What Caliber for 600yd Whitetail? (New rifle Build)

[ButterBean]

And in my mind,only one correct answer.
But my answer leaves 2 of your requirements out… barrel life and efficiency….
But it makes up for that with wow and impressiveness.
RUM.

Imagine a 300 yard zero with 5" of drop at 400. 16" at 500, and plenty of VELOCITY to kill big game at 800yards.
Recoil…., not with a 124 grain projo and good muzzle break…..
And When you add the probability of lighting strike style kills out to 600, there really are no arguments that can change my mind.

@ButterBean for reassurance

124 out of the RUM and done EZPZ

 

[ButterBean]

With Hammers there is no question the 6.5CM is a killer.

I just threw up in the back of my mouth a little bit

 

[ButterBean]

With Hammers there is no question the 6.5CM is a killer.

I just threw up in the back of my mouth a little bit

I would say , that is a wrong statement to make on a long range hunting forum . If you can effectively shoot 600 yds , you probably can shoot even better at 300 yds . I can't believe you posted that n this forum, WOW

X-2

 

[Timnterra]

Well after sifting through all these responses I haven't seen any other posts about the tried and true 30-06. It's old fashioned now and no one seems to talk about it much anymore but it really is a fine all around cartridge. In truth your 308 or 7-08 is all you need for 600yd whitetail hunting but since you are looking for something with crossover components to shoot out of a long action the 30-06 is your sensible choice. Your average hunting distance doesn't need a magnum cartridge or magnum recoil. You can use the same bullets from the 308 and the same powders from your 270 or creedmoor all you need is a box of Lapua brass and you now have a supercharged long action 308.

 

[Rum Man]

IMO, anyone shooting deer at 600+ is simply demonstrating that he doesn't know how to hunt.

Oh you must have signed up on the wrong forum ???
The one with the short Range shooters is the one your looking for .
You must not of read the the name of this Forum .
It's ok...just move along now !
Best of Luck to you !

Rum Man

 

[hankle]

I have a Ruger 77 in .270 Ackley Improved, 26 inch Lilja 1:10 twist barrel. I'm getting 3100fps with 150 gr ABLRs. I can get more (3300fps) but the rifle likes 3100fps. We shoot 300 yards easily and would not hesitate to take a 600 yard shot on a deer. As for the .270 AI, I read in Ackley's book hat he does not recommend the .270 Improved because his thoughts were that the cartridge was already overbore. With the latest of powders, I find his opinion to be obsolete. If you want to shoot a bit further, build the .270 AI with a 1:8 twist barrel and then you can shoot the heavier/high BC bullets. You did post that you wanted a 24 inch barrel, I believe that to get the most horsepower out of the .270 a 26 inch barrel is the way to go. I have hunted with this rifle, the 26 inch barrel never was an issue. The cartridge is easy to fireform, brass is always available, and developing loads is quite easy. If you are interested in this cartridge you might try PMing "FEENIX" on this forum. He is the one who got me interested in it and he has helped me along when I did the build. This rifle was built specifically to hunt whitetail deer, I am happy with the 1:10 twist barrel and the 150gr ABLRs. The attachment is a photo of an old target that was shot at 300 yards, the other two photos are comparing the .270 Winchester to the .270AI. The barrel on the rifle has been contoured to the same dimensions as the factory specs, so two shots seems to be the answer. With more than two shots the group opens up a bit due to the thin barrel.

Also I notice in you OP that you are shooting a Remington 700 "LA", is that a long action you are writing about?? The mm-08 I believe is a short action cartridge, is there a reason for doing a build on a long action? No matter what you decide, good luck with your build.

I had discounted the 270AI because of the original literature on the cartridge. This is very interesting.

Also I notice in you OP that you are shooting a Remington 700 "LA", is that a long action you are writing about?? The mm-08 I believe is a short action cartridge, is there a reason for doing a build on a long action?

Mag length in SA limits the COL of 260 and 7mm-08. The longer VLD type bullets need to be seated past the mag length to get the full potential of the cartridge. At this step a lot of people consider it some what of a Faustian bargain and suggest getting a LA cartridge. Lot of people are pleased with the SA cartridges in LA actions though.

 

[hankle]

My next rifle build will be a Rem 700 LA with a quality 26" 1in 8 twist 25-06 Rem barrel to utilize the Berger 133gr. VLD Hunter bullets!

I searched high and low for a 25-06 left hand when I purchased this (Donor) rifle. This was back in 2008 and my compromise was 270win.

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

6.5-284, 6.5 PRC or Sherman running a 140 Berger. 1-8" twist. I have the 6.5-284 and have shot a number of whitetails with the 140 Berger HVLD. Deadly.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Littlebighorn, you may not be aware that Lapua has put a freeze on shipping many of the cases it used to make, 6.5/284 is one of the items put on hold till the Russia issue is over.

What does that has to do with making brass? Are they building cartridges for Russia?

 

[JAYgs8163]

I searched high and low for a 25-06 left hand when I purchased this (Donor) rifle. This was back in 2008 and my compromise was 270win.

Ruger made the Hawkeye back then in LH 25-06. I have one.

 

[30378wbymag]

IMO, anyone shooting deer at 600+ is simply demonstrating that he doesn't know how to hunt.

Says the dude from the Wisconsin woods where if it's over a buck fifty it's long range!!! HA, come on out here to Idaho where you have to shoot from canyon to canyon, or out on the sage flats... Maybe you thought you were on a pistol forum

 

[Hard rock]

*ff

What does that has to do with making brass? Are they building cartridges for Russia?

Where is that source of info ,I sure hope that is a rumor.

 

[Mcranch]

5 r BARTLEIN-NOT for Me!

Why?

 

[cajun]

280 AI.