I am thinking of building a long range hunting rifle.It would be used on Elk,Mule deer ,antelope,whitetails etc.I am looking at either a 6.5 weatherby or a 7 mm weatherby.In the 6.5 140 gr bullets would be used.In the 7mm 168gr bullets would be used.Which one would you go with and why? I have used the 7mm on game but never the 6.5.How would it do on game the size of elk at long range? Thanks
6.5 versus 7mm
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WyoElk2Hunt
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7mm hands down for Elk
WildRose
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Well I'd avoid the weatherby calibers just because both factory ammo and brass are going to be much higher than with standard calibers.
What is your maximum range?
I'd always go for the heavier 7mm due to better ballistic coefficient in a magnum if you're reaching beyond 750yds.
If not, I'd look to something along the lines of the .260 Rem, .6.5 Rem Mag, or 6.5x284.
Of course I shoot bobcats and coyotes with a 7mm STW and just bought a 300 RUM, but for an everyday plinker/varmint/deer rifle I built an AR LR-260.
I'm comfortable with all of the above out to 1000yds on coyotes and smaller game but limit myself to the 7mm STW and 300Rum for the big stuff at those ranges.
I wouldn't hesitate for a second or think twice though about any of the .264/6.5's for even elk at 750 or less.
Largely what your limits are, will be set by your own skill and confidence levels.
WildRose
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If you can shoot sub MOA at 800yds, then the 6.5 is adequate.
I left off .264 WM and .264 STW ... Not sure why but both are phenomenal long range 6.5's. Of course the 6.5 STW is a wildcat and you'll spend a considerable bit of time getting your brass right. Both still considerably cheaper to shoot though than the Weatherby.
If you just want to go a little bigger and stay with the 7's and 6.5's the 7mm RUM is certainly worth the look.
If you develop your skills a little then even elk out to 1,200yds wouldn't be at all unreasonable.
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6.5shaggy
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I have a 6.5-284 with 140s and a 284 for the 168s and 180s, and agree with WILDROSE 100% on all points. It's just opinion but I dislike the magnum cases. My 25 inch 284 will push 180 vlds at 2950fps on 51.5gr powder, why burn 20gr more for 150 fps. The 6.5 does 2970 with 140s and is much more fun to shoot and I can spot hits without a muzzel break; but the 180 vld from the 284 has a LOT more pop past 600 yards.
HARPERC
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Given the 2 choices-the 7mm. I also don't think it matters a great deal all the other things being equal. Some good options pointed out by others.
backwoods83
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I like 7mm's but my vote goes to the 6.5x284(6.5wby is a wildcat btw) use a 27-28" 1:8.5 twist barrel and you can shoot 139 lapuas .617 bc or the new lot of 140 bergers .640bc at almost 3200 fps with excellent accuracy, or you can shoot 168 7mm berger .617 bc at 3000 fps from a 7mm with 15 grns more powder and if you run the numbers, whatever you hit at 800 yards will never know the difference and recoil is less than a 270 win.
rscott5028
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6.5's will do the job. But for Elk, I'd lean towards 7mm (Rem Mag or STW) or 30 cal (Win Mag or WSM). ...better yet, one of each
You don't always get to choose the wind or the distance. But, you certainly can pick the cartridge. So, why come up short?
-- richard
You don't always get to choose the wind or the distance. But, you certainly can pick the cartridge. So, why come up short?
-- richard
backwoods83
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No arguing but bc is bc, and my numbers say 6.5 140 berger at 3150 has 1240ftlbs 1990fps and 4.75" of drift with a 10 mph crosswind at 800 yards, 7mm 168 berger at 3000fps has 1270ftlbs 1810fps and 5.9" of drift at 800, so its all in how much powder you want to use, how much recoil is comfortable, your skills, good brass, and most of all what you want.
rscott5028
Well-Known Member
Berger's not the only game in town. But, a lot of guys like them due to the high BC.
6mm, 140g Berger = .612
7mm, 180g Berger = .659
.308, 230g OTM Berger = .711
.338, 300g OTM Berger = .818
Has anyone heard if the new OTM's are expected to perform well for hunting?
-- richard
6mm, 140g Berger = .612
7mm, 180g Berger = .659
.308, 230g OTM Berger = .711
.338, 300g OTM Berger = .818
Has anyone heard if the new OTM's are expected to perform well for hunting?
-- richard
backwoods83
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Yeah Rich, open tip match they have a 175 and a 230, the 175 is rated at .510 and the 230 at .711 Bryan has tested them to actually be .518 and .719/.368g7, but he also stated the he highly recomends NOT hunting with them as they have the target jacket and will not open like a hunting vld.
silvertip-co
Well-Known Member
It's funny, I carried a LH 264 win mag from time i was 14yo til i was 36yo and was totally happy with it in every respect. Since 1986 I've had at least 6 different 7mm rem mags and I can honestly say I did not/do not like any of them( they were LH, RH, bolt action, and lever action). I still have one I'm struggling with. I just dont think 7mm rem mag is all it's cracked up to be. I reloaded for forty years and shot factory ammo too for the 264 and 7mm and a doz other cals. Currently I'm wringing out a(nother) 30-06 and seems to be goin my way.
rscott5028
Well-Known Member
BC, MV, ES, Ft-lbs, blah, blah blah...
To your point, even more important is being comfortable with and confident in your equipment.
