Starting out

[rstanforth]

Hi everybody,

I am a US Marine, older and slower but you won't get close enough to find out - LOL!

I have been shooting out to 1000yds with no issues, but I have a friend with a 2500yd range so I want to stretch it out to 2k.

My question is 2 parts:
1. I have several 6.5CM's (shooting 147 ELDM's) and a great .308 (shooting 178 HPBT-M's), but I am thinking I need more power and heavier bullets to get there. Please let me know what you think.
2. I have been looking at the 280 AI, 7mm Mag and 7PRC and thinking one of these would make a much better caliber. Again, please provide some opinions.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[Chase723]

For 2000 + yards I would look at .338 bore and larger. 300 PRC can work but there is a substantial difference in being able to see trace and ground signature between .308 and .338. 375 caliber is even better. A lot depends on budget. .338 Edge, .338 Norma, 375 RUM, 375 Cheytac. 375 RUM w/ a 32"+ pipe and twist to accommodate the 390gr ATip or the new 407gr Berger is the blue collar Cheytac. If you step up to Cheytac it gets exponentially more expensive. If you have a good, dry/dusty backstop 300 PRC will do it as an easy factory option.

 

[HSmithTX]

If you don't handload yet you will pretty much have to start. Your 6.5 will reach a mile pretty easily but it's really hard to see splash unless you are shooting into a bare dirt or rock area. Even then it's hard to see and 2K will be frustrating at the least. The 308, as much as I love mine, isn't a 2K yard rifle. Sure, it will reach it, but not nearly as well as a high BC bullet in something else. Around 1000 they really start lacking, and the wind will have a field day with you, a 308 at 600-1000 is a superb trainer though. The 7 PRC will get out there a good bit further, it's going to be really hard seeing splash again though. A 284 Winchester will do nearly everything the 7 PRC does with better barrel life and less powder, 2K is a long stretch for both though. 280AI and 7RM are pretty interchangeable in my opinion, I think the 280 is a bit simpler to load for but once brass is fireformed the belt on the 7RM is a non-issue. 2K is a real stretch again though. A 28 Nosler will get you to 2K fairly well, but it's hard on barrels for banging steel. A 300WM or other 30 cal magnum would be a good choice, I am partial to the 300WM and if more speed is needed the 300RUM is a great cartridge. A 30 shooting 215-240 grain bullets is easier to spot splash, does pretty well in the wind, and a mile isn't too hard if the conditions are decent. The 230 and 240 grain 30's are getting close to or equal to a slick 7mm bullet for BC. A 300WM is fairly easy on barrels too as far as magnum rifles go. 338's are better still shooting 300 grain bullets at 2800fps or more. I think the 338 with 300's running 2800+ is pretty much the low end of a serious 2K yard rifle, the Lapua, the Edge, and others will do 2800 plus. I have zero personal experience with the 375 and 416 but the guys that get serious about 2K and longer all shoot them. Expense to shoot and recoil go up with every step up in capability. Brass and bullets for the 338 and up are really expensive but if the budget is there I'd say that's probably your best bet. Get an idea what cartridge you want to shoot and make sure you can get Alpha/ADG/Lapua brass for it, I personally would start with buying brass before the rifle even.

 

[rstanforth]

Luckily I do reload, so cost will be much more manageable. The reason I was looking at the 7PRC / Mag was precisely because of the bullet BC and SD. Long sleek bullets seem to be the one way to go but the big 7's also have the velocity to keep the BC in the range needed.

300WM is also a big consideration aswell. The 212 ELD's and up seem to negate the 7mm BC difference, but again, just starting out the 300WM and 7Mag will be significantly lower brass cost than the new 7 or 300 PRC.

I think I am gonna try to stay with the 7Mag or the 300WM, but not really 100% sold on which one yet.

This brings to mind the question of barrel length. I tend to prefer the 24" barrels in both of these to keep velocities high and maneuverability. Am I missing anything?

 

[Taylorbok]

I agree past 2k a 338 is advantageous just for splash. If the ground is good a 30 cal can work well.

I'd go for a 300 PRC over a WM. The PRC will let you load long and heavy bullets and be able to mag feed.

Are you planning on buying or building a rifle?

 

[HSmithTX]

Good point, I run all of my 300WM around 3.6" OAL. It changes the cartridge completely vs 3.34" OAL.

 

[rstanforth]

That is also a great point. I would like to build the rifle on a long action and maximize twist for long heavy bullets. But the 300WSM has always been on my radar for exactly the reason you mention about the 300PRC. Long Action plus short cartridge = MAGIC! LOL!!!

 

[Sealesniper]

.338 SnipeTac or similar for that range.

 

[rstanforth]

I am really trying to keep this as a decently priced reloading round so I can shoot more than a few times a year, so I am trying hard to stay away from the .338's but that may be the road I end up on.

 

[Taylorbok]

I am really trying to keep this as a decently priced reloading round so I can shoot more than a few times a year, so I am trying hard to stay away from the .338's but that may be the road I end up on.

300 gr OTM's are very slightly more expensive than 245gr LRHT, like less than 10%.

I'd go with minimum a 32" barrel to get the velocity up, unless you are planning on hunting with this rifle also.

 

[rstanforth]

Yeah, the bullets for a .338 aren't the bad part. Even for reloading the Cases are crazy expensive and it uses a ton more powder. So I understand where you are going for sure.

 

[Taylorbok]

Yeah, the bullets for a .338 aren't the bad part. Even for reloading the Cases are crazy expensive and it uses a ton more powder. So I understand where you are going for sure.

The extra powder is minuscule cost, the cases are more but 200 cases should last you the life of a barrel or more.
a big 30 will do it but will have a disadvantage in splash. Are you looking at a WM or WSM?

The WSM lacks in case capacity for reaching out like that.

 

[skipglo]

T

300 gr OTM's are very slightly more expensive than 245gr LRHT, like less than 10%.

I'd go with minimum a 32" barrel to get the velocity up, unless you are planning on hunting with this rifle also.

That should be maximum 32" barrel...after 32" the law of diminishing returns kicks in!

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

300RUM. Shooting 230gr OTM Tactical.
Problem Solved.