Long Range Rig....Calibre? and Rifle?

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foxbat

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I've got the shorter range, precision end 'covered', with units in .223, .260Rem (both Tikka T3 Varminters), as well as a sweet modified Rem700 in .308.
I have a 'hankering' for the next step, but don't want to go whole hog with a .50BMG!
I'm thinking either .300WinMag, .300WSM, or .338Lapua.
In terms of dollars, apart from the price of bullets and brass for the .338 being greater, the cost of the rifles is pretty similar.
I have looked at, and would be happy with, a Sako TRG, or perhaps one of the very nice PGW Timber wolves....
I would appreciate some input from the learned members on their thoughts on calibre, and rifle, selection.
I generally shoot at 100yrd., but also have access to a 200yrd range on a regular basis. Living in Southern Ontario isn't going to give me a lot of opportunity to really stretch it's legs, but I'm also interested in joining the ORA and having some access to longer ranges (personal time permitting!)
 
If your only going to 200yards the .338 is a tad overkill. All of the calibres you currently own are more than capable of shooting accurately at medium to long ranges(with the right setup).
I think you'll find that unless your planning on shooting at 1000+ yards regularly the big cartridges like the .338 Lapua are just going to be hard on the wallet.
 
Your .223, .260 and .308 will all punch holes in paper at 1000 yards.
Try some match 80 gr bullets in your .223, 140ish in the .260 and some 155's grain bullets in your .308.
Where in S Ontario are you located?
 
fb, with those two Tikka Varminters, you likely have two of the most accurate factory rifles you could own.

Load up some 80gr Amx or Berger VLD in the 223. 139gr Lapua/140gr Berger VLD in the 260 and you can reach out WELL beyond 1000yds.

I have taken the 223/80 to a mile. Pushed the 139gr Lapua to 2400yds.

I have had many large cal boomers in hopes of finding a better solution. Bottom line, new bullets render small cals just as good at extreme distances as the big boomers.

They just don't make as big a splat but for punching paper, rocks or gongs, just as much fun.

I love shooting my 223 and use it for plinking more then anything else. About 5 223's for every 1 300 RUM. Just as accurate out to 1450yds.

Jerry
 
Since you already have a 260 I'd forget about the 300's....unless you are concerned with the small amount of extra energy(for LR hunting) that the 300's have. When I run the numbers through Exbal ballistically they are quite similar. Also, unless you have access to 1300+ yards maybe you should consider something other than the 338 Lapua. You need lots of space for that cartridge to do it's thing.
 
You don't need to go big to be extremely accurate at long range. The ubiquitous 6BR still wins plenty of tin at 1000 yard matches, and you can shoot 5 times as much of it for the cost of bigger ammo.

260 is a good long range cartridge and if you want to take that to the next level, put a custom barrel on it and consider using the improved 40 degree shouler version.

If you want to eek the most out of a bigger bullet, you are going to have to go really big on the cartridge. 300WM is still a fantastic cartridge, since you already know how to shoot, but to beat the ballistics of a 260, you would need to use very heavy 30 cal bullets. Heavy 30's still win more 1000 yard matches than any other cartridge, but at a big penalty in tersm of recoil and component costs.

Same with the 338. 338 Edge, 338 Lapua or 338LMAI

I personally like trying to do the most with least. I like long range with small, high BC bullets.
 
My vote is .338 LM
really has reach and nice ballistics. With the added bonus of not having to go with a .338 anyway before your next step from .300WM to .50BMG The ammo cost is great sure, but if you are like most people, you will eventually want to go bigger any way. Cut a caliber from the list now and save that money for the ammunition. Plus its not like you are going to be shooting 100rd+ a day like you would with a .223 or other smaller semi right? Pony up and buy a case and it could last you a year or more, potentially. my 2c. Where do you live anyway? there may be a LONG range near by someone can point you to.
 
I live in Mississauga, shoot at Guelph, but have an 'in' at Galt.
I have been using the heavier, VLD bullets in both of my Tikkas, with very good results, at 100 and 200 yards, and have just purchased one of the Savage F class units in 6BR.
Based on your collective, sage advice, I will probably just stick with the units on hand for now, and shoot the stock barrel out of the Savage, and then spin on one of the aftermarket (Shilen?) ones.
Once again, thank you for the input.
 
Everyone forgot to mention maybe the best bullet of all for 300 to 1000 yards
the 7mm or 284cal
the high BC of the Berger 180gr in many cases like: wsm, 280Rem & 7mmrem mag, SAUM and even the old straite 284win.
Manitou
 
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