Which Crtrdg- Short barrel do everything hunting rifle?

[J E Custom]

Not familiar with the bighorn action, will need to look at it as an option, especially if it's designed to be interchangeable. And also set up for a longer COaL in a short action.

The RCM seems like it was designed for a short barrel. How does the 300 RCM compare to the 338 RCM? What powders work in it? Superformance?

Are the Sherman Shorts viable at standard 2.80"?

thanks for the inputs

It is just one cartridge that will do many things well. I personally would have several rifles that would do better at one or two things, but given the wide range of game and the average distance, It would still be a good one and there is factory ammo for it in a pinch. As to the 300 RCM, it is basically the same case and the 30 cal bullets would not have as much energy transfer due to its smaller size and shooting such a wide range of bullets would be difficult.

I am a big proponent of wildcats, but they have their place and in the wilderness without support from others for components and the potential for problems, I would stick with production cartridges to avoid problems.

There will always be more powerful cartridges, but one that fits in a short action and does well with a short barrel could be very useful if you could only have one rifle. If I could only have one rifle in Texas, it would be something totally different because of the requirements. (Probably a 300 RUM loaded with a variety of bullet weights). I feel that normally 3 or 4 rifles would be needed do the job from varmints to Hippo's.

J E CUSTOM

 

[tdot]

I know this is a tall order, but give me your best thoughts for a magical cartridge the can do it all-

I want to build a hunting rifle on a Manners mcs-cs1 stock that will be packable.

I live in Alaska so Deer, sheep, bear, moose etc. out to 600 yds accurately

I have teenage kids/wife that would use it too (adjustable LOP stock very handy)

Recoil manageable- will most likely add a break

Barrel - CarbonSix with Remage nut, 18-20" - break dependent, possible can in future

Action- Rem 700, prefer Short (limited by mag space to 2.8 COL) unless Long is clearly better.

Bolt- standard or mag?

*edited- I reload so option for different bullets in same cartridge

I have a friend that has built several accurate rifles with the Remage nut so I plan to learn from him thus I am limited to factory parts- no extended box in a short, no lathe work, etc. Now if there isn't a perfect cartridge, the Remage nut would allow a easy barrel swap..... so maybe suggest your best single cartridge for one barrel, then if you think two barrels would be better, which two that share the same bolt face?

I just built and received my interpretation of this rifle. Working on load development now.

I chose the 338SS, first load looks to be about 2825 with a 213grain Hammer Hunter. With a little more load development, I think I'll see closer to 2900fps.

Recoil is very easy with a Christensen Arms brake. The whole pkg is 8lbs.

I also have a 2nd barrel in a 6.5 that I can spin on for smaller game and more regular shooting.

Yes it's a wildcat, no components are not available at Walmart. But that is true if alot of equipment I use. I stopped allowing that to define my gear limitations along time ago. It's cheaper, easier and less stressful to have a $100 backup rifle in 30-06 with a couple boxes of factory ammo.

 

[Pulpwood]

Just get a win 70 in 300wsm and call it good

 

[Skimbleshanks]

Id say something build off the wsm or saum cartridge and bigger than 308 in diameter. 338 or 358. 338 has more bullets but the 358 seems to have more load data available. I love my 350 rem mag but brass is non existant and a pain to form from other magnum brass. The sherman short mags seem impressive and have good components available now as well.

 

[adk hunter]

I was thinking about the .338 Federal too like oldschool280. I have two and have shot most bullets in the lower end including the 210 Scirocco. Can anyone share the h20 capacity of the Sherman vs. the federal? I'm assuming the Sherman is more efficient...How about the 338RCM water too.

 

[grouse]

300 wsm could be a good fit. I've seen good velocities from shorter barrels.

 

[lou400a]

7mm-08 and your can find ammo almost anywhere or 300 wsm

 

[rm76]

I have a 300 wsm built on a Surgeon round wsm action with Wyatts mag box and 20-inch barrel and couldn't be more pleased. I shoot only 168 Barnes TSX but you could certainly go to a heavier bullet.

 

[Wolf76]

300 WSM for a SA.

I'll add that if I was looking for a "do everything" gun, it wouldn't have a short 18-20" barrel and it wouldn't have a SA. You're giving up to much IMO.

 

[BlazerBeam]

300 WSM!!!

 

[jvr]

9.3 x 62. CZ makes one with control round feed. 20-23 inch barrel Long action but proven results world wide. Lots of factory ammo and affordable.

 

[JASmith]

Regarding recoil, brakes, and noise —

Take a close look at the electronic ear plugs coming onto the market.

Should they work as advertised, a double benefit ensues if worn in the field. First, the obvious, you'll have some hearing protection. Second — your hearing will be enhanced by the electronic magic.

Regarding caliber and cartridge, the heavy bullets routinely available make a fast twist 30 caliber more than adequate for all North American game. Choose one that gives decent wind drift out to 600 yards, that is still small enough that you can readily and safely run 125 grain lead core and monometal bullets at about 2800 fps. That, coupled with the brake and electronic plugs, will make getting the wife and kids (you too!!) comfortable with the rifle a breeze while hunting game weighing less than about 330 lb with lead core and about 750 will all-copper hunting bullets.

 

[wildwilderness]

For the record, I have a plenty of other rifles including a full custom 7 SAUM, 300 wsm and a 35 whelen, ultralight .308 etc. But the rifles are 26"+ barrels and long LOP.

The purpose of this built is a compact rifle with adjustable LOP that family can use and is easily packable for bush flights and float trips.

It will also be a backup rifle for archery hunts- needs to fit in my bowcase.

Who doesn't want an excuse for more rifles?!!

 

[wildwilderness]

I just built and received my interpretation of this rifle. Working on load development now.

I chose the 338SS, first load looks to be about 2825 with a 213grain Hammer Hunter. With a little more load development, I think I'll see closer to 2900fps.

Recoil is very easy with a Christensen Arms brake. The whole pkg is 8lbs.

I also have a 2nd barrel in a 6.5 that I can spin on for smaller game and more regular shooting.

Yes it's a wildcat, no components are not available at Walmart. But that is true if alot of equipment I use. I stopped allowing that to define my gear limitations along time ago. It's cheaper, easier and less stressful to have a $100 backup rifle in 30-06 with a couple boxes of factory ammo.

-what action is this build on? How do your switch barrels?