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caliber choice ?

E

eli polite

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 9, 2010
1,307
30
48
delaware
Over the last year and a half I have narrowed down the amount of calibers I have in my collection. I have done this in order to cut down on all the different ammo I was buying.

I have narrowed down my hand guns to .22, .45 and .10mm

my rifles are .22, .223, .308

and now for the question I want one more caliber for a 1000 yard gun.

This summer I want to start the project. The range near my home shoots out to 1000yds and I want to be able to compete in some of the matches. I have done quite a bit of research and reading some on here and on other sites and I have narrowed it down to....

7mm... I am leaning to the 7mm SAUM

.300.. also in SAUM

I'm sure I would be fine with ether
 
Re: caliber choice ?

Either would work. If want to really stay narrow then go 300 SAUM or 300 WSM and when you start reloading you only have to buy .30 cal bullets.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

what I am looking for for the 1000yd rig is to be troughly competitive.

I shoot quite often but I'm feeling the urge to try the competitive thing. so speaking strictly in the sense of competing witch round is going to be a good platform for 1000yds?
 
Re: caliber choice ?

284 straight. Barrel life decent and you can push 162 a max at 3k with little to no recoil, Barrel life beats the crap out of the 6.5 version. 7 WSM isn't a bad choice but barrels will go fast.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jon Lester</div><div class="ubbcode-body">284 straight. Barrel life decent and you can push 162 a max at 3k with little to no recoil, Barrel life beats the crap out of the 6.5 version. 7 WSM isn't a bad choice but barrels will go fast. </div></div>

This...or the Shehane.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: No Shitter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">30 ain't your answer.</div></div>


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: No Shitter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">7-08 is the most,for the least. </div></div>

Very true.

OP: Will you be shooting KD, UKD or both? What kind of, and size targets?

For KD shooting, and/or steel target shooting, the higher capacity 7mm cartridges aren't going to net you much gain over the 7-08 out to 1000 yards. The 284, 7SAUM and 7WSM will be flatter for sure, but wind drift advantages will be small.

Incremental differences in powder capacity will make big changes in barrel life. A 7-08 barrel will last many many thousands of rounds, while even just ~10gr of extra powder in the 284 will have a dramatic impact. Again, the extra 10-15gr for the 7WSM will take it's toll.

The 284 strikes a really decent compromise of ballistics, recoil, powder and barrel consumption between the 7-08 and the magnums. It's been gaining popularity for a good reason.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

Where in/near Delaware is there a 1k range? I used to live there but it was before I got into long range shooting. I still go back to visit family.

As far as your question. I'd look at 7mm or 6.5mm cartridges.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

284 Shehane, 7 RSAUM, or 7WSM for SA. I built a 7 RSAUM LA BLD for hunting and love it. But if I built a comp gun I would go 284 Shehane....
 
Re: caliber choice ?

You don't need a magnum.

And you don't need a wilcat cartridge.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

I have both a 300WSM and a 284, I just installed the 284 barrel on my rifle a week ago and got to shoot it for the first time this weekend. I like that the 284 has pretty light recoil by my standards, imo its pretty close to a standard 308, but my 300WSM doesn't recoil that bad either, and last week when I was installing the 284 barrel, I had my uncle, who is a pretty good smith, install a muzzle brake on my 300WSM, shot that for the first time in this configuration this weekend and the recoil is very manageable, I shot around 50 shots with the 300WSM before calling it a day and my shoulder was perfectly fine afterwards.

Both are very fine cartridges and can get you where you want, you just have to decide what you are more comfortable with. Also take availability of components into account, its damn near impossible to finde factory 284 ammunition and brass is made seasonally, of course you can neck up 6.5-284 brass, but with the 300WSM, components are a bit more available and has a wide variety of factory ammunition available.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

I concur with the 7mm bore diameter and bullet selection. My choice would be the .280. I have a pair of Ruger MKI's, a Sporter and a Varmint with this chambering. Once you get past the idea of using a long action, it's a very easy cartridge to handload for and to find accuracy with. My powder is H-4350, but H-4831 is also well suited.

Greg
 
Re: caliber choice ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paulL01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love my 300wsm. </div></div>

+1
 
Re: caliber choice ?

what about a 260? good for everything from Woodchuck to Moose. damn tough to beat out to 1000yrds. probably a little cheaper on ammo and to reload.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

For a hunting rifle I have to carry some distance and shoot some distance, the 7mmRemMag is the king.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

bridgevill rifle range Delaware... they are finishing construction on it now


oh I don't hunt. this is a paper puncher. considering im new to long range i want a cartridge that is a good learner for reloading as well.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

284 winchester.
Great barrel life, push the 180gr hybrid to 2800+, less powder burn and recoil than its magnum brothers. Stick with a MTU or greater barrel no shorter than 28" in the stock of your choice. Start with 54gr H4831sc and work up from there until you are happy.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

Cannot speak for the other rounds, but my 260 loves to shoot and is a killer by all means. Little recoil, and accurate as all get-out.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

7mm SAUM would be a great choice. I went with a 7wsm due to better brass availability but it requires weight sorting and prepping for consistency. At 1000 yards, the 7mm SAUM is just getting started though, and has a lot left for further ranges.

Try a 6.5 Creedmoor or 260rem if you are only shooting 1000 yards or less, as it is a more economical option with less recoil.
 
Re: caliber choice ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slapdud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">284 winchester.
Great barrel life, push the 180gr hybrid to 2800+, less powder burn and recoil than its magnum brothers. Stick with a MTU or greater barrel no shorter than 28" in the stock of your choice. Start with 54gr H4831sc and work up from there until you are happy. </div></div>

+1 I have seen groups you wouldnt beleive. dont own one but a 7mm of some variety will be my next build. I would def recommend a smaller bullet than .30 cal, speed is your pall. the closer you can be to 3000fps with a high BC bullet the better.
 
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