Best long range cartridge that fits in a Mark V

[Tyler Kemp]

So I bought a Mark V rifle from a member on here, to be used as a donor action for a long range rifle project. I originally wanted a 338 Lapua or Lapua improved, but I'm open to other suggestions. Are Wildcat bullets ever going to be available again? Or any other smaller bore high-BC bullets?

The gun will be a general long range gong-banger, also used for deer and smaller game. It will also be with me for a while, as a present for getting a 31 on my ACT. (which I have not achieved yet...but I have 2 years to complete the task )

 

[Broz]

Seems to me the choices are .338 Lapua, 300 Win, or a 7mm. The question is, how far do you want to effectivly kill game? Any of the above will do it to 1200, but if it were me I would go with the bullet that will retain more energy and has the higher BC. If you are only going to have one rifle for a while, I would go with the 338 Lapua. You can still get awesome brass for it and you already have the action that will handle it gracefully. You could always build a smaller cal later. But you won't need it..

Jeff

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[Tyler Kemp]

I figure with practice I'd like to shoot game to 1200. I'm already getting pretty good at hitting the little gong up at Paris cold bore.

I want the round to be supersonic as far as possible for banging steel. Here at Missouri altitude the new 300 grain Bergers at 2900 fps go subsonic at about 2100 yards, which is plenty far for me. A 7mm-338 Lapua shooting 200 grain Wildcats could be as effective on medium to smaller game, but what would bore life be like? .9 BC at 3300-3400 fps would be a death ray...for how long? I'm not aware of any affordable bullets in 30 caliber with a .8+ BC, other than the HAT's, but I cannot afford to shoot them.

 

[J E Custom]

If it is a magnum bolt face then I would recomend the 338RUM.

If it's the big bolt face (.585 ) then go with the 338/378 .

If you want to use the .540 bolt face action then you can have it
opened up very easy to the .585 bolt face and just replace the
extractor with the proper one from Weatherby for about $30.oo.

J E CUSTOM

 

[davewilson]

Tyler, 338, the only way to fly. if you don't go with the 378 case, you'll probably regret it.

with 2 more bullet makers coming on line with great 338 bullets, it's just a no-brainer.

 

[WyomingShooter]

Agree with the last two. This is a no brainer with the 378 case or the 416 Rigby improved necked to 338. Why would you want to go backwards with the Lapua. If you have an action that will hold the big boys then make it shine.

 

[drbobc]

Agree with the last two. This is a no brainer with the 378 case or the 416 Rigby improved necked to 338. Why would you want to go backwards with the Lapua. If you have an action that will hold the big boys then make it shine.

Interesting discussion but there is one caveat that is being missed here. The question basically is what is the best option for a weatherby mark V rifle. As you jump into serious rifles and want a 416 rigby improved necked to 338, you will probably need a new barrel. Not sure of the rifling specifics of the cartridge but this is undoubtedly a very serious issue for a weatherby. If it were me, I would go with a 338-378 and work up some serious loads for the rifle. People have cursed the rifle but if it broken in properly, it is accurate enough. Or you can use a 30-378 which a distant relative of mine (Earl Chronister) shot a 4 inch 10 shot group at 1022 yards (Williamsport, Pa) which I am sure you would argue is accurate enough. I have a custom made 30-378 and it is as accurate as you want at 500-1000 yards. Course shooting at 1000 yards is very difficult and requires years of practice. But for long distance, I would go for a 338 which BTW killed a Prairie dog at 1.78 miles (no typo).

bob chronister

 

[Broz]

Tyler, I know you have been lusting for this rifle for a long time. I sure hope it is everything you want it to be when you finally settle in on a cal.

Having met you only once, I saw you are a very ambitious young man with a wealth of rifle/shooting knowledge for your age. I admire that.

Don't know if you know it or not but I spent a good part of my life racing cars for a living. Drove many door slammers over 220 mph in a 1/4 mile. So it is very easy for me to get caught up in the bigger, better, faster way of thinking. I had blown fuel engines making well over 3000 hp. You could pack air and fuel in till the crank was pushed right out the bottom. If you didn't have a good block you were screwed from the start. My long winded point is......... What ever you build make sure you can do it in good brass. In other words... Build it in Lapua or equivelent grade brass, or you will be constantly replacing parts and components. No race is won with a one hit wonder. Consistency pays big in the end.

Jeff

 

[drbobc]

Well Broz I also raced cars but never at 220. I drove sports cars and the last one I had was a TR-250 which was actually more of a TR5 (English model) but mine had triple weber carbs and a racing cam and bronze lifters. Sucker had a 7 speed transmission (no joke - first, second, second overdrive, third, third overdrive, fourth, fourth overdrive) but I got over it.

Still chosing a caliber that will fit in a mark V has some serious issues to contend with if not a weatherby caliber. First one that comes to mind is the rate of the rifling. Second one is the fit of the bolt to the cartridge. Third one is the bedding of the stock. I have old westhunt do all the bedding for me and my 30-378 is one very nice looking rifle and I have no hesitation at all of shooting it at 1000 yards just like Earl did. Even though there is a 1200 yard course here, there is very little interest in shooting over 400 yards. My 30-378 has a 6.5-20X scope on it and of course I would shoot long distance with the Sierra 240 grain matchking bullet with 110 gr of Alliant reloader 25 and traveling at 3300 fps. That is a dramatic load and a pretty hot load as you can propably guess but the BC and velocity would take care of the long distance and you could easily drop down to a 180 gr bullet that would suffice for normal hunting. This load is very similar to what Earl used.

bob chronister

 

[Broz]

I understand Bob, I love my 30-378 custom with a 210 Berger. It makes me smile at 1000 yards. But my Mark V custom in .338 Lapua has earned my respect. Watching a white tail doe tip over out past 1100 this year with a 7 mph full value wind sealed the deal for me. And the Mark V action feeds that Lapua round like it was ment to be. Better give Joe Starnes some credit for all this too. He put this rifle together and done it well.

Jeff

 

[Tyler Kemp]

What is the OAL of your 338 Lapua loads Jeff? My 300 Weatherby loads with bullets to the land are right around 4" and aren't even close to fitting in the mag, or even ejecting without pulling the bolt. Did you have any modification done to assist this, or are your bullets just seated somewhat deep?

 

[Broz]

What is the OAL of your 338 Lapua loads Jeff? My 300 Weatherby loads with bullets to the land are right around 4" and aren't even close to fitting in the mag, or even ejecting without pulling the bolt. Did you have any modification done to assist this, or are your bullets just seated somewhat deep?

With your 300 wby and its freebore it is tough to get there. Remember that I load all my standard wbys as long as the mag box will allow and they usually shoot good there. Even the ones shooting Bergers.

My Lapua load has an AOL of 3.720 with the 300 SMK. Joe did some work to make it all work smooth. I know he did something to the mag box I think he lengthened it, ?, I am sure he lengthened the bolt stop a bit and he milled a relief port at the front of the action to allow loaded rounds to swing out. Thia all works great. It will cycle rounds with ease loaded or fired. This was probably not necessary though, all I have needed is one shot..

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[Bear2]

drbobc:
What is the proper way to break in a new rifle?
Please advise

 

[Boss Hoss]

I have a 338 Slowpoke (338 Lapua Improved) built on one----just takes a little work on the bolt face.