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Magnum caliber for 600-1000+

7mm RemMag, 160-170 match projectile (Berger 168 VLD and Classic Hunters for me), R-P Brass (Remington), Federal 215M primers, 68.5gr Reloder 26...

That gives me 2950 out of a factory 24" Tikka T3x Lite and supersonic out to 1500-ish depending on atmospherics. That rifle probably has 1500+ through it and still doing 3/4 MOA or better on the regular (Tikka does cold hammer forged barrels... makes them tough)

More than plenty good for ringing steel farther than my capability can consistently do.
That’s pretty mild.
Short barrel and typical slow tikka barrel probably.
Pretty similar to 284 ballistics in a longer tube.


With a 28” tube my 7 saum lobs 180s comfortably at 2950 and 190’s at 2880 and supersonic to 2000ish.
 
That’s pretty mild.
Short barrel and typical slow tikka barrel probably.
Pretty similar to 284 ballistics in a longer tube.


With a 28” tube my 7 saum lobs 180s comfortably at 2950 and 190’s at 2880 and supersonic to 2000ish.
I like my brass to last LOL.

That said, I haven't shot that rifle, or any of my bolt guns, in about 1.5 years 😪😪 time flies when you're overseas for most of it.
 
My slower twist RUM barrel is 28" + porn throat and slings 220 lrht's and 225 eldm's @ 3160-3170 on the middle node. I have 1 piece of brass with 5 firings on it and pocket seems same as new (ADG). Need to shoot more... and need more 8133 and N570 :ROFLMAO:
 
OP, since you seem to be set on one particular bullet, the long action easy button appears to me the 300 Norma Magnum.

Great off the shelf ammo. Great brass and easy to hand load for.
When you can stretch it beyond 1200 yds, it's very capable.
 
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Ok, I’m just going to take it off as coming off the wrong way. But the majority of the questions you asked I had already answered or was in intitial post. But here we go as a review on what I have so far.
Wanting off the shelf brass(no fire forming), 600-1200 steel/paper only(possibly to get setup for further if I get access to it), long action gun, yes I know I don’t need a magnum but I already have everything I want in short action and this is what I am looking to do as my next adventure, don’t care if it’s a barrel burner but I would like to get at least 1200 good rounds out of it, from what people have showed me I like the heavier 7mm Berger bullets and I really like the looks of the 225eld-m which I didn’t know about, things I ideally want in the gun is a fast shooter that takes the wind well.

Edit: also to add i plan on a muzzle brake, and I don’t care about weight of the rifle because I will not be using it for hunting.

Nothing wrong with wanting a magnum, you don't have to justify your desires to anyone.

I'm just trying to figure out what exactly it is about a magnum you want. That will help narrow it down.

There's still lots of options with your loose criteria.

A 7mm would be pretty fun. A .284, or a 7SAUM. Or 6.5x284 or 6.5 SAUM - these will be bigger barrel burners, but flatter. If you hate steel and match directors, then a 6-284 shehane is a fucking laser beam. Barrel burner, and you would have to make brass for it.

At the ranges you are talking, a .30 cal doesn't offer anything that a 7mm or 6.5 can't do. If you can't resist a .30 cal, then a 300 PRC is a great choice, or if you want to burn even more powder, then a .300NM.

But I would look strongly towards a 7mm in your situation.
 
I’d go

- 6 CM/6.5 CM/260 for short action
- 6.5-284 or 284 for paper/steel long action
- 300 PRC or 300 NM if you plan to hunt LR

284 are very popular in 1,000 yard fclass. Very capable of what you want. Tons of components. Tons of LR information out there.

6.5-284 is a touch cheaper, less recoil but will burn a barrel quick if you don’t let it cool

300 PRC is basically the 300 WM improved. For the 212-225 gr that’s a great option

300 NM if you want the real deal in 30 cal LR shooting. Overkill imho for what you want to use it for. But the 300 PRC and NM should be considered if you have plans to hunt ever or go out to 1 mile +
 
Yeah I’m not looking at it from a practicality or a cost savings standpoint. That’s why I am not really replying to the “why magnum” posts. It’s just what I want, and am going to get. Thanks for all who helped out. It got my head spinning on the 225 eldm and the heavier 7mm offerings. Going to do some research on those now and weigh out what looks best. The big down side to the 7 rem mag for me seems to be no Lapua brass which I could get for the 300 winny.
Take a look at ADG brass for the 7mm rem mag. I use ADG with 184 begers, retumbo and about 3000fps.... beautiful combination.

Edited: Sorry I didn't see the other comments tell I already replied
 
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I do find it odd that 300 WM, 300 PRC, 300 RUM, 300 Norma and even 300 WSM are mentioned, but there is no mention of the 30 Nosler. Maybe I’m biased, but 300 PRC requires CIP cut mag window and CIP length magazines. CIP lengths are more common now, but wasn’t a few years ago. 300 PRC is the longest 30 cal SAAMI spec round I’ve read about. The 300 Norma is an entirely different animal with the larger bolt face. Its like a baby 338 Lapua.

300 RUM is also out there but my buddy ran into mag length issues with heavier, high BC projectiles (unless my buddy throated 3 barrels incorrectly; I have no personal experience with the cartridge). He has 3 custom reamers and finally converted to 300 Norma. 300 RUM never shot excellent for him.

I will say the three 300 Norma’s Ive seen were cut from the same reamer and all shoot excellent. Very tight guns even from break in. One is even a factory Rem 700 action converted.

The 30 Nosler will drop into any 300 WM set-up (minus chambering of course). I went 30 Nosler years ago because the 300 PRC had not released. Once I read how long the cartridge was, it was too costly to convert even if I wanted to. I chose 30 Nosler over 300 WM to avoid the belted magnum brass (personally don’t care for a belted cartridge). I even have a laser 7 mag for hunting and still don't like the belted cartridge.

I’m running a 215 Berger with 80.3 gr H1000 at about 3,050-3,070 fps if I recall correctly. I’m satisfied there. Not chasing a 225 projectile or top tier velocities. I didn’t have a 30 cal magnum and chose 30 Nosler to avoid the 300 WM belted case.
 
I do find it odd that 300 WM, 300 PRC, 300 RUM, 300 Norma and even 300 WSM are mentioned, but there is no mention of the 30 Nosler. Maybe I’m biased, but 300 PRC requires CIP cut mag window and CIP length magazines. CIP lengths are more common now, but wasn’t a few years ago. 300 PRC is the longest 30 cal SAAMI spec round I’ve read about. The 300 Norma is an entirely different animal with the larger bolt face. Its like a baby 338 Lapua.

300 RUM is also out there but my buddy ran into mag length issues with heavier, high BC projectiles (unless my buddy throated 3 barrels incorrectly; I have no personal experience with the cartridge). He has 3 custom reamers and finally converted to 300 Norma. 300 RUM never shot excellent for him.

I will say the three 300 Norma’s Ive seen were cut from the same reamer and all shoot excellent. Very tight guns even from break in. One is even a factory Rem 700 action converted.

The 30 Nosler will drop into any 300 WM set-up (minus chambering of course). I went 30 Nosler years ago because the 300 PRC had not released. Once I read how long the cartridge was, it was too costly to convert even if I wanted to. I chose 30 Nosler over 300 WM to avoid the belted magnum brass (personally don’t care for a belted cartridge). I even have a laser 7 mag for hunting and still don't like the belted cartridge.

I’m running a 215 Berger with 80.3 gr H1000 at about 3,050-3,070 fps if I recall correctly. I’m satisfied there. Not chasing a 225 projectile or top tier velocities. I didn’t have a 30 cal magnum and chose 30 Nosler to avoid the 300 WM belted case.

I did mention the 30 Nosler but only in passing really. There doesn’t seem to be the popular support for it like there is for the 300 WM, 300 PRC, and 300NM. It seems a lack of brass and loaded ammo from other manufacturers is kind of stifling it as the 300 PRC and 300NM steal the spotlight. Your point about fitting into existing action lengths is a good one.
 
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Run the 300 prc with the 30 nosler freebore and it would probably fit the non cip mags and actions as well.

A lot of people would prefer the bullet placement of the 300 prc

300 rum was never designed to run the high BC bullets at mag lengths, those that do run the custom 4" mags and bottom metal.
 
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7 Rem Mag. I’m running 180 hybrids at 2950 @ 1000 DA with 71gns of H1K and no pressure. 6.7 Mils to 1k. Running 168’s @ 3050 gets you to 1k with 6.6 Mils and less recoil.

You’re not gonna be hard pressed to beat the BC’s of the heavy 7mm’s

My next build is gonna be a big 30, but I’ll be going with a 300NM Improved for that one.
 
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OP, since you seem to be set on one particular bullet, the long action easy button appears to me the 300 Norma Magnum.

Great off the shelf ammo. Great brass and easy to hand load for.
When you can stretch it beyond 1200 yds, it's very capable.
x 2

The Norma has the standard magnum casehead/boltface/action, whereas the .338 or 30-.338 Lapua requires the beefier action/bolt/boltface.

1200 is far "enough" that it's not overgunning to use the Norma- and it'll easily tackle the additional distance should it become available.
Barrel life should meet expectations with average loads, seems perfect for the OP's application.
 
x 2

The Norma has the standard magnum casehead/boltface/action, whereas the .338 or 30-.338 Lapua requires the beefier action/bolt/boltface.

1200 is far "enough" that it's not overgunning to use the Norma- and it'll easily tackle the additional distance should it become available.
Barrel life should meet expectations with average loads, seems perfect for the OP's application.
300 NM is the same bolt face as the 338 LM
 
x 2

The Norma has the standard magnum casehead/boltface/action, whereas the .338 or 30-.338 Lapua requires the beefier action/bolt/boltface.

1200 is far "enough" that it's not overgunning to use the Norma- and it'll easily tackle the additional distance should it become available.
Barrel life should meet expectations with average loads, seems perfect for the OP's application.
300 Norma is a .585boltface like lapua.

You thinking of 308 Norma?
 
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I did mention the 30 Nosler but only in passing really. There doesn’t seem to be the popular support for it like there is for the 300 WM, 300 PRC, and 300NM. It seems a lack of brass and loaded ammo from other manufacturers is kind of stifling it as the 300 PRC and 300NM steal the spotlight. Your point about fitting into existing action lengths is a good one.
I must have read over the 30 Nosler part. I will go back and reread. The 300 Norma Mag is quite impressive and the few Ive seen were very accurate.
 
I wish the 6.5 PRC gave a little more advantage in velocity to the 6.5 Creedmoor. Handloading may make it shine, but I haven’t seen velocities off hand-loaded 6.5 PRC ammo. Its a cool round. I mentioned to a buddy its like the non-magnum of magnums. He loves the 6.5 CM and specifically the 143 ELD-X, so I recommended the 6.5 PRC to him. He has never heard of it at the time. He promptly ordered one.
 
well if others are shooting those distances with 22lr maybe if you had to use a magnum load you could try a 22 mag ? that really does not sound like a distance to really use many other magnum loads on 338 would work but at the cost of the powder you could just shoot 308 or cheaper 223/556 or cheaper yet 22lr but what ever round you decide to go with I hope you have a great time with .
 
Pretty short ranges for magnums.

What are you looking to accomplish exactly? Spend more $ per hit?

You already have cartridges that are more then capable at those distances.
Beat me to it... Lots of cartridges will go to 1200. No magnum required...
 
Short action or long action ?
For the ranges you are talking about, that is well within the capabilites of the 6.5 or .260.
If you really want a magnum, then one of the 7mm varieties are always a good answer.
There is always the .284 it is an excellent choice with the 162's
260 rem
 
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796954D2-78A8-440D-BB99-66AC8A8889D0.jpeg
 
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All of my rifles except my M4A3 are .308 because I just love that round. But for what you want, my money is on the .300 WM. I have read the memoirs and experience of military snipers, usually Rangers, and the reason they used .300 WM 220 gr is because it is a big and fast bullet that beats the wind a little better than a .308. Ryan Cleckner, Sniper Team Leader in the 1st Ranger Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment was a tactical shooter rather than a pin point target shooter. So, with the .300 WM, he could dial his range with the elevation turret and then hold left or right edge of the target depending on wind conditions and get a center mass hit.
 
I’m looking at building a new gun primarily for hitting steel from 600 out to roughly 1200yd. I already have a 308 that was my first long range build, and my 243 AI. This go around I’m looking at building something with a little more punch. I’m leaning towards 264 win mag, but am really wanting opinions on what to look into. My only requirement is the ability to be able to buy brass off the shelf for reloading, as I don’t really want to fire form another round. The plan is a 28-30” tube, manners T4a stock or similar, and to remount 4-32 Nightforce nx8 on it.
If you are thinking 264 WM, as many have suggested look at the 6.5 PRC, I have a 31" Bartlien 5R LH gain twist 1:8.5 to 1:7.5 throated long. Using Berger 153.5 grain LRHT's, ADG brass and 64 grains of Vihtavouri N570. I am getting 3311 fps average velocity, and .3 groups at 100 yards. In average conditions this load is mach 1.2 at 1775 yards. In my opinion the PRC brass is easier to reload without the belt of the 264 WM. The 26 Nosler is considerably hotter than the PRC and 264 WM but barrel life suffers. I thought about it and decided on the PRC and am quite happy with it.
 
The most accurate cartridges I've owned were wsms.
I'd go 7wsm or 7 saum built on an xm or LA throated for 195's.
If you're set on a 30 cal go 30 Nosler throated for 225s
I'm really digging mine its a better case design than the prc, with the 35 degree shoulder brass growth is slow.
Peterson and adg both offer brass (and its available!)
I'm running Peterson and it's really good stuff
 
Take a look at ADG brass for the 7mm rem mag. I use ADG with 184 begers, retumbo and about 3000fps.... beautiful combination.

Edited: Sorry I didn't see the other comments tell I already replied
+1 on ADG (Atlas Development Group) brass. I got 100 pieces on their 3rd firing. Super consistent weight/internal volume. Pricy, but when 100 pieces x10 firings will be good for the accuracy life of a 7mm RemMag barrel running hot.
 
On a long action why not just go straight 284win with Berger 184 ?

Lapua brass
Berger 184 hybrid 7mm better ballistics than the 30 cal Berger 215 hybrid.
Less recoil
Easy to load
Tons of data
What load do you use? Also, how well does the Berger 184 hybrid go out of a Bartlein 8.5 twist barrel?
 
I disagree with this, based on my own experience.
One can lob .224 bullets over 1K yards- but good luck spotting the impacts (or trace) in anything other than perfect conditions.

Heavies pushed by a lot of powder equals more energy at impact.
More energy at impact equals bigger splash, and increased ability to spot those impacts.
I've shot everything from 6's to .338 LM at ELR ranges and I'll take the magnums. Last time we were out, there was a group next to us shooting at 1200 steel. All three were running suppressed 6/6.5 Creeds, and despite a high dolla Swaro spotting scope could NOT spot any of their berm impacts off the steel. If you're hitting the plate, it's one thing. But a miss into a soft, damp sand berm kicks up very little signature with a small bullet that's barely supersonic at best.

I subscribe to bigger is better when it comes to ELR. Flame away...
I hear you. I have a wireless camera, and wireless router and power supply I am putting together to solve that issue.

Your point remains valid. Especially on varmints at ELR.
 
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What load do you use? Also, how well does the Berger 184 hybrid go out of a Bartlein 8.5 twist barrel?
Per berger a 1:8.5 should be fine but I do not have real world experience. I run a 8T 26" Criterion and they do well.

 
.300 WSM.

A lot of guys are running this in 1k yard comps (just completing one myself for this).
Pending world record just a few months ago.

So much easier to spot impacts with boomers...
Thanks for posting this. I just got my first 300WSM and haven't been able to find a whole lot on the round so I really enjoyed the article. I've also been looking for recommendations on a scope so the article helped in that regard too.
 
I’m looking at building a new gun primarily for hitting steel from 600 out to roughly 1200yd. I already have a 308 that was my first long range build, and my 243 AI. This go around I’m looking at building something with a little more punch. I’m leaning towards 264 win mag, but am really wanting opinions on what to look into. My only requirement is the ability to be able to buy brass off the shelf for reloading, as I don’t really want to fire form another round. The plan is a 28-30” tube, manners T4a stock or similar, and to remount 4-32 Nightforce nx8 on it.
300 WM. Defiance action, Proof barrel, jewel trigger, KRG chassis, NF glass, Berger 200 hybrid, Peterson brass, H4350, CCI mag primers =small groups at 1K. Go bigger than you think you want because once you start shoot 1K consistently you’ll want to go out further. Good luck on the slippery slope!
 
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The 8 twi
I use a 10 twist barrel. I can shoot a 4" group at 1k with Hornady Factory Ammo. 300prc 225gr ELD Match ammo. I tried a 8 twist barrel and the group opened up to 2'. Yes feet. I'm using a Criterion Remage varmint profile 26" barrel that I purchase from North Land Shooter Supply for $300.
The 8 twist shouldn't have hurt you like that. A really fast twist can amplify any issue the ammo has in terms of runout or bad bullets etc....but shooting the real heavies I don't think the 8 will take you from a 4" gun at a 1k to 2'! Something else is going on. If the loaded round has a lot of runout in it from either sizing the case improperly or from seating bullet issues....a real fast twist barrel can amplify the issue like I said.

Being a button rifled barrel (not hacking on the Criterion guys at all...wish Steve, Neal and crew the best) but the twist can vary in a button barrel is one thing to look at being a possibility.

I'm running a 9 twist on my 300PRC F Open gun. I've shot 225ELDM's, 230SMK and 230 ATIPs and all of them have been hammers. Gun will hold a touch over 1/4moa for vertical at a 1k.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
 
The 8 twi

The 8 twist shouldn't have hurt you like that. A really fast twist can amplify any issue the ammo has in terms of runout or bad bullets etc....but shooting the real heavies I don't think the 8 will take you from a 4" gun at a 1k to 2'! Something else is going on. If the loaded round has a lot of runout in it from either sizing the case improperly or from seating bullet issues....a real fast twist barrel can amplify the issue like I said.

Being a button rifled barrel (not hacking on the Criterion guys at all...wish Steve, Neal and crew the best) but the twist can vary in a button barrel is one thing to look at being a possibility.

I'm running a 9 twist on my 300PRC F Open gun. I've shot 225ELDM's, 230SMK and 230 ATIPs and all of them have been hammers. Gun will hold a touch over 1/4moa for vertical at a 1k.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
Frank
Off topic and for my own learning regarding the button rifling, why is that?
 
If you are thinking 264 WM, as many have suggested look at the 6.5 PRC, I have a 31" Bartlien 5R LH gain twist 1:8.5 to 1:7.5 throated long. Using Berger 153.5 grain LRHT's, ADG brass and 64 grains of Vihtavouri N570. I am getting 3311 fps average velocity, and .3 groups at 100 yards. In average conditions this load is mach 1.2 at 1775 yards. In my opinion the PRC brass is easier to reload without the belt of the 264 WM. The 26 Nosler is considerably hotter than the PRC and 264 WM but barrel life suffers. I thought about it and decided on the PRC and am quite happy with it.

Great velocity with the PRC! I went 6.5 Max and am getting similar velocity with same projectile but with a little higher charge and a little shorter barrel - ADG brass also.
 
Who shit in your corn flakes this morning?

😂

And 260 has the heart of a magnum!!!!
View attachment 7757065
Well done sir your rebuttal is hilarious 😆
Seriously though it's even more hilarious when guys keep saying "Get a 260 or 6.5 creedmoor it's more efficient " every time someone talks about shooting long range with a magnum.
Also guys.. we all know the 6.5 prc has a
. 535 case head but for fuck sake!
Can we please start admitting that the PRC is to magnums what Asian pecker is to porn..
 
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