Non-belted mag for 700yd elk- caliber help

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JBDekes

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First off, Thanks for your advice in advance.

My goal is to have a good shooting rifle to take into elk/mulie camp in 2 yrs. Just trying to get ahead of myself a little.

I'm looking to have a custom build done. Its going to be a Stiller action, detachable mags, barrel will be a mid to heavyweight by Kreiger or bartlien (locally made) stock (unknown), 4-16x scope (unknown) or equivalent.

I would like to find a good magnum type caliber that can handle 700 yd shots on elk and mulies. Currently I have a 300 wsm and 30-06, both factory rifles but shoot very well out to 400, after that, the 30-06 just does not group well, 300WSM can average 3" groups if I do my job (still practicing at 5-700 with my .204).

I know both calibers can perform the task at hand, but, if I am going to have a rifle built I'm just wondering if there are better caliber options. I've read lots of stuff on other posts and I'm leaning towards building a 300WSM or 280AI. Am I missing a caliber or 2 that needs to be considered? Greatest concerns are lack of brass available. In my area, local shops are struggling to keep brass in stock for when I need 300wsm. My next build would be nice to have MORE readily available brass locally (don't care if it's a wildcat as long as parent cases can be locally sourced and fireformed.

Again, thank you for your suggestions.
 
JBDekes said:
First off, Thanks for your advice in advance.

My goal is to have a good shooting rifle to take into elk/mulie camp in 2 yrs. Just trying to get ahead of myself a little.

I'm looking to have a custom build done. Its going to be a Stiller action, detachable mags, barrel will be a mid to heavyweight by Kreiger or bartlien (locally made) stock (unknown), 4-16x scope (unknown) or equivalent.

I would like to find a good magnum type caliber that can handle 700 yd shots on elk and mulies. Currently I have a 300 wsm and 30-06, both factory rifles but shoot very well out to 400, after that, the 30-06 just does not group well, 300WSM can average 3" groups if I do my job (still practicing at 5-700 with my .204).

I know both calibers can perform the task at hand, but, if I am going to have a rifle built I'm just wondering if there are better caliber options. I've read lots of stuff on other posts and I'm leaning towards building a 300WSM or 280AI. Am I missing a caliber or 2 that needs to be considered? Greatest concerns are lack of brass available. In my area, local shops are struggling to keep brass in stock for when I need 300wsm. My next build would be nice to have MORE readily available brass locally (don't care if it's a wildcat as long as parent cases can be locally sourced and fireformed.

Again, thank you for your suggestions.
Click to expand...
since you dont mind a wildcat, and want brass, etc availble, here are some very good options in high performance rounds. shermanwildcatcartridges. com
 
If you have 2 years, that's plenty of time to stock up on components. That said, I'd look at 28 nosler. Get away with mid weight barrel like a #5 brux and manners eh stock. Good luck
 
You want 338 cal minimum in my opinion.
I built a 338 EDGE on a Rem 700 Sendero platform, even with the +P treatment, I was having issues.
I then built a 338-416 Rigby Improved 35 degree shoulder. This rifle will take out anything within it's usable 2 mile range. I have only just finished this gun, had a 2 year wait on a stock and the donor stock cracked, it was repaired and used as is to a mile with excellent results.
I really like the ballistics of 338 cal, there is a very good array of high BC bullets to choose from.

Only drawbacks with 416 Rigby based Wildcats is action size required and brass cost, 50 pieces runs $200 here.

Cheers.
 
You can buy a Rem 700 7mm from Walmart and rebarrel to an edge, so actions are easy to obtain. Brass is not bad either. I found Bertram 375 rum on sale and simply necked it down. Great caliber
 
JBDekes said:
First off, Thanks for your advice in advance.

My goal is to have a good shooting rifle to take into elk/mulie camp in 2 yrs. Just trying to get ahead of myself a little.

I'm looking to have a custom build done. Its going to be a Stiller action, detachable mags, barrel will be a mid to heavyweight by Kreiger or bartlien (locally made) stock (unknown), 4-16x scope (unknown) or equivalent.

I would like to find a good magnum type caliber that can handle 700 yd shots on elk and mulies. Currently I have a 300 wsm and 30-06, both factory rifles but shoot very well out to 400, after that, the 30-06 just does not group well, 300WSM can average 3" groups if I do my job (still practicing at 5-700 with my .204).

I know both calibers can perform the task at hand, but, if I am going to have a rifle built I'm just wondering if there are better caliber options. I've read lots of stuff on other posts and I'm leaning towards building a 300WSM or 280AI. Am I missing a caliber or 2 that needs to be considered? Greatest concerns are lack of brass available. In my area, local shops are struggling to keep brass in stock for when I need 300wsm. My next build would be nice to have MORE readily available brass locally (don't care if it's a wildcat as long as parent cases can be locally sourced and fireformed.

Again, thank you for your suggestions.
Click to expand...

Elk are not bulletproof, and with a 700 yard MAX, the 28 Nosler will give you capability beyond that. Just with Nosler's factory ammo, with the 160 AB it has a MV of 2980. The Nosler AB's minimum impact velocity to still perform well is 1800 fps.
at 4500 feet elevation I still have 1846 fps at 800 yards and 1970 fps at 700 yards.
Of course the 7mm LRM and the 7mm Dakota will do it as well
Even if you go with the 280 AI, it will give you enough for 700 yard elk.
In a 18" 7mm Dakota specialty pistol (Custom Remington XP-100) I shoot the 175 ELD-X at 2900 fps using reloader 33. I killed four elk with it last year, plus other critters as well
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/7-dakota-thunder-is-ready-for-elk.207782/
 
There are probably a couple of dozen cartridges which fit your parameters, narrowing down the field can be a little daunting unless you keep your end goals in mind.

The 7mm RSAUM or just 7 SAUM can and will meet exactly what you're looking for when loaded with the 180 grain Bergers. It's an easy cartridge to develop loads for and components are available. Action selection is large and barrels can be from either of your choices. I run mine through a DBM so I use a short action which is terrific.

My current choice is the .300 Norma Magnum with ammunition loaded by Berger with the 215 grain Berger VLD Hunter. I'm using the Kelbly Atlas Tactical action with a Bartlein barrel. This combination is superbly accurate even with factory ammunition. There is no doubt you will have all the energy you want for your distance.

Please check you PM.

Enjoy the process!
 
I haven't a thing against belted I like my 300 WM! But the OP did ask about Non Belted?
That's why I said 300 PRC I've never shot one but it sounds like it would do it well
And it doesn't have a belt.
 
MagnumManiac said:
You want 338 cal minimum in my opinion.
I built a 338 EDGE on a Rem 700 Sendero platform, even with the +P treatment, I was having issues.
I then built a 338-416 Rigby Improved 35 degree shoulder. This rifle will take out anything within it's usable 2 mile range. I have only just finished this gun, had a 2 year wait on a stock and the donor stock cracked, it was repaired and used as is to a mile with excellent results.
I really like the ballistics of 338 cal, there is a very good array of high BC bullets to choose from.

Only drawbacks with 416 Rigby based Wildcats is action size required and brass cost, 50 pieces runs $200 here.

Cheers.
Click to expand...


Is that the case used for RUMs?
 
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