Best magnum caliber for Tactical/Target Rifle?

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ArkansasFatboy

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Guys just curious. I am thinking of spending some money and putting together a serious long range rifle. Mostly just for punching paper but one day may get to go out west and hunt at some extended ranges. Anyway back to my question. As far as long range accuracy(I know that depends on the platform and shooter) witch of the following calibers, if you were going to build a custom rifle would you choose (I reload so that may open up caliber selection) 6.5 rem. mag, .264 win mag, 7mm rem mag, 7mm stw, .300 win mag, .338 win mag,. Just want you guys two cents I kinda have an idea wich I will go with but wanted to have some other opinions.
 
i like 'em all except for the 6.5 rem mag and 7 stw. in place of the stw, i suggest a 7 rum, and i also suggest you not discount performers like the 257 wby, 257 roberts improved, 25-06, and the 338-300 rum, and 300 rum.

of all those chamberings, i find the 338 win mag as shootable, or more so, than any other, and perfectly capable of anything. it is an outstanding cartridge that too many people have too little experience w/. anyway, that's my favorite cartridge and top pick for you.
 
What's wrong with the 7mm STW if you reload. Brass is becoming more scarce too, but you can make 7mm STW from 8mm Rem Mag brass, but I don't know what you can reform to 7 RUM. I realize the 7 RUM is a little easier to find factory rounds for, but if you look at some ballistics, one is very close to the other. Don't discount the 7mm STW IMO.
 
Skip the magnum for paper and get a 260. Trajectory performance beats Federal 190gr .300WM match. If you must get a magnum, look at 7RM or 6.5-284 (which is really a magnum).


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What's wrong with the 7mm STW if you reload. Brass is becoming more scarce too, but you can make 7mm STW from 8mm Rem Mag brass, but I don't know what you can reform to 7 RUM. I realize the 7 RUM is a little easier to find factory rounds for, but if you look at some ballistics, one is very close to the other. Don't discount the 7mm STW IMO.
BTW either the 7mm STW or 7mm RUM has more powder capacity than you will ever need.
 
i have to go with the 300 Win Mag. It is the old stand by for precision rifles when one want to move up from 308. It is used across the world by LEO and mil groups. It will get you out to 1000Ms easily if you know what you are doing. If you want similar performance from a short action then 300wsm is also a good choice.
 
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I am thinking of spending some money and putting together a serious long range rifle.
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If you want a "serious" long range rifle, then look at what cartridges they are currently being built in (and it ain't the ones you listed).

Don
 
Belted magnums are somewhat passe'...

Long-range target shooters have migrated away from the recoil, barrel erosion, belted brass, and attendant headaches of those particular magnums towards rounds like the 6.5x284, etc.

Just sayin'. ;)
 
I would advise away from .264 win mag. I have one in the original Model 70 Westerner configuration. I like it, but ammo can be scarce and wasn't cheap before the current price run-up and the 7mm mag has similar capabilities.
James
 
why a magnum. 6.5-284 is king of LR small bore shooting. If you want Long range and magnum, consider the 338 Lapua.
 
i have to go with the 300 Win Mag. It is the old stand by for precision rifles
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Old being the operative word in that sentence. I think there was one 300 Winmag in the top 20 at the F-Class Nationals this year. The 6.5s and 7mm rule. Like Zak said, a 260 beats a 300 at distance, and does it with less powder and recoil.
 
Have you ever shot any of these magnums? My guess is you are smart enough that you will figure out on the first range trip most of those are ill suited to long winded paper shooting. :D

If you want a 1,000 yard gun there are better options. If you want a 400 yard capable hunting gun I don't think you can go wrong with any of dakotasin suggested. In fact I have harvested more deer with the 25-06 in my life than all other calibers combined.

And I have never had ONE take more than about 5 steps. Honest.
 
If you want a real precision rifle in a magnum caliber, the .338 Lapua is a good choice if you don't mind spending the $$$. Unlike many of the other calibers you mentioned, match-grade bullets are readily available for this round. Furthermore, it comes in many outstanding high-end rifles.

Many people brought up the 6 and 6.5mm stuff, but keep in mind that the guy wanted to do some Western hunting as well.
 
If you're going to get something with barrel life under 2000 rounds, factory ammo over $4 a piece, and excessive recoil for hunting, you'd better have another rifle in a manageable and affordable caliber for practice. Long-range hits are not made by calibers or rifles-- but by the shooter, and to get there it takes a lot of practice.
 
If you're looking for something to get your feet wet check out savage 110fp in 300winmag or 25-06. For under a grand you can get a rifle,scope, and some store bought ammo and hit the range the same day. Its not gonna win you any national comps right out the door but its a good place to start. Also Savage has a nifty easy-change barrel so you can always upgrade on the fly for little money.

Also the 300 shoots .308 cal bullets so there is plenty to choose from and they are cheap, tons of proven loads, and plenty of old timers to pick their brains. Yes 300's do shoot their barrels out but since its a .30 cal barrels are cheaper then more exotic calibers. Also you said you wanted to hunt, the 300 can take any North American game. BTW the recoil on a 300 is not that bad at all.
 
Just for the record, I have no problem shooting good 1000 yards groups with a 308 with a 20" bbl. Lapua Scenars are you friend.

You don't need a magnum to get to 1K. Look at velocity and BC.
 
7mm RM.

Flat shooting, hard hitting, fairly common ammo wise.

If I wanted a magnum rifle that's probably what I'd pick anyway.

What's wrong the .308 Win, 30-06, .270 Win, .243 and the .260 though?
 
if you want to use the same round in a semi-auto rifle (ar10, for example), perhaps look into the 300 SAUM. DPMS and Armalite both offer ar10-style rifles in that chambering.
i think the remington variant was chosen for its sturdier brass.
 
Remington 7mm Mag or Lapua 338 Magnum.

Rem. 7mm Mag plenty of components to play with, relatively cheap and common.

.338 Lapua lethality at long range is better but is a shoulder buster and $$$.

.338 RUM is pretty close to .338 Lapua.

300 Win Mag is more punishing(louder, more recoil) than 7mm Mag with less benefit.

Optics are $$$ for magnum tactical scopes with bullet compensation, tactical turrets and adjustable objective. Expect to pay 50% of budget on a good scope, rings and mounts.
 
Many people brought up the 6 and 6.5mm stuff, but keep in mind that the guy wanted to do some Western hunting as well.
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All I've done is Western hunting, but I didn't realize you had to do something different. Hope all the animals I've shot with 6-6.5mm don't jump out of the freezer next time I open it. My mule deer last year was 417 yards with a 25-06.
 
isnt there caliber restrictions in some states. i thought that you couldnt use some calibers under a certain criteria on some game animals, didnt he say he was wanting to go out west possibly and do some long range hunting. you might check into that before you buy one of the smaller calibers, sometimes game and fish dont see with the hunter eye to eye.
 
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