375/408CT/505gibbs thoughts, 805y deer, 2500y plinking

[LR3]

After some 7 years of trying to master two 375 /408 CT /505 Gibbs based rifles, one a Snipetac and the other a Kirby Allen 375 AM, I thought I d share some thoughts. No agenda other than I ve had great fun with them and I m going to concentrate on 338AM and 338/ 408 Hulk.

The Snipetac with a 12 twist and 350SMK with 134g Retumbo is perfectly setup with S&B 5-25 scope to 1200 yds. At 1000 yds it will group 2-3 inches often and at most 6" but after 1400 yards it does not hold groups well. But it is my preferred less than 1000 yd from 300 yd hunting rifle. A 636 y elk with two entries 4" apart blasted 5" hole exit holes. I think the issue for longer range is the twist.

My 375AM was Kirby s personal rifle. He grouped it into 4" at one mile. I ve grouped 6 rounds into 12" with it at 2200y. In addition those were calculated holds with cold bore without ranging. It has been my extreme range shooting competition rifle (1000-2400y). I use 350g SMK with 141g Retumbo. S&B 12-50 scope, 415 y zero.

This last week in NM I shot a mule deer at 805 y with it and then when everybody had tagged out we shot a friendly competition from 905, to 1525 and 2505 yard rock busting competition. 7-10 mph 280 degree wind. I never could get to shoot well of a pod so I use a custom modified sledge. At 2505 y we were shooting 3' rocks.

It's a great combo for those who want to get into > 1000 shooting in wind. Downside is weight, it's long, takes time to setup, and expensive to shoot. However with about 400 rounds, no evidence of barrel wear.

Since I m moving onto 338 s and 7mm light rifle I would be prepared to reluctantly part with it if the offer is good.

The idea of having the 300 Berger tacticals as a platform to work around looks like a winner in both range and application. A friend shot deer in the shoulder with a Lapua and 338 Bergers with extreme accuracy and performance. His also shot accurately at 2505y

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I've thought about building a 338 snipetac or something like it. Maybe someday I will


Aaron

 

[EdWalton]

What scope are you using to bust 3 inch rocks at 2505 yards?

Thank You

Ed

 

[lazylabs]

One tic = feet

 

[wyomingblizzard]

I finally got my 338A.M from Kirby this summer. Although I havent been able to try 2500 yards yet, the mile at milk jugs is almost easy. The monster guns are surprisingly easy to shoot. The 300 grain Berger at the velocity that these big guns throw them is amazing in the wind. I wont give up my reguler hunting rifle, but I wont give up the big gun either evan if I havent killed any thing with it yet.

 

[LR3]

Ed

I ve tried many scopes but the one I had mounted was as indicated a Schmidt and Bender 12-50. I rarely use it at 50X because the mirage interferes too much and I usually cannot see where the shots land. Most of the time 15X is best for checking close, mid range and far range mirage. I also have a Valdata that goes to 52X. I ve shot 6' groups with 7X at 1000 y and most of the time I shoot 15x - 20X at 1000yds and go to about 30 times at 1760 and about 40 at 2000+. Ideal would probably be a 40X but then the limitation is scope MOA range and the need to hold higher using the reticle. For the Valdata you can dial it back to get more range on the turret but then that s exactly when you want more power. On the Snipetac I use a 5-25 S& B and it s great. As noted above these were about 3 feet rocks - so a little more than 1 MOA.