Novice Question on Rifle Performance

[KC Huntin]

I am a novice at long range shooting (Im a bowhunter). I have two rifles and I'd like to know their effective range as mid to long range options. Taking the shooter out of the equation and just discussing the capiblitites of the rifle set ups.

1. .257 weatherby Mark V with a Leupold III 6.5x20x40. Shooting factory 110 gr nosler accubonds. Thinking of putting a Kenton knob on this scope if 500yds or so yards is regularly obtainable?

2. .300 WSM in Rem 700 with a Vortex HSLR 4x16x50 with turret. Accurized by Hill Country Rifles down here in Central Texas. Shooting Federal Prem. 180 gr. Barnes Triple Shock per their recommendation and set up. Will this gun be effective out to 700-800?

 

[C.O. Shooter]

I am a novice at long range shooting (Im a bowhunter). I have two rifles and I'd like to know their effective range as mid to long range options. Taking the shooter out of the equation and just discussing the capiblitites of the rifle set ups.

1. .257 weatherby Mark V with a Leupold III 6.5x20x40. Shooting factory 110 gr nosler accubonds. Thinking of putting a Kenton knob on this scope if 500yds or so yards is regularly obtainable?

2. .300 WSM in Rem 700 with a Vortex HSLR 4x16x50 with turret. Accurized by Hill Country Rifles down here in Central Texas. Shooting Federal Prem. 180 gr. Barnes Triple Shock per their recommendation and set up. Will this gun be effective out to 700-800?

Yes, I believe both are capable of taking game at those distances! In my opinion, you are set for coyotes to moose!

 

[elkaholic]

If you are ready to do your part, both of those rifle/bullet combos will do theirs to those ranges......Rich

 

[KC Huntin]

Thanks for the responses. Are these the max ranges? Or what is the opinion on that?

 

[Joe King]

Thanks for the responses. Are these the max ranges? Or what is the opinion on that?

That's very much up to personal opinion, and intended use. The 257 on game I'd say yea about 500 (deer sized), on inanimate objects 1000 easy. the 300 on game I think the round is capable to 1000 on deer sized game, on inanimate objects much farther than you are. You'd suprised just how far that class can reach with the proper load, say a 215gr Hybrid till you run out of elevation, or reach transonic it really is way the hellngone out there, I bet you'd be suprised just how far your 257 can launch a bullet when you do your part. C.O. Shooter is very much correct you've got pretty much every thing covered.

 

[winmag]

Thanks for the responses. Are these the max ranges? Or what is the opinion on that?

Google JBM Ballisitics calculator, & enter your cal, bullet weight, b.c., muzzle velocity, altitude, temp, & zero range.
To keep it simple, remember 3 basic criteria
1800 fps min (for most, not all) bullets to properly expand
1500 ft lbs energy min recommended for Elk size critters
1100-1000 ft lbs energy min recommended for Deer size critters
Remember these are Basic, Generally accepted numbers. They are not absolute nesicities. Bullet choice for intended purpose/critter, is a crucial factor.
(I love my 180 Accubonds @3100 MV out to 750-850yds from my 300WSM)! A 200gr Accubond @ 2900 fps MV will getcha closer to 1k with less wind drift, more velocity, & more energy

JBM is free. It's really a handy tool for giving you a good idea of energy, velocity, & drop.
It's not perfect, but it'll getcha real close.
You'll have to record your own actual velocities & drops in the field to perfect your data, but JBM will get you real real close out to 1k or so on steel, or paper.

 

[Mikecr]

As a bowhunter I'm sure you realize distant capability is mainly dependent on accuracy(shot placement).
I could drop deer at 500 with a little 223 because their brains can't handle 300ft/lbs (about as much as an arrow provides). But I wouldn't try to take deer with it any other way.

 

[Zep]

Probably time to learn how to roll your own.

 

[SFR292]

257 Weatherby will take a deer with good shot placement to 6-700 without too much trouble (or wind for that matter too). I've shot my 300 WSM with 190's at 1140 yards on steel and 614 on a mulely buck. The muley weighed in at 287lbs and it was a lung shot using 180 gr Sierra Game SPBT. Blew through him with good expansion, He kicked up and rolled straight on his back legs in the air, almost DRT, but he moved backward about 3 feet.

I did the mule deer shot with a little burris 3-9x40 with their version of a BDC, I didn't use the reticule, just knew my drop and held over where I needed to.

Spend lots of time in the house drying firing your rifle on a small practice target, work on breathing and trigger pull. I recommend to my new shooters to do it 60-100 times a day if they can. Then get out and shoot the distance, learn as much as you can from your range time, you can't practice for wind and judging without being out in it and shooting through it. Good Luck!

 

[KC Huntin]

I am a novice at long range shooting (Im a bowhunter). I have two rifles and I'd like to know their effective range as mid to long range options. Taking the shooter out of the equation and just discussing the capiblitites of the rifle set ups.

1. .257 weatherby Mark V with a Leupold III 6.5x20x40. Shooting factory 110 gr nosler accubonds. Thinking of putting a Kenton knob on this scope if 500yds or so yards is regularly obtainable?

2. .300 WSM in Rem 700 with a Vortex HSLR 4x16x50 with turret. Accurized by Hill Country Rifles down here in Central Texas. Shooting Federal Prem. 180 gr. Barnes Triple Shock per their recommendation and set up. Will this gun be effective out to 700-800?

Do I have limitation based on the optics i have on these two rifles?

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Do I have limitation based on the optics i have on these two rifles?

If you use xxMOA bases for your scope mounts, depending on travel, without researching your scopes travel range, you should be able to a 1000 or so.

The limiting factors on your WSM is the fact that the Barnes bullets don't have great BC for LR shooting. Also you probably have the factory short action which requires you to seat long, heavy, high BC bullets deep into the case which is another handicap. I know, I a have 2 SA 300 WSMs and to get optimum seating for the high BC bullets, I can't use the mag box.

 

[KC Huntin]

Thanks for all the answers/opinions so far.

Also I was wondering what would be the best factory loads with the highest BC for these two? I know I should be reloading but time is the factor and I doubt I'll be shooting past 700-800 yds.

 

[Zep]

It's not just the highest BC, it's what the rifle likes.

You are only going to get so much out of any rifle using factory. It is kind of like trying to run a race car on 87 octane gas. Yes, the car might run but it is not going to reach its potential, as long as you are willing to accept this limitation then fine. But unless you are extremely lucky I don't see you reaching out any distance with factory. I have tried this myself, it only gets you so far. By all means try numerous brands of manufacture and various bullet weights, you may actually stumble onto something that will at least get your started.

A warning about reloading, it ain't cheap. I keep spending major bucks on it. Is it worth it, yes because I want to have in my hands a rifle and handloads that are better than me. In others words, if I miss a target I want it to be my fault not any of my equipment's weaknesses. With that I can strive to get better as a shooter/hunter. It is just part of the sport as I see it.

 

[KC Huntin]

Zep what do you mean by "any distance"?

What's the limit in your opinion w factory loads?