I've considered the 6.5x55, due to the low pressure rating in loading manuals, I don't think it's worth the risk/trouble to work my way up there.
I really like Lapua brass, so 7-08 will be my first barrel.
Hunting load ballistic 260/6.5, 7-08, 308, share your hunting load ballistic?
- Thread starter xingyc
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I've considered the 6.5x55, due to the low pressure rating in loading manuals, I don't think it's worth the risk/trouble to work my way up there.
I really like Lapua brass, so 7-08 will be my first barrel.
Yep. I was obsessed with "better, flatter" trajectory for a couple of years and then realized 1)all of them have to be compensated anyway, it is a matter of degree and 2)as long as I know the trajectory, and I have an appropriate method of compensation, then that's all that matters.
Example; I soon realized that it makes more sense (to me) to shoot 150gr high-BC projectiles than 130gr projectiles out of my .270win because they maintain significantly more energy downrange than the 130gr projectiles, despite the fact that they don't shoot quite as "flat". A ballistic-plex reticle makes them all easy to shoot at various distances, so the trajectory is irrelevant (to me).
That's exactly what I'm thinking right now. Love Lapua brass, trajectory is no problem, my challenge is reading wind at long range, but under 500m, windage adjustment should be quite minimal. 7-08 it is. can you share your load data?
Sounds like a good choice to me, based on your criteria and preferences.
There were no bad choices in your list.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
As Arnold said in T2............
"I have detailed files."
I can get you lined up where to start but my optimum and maximums can be way different than yours.I kept records of groupings and velocities also.
What's the gun ? barrel twist ? length?
Some combo's work better than others.
My accuracy powder is H4350 , hunting W760 with their particular bullet combo's. Start with those.
I don't know why but 140gr with factory twist rates loaded at 2800+ just seem to shine.1 in 9.25"
When I moved to a heavy barrel 7/08 I went to 9" twist and this really liked 150gr bullets.
I haven't consider the twist rate, but the action is Tikka T3, barrel length would be around 22'', I'm only going to shoot 140/139 grain bullets, so I guess slower twist rate is ok. 1:10 or 1:11?
I'm sure you can find plenty of suitable loads for the 6.5x55.
Nothing wrong with the 7mm08 though, I'm planning on getting a lightweight rifle in that caliber for my next hunting rifle purchase.
If you're going to shoot 140s, I would just go with a standard twist rate like 1:9 or 1:9.5. No good reason to go slower. The Swift Scirrocco II is only available in a 150gr for 7mm caliber, thats the bullet I was planning on trying when I get mine.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Stick with 9.25 or 9.5 , won't find any 7/08 with those rates.
However with the T3 action you could have a longer throat and longer loaded bullet which opens up options, but I don't think you are going heavy target bullets so we can keep it as is.
You'll want to load a dummy round that you intend to use for your smith to ream the chamber to match the projectile.
OP - You are overthinking this .... The Ontario deer hunters on this forum, including myself, will tell you that 99.5% of your shots will be between 50 and 100 y, the remainder will be under 200 y. The shots are generally off-hand, or using an impromptu rest such as a tree. In many cases the deer will not be stationary, and wont give you enough time to "set-up", or make an elevation adjustment.
I don't know anyone that's taken, or had the opportunity to take, a 400 y shot. Even if such as shot did present itself, most experienced hunters would pass knowing the constraints involved (unsteady rest, wind, branches, unreliable estimation of distance, adrenaline spiked heart rate, logostics of retrieval, etc.)
Perhaps you should start thinking about practice with off-hand shooting using iron sights or a very low power scope (1.5 X) at 100 y. The rule of thumb is to sight your rifle in to be 2 in high at 100 y, so that any shot within 200 y will be within 2 inches - no compensation needed. Based on these considerations, high velocity and flat shooting calibers are un-necessary - stick with medium velocity calibers such as 308, 7-08, or (gasp) even 303, 30-30. If you don't reload, 308 has the advantage that it is cheap and readily available - more incentive to practice.
I don't know anyone that's taken, or had the opportunity to take, a 400 y shot. Even if such as shot did present itself, most experienced hunters would pass knowing the constraints involved (unsteady rest, wind, branches, unreliable estimation of distance, adrenaline spiked heart rate, logostics of retrieval, etc.)
Perhaps you should start thinking about practice with off-hand shooting using iron sights or a very low power scope (1.5 X) at 100 y. The rule of thumb is to sight your rifle in to be 2 in high at 100 y, so that any shot within 200 y will be within 2 inches - no compensation needed. Based on these considerations, high velocity and flat shooting calibers are un-necessary - stick with medium velocity calibers such as 308, 7-08, or (gasp) even 303, 30-30. If you don't reload, 308 has the advantage that it is cheap and readily available - more incentive to practice.
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- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Ever hunt the prairies?
Regardless, the situation to shoot at distance is a very real possibility, add today's technology and gear and this shots are more than repeatable and reliable.
The OP has questions, so we are trying our best to give him educated responses, not steer him in misdirection.
This isn't 1964.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
SO based on demographics, why the suggestion of 30 cal? is he not restricted to .270 and smaller?
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
^^^^^^^^this!!^^^^^^^
Apparently the OP likes to take shots across lakes. I wouldn't want to try to locate an animal shot from 400 yds across a lake, but that's just me...
That's small game only isn't it?
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Again, why not let the OP choose from his options, are they wrong?
that is the same theory as in europe where if your bullet is not reaching 800 m/s at the impact it is good for nothing lol ...
Let's give the OP the benefit of the doubt and assume that he was talking about hydro-static shock, which isn't some sort of debatable "magic" as some people seem to think.
Also, I have never seen it said that anything less than 800m/s (2600 fps) is good for nothing. The claim is that at that speed (and above) the projectile will nearly always initiate a hydro-static shock wave through the animal - and in most cases (given good bullet placement) this results in complete nervous system shutdown, AKA "bang-flop". While unconscious, the animal usually bleeds out from internal organ damage and blood loss (same way any bullet at any speed kills).
The claim isn't that it kills them deader, just better. The result is far fewer "running dead" animals.
The OP's mention of 2200 fps is puzzling. The only thing I can think of is the fact that basically any projectile on the market today will perform best at 2200 fps and higher (up to a reasonable maximum, which varies of course). Yes, some projectiles are claimed to expand reliably down to 1800-1900 fps, but keeping the speed up around 2200 on impact is good insurance. It still won't bang-flop 'em like 2600+ will (unless the projectile connects directly with the brain, neck bones, or upper spine).
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I figured the same thing with regards to his velocity goals. That said, a 7mm08 will not come close to his goal. a 140gr accubond 7mm pill starting at 2850 is down to 1976 @ 500yds, and falls under 2200fps at around 360yds. A 140gr Trophy Bonded Tip starting @ 2800fps is down to 2200fps @300yds and down to 1838 @ 500yds. (Federal Premium factory numbers)
Hornady claims over 2000fps @500yds with both the 150gr ELD-X (2770fps muzzle, 2037 @ 500) and 139 SST (2950 muzzle, 2059 @ 500yds) which is a bit better than the Federal offerings but still below the OP's goal.
