What cartridge?

[Matchbook454]

I'm torn between what cartridge to chamber a custom rifle in. This will be a hunting rifle and primarily for Whitetails, Black Bear, Mule Deer and Antelope, with the intent of doing a few Elk hunts. This must be able to accurately shoot past 1000 yards though. I realize there are a lot of cartridges that fit this bill and can effectively take down any of the above animals. However, I'd rather not shoot a 300 wm or other hammer if I don't need to. I'd also rather restrict my distance on Elk to 700-800 yards as well as I do t plant on doing a whole lot of Elk hunting. Accuracy (easier to tune and load), barrel life, etc. are of high importance here. Unfortunately I do not have much experience with most long range calibers/cartridges and mostly shoot .30-06, .308, .270. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor which I shoot to 1000 yards but would not shoot any of the above other than possible Antelope at that range (would have to research that even). So I am looking for recommendations from you guys. I have considered 300 PRC, 28 Nosler, 7mm WSM, etc.. I think the .277-.284 caliber cartridges probably fit the bill but don't hear too much about the .277's anymore. And the 28 Nosler sounds like it has horrible barrel life.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

With your criteria I would think the 7 SAUM would be a nice fit.

175 - 195 grain bullets.

 

[Kmccord]

I own a 28 Nosler and 7 mm Rem Mag, I like both and for Barrel life the 28 will get you around 700 - 900 before changing. If it was me, I would pick the 7mm Rem Mag or maybe the 6.5 PRC, the 300 PRC is going to kick you like a mule unless you put a break on it, same as the 28, but with a break it kicks less than a 7mm Rem Mag.

 

[DJ Fergus]

I'm torn between what cartridge to chamber a custom rifle in. This will be a hunting rifle and primarily for Whitetails, Black Bear, Mule Deer and Antelope, with the intent of doing a few Elk hunts. This must be able to accurately shoot past 1000 yards though. I realize there are a lot of cartridges that fit this bill and can effectively take down any of the above animals. However, I'd rather not shoot a 300 wm or other hammer if I don't need to. I'd also rather restrict my distance on Elk to 700-800 yards as well as I do t plant on doing a whole lot of Elk hunting. Accuracy (easier to tune and load), barrel life, etc. are of high importance here. Unfortunately I do not have much experience with most long range calibers/cartridges and mostly shoot .30-06, .308, .270. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor which I shoot to 1000 yards but would not shoot any of the above other than possible Antelope at that range (would have to research that even). So I am looking for recommendations from you guys. I have considered 300 PRC, 28 Nosler, 7mm WSM, etc.. I think the .277-.284 caliber cartridges probably fit the bill but don't hear too much about the .277's anymore. And the 28 Nosler sounds like it has horrible barrel life.

Pick a 7mm cartridge to push 180s to around 3050 fps or so. But even 180s @ 2900fps should suffice for elk out to 800yds

 

[DJ Fergus]

I own a 28 Nosler and 7 mm Rem Mag, I like both and for Barrel life the 28 will get you around 700 - 900 before changing. If it was me, I would pick the 7mm Rem Mag or maybe the 6.5 PRC, the 300 PRC is going to kick you like a mule unless you put a break on it, same as the 28, but with a break it kicks less than a 7mm Rem Mag.

My thoughts exactly

 

[JMW67]

I'm torn between what cartridge to chamber a custom rifle in. This will be a hunting rifle and primarily for Whitetails, Black Bear, Mule Deer and Antelope, with the intent of doing a few Elk hunts. This must be able to accurately shoot past 1000 yards though. I realize there are a lot of cartridges that fit this bill and can effectively take down any of the above animals. However, I'd rather not shoot a 300 wm or other hammer if I don't need to. I'd also rather restrict my distance on Elk to 700-800 yards as well as I do t plant on doing a whole lot of Elk hunting. Accuracy (easier to tune and load), barrel life, etc. are of high importance here. Unfortunately I do not have much experience with most long range calibers/cartridges and mostly shoot .30-06, .308, .270. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor which I shoot to 1000 yards but would not shoot any of the above other than possible Antelope at that range (would have to research that even). So I am looking for recommendations from you guys. I have considered 300 PRC, 28 Nosler, 7mm WSM, etc.. I think the .277-.284 caliber cartridges probably fit the bill but don't hear too much about the .277's anymore. And the 28 Nosler sounds like it has horrible barrel life.

sounds like you need a plain jane 7mm Mag

 

[dogz]

I've used a 7 Mashburn Super (cat from the 50's-60's) for a long time. Pretty much a 28 Noz well b4 it's time.

No doubt that's what I'd do!

Side note, for bears I'd cut that max range down to 400...

 

[Jud96]

I agree with the others, I'd do a 7mm SAUM or 7mm Rem Mag.

 

[DJ Fergus]

7mm rem mag. If you have more money floating around that you need something to do with, get a 7mm blazer. It doesn't have the belt which makes it cooler than the 7mm rem mag. Honestly it's probably a great cartridge. But whatever you can find to push a 180 7mm to around 2900-3050 or so that has good brass available , correct twist, enough free bore, and will feed from a magazine with out being too long will do everything you want.

 

[dogz]

The 6.5 PRC would be another good one!

 

[DJ Fergus]

The 6.5 PRC would be another good one!

6.5 PRC would be a good one. I like the 6.5 saum if handloading.

 

[Matchbook454]

I've used a 7 Mashburn Super (cat from the 50's-60's) for a long time. Pretty much a 28 Noz well b4 it's time.

No doubt that's what I'd do!

Side note, for bears I'd cut that max range down to 400...

Yeah, bears would be that at the absolute most!

 

[coop2564]

7RM is the best fit. followed by 300wsm IMO.

 

[Canhunter35]

I had a 7rem mag built to fill your criteria, I'm slinging 180hybrids at 3050fps, it's a 28" proof.