cartridge choice...conflicted
- Thread starter FromTheNorth
- Start date
http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/
The 140gr might suffer in the 8.5" twist, depends how fast you push 'em. The 120 and 130gr will be fine in either.
I always go for the fastest twist. Gives you the widest range of bullet weight options, and unless you are shooting some wacky wildcat or playing games, you aren't going to over-stabilize a bullet.
I am unaware of any evidence that shows a 7mm Rem mag or 26/28 Nosler would be any more accurate than a 308win or 7-08 at 500 yards given they are all built by someone who knows what they're doing with quality components.
There is evidence out there that shows that recoil fatigue will affect accuracy on longer strings of fire and therefore the magnums would be less than ideal choices. Even with a 15lb rifle and a muzzle brake the blast/ concussion from the brake can fatigue a shooter. If the op stated that he wanted 1500lbs of energy at 1000 yards then the magnums would fit the bill perfectly.
A skilled shooter with a 308 would outshoot a novice with a 26 Nosler any day of the week.
As to the original question. Go with 308 if you want more choices in everything component wise, or 260 if you want that slight decrease in wind drift. Right now it's more important to just pick one and go shoot.
Not too many people can outshoot a 308.
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
A .308 would be an incredibly boring choice.
BUT.
"boring" does not mean bad:
* if you don't reload, there is a wide variety of *really* good factory match ammunition available, especially for the distances (500y and less) that the OP mentions. It's pricey compared to handloading, but this is a real advantage that a .308W has over practically any other cartridge
* if you do handload, it is boring-easy to make ammo that shoots really, really well. There are many well-known, boring ways to put together ammo that will shoot extremely well in anybody's .308.
* as a "medium-performance" cartridge, it has excellent barrel life. Any other cartridge you choose that has higher ballistic performance than a .308W, will be paying for that in reduced barrel life. That's not necessarily a bad or wrong thing, but that is the price that is paid.
I think that every shooter should have a good .308W in his quiver. If other cartridges interest you too, you should get them too.... but you really won't go wrong by also having a good .308W on hand.
BUT.
"boring" does not mean bad:
* if you don't reload, there is a wide variety of *really* good factory match ammunition available, especially for the distances (500y and less) that the OP mentions. It's pricey compared to handloading, but this is a real advantage that a .308W has over practically any other cartridge
* if you do handload, it is boring-easy to make ammo that shoots really, really well. There are many well-known, boring ways to put together ammo that will shoot extremely well in anybody's .308.
* as a "medium-performance" cartridge, it has excellent barrel life. Any other cartridge you choose that has higher ballistic performance than a .308W, will be paying for that in reduced barrel life. That's not necessarily a bad or wrong thing, but that is the price that is paid.
I think that every shooter should have a good .308W in his quiver. If other cartridges interest you too, you should get them too.... but you really won't go wrong by also having a good .308W on hand.
Very well said.
I'd also add that the newer heavyweight 30cal bullets will also place it well against smaller faster cartridges as much as those that own them try to ignore.
If you're in SW Ontario, small game rules will prevent you from shooting a 7mm or 30 calibre projectile at a coyote or a rabbit or any other small live target.
For that reason, I went with 243. I think that a 6.5 creedmore or a 223 would be good choices too, but consider staying under the arbitrarily decided-upon 0.275" barrel rules for small game.
DS
For that reason, I went with 243. I think that a 6.5 creedmore or a 223 would be good choices too, but consider staying under the arbitrarily decided-upon 0.275" barrel rules for small game.
DS
Agreed.
There is little wrong with it when you consider the benefits. As mentioned, other calibers are great and sometimes better, but a 308 should be had by everybody for their "go-to" rifle.
I'd also like to make a very important note that I think is worth mentioning. EASIER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER.
308 is a learning caliber that becomes that favourite. Its relatively easy and cheap to shoot, low recoil, variable ballistics depending on loads, and teaches you things "better" calibers won't. If it's easy, you aren't learning. That's what I tell newer shooters. The challenge can't be seen as "oh this could be easier with a 7mm mag or a 6-6.5". It has to be thought as I'm stepping up the challenge to learn wind shots.
Using a 338 or 50cal will be great to shoot, but you want to shoot it at longer ranges. Same with "better" calibers. You want that challenge in the back of your head, be it 300, 500, 1000, 1500yards.
Locally, getting a safe range up to over a 1000y is quite difficult. For this reason 308 is the perfect caliber for myself. I'd love a 6.5ish type caliber eventually, but the 308 will always be with me.
There is little wrong with it when you consider the benefits. As mentioned, other calibers are great and sometimes better, but a 308 should be had by everybody for their "go-to" rifle.
I'd also like to make a very important note that I think is worth mentioning. EASIER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER.
308 is a learning caliber that becomes that favourite. Its relatively easy and cheap to shoot, low recoil, variable ballistics depending on loads, and teaches you things "better" calibers won't. If it's easy, you aren't learning. That's what I tell newer shooters. The challenge can't be seen as "oh this could be easier with a 7mm mag or a 6-6.5". It has to be thought as I'm stepping up the challenge to learn wind shots.
Using a 338 or 50cal will be great to shoot, but you want to shoot it at longer ranges. Same with "better" calibers. You want that challenge in the back of your head, be it 300, 500, 1000, 1500yards.
Locally, getting a safe range up to over a 1000y is quite difficult. For this reason 308 is the perfect caliber for myself. I'd love a 6.5ish type caliber eventually, but the 308 will always be with me.
Last edited:
IMO the 7-08 or 260 rem is cream of the crop for dual purpose hunt and LR target. Costs of components and feeding is within reason. A 7-08 160-170 gr would be a formidable LR round, a 260 140gr is not without mention. And with a 140gr hunting pill in either cartridge you would be good for all four legged critters walking in your neck of the woods. So if you are looking within only your 4 chosen.... I would have a close look at the 7-08 as a fine choice. My 2c.
Good point Shibby about easier not always being better. I've often had the exact same thought about .308.
So you have to learn your drop data and wind a little better than a flatter shooing caliber. I think that's a good thing.
Also, some make the .308 out to be like lobbing rounds at a 1000 with an SKS... which is ridiculous.
