Complimentary Calibre Choices

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kombatkyle

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I've been shooting for years now and always went with the NATO calibre options in my rifles to ensure good selections of ammo ranging from cheapo surps to very adequate factory loads for hunting in NA. Now I find myself in a position of looking for some reloading equipment and also some interest in a magnum calibre rifle, simultaneously.

As it stands i'm interested in reloading for the .308 and .223 gear I already have and love. With some research, i've found that there are some powders that are appropriate for great loads in both of those calibres.

There are a staggering number of magnum calibre choices at this point. Is there an ideal route to take for a magnum calibre rifle who's ammo would limit the number of 'ingredients' I might need to stock to load it? Has someone designed a magnum case which will allow me to pour a typically .308/.223 powder into it and get a good result?
 
I was thinking about buying a magnum rifle the last while, was thinking of 7mm Rem mag or 300win mag, 300win mag won out after looking at load data for both. I already shoot .308 so I’m good on projectiles, primers (data lists both Lg and Lgm primers for 300 but only Lgm for 7mm). Powder and cases I’ll need, 7mm Rem mag I would need all new components. 300wm had a wider range of bullet weights than 7mm rm as well.

If you already load for .308 I’d look into something that shares projectiles & primers, at least you’re half way there. Powder is easier to find than primers currently, prices on certain ones haven’t jumped like the price of a brick of primers.
 
Butcherbill said:
I was thinking about buying a magnum rifle the last while, was thinking of 7mm Rem mag or 300win mag, 300win mag won out after looking at load data for both. I already shoot .308 so I’m good on projectiles, primers (data lists both Lg and Lgm primers for 300 but only Lgm for 7mm). Powder and cases I’ll need, 7mm Rem mag I would need all new components. 300wm had a wider range of bullet weights than 7mm rm as well.

If you already load for .308 I’d look into something that shares projectiles & primers, at least you’re half way there. Powder is easier to find than primers currently, prices on certain ones haven’t jumped like the price of a brick of primers.
Click to expand...

I think this may be the answer i was looking for.
 
The 6 Dasher is basically a magnum version of a 6mmBR. Dasher can use Varget, which you can also use with 223 and 308. Dasher shares the 308 boltface and action size. And the Dasher has superior long range performance.
 
kombatkyle said:
Has someone designed a magnum case which will allow me to pour a typically .308/.223 powder into it and get a good result?
Click to expand...

Larger bore magnums would probably give you more options. When I had a .338, IMR 4350 worked ok in it, and the .358 Norma would likely be ok with medium burn-rate powders. The .375 H&H seems content with .308-suitable powders.
 
4350's work "ok" in many magnums but there is usually a better choice. I would rather just have an extra type of powder on hand that is optimum.
 
OP, get yourself a reloading manual or go online and look at the hundreds of different options available.

Then, before you go and purchase a rifle chambered for a Magnum cartridge, ask a mentor or a friend if you can shoot one of theirs or in a best case scenario several different magnum chamberings.

I don't have anything against most magnum cartridges other than they are often overbore, deliver very little more velocity and energy and always have a very substantial ''felt'' increase in recoil. Especially from a bench.

Lots of naysayers but very few people with magnum chambered cartridges will shoot them enough to develop a good load and become proficient with the rifle/load over varying ranges.

Then, you need to be careful the rifle fits you properly or it just goes from bad to worse.

The cost of magnum cartridge reloading is much higher, especially now that components have skyrocketed in price. It's cheaper after the initial outlay of course.

You usually stick with milsurp cartridges but think about something.

How far do you intend to shoot, what do you intend to shoot and what are the ''real'' advantages of magnum cartridges??? For the average shooter, not much.

You already have the 308, which will do anything the 30-06 will do with bullets up to 165 grains. If you want to shoot heavier bullets, step up to the 30-06 and achieve very similar velocities up to 200 grains as many 30 cal magnums.

Magnums become impressive with long, heavy for diameter bullets. That would be the only real appeal for me.

If you're not going to be shooting game or even targets beyond 300yds which is the maximum range 90% of shooters are capable of making consistent hits, most much less, especially off hand, then standard cartridges will do everything you need and punish you less.

I have purchased more magnum chambered rifles over the past five years than those chambered for standard cartridges.

Most of them have seen less than a hundred rounds after several years of ownership.

The reasons for this are stated above and now that many of those chamberings are north of $150/20 cartridges, it's time to move them on.

They're often a hard sell at gun shows because of this.

My last purchase was a lovely German made Weatherby MkV, made in the sixties. It came with a period "Weatherby" scope and is chambered for the 300WBY magnum. I know it has less than a hundred rounds through it because I handloaded five boxes for the original owner, after developing a load it shot acceptably for hunting.

Most people take one look at the rifle, love how nice the Walnut stock is and the condition of the outfit, then cringe at the cartridge.

I'm not telling you you shouldn't buy a magnum, just consider what you're purchasing before you do and do lots of due diligence while remembering if you can't handle the recoil and decide to minimize that recoil by loading lighter bullets ????????????
 
Rather then a Magnum cailber, rather look at something with high BC bullets. Something like a 6.5x55 might not be a magnum but there is a reason that it's been very popular in the scandinavian countries for many years.

And also with a magnum, like Potashminer says, lots of recoil makes shooting the rifle uncomfortable. Would need something like a muzzle break which brings its own problems.
 
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bearhunter said:
OP, get yourself a reloading manual or go online and look at the hundreds of different options available.

Then, before you go and purchase a rifle chambered for a Magnum cartridge, ask a mentor or a friend if you can shoot one of theirs or in a best case scenario several different magnum chamberings.

I don't have anything against most magnum cartridges other than they are often overbore, deliver very little more velocity and energy and always have a very substantial ''felt'' increase in recoil. Especially from a bench.

Lots of naysayers but very few people with magnum chambered cartridges will shoot them enough to develop a good load and become proficient with the rifle/load over varying ranges.

Then, you need to be careful the rifle fits you properly or it just goes from bad to worse.

The cost of magnum cartridge reloading is much higher, especially now that components have skyrocketed in price. It's cheaper after the initial outlay of course.

You usually stick with milsurp cartridges but think about something.

How far do you intend to shoot, what do you intend to shoot and what are the ''real'' advantages of magnum cartridges??? For the average shooter, not much.

You already have the 308, which will do anything the 30-06 will do with bullets up to 165 grains. If you want to shoot heavier bullets, step up to the 30-06 and achieve very similar velocities up to 200 grains as many 30 cal magnums.

Magnums become impressive with long, heavy for diameter bullets. That would be the only real appeal for me.

If you're not going to be shooting game or even targets beyond 300yds which is the maximum range 90% of shooters are capable of making consistent hits, most much less, especially off hand, then standard cartridges will do everything you need and punish you less.

I have purchased more magnum chambered rifles over the past five years than those chambered for standard cartridges.

Most of them have seen less than a hundred rounds after several years of ownership.

The reasons for this are stated above and now that many of those chamberings are north of $150/20 cartridges, it's time to move them on.

They're often a hard sell at gun shows because of this.

My last purchase was a lovely German made Weatherby MkV, made in the sixties. It came with a period "Weatherby" scope and is chambered for the 300WBY magnum. I know it has less than a hundred rounds through it because I handloaded five boxes for the original owner, after developing a load it shot acceptably for hunting.

Most people take one look at the rifle, love how nice the Walnut stock is and the condition of the outfit, then cringe at the cartridge.

I'm not telling you you shouldn't buy a magnum, just consider what you're purchasing before you do and do lots of due diligence while remembering if you can't handle the recoil and decide to minimize that recoil by loading lighter bullets ????????????
Click to expand...

This is super well thought out and great advice, thank you for taking the time to write it out.

I'm interested in a magnum as basically a dedicated hunting gun. I hunt deer/elk/moose. Last year I had to pass up a really nice wide open broadside shot on a deer last year because I wasn't comfortable taking a 600yd shot with the .308. A good friend hunts with a 300 RUM and i couldn't help but think it would have been nice to have something like that. Its seems like a controversial subject but I always feel like i'm really pushing it taking moose with .308 too, and that something with some more impact energy would be wise.

It sounds like 300WM might be the ticket for me, as I can stockpile materials and use some of them interchangeably with the 300WM and .308 if i'm in a pinch. My brother also shoots 300WM regularly as his hunting rifle so i'm sure he will be glad if I can supply him with some good hand loads.
 
bearhunter said:
OP, get yourself a reloading manual or go online and look at the hundreds of different options available.

Then, before you go and purchase a rifle chambered for a Magnum cartridge, ask a mentor or a friend if you can shoot one of theirs or in a best case scenario several different magnum chamberings.

I don't have anything against most magnum cartridges other than they are often overbore, deliver very little more velocity and energy and always have a very substantial ''felt'' increase in recoil. Especially from a bench.

Lots of naysayers but very few people with magnum chambered cartridges will shoot them enough to develop a good load and become proficient with the rifle/load over varying ranges.

Then, you need to be careful the rifle fits you properly or it just goes from bad to worse.

The cost of magnum cartridge reloading is much higher, especially now that components have skyrocketed in price. It's cheaper after the initial outlay of course.

You usually stick with milsurp cartridges but think about something.

How far do you intend to shoot, what do you intend to shoot and what are the ''real'' advantages of magnum cartridges??? For the average shooter, not much.

You already have the 308, which will do anything the 30-06 will do with bullets up to 165 grains. If you want to shoot heavier bullets, step up to the 30-06 and achieve very similar velocities up to 200 grains as many 30 cal magnums.

Magnums become impressive with long, heavy for diameter bullets. That would be the only real appeal for me.

If you're not going to be shooting game or even targets beyond 300yds which is the maximum range 90% of shooters are capable of making consistent hits, most much less, especially off hand, then standard cartridges will do everything you need and punish you less.

I have purchased more magnum chambered rifles over the past five years than those chambered for standard cartridges.

Most of them have seen less than a hundred rounds after several years of ownership.

The reasons for this are stated above and now that many of those chamberings are north of $150/20 cartridges, it's time to move them on.

They're often a hard sell at gun shows because of this.

My last purchase was a lovely German made Weatherby MkV, made in the sixties. It came with a period "Weatherby" scope and is chambered for the 300WBY magnum. I know it has less than a hundred rounds through it because I handloaded five boxes for the original owner, after developing a load it shot acceptably for hunting.

Most people take one look at the rifle, love how nice the Walnut stock is and the condition of the outfit, then cringe at the cartridge.

I'm not telling you you shouldn't buy a magnum, just consider what you're purchasing before you do and do lots of due diligence while remembering if you can't handle the recoil and decide to minimize that recoil by loading lighter bullets ????????????
Click to expand...

One of the best posts on this subject I have ever read on this forum.
 
kombatkyle said:
This is super well thought out and great advice, thank you for taking the time to write it out.

I'm interested in a magnum as basically a dedicated hunting gun. I hunt deer/elk/moose. Last year I had to pass up a really nice wide open broadside shot on a deer last year because I wasn't comfortable taking a 600yd shot with the .308. A good friend hunts with a 300 RUM and i couldn't help but think it would have been nice to have something like that. Its seems like a controversial subject but I always feel like i'm really pushing it taking moose with .308 too, and that something with some more impact energy would be wise.

It sounds like 300WM might be the ticket for me, as I can stockpile materials and use some of them interchangeably with the 300WM and .308 if i'm in a pinch. My brother also shoots 300WM regularly as his hunting rifle so i'm sure he will be glad if I can supply him with some good hand loads.
Click to expand...

This is my 2 cents worth on this subject. I have shot & used a couple mag caliber rifles for years and there is an argument for needing one, in my case I was a died in the wool trophy hunter and if I got a shot at something worth shooting I wanted to break bones at long ranges to stop the animal period.
However I will say that 2 of the longest shots I killed game at was with a 25-06 (carrying it because I had no shells loaded for the .300 Win), 450 yrds on a full mature bull elk and before I owned any magnum I killed a very good WT buck at 700 yrds. Did I feel under-guned, no, because I had practiced enough before both those shots to be certain of bullet placement in each animal that would get the job done....If I didnt have that skill level it wouldnt have made any difference to have a magnum....What I'm getting at, is your 308 is capable and would have made that 600 yrd deer shot, it was you that was under trained and a magnum without training is exactly the same only with the recoil flinch Bearhunter alluded to added into the mix.
 
Well, Varget and similar powders will do well in both 308win and 223rem. For magnums though, you’re going to need slower powders. There is some crossover between 30-06 300wsm and 300wm, but not really 308win and the 30 cal magnums.
 
fingers284 said:
This is my 2 cents worth on this subject. I have shot & used a couple mag caliber rifles for years and there is an argument for needing one, in my case I was a died in the wool trophy hunter and if I got a shot at something worth shooting I wanted to break bones at long ranges to stop the animal period.
However I will say that 2 of the longest shots I killed game at was with a 25-06 (carrying it because I had no shells loaded for the .300 Win), 450 yrds on a full mature bull elk and before I owned any magnum I killed a very good WT buck at 700 yrds. Did I feel under-guned, no, because I had practiced enough before both those shots to be certain of bullet placement in each animal that would get the job done....If I didnt have that skill level it wouldnt have made any difference to have a magnum....What I'm getting at, is your 308 is capable and would have made that 600 yrd deer shot, it was you that was under trained and a magnum without training is exactly the same only with the recoil flinch Bearhunter alluded to added into the mix.
Click to expand...

I'm sure there could be endless argument for both sides of .308 being capable of knocking a deer down at 600yd, so it's almost pointless to retort - but in my opinion I would prefer to have more gun in that situation. Can I accurately place a .308 shot at 600yd? Usually yes. Is it worth risking an unethical kill for me? Nope. I personally want something that can deliver more energy at that range, and the flatter trajectory/less wind drift doesn't hurt either. Might just be a peace of mind thing for me, but thats my camp.
 
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