Caliber advice

[Alibiiv]

I think you will need a caliber of 338 or larger to do what you want. Check them out , a 35 Whalen my do just fine for you

I like my 35 Whelen out to 300 yards on medium sized game, anything past that and I think you'll have to aim at the horizon to get out to 600 yards.

 

[Rem7mm08]

I shoot a 300 WSM. 22", 1:12, w/brake. 165 Nosler BT. Accubonds for tougher game. Does everything I need of it.

 

[Chamberman]

Fast is fine.... But accuracy is final.....
Just consider/ remember to be above the 1500 FT/ LB threshold at 600 YDS...

 

[Alibiiv]

A 180-185 from a .33 has less BC and SD than a 180-185 from a .30. I'd throw it away if 180s is all it will use. Plus I have a general disgust of anything -06 based. Since I was a kid that's all I've heard 30-06 this, and 30-06 that. Hell with those M1 Garands in WW2, I'm not sure why they needed tanks, artillery and airplanes. 1 shot from a .30-06 will cause people to implode into a black hole, animals to vaporize, tanks to explode and airplanes to go down in flames. #&$% the -06, and any of its demon spawn.

Are you writing about a "6.5 Creedmoor".................??????????? My dad landed in a small town called Cherbourg, France at the same time of the Normandy beach invasion. To this day he really does praise the M1 Garand and the 30-06 that saved his "--s" and his fellow soldier's "--ses" too; he's 94. The 30-06 is not manufacture's hype, it is time proven! He was Army, anti-aircraft, and on quad 50 calibers. He said that those rounds, the 50 cals, you didn't need anything more on a tank; knock off the front sprocket on the threads, disable the tank and then take the turret off; again time proven. What I wrote is from my own knowledge base, and not meant to offend anyone with the reply. I try to be respectful of other's thoughts and ideas; might try it!

 

[340Wby-4-everything]

I was gonna say my custom 600 yard rifle is a 6.5 creed. Lol but he said hit like a truck. So creeds our.

Creed hits like a truck? A honda ridgeline maybe? lol Go with the 300 or .338s

 

[Old Rooster]

Both of my 300 win mags are 24 inch barrels.
If recoil gets a little tough you can download the 300 win mag and it shoots about like a 30-06 but caution here.
Never go below the manual's starting load.Someone at our club did download a rifle(Don't remember the cal)for his kid and learned a lesson on Flash Over.No one was hurt but the Remington 700 was ruined.
I am getting older by the minute and have thought about loading lite but remember the pics at our range.I'll just look at a less recoil inducing rifle.
It will have a 24 inch barrel.
Just my 2 cents
Old Rooster

 

[thwatson2]

Stick with the 300wm 24in barrel will have little loss of velocity. Lots of bullet choices. If you handload you will find your dream round. If not go with premium rounds

 

[Overkill338]

Are you writing about a "6.5 Creedmoor".................??????????? My dad landed in a small town called Cherbourg, France at the same time of the Normandy beach invasion. To this day he really does praise the M1 Garand and the 30-06 that saved his "--s" and his fellow soldier's "--ses" too; he's 94. The 30-06 is not manufacture's hype, it is time proven! He was Army, anti-aircraft, and on quad 50 calibers. He said that those rounds, the 50 cals, you didn't need anything more on a tank; knock off the front sprocket on the threads, disable the tank and then take the turret off; again time proven. What I wrote is from my own knowledge base, and not meant to offend anyone with the reply. I try to be respectful of other's thoughts and ideas; might try it!

I am respectful of others thoughts and ideas. I was telling why I won't use anything related to the 30-06. It's just like I had an uncle that preached Honda motorcycles all the time, alllll the time. I wouldn't ride one if it was given to me. I wasn't being offensive. I really would use a bigger caliber if the 33-06 can only handle the 180's though.

 

[window licker]

.284 win or 280 rem are solid choices with a 180 grain bullet at 2900 fps. Plenty of energy at 600 for elk on down. Non intimidating recoil, and top shelf accuracy are two of it's attributes. The large magnums are great if you can shoot them well, Its been my experience that very few people can shoot a large magnum to it's potential.

 

[ptsdvet]

I am looking for advice on caliber for a custom build.
Max range: 600yds
Game: Medium to large sized game
Rifle Specs.: Barrel length less than 26 inches (I want the rifle to be easy to maneuver and carry but hit like a hammer)

I was originally thinking 300 WM but with a barrel less than 26 in I don't think it would be a good choice. What about 300 WSM?

Your question has a good start 300WM in the field a 24 or 26 barrel is a moot point and I've read lots of good points! I built my 300WM in 1968 while in Nam You now can find good factory ammo anywhere. Accurately hitting a target at 600 yards is possible with a number of calibers but humanely killing an animal at that range you need a 200gr bullet that has downrange energy!

 

[freddiej]

gunsmith & Hunter to hunter, here are my recommendations for caliber for a gun with less than a 26" barrel max range of 600 yards. for medium to big game. I only recommend what I know will work and what has worked for me on an actual hunt. 338 Win Mag, 300 win mag, 300 WSM, and okay you all are going to laugh at this one.. 375 H&H. In my mind one of the most versatile cartridges ever. the 375 is in the same group as the 338 Win Mag "wide versatility".

 

[Pauleye]

300 WM or 300 WSM. Used both and no problems

 

[ndking1126]

Honest question for all you guys saying he needs 33 caliber and higher cartridges, what you would recommend if he had said max of 1,000? I'm shocked at how many people are saying he "needs" that much firepower. Of course, yes, it'll work, but it's well above what is needed at only 600. If he had said 1,000, what's cartridges are above those to reach out that extra distance and still keep the velocity and energy needed?

One factor we haven't talked about is elevation. If he's shooting at 1,000' that'll require more gun than if he's shooting at 8,000ft. Bullets travel a lot farther at elevation, as we all know. At 8K, I'd have to check ballistic tables, but I'm guessing even the 30-06, 280 and 270 Win come into play for 600 yard max.

 

[gator378]

I'm a 30 cal guy, ANY 30 cal magnum will do what you want, even with a 24" tube.........but a 338WM with a 24" tube will hit like the Hammer of Thor.
I also choose heavy for calibre bullets, so for a 338, 225-250gr bullets is what I would recommend.
I have a 338WM (3 separate rifles actually) and use 225gr Accubonds and 250gr Partitions in all 3.
Never had a failure to kill ANY animal with those bullets.

Cheers.

I like a guy with a iron shoulder. My next rifle if I do not run out of money I would to get a 416 Rem mag. Got to have at least one heavy before you go to the range in the sky.