what is the best long range (1000 yard) cartdrige for small to medium game

[Rix]

I live in australia I have $2800USD to spend and i want to get a rifle to use on small to medium game (the smallest being foxes and the biggest being fallow deer) to 1000 yards
First i was wondering what the best cartdrige would be?
I'd prefer it to be a short action but it's not set in stone
I was thinking i would buy a rem 700 sps varmint in 308 put a wild dog tactical stock on it Tactical Rifle Stocks - Wild Dog :: Custom Rifle & Gun Replacement Stocks then change the barrel over to say a 260 rem or somthing?
For a scope i was thinking a falcon meanace 4-14x44mm ffp or 4.5-18x56mm
Would first or second focal plane be better for what i'm going to be useing it for?
any advise would be grate thanks

 

[Topshot]

Rix,

If you limit your hunting to about 600 yards, you can get away with a .25-06 or such and a scope with balistic plex or mil dot reticle. You would also need a basic rangefinder and some type of software.

Get hold of Shane Clancy. For that much money he could tune up a Tikka T3 or Rebarrel a Rem action for you with a good laminated stock. Say A$2000

Forget Wild dog - too expensive, put the money towards your scope.

For hunting past 600 yards to 1000 yards.
With regards to a scope, you are going to need a good one to shoot that far!!
It better track real well and you should put aside enough money for a quality rangefinder as well.

Calibre - the blokes down my way that are shooting Fallow deer at 1000 yards are using 300 RUM's or bigger!

Lets work it out your 1000yard rifle with a sendero in 7mm Rem Mag.
Rifle A$2400
20 MOA rail A$150
30mm Rigs A$250
Scope NF 2.5-10x32 A$1450 or 5.5-22x50 A$2050 or Leupold A$1500 - A$2500
Rangefinder Swarovski A$1470
Software A$190
Loading dies, cases, bullets etc, etc,etc $$$$$$

As you can see, once you aim to shoot past 600 yards the cost of ethical clean kills makes the project a lot more expensive.

 

[Rix]

cheers mate that's given me a much better idea of what i'll need

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

The 264 STW would be very hard to beat with the high BC 140 grain bullets at over 3400 fps. It can be shot without a brake very well. I can think of a bunch though.

 

[Rustystud]

Many want agree but for the money your are talking about I would suggest a .243 Winchester, 105 Bregers running about 3150 fps. A savage target action, 30" Broughton 1:8, 5C barrel in a Stockade Stock, Steve Iveys Micrometer adjustable rings on Ken Farrel bases and a Sightron III, 30 mm, 8-32 scope. If you learn to dope the wind .5 moa groups at 1000 would be a posibility.

Nat Lambeth

 

[älg]

My suggestion:

- 6,5-284
- .284
- 7rm
Decide if you want more power and less barrel life ( 7rm), more speed and less barrel life ( 6,5-284), or something in between (284).-7rm need long action, 6,5 and 284 I suggest using also a long action. They will all beat the 308 in relation with wind deflection due to higher BC bullets.

For the rm and 284, the 162 amax bullet is hard to beat as a standard; 140 amax in the 6,5.

you cna also use bergers 140 in 6,5, and 168 or 180 in the 7rm.

For hunting I suggest a a first focal plane reticle if you use a reticle that has marks/dots. Get a good glass.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

260rem launching a 140g Berger or JLK is the best choice in a short action IMHO barrel life isnt so bad powder consumption is small and you can use any 308 based case to make your brass.