Need a little advice

[Seth McCament]

I am fairly new to long range hunting. I started out shooting a Remington 700 7mm Rem Mag at range, and recently graduated to a Browning Xbolt 26 Nosler, which I love and am efficient with past 1000. However, I recently got the urge to build a custom rifle and am struggling on choosing a caliber. I love the 26 nosler, but I havent been able to start reloading, so finding and buying the ammo is killing me. 6.5 CM is also in the picture because of ammo availability and obviously ballistics are great.. but I spend a lot of time open plain big game hunting so for that factor I was thinking 30 caliber would be nice as well. Maybe 300 WM? What is everyone out there shooting? Recommendations for long range muley and elk calibers are much appreciated!

 

[PredatorSlayer]

6.5 PRC - I use it for everything from Coyotes to Elk. It is a hammer on elk. Kills them just as well as my 300 RUM.

 

[Seth McCament]

6.5 PRC - I use it for everything from Coyotes to Elk. It is a hammer on elk. Kills them just as well as my 300 RUM.

I have looked into the PRC a little.. How is the price and availability of ammunition?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I have looked into the PRC a little.. How is the price and availability of ammunition?

A lot better than the 26 Nosler. My local sportsmans warehouse has always had both the precision hunter and match in stock. Other manufacturers will start offering some, I spoke to a federal rep who said they are planning on rolling some out. Its a sweet round. I think I paid $32/box.

 

[Seth McCament]

A lot better than the 26 Nosler. My local sportsmans warehouse has always had both the precision hunter and match in stock. Other manufacturers will start offering some, I spoke to a federal rep who said they are planning on rolling some out. Its a sweet round. I think I paid $32/box.

Thanks a lot for the input, it will definitely be considered!

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I should probably throw out there that the 300 win is never the wrong answer...

 

[dmj]

My wife would tell you that my goal in life is to own every 300 wm made. And while I do like them and don't think that you can go wrong choosing the 300 wm, don't over look the 28 caliber rifles. There are a number of them that I own and do like but if you aren't going to reload the good old 7mm Remington mag is no slouch. Lots of factory ammo available and some pretty impressive bc bullets available. Good luck with your choice, be safe and have fun. Come to think of it maybe you need one of each. No sense me being in trouble all by myself. Lol

 

[johnnyk]

Currently, I'm running the 6.5-284 Norma w/156gn EOL's and .300WinMag with 212gn ELD-X's. My WinMag likes the 215gn Berger Hybrids also.

 

[nmbarta]

Getting set up to reload and learn one cartridge takes a little time and a few bucks, but if your going to build a custom rifle and spend that kind of money, it's a shame to limit your choices based on factory available ammo. Though some of that stuff can shoot really well, there is almost no doubt your leaving both performance and accuracy on the table.
That said, for a potential 1000 yard elk rifle with good factory ammo, the 300wm will be tough to beat, there are others that will, but you'll have the same problem with ammo your having with your 26.
Always a tough decision, I've literally spent over a year pondering some specific builds, and still ended up with things I would change if I did it again.
Good luck with it and don't be scared to start learning how to roll your own.

 

[Seth McCament]

Getting set up to reload and learn one cartridge takes a little time and a few bucks, but if your going to build a custom rifle and spend that kind of money, it's a shame to limit your choices based on factory available ammo. Though some of that stuff can shoot really well, there is almost no doubt your leaving both performance and accuracy on the table.
That said, for a potential 1000 yard elk rifle with good factory ammo, the 300wm will be tough to beat, there are others that will, but you'll have the same problem with ammo your having with your 26.
Always a tough decision, I've literally spent over a year pondering some specific builds, and still ended up with things I would change if I did it again.
Good luck with it and don't be scared to start learning how to roll your own.

Thanks a lot for the advice. I am currently in the process of getting everything I need to load. I dont really anything about it but only one way to learn!

 

[Gibbshooter43]

I second johnny's 6.5 x 284 suggestion. Easy to hand load and if necessary, factory ammo can be had at some sporting goods stores and certainly on line. And it shoots well at as long a distance as most of us can shoot as evidenced by it's competition results.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I second johnny's 6.5 x 284 suggestion. Easy to hand load and if necessary, factory ammo can be had at some sporting goods stores and certainly on line. And it shoots well at as long a distance as most of us can shoot as evidenced by it's competition results.

Is there any reason to go with a 6.5x284 over a 6.5 PRC? PRC has better factory ammo that is cheaper, with more options to come. Its on a short action. They are ballistic twins, so no real advantage either way.

 

[mpayne]

I like the 300WM for Elk

 

[Gibbshooter43]

Is there any reason to go with a 6.5x284 over a 6.5 PRC? PRC has better factory ammo that is cheaper, with more options to come. Its on a short action. They are ballistic twins, so no real advantage either way.

No statistical reason... As I've stated in other posts, it's a matter of personal preference. I have no ax to grind with or against any cartridge or caliber. The best advise I can ever give is based on what I shoot, and I shoot what I like. Good luck to all who listen to all they hear here; make a selection; and then enjoy their choices... Gibbs