Need Help Choosing Magnum Caliber

[kthomas]

Some more info to stew on as well:

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/Articles/ABDOC110_WhatWrong30Cal.pdf

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

I don't have a .338LM. I just know from others that in order to optimize it with the long high BC projectiles, you end up having to single feed it. The .300NM will also have less recoil than a .338LM, and it's more ballistically efficient (I.E. "flatter). Personally, I see no reason to go with a .338LM with the .300NM available.

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2018/06/06/300-norma-mag-custom-elr-rifle/

http://www.accuracy1stdg.com/content/docs/binder7.pdf

https://gununiversity.com/300-norma-mag-vs-338-lapua-vs-30-nosler/

I only ask all this as I have had basically the opposite results when loading mine.

My final load after after testing three powders with the 300gr SMK is a non compressed load fits the mag and runs at 2890 ft/sec and many others have had similar results.However a 300gr projectile is optimizing the 338 , a 250gr projectile works as well but the 300SMK is just at home with it.

Sure, my 25/06 is also flatter than my 338 out to 500 yards , but different animals again.

Do you have a 300NM or have some hands on loading info?

As well back to the OP's question, if he is only going to a limit of 2,000 than the 300WM will be plenty.The 300NM is currently almost unicorn status and wouldn't touch it for this application.338 a bit more common, the WM as common as a chocolate milk.Get a slippery bullet and decent rifle and the OP can have all the fun he can handle with the WM.

 

[kthomas]

I have a .300NM. I'm shooting 230 Berger's at 2950 fps.

 

[madashell]

Kelly Timoffee,

What do you think is the proper twist & bullet in a .300wm for this task ?

If you are doing a max of 2,000 the 300WM with a proper twist barrel and bullet will be plenty.

Wanting to go past that with consistency you'll have to step it up if pushing the limits.

Two animals yes, similar up to a certain distance, yes, but they aren't the same animal.

.223 can get to a mile with the right setup.

Think of these things like golf clubs , you can really push a smaller one to it's limits and make it reach but using a bigger club makes life a lot easier.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

Kelly Timoffee,

What do you think is the proper twist & bullet in a .300wm for this task ?

1 in 10 about with a 210ish grain bullet, Sierra and Berger both have bullets that would work ,Hornady had the ELD line which would work also and double as a long range hunting bullet if that is the OP's desire.Didn't look to see Nosler, but Lapua even has a 220gr.

Tons of options.

 

[beeman2]

I vote 300 Win Mag. Unless you are shooting ELR only/lots then the 338. Problem for me is it’s hard to find a place to shoot beyond 1000 yds. I have all the parts for a 338 Edge build, but I’m slow to put it together because my Win Mag does all I need. For 12-1500 yds the 338 May be a good choice. As mentioned 338 components are expensive. Run some numbers with a 215 Berger at 3000 fps. My Win Mag is full custom and a custom reamer was used. It really is good performance and a legit 1000 yd elk rifle. Not that I’m up to the task but the gun and bullet will do it. Custom barrel with a 9 twist and a proper reamer will get the 215 gr to 3000 fps.

 

[nowarningshot]

The only difference, cost wise, for reloading should be brass. The rest a wash.

How is your recoil tolerance. A common point for many is 30-06/300 wm ballpark. The Lapua is another beast entirely.

 

[buji88]

my vote is the 300 Winchester Magnum for the availability of components and when loaded right its a very versatile cartridge. However, there are lots of great choices; the 300 Norma seems amazing, 300 PRC is very interesting, my own hesitation with the PRC & Norma is brass availability.

 

[Mystic Precision]

my vote is the 300 Winchester Magnum for the availability of components and when loaded right its a very versatile cartridge. However, there are lots of great choices; the 300 Norma seems amazing, 300 PRC is very interesting, my own hesitation with the PRC & Norma is brass availability.

The 300 NM is being manf by the brands we want to use so brass is not an issue. The 300PRC is a hrn case for now... we will see if the market adopts it????

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

Quite a bit of options aren't much different in LR ballistics wrt to drop and drift... impact energy is a whole different discussion and I don't think your targets have fur????

JBM is a great ballistics tool to play around with various options and it will calculate to 3500yds.

Since 2000yds is the goal, crunch these numbers and compare the outcome...

G1 BC of 0.7 at 2600 vs 2900fps.. just set everything the same except change the velocity. Compare the drop and drift each 100yds 1500 to 2000yds.

Also compare the residual velocities. If you can find an answer, will the bullet you want to use go transonic?

I think you will find this excercise very enlightening.

Jerry

I find it interesting that no one has done my little test and understood what they are looking at as distances approach 2000yds



But maybe, very few have actually reached out beyond 1 mile ?????

Jerry