Choosing a long range hunting cartridge

[Timb0]

Hi Guys,

I would like some recommendation for a long range hunting round as this will be for the next rifle I purchase. My goal would be to have a rifle capable of taking pigs, goats, small deer, and dogs out to 1200-1300yrds and I would like to push that out further for steel targets.

The calibers I have narrowed down to are 7mm RM, 300WM, 300 Weatherby and.300RUM. I don't really want to go to .338's as I'm stepping up from .308 and .270 Weatherby mag.

I'm leaning towards the 300WM as it seems to be easy to get brass for, has just as high B.C bullets as 7mm ( obviously heavier) and if it comes to replacing the barrel I may go for a 7mm/300wm wildcat. I think the RUM might be the most expensive option but could lead to me turning it into a .338 edge when I'm ready or the barrel is burnt out.

I do reload.

What do you guys think?

[mausermate]

Well Timbo, don't take this the wrong way but if you intend to hunt and shoot animals at 1200 to 1300 meters you need to have a good long hard look at yourself.

Sorry to be so blunt but the probability of consistently getting a clean kill at that range is very low. Therefore it is stupid and totally unethical in my opinion.

[Timb0]

So your saying I should stick to 1100yrds then?
Say what you want about it really, but what do you think people are doing with high powered magnum rifles, the latest high powered optics, ballistic software, range finders etc etc? It's become its own sport in Northern America, and that's really what Weatherby magnums were designed for.
I would say there is quiet a few people on here that have shot at animals a lot further away then I have. I have an opinion on what the limitations are for shooting game with the rifles I own now,and I wont try to exceed that, until I have one I feel is fit for the job.
I have seen a lot more unethical things go on then long range hunting that the everyday person supports whether they know it or not. So someone who passes judgment on that sort of thing would probably be a person who doesn't use petroleum based products, doesn't use the banking system, and produces their own food?

[brett1868]

At those ranges a 338 Lapua magnum would have the edge in power over the 300WM but being in QLD I'm not sure you can get one. 300WM would be a solid choice but not sure it'll have enough impact at the ranges you mention to achieve a clean kill unless your spot on target. Punch the numbers into a ballistics program and see how much energy is delivered out to 1200M. Also those ranges you really need to be at the top of your game for long range shooting and by the time you range out the target, enter the math / weather into the computer and calculate a firing solution the intended target is more then likely in a different spot. If I have any doubt about a 1 shot clean kill I don't pull the trigger irrespective of the range being 100m or 1000m.

[Timb0]

Thanks Brett,
From memory a 210gr VLD 30 cal was about 870ft-lb and 1360 fps at 1200yd with a MV of 2800. I get a bit shy of things when they drop under 1000ft-lb so thats why Id like some feed back. I think it would be ok for dogs, but as you said they don't exactly stay still and the only time I have been able to take a shot at them at shorter ranges I had staked out a carcass.
I may never get to that range and its something I would have to work up to. I have never shot at an animal beyond 700yd with the 270 Weatherby mag, But I do a lot of shooting out to 1000 with 308 on targets, I don't use the 308 to shoot animals at that range!

[Timb0]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wr7zpwPZ6Q

If people doubt long range hunting is legitimate.

[Octane]

No doubt here.

Always seems to be goat hunters. Crazy long shots!

[handofcod]

I recommend you read through this article for long range precision hunting. http://www.austargets.com/sambar.htm

Also, on calibre research I highly recommend Ballistic Studies which talks in detail about a number of potential candidates and the limitation of projectiles in range and game weight. http://www.ballisticstudies.com/

[nuthead]

I recommend you read through this article for long range precision hunting. http://www.austargets.com/sambar.htm

Also, on calibre research I highly recommend Ballistic Studies which talks in detail about a number of potential candidates and the limitation of projectiles in range and game weight. http://www.ballisticstudies.com/

That video clip posted was actually Nathan Foster - the guy who runs the ballistics studies website.

To the OP,

He has a forum as well and will generally answer your questions personally.

1200-1300 is a long way - the 7mm practical or 7mm rem mag would be the go - its ballistically superior to the 300wm. Your main issue isn't energy at that distance - its finding a bullet that will expand at low impact velocities.

[Utcherd]

7mm Rem Mag with some 175gr Accubond Long Range pills.

Boom.

[1290]

if youre hunting at that range, and why not if youre experience at punching paper or gongs out there, go for it...but youll need enough energy out there for effect....

the 7RM is at the lower end of mags... , if you dont want a 338..go the 30 cal in a super mag, 300RUM at 1250yds has a flatter trajectory the the 50BMG. Yep I said it.

comparing the RUM to the BMG;
1250yds total drop 11.0m -versus- 11.8m
1250yds total drop MoA 33 -versus- 36

BMG has the edge in velocity and energy at range though (RUM vs BMG)
1250yds vel(fps) 1562 -versus- 1812
1250yds energy (ftlb) 1029 -versus- 5469

So at 1250yards the 300RUM has equivalent muzzle energy of a 222Rem or a 30-30 at 200 yds, while the BMG has a bit more energy than at the muzzle with the 300RUM, or even a 458WinMag.

[Timb0]

My original intent was to buy the 300RUM then rebarrel it for 338 edge after I have had I good go with the RUM. Owning a .338 in QLD with more go than a .338win mag gets a bit complicated and I wouldn't be surprised if belonging to the one range I know of that you can shoot them would be enough soon.

A friend of mine recently built a 7mm wildcat based on the 308 norma mag. It seems to have a lot of potential so I was thinking about doing the same with a .300win mag ( 7mm practical).

I have included the 7mmRM and 300 win mag as I may start with a rem 700 and rebarrel it after a while, but I was also wanted to know why some people had a preference for the 7mm RM over the 300 win mag when you can get as high B.C or higher 30cal projectiles that deliver more energy ?

[Hatter]

but I was also wanted to know why some people had a preference for the 7mm RM over the 300 win mag when you can get as high B.C or higher 30cal projectiles that deliver more energy?

That's not really correct.

There are higher and lower BC bullets available in all calibres. You could pick a higher or lower example from any two calibres to make whichever one you wanted the winner.

Compare the same bullet in the same weight between calibres and the narrower diameter will have the higher BC.

Example:
Nosler Ballistics tips in 140gr.
.264 calibre BC = 0.509
.277 calibre BC = 0.496
.284 calibre BC = 0.485

There are obviously high BC .30 calibre bullets designed for long range. If you're trying to squeeze every last 0.001 BC out of a cartridge though the and compared the optimum bullets from both calibres the 7mm and 30cal in the same weight the 7mm will have the advantage (if only slight).

[1290]

Dont get hung up on the BC thing... the only difference it make is a few less inches of drop at range. Higher BC does not translate to better accuracy.

I believe the rem 700 is available in a 300RUM off the shelf....

[meek]

Dont get hung up on the BC thing... Higher BC does not translate to better accuracy.

To Timb0, one of the guys did a pretty long write up on this. Was helpful for me, sharing in case it's helpful for you too.

Here Ballistic coefficient and accuracy.