Caliber advice
- Thread starter msp21
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
Wolf76
Well-Known Member
The 300 wsm is a little more efficient, but benefits from a slightly higher saami spec psi.
The "issue" is the shorter barrels require faster powders. This means snappier powders. Some prefer the punch. I prefer the push and will take a 300 wm due to the slower powders used and is better at pushing heavies than the 300 wsm.
Everyone has their favorites. I'd gladly take my 300 wm for my do all rifle. Also thankful I'm not limited to 1 rifle. The 215 Berger makes the 30 cals something special.
I would go 33 Nosler if $ no big deal.....or for less and about the same result/nearly the 338 WM 225 gr 600yd light gun.....good shot placement...done
ndking1126
Well-Known Member
Yes! This is a very real consideration. I've shot 30-06s with a 20" barrel and thought it wasn't pleasant. If you put any faith in the Houston warehouse shooting stories from back in the 80s, you should go to 21 3/4". Would be interesting to see if you could get groups to shrink any.
Lee Goodwin
Well-Known Member
"Hit like a hammer."
I vote .338
And, for me, .338 WM would be my choice.
I vote .338
And, for me, .338 WM would be my choice.
Overkill338
Well-Known Member
I've always been a "recoil junky", I always figured it was because I was 6' and 140 lbs most of my life. So it "pushed" me more than hit me. Now that I'm back into shooting, I'm 180 lbs, so we will see how that goes. Recoil is a very complex topic though. For me, I don't even start taking extra breaths to pull the trigger until free recoil goes above 40 ft/lbs or so. Yet I had a cheap package Savage 110 in 7mm Rem Mag that left my shoulder looking like it was married to Bobby Brown lol
That 7 mag, and setting the scope on a guys 375 H&H Winchester Super Grade is the most I've punished myself. He was shooting it in a lead sled against my advice. He learned why, the gun cant move, so the scope moves in the rings. He gave me $50 to set it back up for him. LoL
25WSM
Well-Known Member
Sounds like the 300 wsm would work well for you. I shoot one in my 1000 yard gun for compatition. If you use h4350 powder about 61 gr with a 210 if is very accurate and would work well from a shorter barrel. My comp gun has a 32 inch barrel and my hunting rifle has a 24 inch barrel and there is not much speed lost in that 24 incher. The 280ai is probably the single most versatile cartridge there is. I built 5 of these already and all shoot very nice. A 180 hybrid will hit almost as hard as a 210vld at 600 yards. The 280ai kicks considerably less in a light hunting rifle. Remember hits like a truck sucks if shot placement is poor. I'm doing more and more 6.5 creeds now. I use one in light gun at 1000 yards. It still has over 1200 pounds of energy at 700 yards. Out to 600 you really don't need to be picky there are tons of great new and old that can get it done with ease. Shep
Vinny boy
Member
How's about a 338-300 wsm with a 225 tsx
Overkill338
Well-Known Member
That was a fantastic cartridge when it was still called the .338 Campfire.
Overkill338
Well-Known Member
I had a 325 WSM that I absolutely loved. Still not sure why I sold it. I always thought I would have liked it more as a .33, because my .338 WM was my favorite.
Gobears16
Well-Known Member
I would pick a number of what you think is "hits like a hammer" energy (1200,1500,2000,2500lbs,etc) then list out the cartridges. From that list I'd pick the one with least amount of recoil. You will always shoot more accurate with the less recoil than with more. With today's bullets and powders there is no reason to shoot crazy recoiling rifles, especially if shots are inside 600yards.
crkckr
Well-Known Member
The 300 RUM jumps to my mind first thing. Good thump for sure. If you want even more thump, consider the .338 RUM. As much as I love my .338 WM (which I've had since the '70's), if I were starting out today, I would start with the RUM's and never have to look back! I'm also very partial to Nosler Partitions, 180 or 200 in the 300 and 210 to 250's in the .338. Partitions always work! Plus there's the mono bullets that have a lot of potential. Hard to beat the combo in my mind.
Cheers,
crkckr
Cheers,
crkckr
sodakota
Well-Known Member
As far as caliber, I like 30 caliber cartridges and 7 mm cartridges
I still like cartridges with belts, but they don't have to have belts. I think a 30 Newton would be my first choice if I could get cases.
What do you want to do at 600 yards? Deer, targets, Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn or something else? If targets, or smaller game animals (White tail or smaller) I'd go with a fast twist 7mm that could push a 160 grain or heavier at 3,000 fps or a 30 caliber that could with a fast twist that could push a low drag 200 grain plus bullet at 3,000+fps.
I still like cartridges with belts, but they don't have to have belts. I think a 30 Newton would be my first choice if I could get cases.
What do you want to do at 600 yards? Deer, targets, Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn or something else? If targets, or smaller game animals (White tail or smaller) I'd go with a fast twist 7mm that could push a 160 grain or heavier at 3,000 fps or a 30 caliber that could with a fast twist that could push a low drag 200 grain plus bullet at 3,000+fps.
19elkhunter51
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
- 250
My vote is 30-06 with 200 grain bullet and slow powder. Easy to load, easy to find accurate loaded ammunition, easy on the shoulder and EVERY rifle manufacturer makes one. Stocks are too numerous to count and it has arguably taken as much game as any cartridge in the world.
