gotten to shoot a few more popular practical/tactical type matches, and those really open your eyes to different things to practice. I recently procured a 16.5+ lb tubb rifle in January, and I shot steel safari with it. I carried it via the Kifaru gunbearer system so the weight is placed on your hip. I like carrying a rifle this way, but I can tell you that the first couple times your hip flexor gets a bit sore having that much weight pinpointed in a small area.</p><p> </p><p>It is definitely tough to find that right balance. I find that a heavier rifle actually settles better offhand, especially when the wind is blowing. However, you don't want it to heavy if you're having to hold it up a long time. Have you tried holding your rifle more like a high power shooter? Feet square, lean back a little and kick your opposite hip forward so that you can run you upper arm down your side and try to put your elbow into your upper pelvis. Very supportive, but I'd say grab a tree if it's there. My first instinct when I see an animal up close is typically to drop to the ground. Again I'd say get on a tree if available or if the animal didn't see you grab your sticks. </p><p> </p><p>I worry that the gun might be a bit front heavy with an Edge fill, but I figure most are with a stock that light. Maybe I will search around for a different contour .30 cal barrel. I've seen 1/2 values and maybe 4.5 or just a straight 5 is more ideal, or a light palma. Like I said I grabbed the RV contour simply because it was close and had 5R rifling.....going to think on it some more, but slowly starting to narrow it down. Again, I think .300 NM is the front runner as far as the cartridges go, as it would also let me shoot 240's if I got curious. </p><p> </p><p>Thanks for all the help.</p><p>Conrad</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Conrad, post: 666304, member: 9177"] Thanks guys, these are very good thoughts and contributions. Durak to answer your very valid question first, the main reason is case design. I want to be able to seat the BT of the bullet above the neck shoulder junction and fit it in the magazine. The cases I mentioned are shorter than the RUM, and make this easier. The Norma was specifically designed to meet this criteria and thus the best. DK is tight, but not bad. The Dakota is a great case design though and QL shows it to be very efficient in comparison to the cartridges using 10 more grains of powder. I have a thing for 30 degree shoulders too. I stick to Hodgdon powders in all my rifles. Retumbo seemed to show the most velocity. According to QL, 94 grains of Retumbo gives 3065 fps with a 200 AB seated at 3.58 in a 24" barrel. I'm going to use a Bighorn action and found that AJ lists weights on his site that are lighter than expected. The sporter is 28oz, and the tactical is 33oz (long actions). I have a precision counting scale so I've been weighing everything that I have in my possession so I can get pretty close at estimating weight. If I run an A3 edge with a 24" barrel, I think I can come right at 11lbs with my 3-15 Premier mounted. I got to play with one of the bighorn actions at the Steel Safari match in June and it's a beautiful thing. As far as offhand shooting and the like goes. I dabble in the local across the course matches with my AR, but admittedly haven't had time to shoot them much in the last year and a half. I have gotten to shoot a few more popular practical/tactical type matches, and those really open your eyes to different things to practice. I recently procured a 16.5+ lb tubb rifle in January, and I shot steel safari with it. I carried it via the Kifaru gunbearer system so the weight is placed on your hip. I like carrying a rifle this way, but I can tell you that the first couple times your hip flexor gets a bit sore having that much weight pinpointed in a small area. It is definitely tough to find that right balance. I find that a heavier rifle actually settles better offhand, especially when the wind is blowing. However, you don't want it to heavy if you're having to hold it up a long time. Have you tried holding your rifle more like a high power shooter? Feet square, lean back a little and kick your opposite hip forward so that you can run you upper arm down your side and try to put your elbow into your upper pelvis. Very supportive, but I'd say grab a tree if it's there. My first instinct when I see an animal up close is typically to drop to the ground. Again I'd say get on a tree if available or if the animal didn't see you grab your sticks. I worry that the gun might be a bit front heavy with an Edge fill, but I figure most are with a stock that light. Maybe I will search around for a different contour .30 cal barrel. I've seen 1/2 values and maybe 4.5 or just a straight 5 is more ideal, or a light palma. Like I said I grabbed the RV contour simply because it was close and had 5R rifling.....going to think on it some more, but slowly starting to narrow it down. Again, I think .300 NM is the front runner as far as the cartridges go, as it would also let me shoot 240's if I got curious. Thanks for all the help. Conrad [/QUOTE]
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Elk Build--.300 Dakota, Norma, or .338 Norma?
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