I was in the same boat as you , have a .308win and looked @ the power / range issues and started the 6.5 search. Eliminated CM for obvious reasons , PRC no way with ammunition problems & prices , 6.5x55 or 6.5-284 looked promising, then I reevaluate the WTF I want to try to kill game @ 500+ meters , the ammunition for long range hunting is expensive and is only good @ 200+ yards ( the ELD-x is explosive and terrible penetration same with other long range design bullets)
Settled on .308 with 130-150 ttsx is deer and elk medicine from 10-400 yards and it’s already there in the safe . I stopped listening to the guys beating the 500-800 meters hunting drums, it’s redundant and ridiculous to setup for long range when 90% of my shots are 10-400 yards
amigo if you’re one of them dude’s wanting to shoot 1/2 mile , bueno !! but it’s expensive and obtuse IMO
ok last 2ct worth
I have been a guide since 1991 and in my experience the longer the shots the less the chance of a clean kill , guys that can ring the gong @ 500 off the bench usually miss in field conditions, it’s a different world
being out of breath, bad rest , spooky animal, +20mph cross wind , ect
I agree on lots of points but disagree on others.
Only good at 200+ yards? That’s simply not true. Only run at extreme muzzle velocity over 3200 fps can match bullets fail inside 100 yards. Most long range guys I know aren’t running velocity that high. I can’t think of one that does, as a matter of fact.
I don’t carry my long range gun when shots are gonna be 10 to 400.
I want to fill my tag, and I hunt in locations where if you are prepared you can hunt animals and locations other lesser prepared men cannot.
Anyone who takes a shot out of breath, bad winds, bad rest, and spooky animals is an idiot and does not represent any long range shooter I know. Both of us agree they are hacks who have no business making that shot.
Over generalized statements of opinion are acceptable, but must be taken with a grain of salt. I can easily flip the same thing around on you. And, you know I am right…
The older guys from the good old days I know brag about how they used to hunt and spread lead at anything moving like John Wayne in a shootout. Their redneck sons drink beer and drive around shooting out of their truck.
Only long range shooters respect the skill and ethical requirements of exercising our discipline. We spend more time on our bellies and in the field practicing realistic shots so we are prepared and have extremely high confidence in our shooting.
So, everyone who isn’t a long range shooter is a hack and they are just pretending they know how to shoot ethically.
You see, there is rhetorical bullshit meant to convince without regard to the truth. The truth is beyond question that match bullets will kill very efficiently and effectively when deployed correctly. Just like mono and bonded and partition bullets will. They are just two different styles.
It’s clear that a 308 is everything you need for your hunting. I agree 100%. And a magnum isn’t really necessary inside 400 yards. A 30-06 is plenty if you want a little more oomph for your .308 bullet.
Different strokes for different folks. I have no problem with your choice or opinions. No one should care, as long as we are ethical.
It’s why we ethical and skilled long range shooters really reject the idea that it can’t be done or is unnecessary or unsportsmanlike.
Every pure bow hunter could call us weak for using a rifle at all. That’s opinion.
We definitely agree that too many long range heroes are out there slinging lead they have no business even considering.
. The elk took two steps and buckled. Sometimes that does’t happen with a 300 rum at 550 yards. You aren’t going to gain anything material at 550 yards with a PRC over a creedmoor.
