7mm Mag vs 300 Winchester Mag vs .338 Winchester Mag for long range shooting

[Lloyd Smale]

I have to wonder how many deer you experts that are bragging on the 308 for deer hunting out past 400 yards have actually shot with it. theres a big differnce in deer hunting at 300 yards and hunting at 400 and at 600 its a world of differnce. sure a guy that knows his gun can hit deer at 600 yards with a 308 but out there your talking the power level of about a 30 carbine. I shoot maybe 50-100 deer a year doing crop damage shooting and have done it with about every caliber and can tell you without reservation that a 308 is a lame killer at 600 yards. Sure it will kill if you bullet is precisely placed but theres not many snipers here for one and even with a good hit expansion is marginal and your going to eventually be tracking a wounded deer. A 300 or 7mag puts alot more smack on a deer at those ranges. Unless your a trained sniper (not a wanabe) id suggest if you plan to kill things out past 400 yards you leave your 308 at home. You owe it to the animal your shooting to put it down quickly and humanely. take it from someone whos actually done it the 308 is lacking at those ranges.

 

[Kachok]

^ +1 unless you are handloading very high BC hunting bullets the 308 starts to run out of steam around 400, but with heavy VLDs, NBTs, SSTs,or ABs in full power handloads you can strech that past 500yd

 

[BoilerUP]

Just for comparison's sake:

A 308 shooting a 208gr A-Max @ 2500fps, at 500' ASL elevation and standard atmosphere, carries 1800fps to beyond 550yd and has 1000ft/lb energy to beyond 850yd.

Its obviously important to place the bullet in the proper place, especially at longer ranges...but you don't need to be "snipery" to do that, you just need to understand the concept of reading wind, know the ballistics of your load, and the ability to shoot MOA at the distances you are choosing which comes only via practice.

 

[Dthunter]

It just boils down to use enough gun for the shot you plan on releasing.
Just because we can hit it effectively, doesnt mean we can kill it just as effectively.

Just my .02 cents worth.

 

[AABEN]

Hell they have 223 that are shooting 600 yard and doing it every day.

 

[BoilerUP]

Hell they have 223 that are shooting 600 yard and doing it every day.

Yup...and like I said upthread, paper and steel doesn't care very much about downrange energy.

 

[MCgunner]

7mm bullets have superior BCs and 7mm Rem Mag has about the recoil of a .30-06 which means more people will be able to shoot it better due to lesser flinch inducing recoil.

There are very good bullets for .300 and 7mm mags. Suit yourself, really. I'd not bother with the .338.

And, what ever happened to the 7mm STW? I mean, I'm a handloader, I know the ammo for that one is way scarce, never was THAT popular. Great performer for the handloader, though. Still, I need no more gun than 7mm Rem Mag. Actually, it's more than I need, usually use my .308, but I don't shoot 600 yards, either. My limit on game is 400.

 

[Ranger30-06]

I went to the gun store earlier, and I really wasn't pleased with what I saw. I'm quite sure I'll be looking at a varmint type AR upper to use for my long range needs. Thanks for the replies though guys!

 

[Steel Talon]

Heres my self built AR Varminter .223
Krieger Barrel, JP adjustable gas Block, Meuller Optic (Eradicator),Olympic Lower,Jard Trigger.

I have no problems hitting @ 600yards 69gr SMKHP fueld with W-748 , Win Primers.

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5 @ 100

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[unwise11]

There are no cheap ways to effectively get out to 600 yards with a precision accuracy..
I would get a Remington 700P in .300 WM, these have a heavy barrel which is something you'll want.
Get STEEL for your rings and base, and a good scope.
Then get some sandbags and you're set.

 

[BoilerUP]

There are no cheap ways to effectively get out to 600 yards with a precision accuracy..

Maybe not "cheap", but definitely less expensive.

There is absolutely zero need for a magnum chambering for targets (not hunting) at 600 yards...none. A 223 or 308 can achieve the exact same level of accuracy at that range as any 300WM, at a fraction of the per-shot cost.

Ya don't have to have a full-on 32" bull barreled benchrest rig or a GAP Crusader with a Schmidt & Bender to be accurate at 600yd...

 

[sonick808]

well, the fellows on the magpul long rage rifle video are shooting .308 and .300 winmag. the .308 is effective to a mile, the .300winmag 1.5 miles. You WILL get into reloading if you get serious about long range shooting. I personally would go with a .308, but in your choices, a .300 winmag.


Definitely time for a Surgeon rifle fitted with Schmidt + Bender optics