bitbythebug
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 5, 2015
- Messages
- 122
I have had a 8mm BDL rem mag for 35 years. It was my "go to" gun for most big game hunting. I have been bitten by the long range bug and had a 338 RUM built several years ago. It shoots great and so it has become my gun of choice now. I was going to sell my 8mm but couldn't, I owe it so much. I decided to see just how accurate it was and was very disappointed so I threw it back into the safe and thought I will never shoot that gun again. I have tried and tried to find good BC long range bullets for the 8mm and have finally given up. I thought about putting a new barrel on it and blue printing it and atleast having it available for my kids or friends. But finally nixed that idea because of the lack of decent bullets. When Berger came out with their 195 elite hunter, I decided do all of the above but make it into an STW because of the great long range capabilities of that bullet. Here comes the question; I have always heard that the belt on older magnum cartidges was an impediment to their being ultra accurate and that modern cartridges don't employ belts anymore. Would I be better off chambering for a 280 Nosler(which is beltless and has almost the identical powder capacity of the STW) or am I really not loosing anything staying with the 8mm cases and I am worrying needlessly. I am not trying to ruffle any feathers in this forum but meerly asking for your thinking on the subject. P.S. My 1-8 Bartlein barrel is back-ordered way into next year so I have plenty of time to decide.