Blackcloud, you spotted for me while I was shooting my 223 (thanks by the way). It did very well in that twitchy wind. Ballistically, it is very similar to the 308/175gr load if you get can the MK over 2750fps. Most 308's usually shoot the 175gr MK around 2650fps so aren't as good as that 223.
There is little issue pushing a 75gr Amax to 2900 to 3000fps+ in a 26" barrel (I get 2875fps in my 22" sporter-full review elsewhere in this forum). The BC of the Amax is around 0.435 which is very similar to the common 308 bullets. The 80gr Amax is around 0.465, if memory serves me right, which rivals the VLD 308's. With a fast twist, you can make a 223 do anything a 308 can with moderate weight bullets with way less cost and recoil.
I took my 223 to 1000m and Troutseeker went 1400m with his. Far enough????
If I did have a 243, it would have been so much easier to hit that gong.
The 6.5 Mystic was also cutting through the wind well. Those 139gr Lapuas at 2900fps (BC 0.615) are simply head and shoulders over any common 308 load. You are looking at 1/3 to 1/2 less wind drift at 800yds. I could hold on one edge of that gong and ring it every shot where a 308 would have to hold off and on depending on the gusts.
A 7-08 would be similar but does recoil more. A 162gr Amax going 2700fps is impressive (BC 0.625) as far as you want to point it. One of the shooters has had really good success using 150gr bullets (can't remember which ones).
From the 260 to 308, they have enough oomph to take down deer sized game at rather extended ranges. So much depends on matching the bullet to the impact velocity. This is where the Amax really is superb. A fairly fragile bullet with a poly tip that expands great at reduced velocity.
Mechanically, the furthest you can harvest game is related to the min velocity that will cause that bullet to expand. With a tough bullet like the Barnes X, that might be 250yds with a small case. With the Amax, it might be twice as far.
LR hunting is really about matching the bullet to the distance/impact velocity and game. But first the rifle and shooter has to be accurate to hit the kill zone every single time. That is another story.
My 300RUM is pushing 220gr MK's at 3050fps using 96.5gr of H50BMG and 35" Bevan King barrel. Even with a P14 action, it is shooting 1/2 MOA at short range and certainly can hold min of small boulder at a mile. The rifle weighs in at 35lbs and has a large muzzle port. All making recoil mild (like a very noisy 22/250). I hate recoil and also want to spot my own shots. No issue with any of my rifles.
I am eager to get some 208gr Amax and get them up over 3100fps. With a print BC of 0.645 and likely excellent accuracy, this is a slug that could make 2500m hits possible. The 220gr MK can certainly make the trip.
eltorro, I use a 7RM pushing 162gr SST's and AMax for my cut block rifle. It has the power and accuracy for hunting as far as my Leica 800 can range. I hope to test some 180gr Bergers too.
There is nothing wrong with the 300WM and with the new 208gr Amax, really a superb combo. However, recoil is higher but impact energy will always be higher too. If your LR hunting includes larger grass eaters, I would lean towards the 300WM for sure. For mule and whitetail, the 7RM has plenty of horsepower.
For LR plinking, I would go 7 simply because of less recoil. Both fly great as demonstrated by a few 300WM this weekend!!!!
At ranges inside 700yds, I really don't think any game will complain but again, you got to get the bullet where it will do some good first.
Jerry
. Anyway thanks to all that replied to this thread, there are alot of informed shooters out there and it is always good to tap into that knowledge.
