Im new on here so hopefully this works. Im lookin for a new rifle and im not sure what caliber to get. I own a couple rifles but im looking for something that will reach out and touch whatever it is im hunting. I want a caliber that is fast and flat shooting. Something that i wont have to to arch too much and will put down moose, sheep, bear, caribou, and whitetail. I already own a .243, .30-30, and a 7mm-08. Ive been reading alot and from what ive read is that .300 win mag is a very good cal that would meet the criteria. Does anyone have any thoughts on this or better suggestions?
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New rifle caliber Help!
- Thread starter Savage88
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bronco
Well-Known Member
300 WIN MAG is a great all around cartridge. Seeing your current list, MY personal recommendation would be a 338 WIN MAG. You have the small and mid bores covered. Add some knock down power to the list. If you want over 600 yards, long range, go 300RUM or 338RUM.
The 300 Winmag is an excellent choice for the variety of game you describe. Also, depending on whether you reload or not, a wide variety of ammo is readily available.
I do not reload. Maybe someday when i have the time and then money i will try to get into it. Is there alot of advantages to reloading versus buying factory rounds? And im just curious, people say they are able to shoot over 1000yds w/ the 300 win mag, what is the realistic max effective range for one? 1000yds seems to be a little ridiculous to me.
If you don't reload, and your shooting at moderate ranges, the 300 Win Mag is a good choice, as would be other 300 magnum variants such as the 300 WSM, or 300 Weatherby, etc. Be assured that the 300 Win Mag can be used at 1000 yards, but it requires hand loading the proper bullets, and the rifle, skills, practice, and knowledge to achieve it.
winmag
Well-Known Member
+1 with greyfox.
As far as understanding the "numbers" at distance, Maybe this will help shed some light;
First, google JBM Ballistics calculator
Then plug these numbers into thier appropriate places, & run the numbers.
300 Win (.308 cal)
200 gr Accubond
.588 B.C.
2900 fps muzzle velocity
300 Win (.308 cal)
180 Accubond
.505 B.C.
3100 fps muzzle velocity
Now, keep in mind that the commonly excepted numbers you want to have for Elk size game would be 1500 ft lbs of energy, & 1800 fps for propper bullet expansion. For Deer, the required energy drops to around 1000 ft lbs.
*note*
There are bullets with a higher B.C. & higher Sectional Density (SD) that have much softer construction, which in turn requires a much lower velocity to properly expand.
With those High B.C. & High S.D. bullets 1K on Elk size critters is attainable.
Sectional Density plays a big roll. "Energy" is this kinda mythical thing that we cal put a number on, & calculate, but a high S.D. bullet doesn't need "1500 ft lbs of Energy" to get the job done.
Now keep in mind that there is no perfect bullet. There are close range bullets, mid range bullets, & Long range bullets.
Don't load a Partition for Elk at 1k, & don't Load a fragile bullet for big game at close range.
I personally prefer the Accubond for my style of hunting which is 0-800+ on Deer, Elk, & Bear. If I wanted a 0-450+ bullet it'd be a Partition, if I wanted LONG range Only, it'd be a Berger.
I find Accubonds usefull for a broad range, when used within thier propper limitations, just like any other bullet. Use it within its realistic limitations, & you'll be thrilled. Push the envelope too far & you'll be disgusted.
So ya, in a long winded, round about way, the 300 Win can be a legitimate 1k Elk whacker.
There are better cartriges for Elk at 1k & beyond, but if you opperate within the propper limmit of what your cartrige, & bullet combo is capable of, it's an Awesome cartrige.
If I could have only 1 cartrige for all of North America it'd be a 300 mag of some sort. Gopher to Griz, you got er covered.
338 Win mag is another perfect allround North American hunting cartrige. It's in my top 3 favorites of all time.
As far as understanding the "numbers" at distance, Maybe this will help shed some light;
First, google JBM Ballistics calculator
Then plug these numbers into thier appropriate places, & run the numbers.
300 Win (.308 cal)
200 gr Accubond
.588 B.C.
2900 fps muzzle velocity
300 Win (.308 cal)
180 Accubond
.505 B.C.
3100 fps muzzle velocity
Now, keep in mind that the commonly excepted numbers you want to have for Elk size game would be 1500 ft lbs of energy, & 1800 fps for propper bullet expansion. For Deer, the required energy drops to around 1000 ft lbs.
*note*
There are bullets with a higher B.C. & higher Sectional Density (SD) that have much softer construction, which in turn requires a much lower velocity to properly expand.
With those High B.C. & High S.D. bullets 1K on Elk size critters is attainable.
Sectional Density plays a big roll. "Energy" is this kinda mythical thing that we cal put a number on, & calculate, but a high S.D. bullet doesn't need "1500 ft lbs of Energy" to get the job done.
Now keep in mind that there is no perfect bullet. There are close range bullets, mid range bullets, & Long range bullets.
Don't load a Partition for Elk at 1k, & don't Load a fragile bullet for big game at close range.
I personally prefer the Accubond for my style of hunting which is 0-800+ on Deer, Elk, & Bear. If I wanted a 0-450+ bullet it'd be a Partition, if I wanted LONG range Only, it'd be a Berger.
I find Accubonds usefull for a broad range, when used within thier propper limitations, just like any other bullet. Use it within its realistic limitations, & you'll be thrilled. Push the envelope too far & you'll be disgusted.
So ya, in a long winded, round about way, the 300 Win can be a legitimate 1k Elk whacker.
There are better cartriges for Elk at 1k & beyond, but if you opperate within the propper limmit of what your cartrige, & bullet combo is capable of, it's an Awesome cartrige.
If I could have only 1 cartrige for all of North America it'd be a 300 mag of some sort. Gopher to Griz, you got er covered.
338 Win mag is another perfect allround North American hunting cartrige. It's in my top 3 favorites of all time.
C.O. Shooter
Well-Known Member
The 300 ultra mag would be my pick. I have one in a sendero and it is a hammer. I have been shooting this caliber since 1999 and have shot everything from 168 to 220 grain bulets. I have shot factory ammo, nosler, swift, and Sierra bullets. Currently shooting the 220 SMK with the best results. There is a nice one for sale in the classifieds http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f25/rbros-300-ultra-mag-96958/.
angus-5024
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,151
if you cant afford to handload, the best thing for you to do is to buy something that you can afford to shoot. I dont think that the 300 win fit the "economical" bill. Factory rounds for the Ultra mags are crazy expensive.
Id say shoot the ole' 7-08 until you can afford to reload, then get a mag. When you do make that jump, the 300 win is a great one, as well as the 7 Rem mag.
A quality reloading set up is going to make you a better shooter and give you the rounds down range to become more confident. I know that with the cost of ammo I wouldnt shoot more than 100 rounds a year.
Id say shoot the ole' 7-08 until you can afford to reload, then get a mag. When you do make that jump, the 300 win is a great one, as well as the 7 Rem mag.
A quality reloading set up is going to make you a better shooter and give you the rounds down range to become more confident. I know that with the cost of ammo I wouldnt shoot more than 100 rounds a year.
Its not so much that i cant afford ammo but i dont like the thought of buying a reloading setup that will cost me just as much as a rifle will! Someday i will, but not today. Guns are made to kill, i can only spend so much time shooting the same holes in some paper for so long. I like using the rifle for what is intended for, and dumping ammo through it is a waste after a certain point.
MHO
Well-Known Member
Another vote for the 300 WM.
D.ID
Well-Known Member
For 1000 yard shooting you better plan on dumping allot of ammo threw it. Shooting at these distances is a skill that requires allot of learning threw practice. No matter what you buy or in what caliber you will shoot a lot of paper before you can do it well. You may OR MAY NOT EVER produce expectable 1000 yard accuracy without reloading. 1000 yard scope, 1000 yard rangefinder, finding a good 1000 yard ammo and from the factory to boot. Hell the cost of a rifle is the least of the expenses involved.
bronco
Well-Known Member
Alright Savage,
"im looking for something that will reach out and touch whatever it is im hunting."
Tell us your current, comfortable max range and your new desired max range. Then you can be prescribed a caliber and platform that suits your needs. How do you handle recoil? At my experience level, I will tell you, I shoot my 280AI far better at long range than I do my 300RUM. The capability of the rifle lays in the guy behind it. I rescind my previous posting advice now that I have more details.
Experience, Confidence and Equipment are three key components in establishing YOUR max range. With my experience level, I'm only confident out to 700 yards on big game if conditions are perfect. More than average, but FAR LESS than a lot of other shooters on this forum. My rifles have the capability to effectively take game at much farther range, but I as a shooter don't, yet.
You might find the 30-06 will suit you best. For a hunter who will be shooting factory ammo, maybe doesn't have the experience with a heavy recoiling magnum, doesn't want to spend excessive time at the range "dumping ammo" and doesn't want to hunt elk out to 1k. 30-06 ammo is readily available, with lots of options to find out what your rifle likes and it's a lot cheaper than MAG ammo. And just because it doesn't say MAGNUM in the name doesn't mean it isn't capable of humanly taking big game at extended ranges in the hands of a qualified marksman.
"im looking for something that will reach out and touch whatever it is im hunting."
Tell us your current, comfortable max range and your new desired max range. Then you can be prescribed a caliber and platform that suits your needs. How do you handle recoil? At my experience level, I will tell you, I shoot my 280AI far better at long range than I do my 300RUM. The capability of the rifle lays in the guy behind it. I rescind my previous posting advice now that I have more details.
Experience, Confidence and Equipment are three key components in establishing YOUR max range. With my experience level, I'm only confident out to 700 yards on big game if conditions are perfect. More than average, but FAR LESS than a lot of other shooters on this forum. My rifles have the capability to effectively take game at much farther range, but I as a shooter don't, yet.
You might find the 30-06 will suit you best. For a hunter who will be shooting factory ammo, maybe doesn't have the experience with a heavy recoiling magnum, doesn't want to spend excessive time at the range "dumping ammo" and doesn't want to hunt elk out to 1k. 30-06 ammo is readily available, with lots of options to find out what your rifle likes and it's a lot cheaper than MAG ammo. And just because it doesn't say MAGNUM in the name doesn't mean it isn't capable of humanly taking big game at extended ranges in the hands of a qualified marksman.
im confident in shooting up to 500yds with my 7mm-08. After that the bullet is dropping extremely fast! And with the 7mm-08 the bullets energy drops to around 1300fps@500yds and im not quite sure that would be enough for a moose.
As far as recoil goes, the 7mm-08 can kick like crazy if your not expecting it but is easily manageable. recoil is not much of an issue.
I would like to be able to shoot out to 750yds eventually after enough practice and trigger time to be comfortable with the rifle and knowledgeable about how the rounds will fly at that range. I dont necessarily want to shoot at that range all the time but be proficient enough to be able to if i have to.
And the 30-06, is that much of a difference from my 7mm-08? I want to have enough gun that i can work my way up through and advance myself with for awhile and get to the longer ranges with.
Reloading will come someday. Its not that i cant afford it or that im not experienced enough to shoot at long ranges. I cant justify to myself(or my wife) to spend that much money on one to make my own bullets when i can buy rounds that will preform at the distance i shoot. Like i said, maybe someday when i get into the whole long range shooting like the pros on here. But for now factory bullets that perform to what i need will work just fine!
