Heavy for caliber vs lighter

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VO2MaxFF

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I have been debating this for a long time and would like some input, please.
I have a semi-custom LA 300WSM I put together specifically to shoot heavy for caliber 212gr Barnes LRX Projectiles. While it shoots incredibly well, the recoil is, as expected, significant. Not significant enough to create a flinch, mind you, but enough that I cannot spot impacts as the muzzle jumps up and left enough to where I then have to reposition the gun after each shot. I also have a semi-custom 6GT that shoots INCREDIBLY well... .5MOA all day long and twice on Sunday using 107 Sierra TMK's or 108 Berger Elite Hunters. I can spot impacts, do not need to reposition the rifle after each shot and know that I can get a second shot off within seconds if needed.

The question: I could load a 150 or 166gr Hammer Hunter and spit those out at 3100-3200fps and no game animal will be the wiser for it if I do the job BUT I lose the downrange performance. Now, I do not shoot game at over 500yds so in a way, I am answering my own question!

Thoughts?
 
VO2MaxFF said:
I have been debating this for a long time and would like some input, please.
I have a semi-custom LA 300WSM I put together specifically to shoot heavy for caliber 212gr Barnes LRX Projectiles. While it shoots incredibly well, the recoil is, as expected, significant. Not significant enough to create a flinch, mind you, but enough that I cannot spot impacts as the muzzle jumps up and left enough to where I then have to reposition the gun after each shot. I also have a semi-custom 6GT that shoots INCREDIBLY well... .5MOA all day long and twice on Sunday using 107 Sierra TMK's or 108 Berger Elite Hunters. I can spot impacts, do not need to reposition the rifle after each shot and know that I can get a second shot off within seconds if needed.

The question: I could load a 150 or 166gr Hammer Hunter and spit those out at 3100-3200fps and no game animal will be the wiser for it if I do the job BUT I lose the downrange performance. Now, I do not shoot game at over 500yds so in a way, I am answering my own question!

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
You're right! You've answered your own question.
I shoot a custom 300WSM too,
In general, inside of 500yds, I prefer to use lighter, faster, flatter shooting bullets.
For 500yds & out, then ballistically the longer, heavier bullets with a higher BC is the intelligent choice.
 
Not a thing wrong with lighter bullets, flatter trajectory and an extended "zero" distance concerning your personal needs.
The McGuire Copper Rose and Apex Gen 3 have me doing the same, they aren't cheap, but I can use other loads and bullets for target and play. The monos are growing on me.
The BC is not bad…just not as good as Berger. A little more speed helps inside my normal killing distances.
 
VO2MaxFF said:
I have been debating this for a long time and would like some input, please.
I have a semi-custom LA 300WSM I put together specifically to shoot heavy for caliber 212gr Barnes LRX Projectiles. While it shoots incredibly well, the recoil is, as expected, significant. Not significant enough to create a flinch, mind you, but enough that I cannot spot impacts as the muzzle jumps up and left enough to where I then have to reposition the gun after each shot. I also have a semi-custom 6GT that shoots INCREDIBLY well... .5MOA all day long and twice on Sunday using 107 Sierra TMK's or 108 Berger Elite Hunters. I can spot impacts, do not need to reposition the rifle after each shot and know that I can get a second shot off within seconds if needed.

The question: I could load a 150 or 166gr Hammer Hunter and spit those out at 3100-3200fps and no game animal will be the wiser for it if I do the job BUT I lose the downrange performance. Now, I do not shoot game at over 500yds so in a way, I am answering my own question!

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
we use the 168 TTSX (the original LRX with minimum expansion at 1500 fps) in our 300 win mags. We limit to 1700 fps. If you try them you will like them.
 
IMHO it would depend on what and where you're hunting. For deer I'd use the 6GT. For elk I'd use the 300 WSM. For me I'd go mid to heavier at mild velocities. One of my mom's nurses killed all her elk with her 243 Win. So at closer ranges closer ranges on elk I really can't argue against it. I'd just personally use the 300 wsm, especially in dense WA forests where you might need a good blood trail.
 
I don't see the reason to shoot inferior bullets, with inferior ballistics in a large case and caliber just for the sake of recoil management.

I mean that will accomplish the goal of less recoil, but so will just dropping down in caliber and staying heavy for caliber and maintaining much better ballistics.

A 30 cal 150gr. hammer would be like shooting a bullet with a parachute on the back.
 
VO2MaxFF said:
I have been debating this for a long time and would like some input, please.
I have a semi-custom LA 300WSM I put together specifically to shoot heavy for caliber 212gr Barnes LRX Projectiles. While it shoots incredibly well, the recoil is, as expected, significant. Not significant enough to create a flinch, mind you, but enough that I cannot spot impacts as the muzzle jumps up and left enough to where I then have to reposition the gun after each shot. I also have a semi-custom 6GT that shoots INCREDIBLY well... .5MOA all day long and twice on Sunday using 107 Sierra TMK's or 108 Berger Elite Hunters. I can spot impacts, do not need to reposition the rifle after each shot and know that I can get a second shot off within seconds if needed.

The question: I could load a 150 or 166gr Hammer Hunter and spit those out at 3100-3200fps and no game animal will be the wiser for it if I do the job BUT I lose the downrange performance. Now, I do not shoot game at over 500yds so in a way, I am answering my own question!

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Yep
 
Huntnful said:
I don't see the reason to shoot inferior bullets, with inferior ballistics in a large case and caliber just for the sake of recoil management.

I mean that will accomplish the goal of less recoil, but so will just dropping down in caliber and staying heavy for caliber and maintaining much better ballistics.

A 30 cal 150gr. hammer would be like shooting a bullet with a parachute on the back.
Click to expand...
He could load Nosler's accuracy load for 165/ 168 gr bullets at 2950 fps. Plenty of bullet and velocity for elk out to 500 yards. Recoil like a 308 win +p or 30-06.
 
Micky Finn said:
You're right! You've answered your own question.
I shoot a custom 300WSM too,
In general, inside of 500yds, I prefer to use lighter, faster, flatter shooting bullets.
For 500yds & out, then ballistically the longer, heavier bullets with a higher BC is the intelligent choice.
Click to expand...
Debating myself on this for too long! Thanks for the input.
 
jseandsje said:
we use the 168 TTSX (the original LRX with minimum expansion at 1500 fps) in our 300 win mags. We limit to 1700 fps. If you try them you will like them.
Click to expand...
I've used them in a 7-08 and successfully. Admittedly, though, I am starting to like the idea of quicker expansion and DRT possibilities. I have shot several animals with a TTSX and while they did kill, I had a longer than expected tracking job with less blood than expected with an absolutely well-placed bullet.
 

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