Range Report Need Advice on new Caliber

[twwilson25]

OK guys, I've currently got a GAP 7mm REM Mag and it's a beast. I had a custom muzzlebrake added and that helps tremendously but the thing just destroys these little whitetail. I've gotten the ok I can build a new one from scratch so here I am looking for options on a new build and would like anyone to post any advice, any caliber is on the table at this point.

I was thinking a 6BR, 6.5 or any variants. Anything smaller, that will do less damage but I still want to shoot 1k or farther.

Purpose: Long range hunting and target shooting

Thanks!

 

[a220stw]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

how about a .243 loaded with 105 a-max or even 87 v-max
have used 87 to drop huge old axis
or a 22-6mm. great on deer and hogs with 75 bergers and v-max

 

[sheepfever]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

260 rem is a great round

 

[twwilson25]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

the 22-6mm I've not heard of before. The .243 I def like and would consider. How do they perform at long range and how is the wind deflection with these rounds?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

Is your intent to shoot deer out to 1000?

Or, Deer to say, 300-400 and targets to 1000? For this, a 243 would be excellent.

 

[twwilson25]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

You are exactly correct. My intent is to use it to hunt deer or anything smaller, coyote and other varmints, at less distant and target to 1k. Unless I'm extremely confident I can make a clean one shot one kill and it has the energy needed to produce a clean kill shot at whatever max distance, I won't take it. I'm a staunch believer that any hunter should not take a shot that is questionable.

I remember there was a younger guy on here a few weeks back posting his, or claimed to be, head shots at extreme distances. To me that's irresponsible as hunter. If he was an experienced shooter, and 100% confident, maybe a different story, but this kid had posted he had never shot over 300yrds before and he was trying headshots at 800 or something like that.

Anyway, off my soapbox for the night. I like the .243 idea. It performs well out to 1k? How does it compare to a 6BR?

Thanks for the input.

 

[a220stw]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

TDubb
i don't know about the 22-6mm for 1000 yard targets
but i can say that for deer and hogs out to 300 and 400 it is amazing. mine was stolen summer of 2010 with everything else
but shooting 75 grain bergers,a-max or swift scirrocos it was very accurate and one shot killer. 200 pound deer by laredo and 200 pound pigs drop in tracks with any reasonable shot
i would have to look if i still have the dies i could make you a good deal on
now the 243 will reach a 1000. and is a good hunting round.
i am just now working on lining mine out. 87 grain v-max and 105 a-max. mine has a 22 inch barrel and sends 105 a-max at 3000 fps with h4350

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

Guessing you handload, I'd suggest something with the same bore diameter, i.e., 7mm/.284. So, 7-08, 284 Win, .280 Rem would be reasonable alternatives.

They will all harvest your game, with the .280 Rem being somewhat more effective as distances get longer, and it's probably a superior 1000+yd cartridge with 150's and maybe as much as 1400+yd with 168's. That's going to be about the reasonable limit regarding recoil and terminal performance.

I hunt with Hornady .280 Rem 139gr SST Superformance, flat and very effective; but my shots seldom reach out beyond a handful of hundred yards. Their 139gr GMX may be better suited where more penetration is needed.

Ackleys get mixed support. I don't have a use for them; but I don't oppose them, either.

Greg

 

[a220stw]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

The options are endless
Do you want factory chamber or wildcat
Got a friend who is having great results with 7-08 ackley and 257 roberts ackley
let me know if you want to talk with him. he is down in Deer Park area

 

[Quigley77]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

You couldn't go wrong with the 6.5's either. They offer a great bullet selection, superb accuracy and long range ballistics for targets. (260 Rem., 6.5 CM, 6.5x284)

 

[twwilson25]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

Thanks for all the input and i'll try to answer.

Yes, I do handload and plan on loading the new caliber. I am selling all my reloading dies and equipment related to the 7MM REM along with the rifle so whoever wants it is ready to go with everything they need.

I'm open to factory or wildcats. Wildcats would be interesting to learn. The 7MM was my first long range caliber and reloading so I don't know much about anything else.

My purpose is to reduce recoil, lighten up the rifle entirely and I enjoy ringing steel at 1k.

How does the recoil compare in the .280 to a 7-08 or 6.5's?

Hunting purposes any of the above rounds I'm sure will do the trick for deer, hogs, or coyotes.

 

[a220stw]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

i would think the recoil from the 7-08 would be less than the rest.
but depends on how you have the rifle built.
i got a 7mm stw that we drive the piss out of that dont kick at all.
i know of 2 guy running the 7-08 ackley improved at 700 yards
but like i said options are endless.

 

[a220stw]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

or maybe a 6mm competition match. thing hammers at 600 and 1000
driving 115 grain bullets at 3200fps.
and i just might know somebody that has one

 

[twwilson25]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

OH absolutely. My 7mm was a barreled action I bought off someone here and it's a #7 contour, full bull barrel. Total weight is almost 18lbs... I've gotten use to carrying around the deer woods just fine but starting with a new build, I'm going to try to lighten it up some, which will probably increase felt recoil on any caliber.

I need to do more research on each round. Ammoguide.com seems to be pretty thorough but it cost extra.

Do you shoot at any ranges in your area or private land? I moved here from Memphis over a year ago and only know a few ranges that reach 1k, and don't cost a fortune to shoot. Back home we had 1oo, 600, 900, and 1300yrd steel targets set up on a buddies private farm. The 7mm had no problems reaching out to any of the targets and the 180 bergers were awesome.

Whats the difference in the 6mm competition match to a 6BR?

 

[AMG04]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

This website has great information on 6BR and other competition cartridges:
http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

Take some time to read through it... It may point you in a good direction.

As for my latest build (Hunting/Target). I went with a 260 rem. I am shooting the 140 gr Berger Hunting VLDs. Mild recoil, great ballistics, and plenty of quality bullet options. 120 gr Nosler ballistic tips work great on deer and hogs. Plus if you ever get the chance to take larger North American game you could load the 140 gr Nosler Partition.

I have not been to either, but I have heard good things about
North Texas Rifle Precision and Tac Pro.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

As far as I'm concerned, the only reason to choose a 6.5 over a 7 is recoil. The 6.5s undoubtedly recoil noticeably less. A 7-08 slinging 162s @ 2750+ hits just as hard as a 308. That said, I love 7mm.

However, for an all around do all rifle, the moderate 6.5s (6.5CM, 260, 6.5SLR) are very, very good. If I were setting up a clean sheet 6.5 build, as a handloader, I would choose 6.5SLR.

The 6s are flat, zero recoil, and excellent for paper targets at 1000 and even beyond, but for UKD shooting on steel, they just don't splash enough to spot well. Certainly, many people have had great success with them though.

In my opinion, the 260 is what the 243 should have been, and the 7-08 is what the 308 should have been....at least as far as SAAMI chamberings go.

 

[twwilson25]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

Hey thanks guys, thats awesome information. I appreciate it and will read through and so some more research on the 6's and 7-08.

As far as Tac-Pro, it's somewhat close and I have been out there but for me, they are too high in their cost. The yearly isn't bad but the first year you have to pay an additional fee thats several hundred $$. I'll check out north texas precision and see what their fees are like.

Turbo54, I 100% agree, the 7mm is awesome and I have loved that round but it does some serious damage to these whitetail here. It's just too much for the ranges I've had to shoot them at, not very far at all. Trying to mix the best of both worlds, hunting and long range target, I hope will turn out. Amd from what you guys have said can be done it seems like.

Thanks again and happy hunting this year. I'm starting this weekend with some innocent dove and teal!

Tyler

 

[a220stw]

Re: Need Advice on new Caliber

i mostly shoot on private land around the house. i live outsode of college station. very seldom go to houston to ranges
6cm is a 243 with 31 degree shoulder.
i know it sounds strange and causes fights, but built for barrel to last 4000 rounds. run 46-47 grains of h-1000 with 105 of bigger bullet in a new winchester case to fireform
then 48-50 grains of h-1000 and you got 6cm
mine has 30 bartlien bartlien 4 groove 1-7.5 twist
launches 115 grain bullets at 3250
6br i know about but not much. i am sure they reach 600 but 1000 might be pushing it.
my barrel has 600 rounds thru it now. had it scoped and guy said looks like maybe 200 rounds thru it. somehow the h-1000 and the shoulder change are keeping things cooler and not causing the throat damage
at 6mmbr.com you can find more info on it.