Given that power is secondary to shot placement, and ignoring that we practice with light recoiling guns and rimfires, what is the most powerful cartridge that most people could practice (both bench and hunting positions) with 1000 - 2000 rounds per year that is capable of taking elk and moose? Is the upper limit at 30-06? Higher?
Most powerful cartridge for regular practice?
- Thread starter philthygeezer
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Well, for me .308, because I'm not overly rich, and the day I need a .338 Lapua magnum +P as my go-to gun I'll just stop shooting and pay some guy at the bar $20 to hit me in the chest with a sledgehammer because that'll be cheaper in the long run.
turbo_bird
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Supposedly 30-06 is the upper limit of what most people can handle for recoil. But I'm pretty sure I read that in reference to military issue rifle that would have had steel buttplates, so with a good modern recoil pad, that won't really apply. Even less so with a muzzle brake. As an example, my brother's 50 BMG doesn't kick any harder than my 9 pound 243, but it is more of a push on your shoulder than a sharp kick.
Kristian
Kristian
Where money is not an option a nicely weighted(9-10 lb outfitted rifle) 338win mag is not out of the question and would be my personal limit. Free hand, kneeling and sitting positions make this cartridge more manageable. Having a thumbhole stock also makes these more manageable because you can firm up the stance better than traditional stocks in my POV. Not sure if there are many benches out there in the field so the point is moot IMO.
Practice with what you have so you can learn not to flinch with the heavy hitters is my thoughts on the subject. If you shoot these bad boys with a 243/308 mentally ingrained grip and you may feel the pinch of the scope or a nasty smack on the shoulder. Less of a problem in the winter with heavy clothing tho..
Practice with what you have so you can learn not to flinch with the heavy hitters is my thoughts on the subject. If you shoot these bad boys with a 243/308 mentally ingrained grip and you may feel the pinch of the scope or a nasty smack on the shoulder. Less of a problem in the winter with heavy clothing tho..
It depends on the shooter and the rifle. I have a mild mannered .30-06 that is a pleasure to shoot, and it doesn't even have a recoil pad. I've owned similarly pleasant .338 Win Mag and another .338 WM that was a brute.
You have to know yourself and have a properly fitting rifle. That said, I have never fired 1000-2000 rounds in one year from any of my centerfire rifles. I find that a couple of hundred per year is plenty to keep me shooting well. Not to mention that at the rate you note you could, depending on the chambering and load, wear a barrel out every year or two.
You have to know yourself and have a properly fitting rifle. That said, I have never fired 1000-2000 rounds in one year from any of my centerfire rifles. I find that a couple of hundred per year is plenty to keep me shooting well. Not to mention that at the rate you note you could, depending on the chambering and load, wear a barrel out every year or two.
Make sure that you define your needs: what do you really need?
Good moderate recoil large game hunting cartridges are 270 Win, 7mm-08 and 308 Win.
If you want to shoot alot 7mm-08 and 308 Win are good choices.
You could include 6.5x55 Swedish to the list since it is an excellent target and medium game cartridge.
Two years ago, I bought a 270 WSM and regretted not buying a 7mm-08 every time that I fired the rifle!
Alex
Good moderate recoil large game hunting cartridges are 270 Win, 7mm-08 and 308 Win.
If you want to shoot alot 7mm-08 and 308 Win are good choices.
You could include 6.5x55 Swedish to the list since it is an excellent target and medium game cartridge.
Two years ago, I bought a 270 WSM and regretted not buying a 7mm-08 every time that I fired the rifle!
Alex
30-06 is widely agreed as the heaviest calibre that the average shooter can shoot effectively in a sustained manner.
This however does not include modern muzzle brakes and hearing protection, which will dampen the recoil of a .338 Lapua to the recoil of a mid weight .308 bolt action.
If you are open to using a muzzle brake and wearing electronic hearing protection, then you can go quite a bit larger than the 30-06 for regular shooting and hunting practise.
The real question is, do you specifically need anything larger than a 30-06? Are you hunting dangerous game? Long range hunting? Bigfoot watching? Maybe you need a larger calibre for specific styles of hunting... but if you are just the average deer/ yote/ moose hunter, than I feel you are just beating up your wallet.
Target shooting and precision long range is a different beast which shooters are well advised to get into the big bore game to defeat long range obstacles, but if those are not your goal, stick to the venerable 'aught-six or smaller IMHO.
Neither coffee break nor lunch break?
As to the OP, you've kind of loosely described what you are looking for, it sounds like your looking for ammo towards magnum sized ammunition for close to non magnum pricing.
I'd say 30-06 does well price wise compared to other non magnums, and the 7mm does well for a cheaper magnum.
In terms of 1000-2000 rounds per year, buying either of that ammo from the store would not be cost effective, the closest to that would be the nato version of the .308 (7.52 X51) as you can buy surplus ammo from many of the vendors who advertise at the top of the screen, or your looking at a lot of reloading to shoot that much in a year.
Have a look what a box of 30-06 costs, then shop for a crate of 7.62x51. But personally, I think you should buy a plinker to shoot .223 surplus, and a 30-06 or maybe a magnum if your hunting elk.
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I mostly shoot my 7600 .308 pump. Just as accurate as my bolts and big enough for the deer and bear hear. That being said, my sako 85 in 300wsm doesn't recoil much more than the pump .308.
I guess the 300wsm is a bit heavier and has a better recoil pad (the pump doesn't actually have a recoil pad) on it.
I can shoot both all day but the .308 is cheaper to reload for.
I guess the 300wsm is a bit heavier and has a better recoil pad (the pump doesn't actually have a recoil pad) on it.
I can shoot both all day but the .308 is cheaper to reload for.
There is an old saying, practice with what you are going to use in the field, and I agree with this. When I was a late teenager I used to shoot over 10,000 rounds of CF rifle a year from 3 or 4 different calibers but all were Rem 700 BDL's with very similar velocities and trajectories. Most of the shooting was with my 243 which I loved, but when I grabbed the 264 or 7 mag the feel was identical and they shot to the same place right out to 400 mtrs. The triggers were all adjusted exactly the same and all held similar glass. It really did allow me to practice endlessly with a light recoiling rifle and yet have that practice transfer meaningfully to the other larger caliber rifles in my cabinet. This was recommended to me by a fellow back then and I believe it worked and still recommend it today some 40 years later.
Firearm familiarity is more important than caliber, in my opinion, as long as the cartridges used have similar down range ballistics, all practice is good.
Firearm familiarity is more important than caliber, in my opinion, as long as the cartridges used have similar down range ballistics, all practice is good.
Thanks for pointing this out. The past few years it's been sinking in that my scores drop every time I switch gear. Your experience affirms the notion that I should stick to only a few makes and models, learn them inside out.
Thanks all. Good discussion. I'll try a few longer sessions with the .30-06 and see how it goes
For cost and punch the .308 is a tough one to beat and you get a large selection of barrel and stock types with the .308. Factor in standard vs. high velocity rounds and the .308 starts looking even better. I am a fan of the 30-06 but the .308 with the right round will punch just as hard as a 30-06.
