What cartridge?

I'm torn between what cartridge to chamber a custom rifle in. This will be a hunting rifle and primarily for Whitetails, Black Bear, Mule Deer and Antelope, with the intent of doing a few Elk hunts. This must be able to accurately shoot past 1000 yards though. I realize there are a lot of cartridges that fit this bill and can effectively take down any of the above animals. However, I'd rather not shoot a 300 wm or other hammer if I don't need to. I'd also rather restrict my distance on Elk to 700-800 yards as well as I do t plant on doing a whole lot of Elk hunting. Accuracy (easier to tune and load), barrel life, etc. are of high importance here. Unfortunately I do not have much experience with most long range calibers/cartridges and mostly shoot .30-06, .308, .270. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor which I shoot to 1000 yards but would not shoot any of the above other than possible Antelope at that range (would have to research that even). So I am looking for recommendations from you guys. I have considered 300 PRC, 28 Nosler, 7mm WSM, etc.. I think the .277-.284 caliber cartridges probably fit the bill but don't hear too much about the .277's anymore. And the 28 Nosler sounds like it has horrible barrel life.
Hows the 6.5prc sound to you?
 
Definitely fits the bill but liking the 7ss better.

6.5prc is awesome have one and love it - door opens a little wider with the 7's lot of great options not really any bad choices either. Depends on if your factory or reloaded read so much I can't remember. :)

Bought my stepson a 280AI he loves it - I have a 280 great simple gun ruger no 1. Just rebarrled a 300wby accumark LH to 7mm STW with 28" bart. Breaking her in have about 15/20 rounds down the pipe so far and she shoots lights out already. Heavy toad though - also have same in a ruger no 1 shoots factory 160's under an inch at 200 haven't gone further don't need to that's not what I would do with that one anyway. Shooting for distance would be my stw or my 300wby in same LH accumark which is why I found an affordable doner rifle to convert.
 
The 300wm you are against is the answer. It isn't a hammer and if you're concerned it is, add a brake. Lots of factory ammo, lots of written info and its just a plain, awesome cartridge
It is the answer. If you are trying to do it all with one it needs to be adequate for the toughest task you ask of it and overkill for the rest. Only change I would make is go with the king of cool in a custom, 300 Weatherby.
 
[QUOTE The 300 PRC would make a great build, but it would go beyond the 300WM, a caliber that you already said that you would prefer to avoid.[/QUOTE]
This was my first thought. You think the .300WM is a big "hammer" but list a cartridge that is at least it's equal....?
 
Ive done a 7x375 ruger. 160ab go 3200fps. 27inch 9.5 twist. Pretty easy forming.
Also 8mm rem mag, 160g ttsx to 3450ish. Out to 500yds it brings the pain.
Whatever you do, do something cool since you are gonna reload anyway.
Most of all, have fun with the process!
 
I think this will answer your question Check the numbers out on the 6.5 PRC vs. 300 Win Mag. Flatter shooting and still has great energy on target at 800 yards.


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Going off your chart comparison:
Or he could use a better bullet like the 215 Bergers at the same velocity (which it is highly capable) and the numbers would favor the .300WM.
 
The 7mag is my favorite all round cartridge. I had a custom long range rifle built and used it to shoot numerous marmots out to 1402 yds and it did a fine job on a bull at 1098. All with 180 Berger's at 2990 FPS from a 28" barrel. I can't recall the energy it carried at 1100 yds but it had sufficient momentum and sectional density to go through both shoulders and the lungs.
 
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