Choosing a caliber...

Wow, How quickly things can go to hell... It's amazing how some people express there opinions without having the propper knowledge to make a valid point.

I came to this forum to get some help choosing a caliber for long range hunting and some paper punching, I am prepared to do as much research as I feel necessary to choose a propper caliber for my needs. I have admitted that 450+ yds is beyond my present capabilities given the tools I have @ my disposal - hence the reason I'm here....

I am not out there with my current hunting rig blasting at 1000+yds hoping to hit a live target... I am seeking the advice of the guru's on here to choose a new tool for a new task. With the propper equipment 1000yds is easily obtainable.

Few realize the time and money spent on a project such as this. The cost of a rifle is only the beginning, add in optics,range finders,wind meters, spotting scopes...the list goes on and on... then on top of all that add in the hrs at the range and the cost of the rnds you send down range this is a 10k investment.

So again, thanks to all those who have contributed worthwhile information,
I hope to have this project off the ground mid april...

Regards
Josh
 
JIP911 said:
Wow, How quickly things can go to hell... It's amazing how some people express there opinions without having the propper knowledge to make a valid point.

I came to this forum to get some help choosing a caliber for long range hunting and some paper punching, I am prepared to do as much research as I feel necessary to choose a propper caliber for my needs. I have admitted that 450+ yds is beyond my present capabilities given the tools I have @ my disposal - hence the reason I'm here....

I am not out there with my current hunting rig blasting at 1000+yds hoping to hit a live target... I am seeking the advice of the guru's on here to choose a new tool for a new task. With the propper equipment 1000yds is easily obtainable.

Few realize the time and money spent on a project such as this. The cost of a rifle is only the beginning, add in optics,range finders,wind meters, spotting scopes...the list goes on and on... then on top of all that add in the hrs at the range and the cost of the rnds you send down range this is a 10k investment.

So again, thanks to all those who have contributed worthwhile information,
I hope to have this project off the ground mid april...

Regards
Josh
Click to expand...


Josh You are doing all the right things! Seeking information so you can arrive at the best solution for your needs. This forum is a wealth of good info, there are different opinions on all subjects , which is also good, as that way you can truly get a feel for what may be best for you, from the experiences of others.
Realizing and knowing your limitations is something few will admit, but is a very valuable asset to possess , especially in the gun culture.
I would not suggest to anyone to buy a long range rifle rig , and then have them figure they were good to go , long range shooting, let alone hunting.
To be reliable in any extreme sport requires years of dedicated practice, but a fellow has to start somewhere. You may find in time that with practice and experience you feel more comfortable taking longer shots than you presently do, but do not rush it, many guys get the LR bug and try to go from 1 to 60 overnight, it just can not be done, no matter how much money you throw at it.
There has been some great info shared in this thread, so you should have some ideas to toss around
 
JIP911 said:
Well its time to build/buy myself a new toy and I could use a little advice on caliber. I have had various hunting rifles over the years, and am starting to take more intrest in the "long range" side of the game.

308 seems to be the standard, and I already own 2 hunting rifles chamber'd in this caliber but would like something different this time around.

I would like to use this rifle for hunting as well as paper punching so power is of equal importance as accuracy...

I know, I know... Im trying to build a tactical hunting rifle... "The best of both worlds"

To word things best, I guess Im looking for a rifle thats powerfull enough for moose, can be loaded for deer, and would make a half decent long range shooter for those days of punching paper.

I have a line on a nightforce 3.5-15x50 nib to mount ontop of whatever I finally decide on...

300wsm 270wsm 7mmwsm???

Thanks for your time
Jip
Click to expand...

Well, after all the bull has settled, have you decided??:D
Personally of the 3, I would choose the 300WSM or the 7WSM, simply for the bullet selections.
If you are going with a custom barrel you can get the twist tailored to the type of bullet you want to shoot, also.

I believe long Range canuck has a Ron Smith barrel on his big 300win mag, and I have a Mick McPhee on my 300WSM.
Johnny5 has a Gaillard (I think) on his 300Win mag.

LRC's action is a Dakota 76, mine is a C.I.L. 950T ( Savage J action) and Johnny 5's is a Remington that was done up by a custom shop.
My trigger is a tuned factory, LRC's is a Canjar single set, and I am not too sure what Johnny has ,but i think it is a Shilen.
Scopes are IOR, Nightforce, and Leupold.
All these rifles are capable of crazy accurate groups at extended ranges, mine is a single shot other two are repeaters.
Mine was put together mainly from parts I had, so all I have into mine is the scope and the barrel, but i think the other two are pretty high dollar rigs
Just a few things to consider.....
Cat
 
JIP911...don't be discouraged as ATRS has said, It sounds like you are starting off on the right track and are willing to do your homework and dedicate the time to what can be a very fulfilling and enjoyable sport. Ask your questions freely and don't be discouraged by negative responce...those are the next long range shooters they just havent realized it yet.;) :)
 
JIP911 said:
To word things best, I guess Im looking for a rifle thats powerfull enough for moose, can be loaded for deer, and would make a half decent long range shooter for those days of punching paper.
Click to expand...
In a world of compromise ... some don't.
*** You have NO CHANCE to win in precision shooting if you don't "handload" ***
It's easy to get a "good deal" on an excellent hunting rifle.

I suggest you focus on handloading and .308 cal then when you can beat everyone at 600 yds. (with .308 handloads and savage 10FPLEA or similar) then you will know if you want to reach out to 1000yds. (the 10FP with handloads will let you compete at 1000yds.)

In short build a target rifle, get another rifle for hunting. IMHO
(stick with .308 for now .. you can reload for all your rifles)
 
Peter,
Long range shooting is not new to me - neither is reloading, My father in law does most of my reloading and has been doing it for years... I just never had the right tools in the shed to make it a feasible hobby.

The goal of this project is a long range hunting setup... A rifle that I can become familiar with at ranges out to 1000 with decent accuracy and bring fourth those skills learned as well as the ballistics characteristics learned to the field when hunting. It does me know good to buy a new .308 or tune up one of my existing setups for long range shooting, only to grab a different setup in a different caliber for long range hunting. I want to become as familiar as I can with this new rifle with various loads so if and when oppertunity knocks @ 600 yds I have the skills as well as the equipment to get the job done effectivly.

Ideally it would be nice to have 2 long range setups, one for hunting and one for paper, but given the budget "the boss" (my wife) is letting me work with, its going to have to fill multiple roles...

Hope that clears things up.

Josh
 
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