Which cartridge for a LONG range hunting HAMMER?
- Thread starter Charlie38
- Start date
Long Range Hammer
I have hunted with most of the calbers suggested and have used the 300 RUM, 300 Wby and 340 Wby a LOT. I have made extremely long game shots with all the above and highly recommend any of them depending on what you need to harvest way out there. The 300 RUM is the ultimate 30 cal and will kill anything within reason with a 180-200 gn premium bullet out to 750 mtrs and further. My son shoots one as well, and took his first stone sheep last fall at a "ranged" 612 mtrs 2 hits for 2 shots and a 60" Yukon/Alaska moose at a "ranged" 709 mtrs 1 shot.
I love the 300 Wby and have shot it all over the world and find it lacks nothing for long range killing either. The 340 Wby is a fine long range Hammer but it is a significant step up in recoil. The downrange energy is better but not enough over the big 30's to justify. For the animals I packed my 340 for, I was more interested in mid range killing power on bigger, bitier critters and was loading 250 Parts in it.
The big 30's are plenty for all North American (and 99% of the rest of the world's) big game except POSSIBLY the big bears, where long range shooting is not usually required nor recommended. The big 30's are very hard to beat in the long, down range energy department and exceed the 340 when they really get out beyond 500 mtrs because of the extra velocity combined with the higher B.C of the bullets, they are easier to shoot and nothing in the NORMAL realm of hunting cartridges betters them.
The 338 Lapua and 338-378 Wby with heavy bullets, 408 Chevy Tac, 416 Barrett and (of course) the 50 BMG are the first significant step up in long down range performance, but are not conducive to a normal hunting weight rifle IMHO.
The 338 RUM has a design flaw and does not produce the velocities it should given case capacity to bore dia and is the only one of the RUM family with a different case length and design, and it still don't work right. I played with it long ago in a full length 404 case as a wildcat and gave up as it would not exceed the 340 Wby and with some bullets would not even match it.
But hey, who says you have to do it all with one rifle, get one of each, I did.
I have hunted with most of the calbers suggested and have used the 300 RUM, 300 Wby and 340 Wby a LOT. I have made extremely long game shots with all the above and highly recommend any of them depending on what you need to harvest way out there. The 300 RUM is the ultimate 30 cal and will kill anything within reason with a 180-200 gn premium bullet out to 750 mtrs and further. My son shoots one as well, and took his first stone sheep last fall at a "ranged" 612 mtrs 2 hits for 2 shots and a 60" Yukon/Alaska moose at a "ranged" 709 mtrs 1 shot.
I love the 300 Wby and have shot it all over the world and find it lacks nothing for long range killing either. The 340 Wby is a fine long range Hammer but it is a significant step up in recoil. The downrange energy is better but not enough over the big 30's to justify. For the animals I packed my 340 for, I was more interested in mid range killing power on bigger, bitier critters and was loading 250 Parts in it.
The big 30's are plenty for all North American (and 99% of the rest of the world's) big game except POSSIBLY the big bears, where long range shooting is not usually required nor recommended. The big 30's are very hard to beat in the long, down range energy department and exceed the 340 when they really get out beyond 500 mtrs because of the extra velocity combined with the higher B.C of the bullets, they are easier to shoot and nothing in the NORMAL realm of hunting cartridges betters them.
The 338 Lapua and 338-378 Wby with heavy bullets, 408 Chevy Tac, 416 Barrett and (of course) the 50 BMG are the first significant step up in long down range performance, but are not conducive to a normal hunting weight rifle IMHO.
The 338 RUM has a design flaw and does not produce the velocities it should given case capacity to bore dia and is the only one of the RUM family with a different case length and design, and it still don't work right. I played with it long ago in a full length 404 case as a wildcat and gave up as it would not exceed the 340 Wby and with some bullets would not even match it.
But hey, who says you have to do it all with one rifle, get one of each, I did.
What case is this new entry based on, do you know?
Don't get too hung up on the long range hunting nonsense. Of anything listed so far, I would back up the 7STW, 300 Wby, and 338RUM. I would add the 270WSM and 7WSM for anything out to 700M, and beyond that the 300WinMag and 300WSM carry a good smack.
I have plenty of cool rifles that make beautiful tight groups on paper at long ranges and carry a good punch as well. Only once have I had to make a hunting beyond 400M. My longest hunting shot ever on big game was a bit more than 600M and that was made with a 6MM Rem and a 100gr softpoint. The calculator does not give this round much smack at that range, but it anchored my animal on the spot. Do you really want/need a big kicker?
I have plenty of cool rifles that make beautiful tight groups on paper at long ranges and carry a good punch as well. Only once have I had to make a hunting beyond 400M. My longest hunting shot ever on big game was a bit more than 600M and that was made with a 6MM Rem and a 100gr softpoint. The calculator does not give this round much smack at that range, but it anchored my animal on the spot. Do you really want/need a big kicker?
If youre ready to rebarrel, a 338 edge is the best of all world but will depend of the total weight and if you're gonna walk for hunting. I use 340 weatherby and 300 rum and those two are really fine.Slight preference for the 340 just because I like less usual caliber.
From what I have read it is "loosely based on the .416 Rigby". It supposedly approaches 2700 fps with a 300gr SMK out of a 22" barrel.
More of 338 Norma Mag:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/338-norma-review-1.php
338 Norma Mag might be the future of long range shooting if it is selected for US Army's next generation sniper rifle (338 Lapua Mag is the current King of the Hill).
338 Norma Mag is designed around 300gr SMK while 338 Lapua was designed around 250gr SMK.
As for the original question: if you go the way of the RUM you need at least to get the 338 RUM as the 300 RUM is ridiculously overbore!
Alex
LongBomber
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fernie, bc
If you are going to look at 700 plus yards I would go to a large cased 338. There are a few bullets available that have a G1 BC over 0.7, there is only 1 0.308" that breaks 0.7. If you are looking at long range "hunting" you not only need to hit your target well, but you need the energy when the bullet gets way out there. BC is not everything, but if your going to drop serious coin on the proper gear and invest the time, why not give yourself the biggest advantage to start with.
When did the 338 300gr Accubond become available? I haven't seen any measured data on it yet, if the BC data is true, a BC over 0.7 would be great combined with the construction of the accubond.
When did the 338 300gr Accubond become available? I haven't seen any measured data on it yet, if the BC data is true, a BC over 0.7 would be great combined with the construction of the accubond.
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
.338 RUM, because if you're gonna kick the #### out of yourself, it may as well be with the bigger of the two.
westcoaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central BC
First off - the disclaimer - the fast 300's will do, for that matter so will the fast 7's, but then this isn't really about need, it's about want.
I think that either the 338 Lapua or the 338RUM would be fine choices. Similar case capacity, big hunk of lead with a high bc, it's all good. The Roy's would work too, just not a Roy fan. Of the two I see a lot more Lapuas than RUM's around.
At our local shop they can't keep dies in stock for the Lapua and they're backordered. Seem to be more readily available than the RUM. More choices in rifle with the Lapua as well.
I think that either the 338 Lapua or the 338RUM would be fine choices. Similar case capacity, big hunk of lead with a high bc, it's all good. The Roy's would work too, just not a Roy fan. Of the two I see a lot more Lapuas than RUM's around.
At our local shop they can't keep dies in stock for the Lapua and they're backordered. Seem to be more readily available than the RUM. More choices in rifle with the Lapua as well.
I decided today that I'm going to start collecting parts for a 338 Edge build this fall.
Picking up a nice Rem 700 LSS in 375 RUM this week from a buddy of mine.
The gun has hardly had any rounds through it since it punishes everyone who has shot it. I'd guess it's had less than 100 rounds down the barrel.
The 338 RUM has a design flaw and does not produce the velocities it should given case capacity to bore dia and is the only one of the RUM family with a different case length and design, and it still don't work right. I played with it long ago in a full length 404 case as a wildcat and gave up as it would not exceed the 340 Wby and with some bullets would not even match it.
But hey, who says you have to do it all with one rifle, get one of each, I did.
My .338RUM throws 250gr's 250 to 300fps faster than the 340wby I played with - both with 26" pipe.
Anyways - You can't go wrong with the .338RUM/Edge/Lapua/LAI - the LAI will buy you a bit more in velocity and case life, and you can use Lapua brass.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I shoot 340 Wby, 338 Lapua and 338 RUM. In my rifles, there isn't 50 fps of difference. Your mileage may vary. Doesn't really matter, a 338 diameter bullet running between 2950 fps and 3000 fps (which is all I get from mine) will get the job done handily. If you want to go faster, AI versions, the Edge, the 338-378 Wby and 338 Excaliber will all push the same bullet 200-300 fps faster. 338-416 Rigby Improved will go a little quicker yet. If you really want a hammer, look at the 378 Wby with 300 gr bullets. I've used all of the above except the Edge, and my personal favorite is the 8mm Rem Mag. - dan
I only see a 250 gr Accubond listed as their heaviest on the Nosler site
I prefer to get mine drilled & filled believe it or not, but have had 2 pulled with his .17 Mach2.
