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Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

B

BmM1284

Private
Minuteman
Aug 31, 2010
22
0
40
PA - WV
#1
I know this is a loaded question and may get some arguments going but I would like some input to help me in my decision making process.

I am going to be doing a build for a long range rifle. The majoirty of its use will be for bear. Ranges of shooting is literally 0-1000+ yds. (this past week our hunting party shot one at <20feet and another guy shot one at 963yds).

What caliber would you feel would be the best for this application?

I am looking at either a 300RUM or 7mmRUM - was thinking of taking a Remy 700SPS and putting a custom barrel, action work, bedding, etc, etc to make it as accurate as possible [then I will have to do my part
smile.gif


Anyone agree/disagree with my caliber choice/plan? Any and all suggestions are welcome - I want to learn from others as much as possible.

THANKS!
 
#2
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

The problem with the RUM family is; right after you get good with it, you'll have to buy a new barrel and start over again.
Your plans of a custom remington are fine, if you stick to the good stuff as found here on the hide you will have good results. As far as the caliber is conscerned, I would consider a 300WM or either a 300WSM or 7WSM, you will get great terminal ballistics and great performance and durability, as well as a fountain of great bullets to select from.
 
#3
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

For bear, I would prefer the .300RUM. I have shot a custom .300RUM rifle, belonging to a friend, that shoots 1.5" (not MOA) at 600 yards with 180 grain Swift Sciroccos. We have not shot it at 1000 yards yet, but we are planning to, and I believe the accuracy will be quite usable even at that distance.

If you want to build one, I would suggest not wasting the extra money on an SPS. Just start with a 700BDL, which will save you a little money. Throw away everything but the action, get a good, fairly heavy barrel (Krieger, or any one of a number of others) and a good fiberglass stock (such as McMillan), and have a gunsmith known for building such rifles put it all together. Since this is going to be a hunting rifle, and some of your shots may be close, I would suggest a NightForce 3.5-15 scope. Personally, I think the 5.5-22x has too small a field of view at the low end for possibly having to go into a thicket after a wounded bear.

Barrel life will not be as long as with some other calibers, but considering the cost of the ammo you will shoot in practice, the cost of replacement barrels will be the least of your worries.
 
#5
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

I would also consider the 338 edge or lapua. Check out longrangehunting.com its more hunting oriented than tactical. Obivous there are overlaps between the two. I had a 300 ultra mag and I shot it out to over 2000 yards. I hit a prarie dog at 1632 yards with it. It was super accurate.
 
#6
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

375RUM improved using the 350GR SMK from jaimisson @ 3000fps or 260gr accubond @ 3150fps... buy any long action and have it rebarreled/chambered.
 
#7
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

Yup for big game that can kill me will definately get a dose of a big .338 caliber bullet or larger in it. And if you plan on shooting these at any distance then do the animal a favor and drop it with something with some killing energy.
 
#8
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: groper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">375RUM improved using the 350GR SMK from jaimisson @ 3000fps or 260gr accubond @ 3150fps... buy any long action and have it rebarreled/chambered. </div></div>

How long of a barrel were you guys using,also what twist?
 
#10
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ouch!!</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.338 edge </div></div>

++++1111111
 
#11
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: groper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you only need 11.5 twist for the 350SMK, these velocities are with a 30" bbl. </div></div>

Pretty good for the powder capacity.
 
#14
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

I would go with a 338 if for hunting.-

338 edge or take a look at the 338 norma mag. for a rem. action
 
#17
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

For many reasons a few of which are costs in money and recoil, if you are talking about pa/wv bears, I would in no way shape or form buy a 338 unless it was a win mag. 300 win mag would take care of this chore quite nicely out to ranges I can imagine you finding a bear in the east to have in sight long enough to kill. It would also be a nice match/fun rifle in this caliber as many here put it to good use a good bit past 1000yd(at which you still have 1200+ft lbs of energy with 208's or similar). Addressing other posts, I would not in any way take a heavy tactical rifle into the mountain laurel/ multiflora rose, blackberry patches that the bear will likely be finding or he may find you before you can swing that thing around and shoot him.
 
#18
Re: Long Range Caliber/ Gun Build Plan

Bear are thin-skinned. 300WM will do fine at all reasonable ranges. You don't need an ultra-mag or a .338. And zero-to-one-thousand is not a practical goal for which to set-up a hunting rifle.
 
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