School Me On Some Longer Distance Calibers

[USMCsilver]

I'm considering a new toy. I'll have the ability to hand load, but I don't want something so exotic that supplies are difficult to find.

No - I'm not going .50BMG or .338 Lapua.

Purpose:
• Fun
• Hunting (if I want)

1,200yds distance would be max. 800yds more practical.

And, yes, I know about needing good glass/rings/base.

I'd prefer an action that would drop into a Magpul chassis, as they are more affordable than other systems.

So, please share your input on calibers & barrel lengths. Whatever I get, I'll have threaded for a can.

My only "rifle," per se, is a 22 year-old Tikka 7mm Mag. I don't think enhancing it is much of an option.

Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Gut_Pile]

You can enhance that tikka as much as your heart (and wallet) desire

[Bownut]

243 to 308.

[Steelin' Ducks]

This is something that interests me as well. Ive been thinking about starting with 308 just to keep things simple and see where it goes.

[mello_collins]

6.5x284. Chamber and twist for long bullets.

[bitesize]

You already have the best caliber on the planet. End thread

[Carolina Counsel]

Take this for what it's worth, which is not much, but you don't need a new fangled chambering for what you're looking to do. .308 will do everything you want and do it well. If you want to get really fancy, you could also consider a 6.5 variation.

[Biggie1976]

the 7mag will do what you want but that action is a great base. the 308 starts to lose alot post 1k. As CC said above the 6.5 family are great. I just had a 300 PRC built and waiting to shoot it now.

[wskinner]

300 Win Mag will be my next rifle.

[USMCsilver]

I considered .308 initially, but it has worse ballistics than the .300 Mag.

As far as building up my Tikka goes, I honestly don't know if I want to. If I did, then it would kinda lose its practicality for hunting.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[USMCsilver]

6.5x284. Chamber and twist for long bullets.

I was looking at the 6.5 PRC, initially.

I'm leaning towards making a decision between .300 WM & 6.5 PRC.

I'll check the Norma and see how it stacks against the PRC.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Palmetto Bug]

I don't think it's normal to start with the chassis as the basis for building a long range gun. Picking an action or cartridge is more often the starting point. You also used the word "affordable". Hmmm.

I'm in the same boat. I don't really expect to shoot really long range but I do like the looks of a rifle built on a chassis and I want a new tack driver. I am leaning more towards one of the off the shelf "modern precision rifles" that so many companies have started offering. Right now, I'm infatuated with a Christensen Arms MPR with a 16" barrel so it won't be unwieldy with a 7" can on the front. The stock folds too so it would be a lot easier to pack/tote. The Christensen Arms rifle has my interest because it's made with a lot of carbon fiber and I want something that doesn't weigh as much as a motorcycle engine. I plan to hunt with it more that target plinking.

[USMCsilver]

PB - "affordable" was meant as more of a loosely defined term of relevance. I'm not looking to spend $8k on an A.I. rifle (without glass). I'm considering about half that (including glass).

I haven't selected the chassis, first... I just know that the Magpul's are about $300 whereas others can easily be WELL OVER $1,000. That's why I was leaning in that direction.

I'd rather allocate the $700 saved on a fancy chassis & put it towards upscale glass.



Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Gunning Bird]

These are pretty good for the money: https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-tac-a1-rifles.aspx

[Saltydog235]

https://www.eurooptic.com/Tikka-T3x-UPR-Rifle.aspx

https://www.eurooptic.com/Bergara-BMP-Rifles.aspx

https://www.eurooptic.com/Bergara-HM...ch-Rifles.aspx

https://www.eurooptic.com/Cooper-Fir...-9-Fluted.aspx

https://www.eurooptic.com/Sako-S20-P...on-Rifles.aspx

I have the Cooper in .300WM, it’s a ton of fun to shoot.

[Gut_Pile]

I considered .308 initially, but it has worse ballistics than the .300 Mag.

uhhhhhh...you think?

[nitro5x6's]

I'm considering a new toy. I'll have the ability to hand load, but I don't want something so exotic that supplies are difficult to find.

No - I'm not going .50BMG or .338 Lapua.

Purpose:
• Fun
• Hunting (if I want)

1,200' distance would be max. 800' more practical.

And, yes, I know about needing good glass/rings/base.

I'd prefer an action that would drop into a Magpul chassis, as they are more affordable than other systems.

So, please share your input on calibers & barrel lengths. Whatever I get, I'll have threaded for a can.

My only "rifle," per se, is a 22 year-old Tikka 7mm Mag. I don't think enhancing it is much of an option.

Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

1200 feet or yards ? You use the symbol for feet. 1200 feet is 400 yards and for that distance a .223 REM would be adequate and you can find ammo for a rifle chambered for that cartridge.

Won’t matter what you buy/build - feeding it will be the biggest problem. Not much out there for any loading components.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Biggie1976]

6.5 PRC ammo is hard to find right now.

[USMCsilver]

1200 feet or yards ? You use the symbol for feet. 1200 feet is 400 yards and for that distance a .223 REM would be adequate and you can find ammo for a rifle chambered for that cartridge.

Won’t matter what you buy/build - feeding it will be the biggest problem. Not much out there for any loading components.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sorry... I meant 1,200 YDS (& 800 YDS).

Multitasking is a bitch.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[CWPINST]

The .308 will have a hard time making the trip to 1200 except with a few bullets. 800 is not a problem though. It has the advantage of mild recoil compared to the 300WM and longer barrel life as well as a bit lower operating cost. It is really not optimized for long distance though, but for recreational shooting……what the heck. If distance is your game, look for a caliber that will shoot a bullet with a BC of around .500 at around 3000fps. Once you get beyond 300 your ability to read conditions become much of the game. Don’t get locked into 1 or 2 bullet selections. Your rifle might not like them. Have fun experimenting!!