Long Range Hunting Cartridges

[Jessesky]

Hey Guys,

I’m not looking to start a cartridge war. I’m spurring up good conversation, afterall that’s why we’re on here.

ETHICS ASIDE, what cartridge do you guys hunt with when you get way out there 600+yd? How far would you use it if the shooter were up to the task? Why?

What would be your ideal? Any unlikely underdogs?

 

[troy fairweather]

what is needed is the game you are hunting and the rifle. short long or magnum will make the cartridge picked very different. are u recoil shy and is there a weight limit and are brakes wanted. i like a 7mm08 or a 7 rem mag those are a good start.

 

[Varminterror]

Coyotes 600-900, 243win, 6creed, 6.5 Grendel, 7-08
Deer 600-900, 7rm, 7-300, 7Rum

 

[LoonWulf]

I don't hunt that far out, but I really like the 7mm STW for a balance of recoil, bullet BC, and velocity.
My 26" barreled stw delivered 162amax at 3200fps (and change) using Retumbo, with no pressure signs.
Recoil was milder than any .300 I've used, or owned.

My personal favorite cartridge for general use tho is the 7mm RM, with the same 162s at 3-3050 depending on the gun, it's been what I reach for when stuff absolutely must die. This is over the course of 4 7mms.

 

[caribou]

7.62X54r. through an M-39 Finn Mosin...........Wolfing.
You can see how ''wide open'' my Tundra is, as trees only line our Rivers.

In the background are 7 dots, actually Muskox that were about mile away from us and attracted the Wolves in the first place.
My camoflauge is ''Muskox pattern'' LOL


http://vid53.photobucket.com/albums/g71/edwardhailstone/Wolfin-1.mp4

http://vid53.photobucket.com/albums/g71/edwardhailstone/Wolf.mp4


Shots that day, and others, were 400 to 700 yards, open sights, rather steeply down hill. Its a sort of ''trap'' Eskimo exploited, and in days gone past, they drove Caribou up hill into snare traps and caght dozens at a time. The terrain feature is still there and Caribou still run from Wolves up hill, so I simply glass and wait, shoot and drive down to get 'em... ''Kungatallik"" or ''On High'' in English.
On level ground, I probably wouldnt Take a shot past 500 yards, but sometimes I still do.
Wolves will run 45mph, but in a straight line, so they are 'still' sorta for a few seconds at a time while moving directly away.
When running oblique, I simply ''swing through'' like shooting Geese overhead with a shotgun, and since I used the rifle and same ammo for many years, alot of my lead on moving targets is simply instinct.

 

[Legionnaire]

.260 Rem or .260 Ackley. 7mm SAUM for larger game. Theoretical only, as I've never taken game at that distance.

 

[cheygriz]

If I were going to shoot animals past 300 yards, I'd use a .50 BMG

 

[Art Eatman]

My own limit, based mostly on where I've hunted, is 500 yards. The old '06 is plenty good for that.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Various 6.5s and 7mms will get mentioned, esp if you are looking to minimize recoil and still get good downrange ballistics. I am partial to the 7mm Rem Mag, though I've never taken game with mine past 300 yards. I don't have to optics on it. Plenty of good high BC bullets out there, with decent velocity and manageable recoil. The .280 AI should be in the same boat if you're looking to ditch the belt. Or the .28 Nosler if you want to ditch the belt and go a little overbore. The Nosler will probably match or beat the STW in a shorter, more modern, and efficient case. The .30 cals typically lack the BC of the 6.5s and 7mms, but you may still see the .300 Win Mag, .30 Nosler, or .300 RUM suggested. There are decent bullets at the heavy weight of the spectrum from Berger, Hornady, and others, but expect a sharp step up in recoil and blast. And the .30 cals will never beat the equivalent 7mm, so it might be advisable to skip the .308 cals altogether and move right to the .338s if you need something more than the 7mms offer. The .338 Edge, .338 Norma, and .338 Lapua, for example. You'll probably want a few more pounds of rifle weight and a brake to make these manageable for long shooting strings getting your dopes out in the field. My dad runs a .338 RUM through a 30 inch Lilja and gets just under 3200 fps from a 250 gr bullet, but he went rather light in barrel contour and ended up with a 10 lbs rifle. This seems like a lot until you have to shoot 20+ rounds in a setting. With no brake on it, that rifle produces recoil levels that are not conducive to long range accuracy for most of us.

 

[Jessesky]

Ideally I use a Tow missile. Joking! Great suggestions here guys. I figured I’d get a lot of small bores. I myself am not recoil sensitive. I typically like a long range hammer for the decisive kill. I sold off my 338win mag to help fund my 338 edge build.

I know the small bore Barrel burners are great, and you won’t burn the barrel by hunting with it. but, I practice enough to where that is a concern to me and then I’m replacing my barrel just after I’m acclimated to it.

 

[Legionnaire]

I am seriously thinking about making my next build either a 6.5 SAUM/GAP 4S or the new 6.5 PRC. Both are designed to achieve velocity by efficient burn through a long barrel, thereby extending barrel life. I said 7mm SAUM above because I have one in the safe. It's a Model Seven, though, with a shorter barrel than I'd like for reaching out past 600 yards. If I were looking for a dedicated long-range hunting rig, I'd buy a GA Precision Xtreme Hunter (6.5 SAUM) or build something close to it in 6.5 PRC.

 

[cheygriz]

If I ever developed aa real interest in long range shooting, I think I'd go with a .338 LaPua built on a custom made single shot bolt action (similar to the Remington 40XB-BR) with a 30 inch bull barrel.

 

[Jessesky]

I am seriously thinking about making my next build either a 6.5 SAUM/GAP 4S or the new 6.5 PRC. Both are designed to achieve velocity by efficient burn through a long barrel, thereby extending barrel life. I said 7mm SAUM above because I have one in the safe. It's a Model Seven, though, with a shorter barrel than I'd like for reaching out past 600 yards. If I were looking for a dedicated long-range hunting rig, I'd buy a GA Precision Xtreme Hunter (6.5 SAUM) or build something close to it in 6.5 PRC.

If I were going small bore, I’ve always wanted to build a .280 Ackley. I’d load a 180gr Berger hunting bullet to 2800fps at 700 yards it’s dropped 105” and is still traveling 1900fps. But this is because I like wildcats and the 7mm rem will do all of this.

 

[Jessesky]

If I ever developed aa real interest in long range shooting, I think I'd go with a .338 LaPua built on a custom made single shot bolt action (similar to the Remington 40XB-BR) with a 30 inch bull barrel.

Don’t you think it would be too cumbersome to walk with 30”?

 

[Legionnaire]

Yes, I like the idea of a .280 Ackley, too. But I really like (perhaps irrationally) short action cartridges; hence the 7mm SAUM. The only long action still in my safe is the Remington 700 ADL in 7mm Remington Magnum I inherited from my now-deceased father-in-law. I won't part with it, but I won't hunt with it either until I figure out why it isn't shooting up to the accuracy potential of the cartridge.

 

[Jessesky]

Yes, I like the idea of a .280 Ackley, too. But I really like (perhaps irrationally) short action cartridges; hence the 7mm SAUM. The only long action still in my safe is the Remington 700 ADL in 7mm Remington Magnum I inherited from my now-deceased father-in-law. I won't part with it, but I won't hunt with it either until I figure out why it isn't shooting up to the accuracy potential of the cartridge.

Interesting, I know lots of Fclass shooters were considering the 7mmwsm SAUM and 300wsm for their even and efficient burns. I think the 7mm DWM lost out because of the short neck

 

[farmerboy78]

well I'm shocked I havent heard 6.5-06 yet. 140gr Berger & re26 @ 3015fps is lethal on whitetail @ 1000yds... I've used mine to 875yds... the 6.5 creedmoor is good to about 800ish with the eldx.

 

[cheygriz]

Don’t you think it would be too cumbersome to walk with 30”?

Yes, it would be. But that's just one of the things you put up with if you want to play sniper.

 

[cheygriz]

One of my biggest concerns is that with the availability of accurate long range rifles, many new hunters seem to think that if they have the right equipment, and take the time to develop a little skill, there is no longer any reason to learn how to actually stalk and hunt.

 

[Jessesky]

What bullets do you guys use at range? Any recommendations of manufacturers that expand at lower velocities?

 

[MTMilitiaman]

What bullets do you guys use at range? Any recommendations of manufacturers that expand at lower velocities?

Hornady ELD-X is all the rage right now, and Berger has a good following. I'd start there.

 

[Legionnaire]

Second the ELD-Xs.

 

[Jessesky]

Hornady ELD-X is all the rage right now, and Berger has a good following. I'd start there.

Do you know the minimum recommended velocity for expansion? I’ve heard two different answers from Hornady balisticians. One said 1600 and one said 1800. I like to stay at least a minimum of 100fps over the expansion minimum.

 

[Legionnaire]

I read Hornady's materials to be claiming reliable expansion at 1,600 compared to a more normal 1,800 for competing bullets. Perhaps I am reading this incorrectly.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Hornady is usually pretty good about publishing that information in their manuals and they may even have it listed on their web site. If you spend a few minutes on Youtube, you may be able to find someone testing them on phone books, water jugs, or ballistics gel, and I am sure there is plenty of hunting footage, some of which may have after action reports on bullet performance. I think the regular SST and Interlocks are supposed to be good to 1800 fps, so I would expect a dedicated long range bullet to be good to at least that. But if you're really concerned, the Bergers have a reputation for being a little softer.