Best Long Range Hunting Caliber for Short Action??

[Bergerblaster]

I'm building a 6.5 Creedmoor for NRL Hunter on a TL3 action. I would like one rifle that I can use for hunting and matches. Obviously 6.5 Creedmoor is not the ideal long range hunting cartridge. With the TL3 I can easily switch barrels, so trying to decide on a long range hunting caliber for a second barrel that will fit a short action. Looking at 6.5 PRC, 7 SS, 7 SAUM. I know short action is going to limit the performance on the 6.5 PRC and 7 SAUM and not sure I want to go down the wildcat rabbit hole. 700-800 yards is really my max range I would shoot for up to Elk size game. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[hereinaz]

If you use a Tikka, why not 6.5 prc, their action is the same.

Look at 25 creedmoor for NRL Hunter and hunting. It will get you the distance you want.

I run 25 SST and 7 SS, and help others with them and 6.5 SS in short actions. Love what they do.

 

[Bergerblaster]

If you use a Tikka, why not 6.5 prc, their action is the same.

Look at 25 creedmoor for NRL Hunter and hunting. It will get you the distance you want.

I run 25 SST and 7 SS, and help others with them and 6.5 SS in short actions. Love what they do.

How do you like the 7 SS?

 

[ljalberta]

Depending on your load and where you hunt, 6.5CM could get you to your ranges at or above 1800fps.

 

[Ryan Avery]

The 6UM, hits like Thors hammer with 6.5 CM recoil.

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[hereinaz]

How do you like the 7 SS?

Love my 7 SS for long range, 700+ especially. It’s a 26” barrel so it’s huge with my suppressor.

When it smashed a coues at 730 I went to 25 SST. It is 21”

 

[BAKPAKR]

The 6UM, hits like Thors hammer with 6.5 CM recoil.

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I was just linking the 6UM post.

The 6UM

The 6UM is alive. I will start necking down brass tomorrow and keep you guys updated. Build Specs so far Tikka Action Mcgowan #3 20" Barrel 7 Twist fluted by Kampfeld Chambered by Unknown Munitions MDT HNT26

rokslide.com

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I'm building a 6.5 Creedmoor for NRL Hunter on a TL3 action. I would like one rifle that I can use for hunting and matches. Obviously 6.5 Creedmoor is not the ideal long range hunting cartridge. With the TL3 I can easily switch barrels, so trying to decide on a long range hunting caliber for a second barrel that will fit a short action. Looking at 6.5 PRC, 7 SS, 7 SAUM. I know short action is going to limit the performance on the 6.5 PRC and 7 SAUM and not sure I want to go down the wildcat rabbit hole. 700-800 yards is really my max range I would shoot for up to Elk size game. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

223 rem mag with 77 tmks..

 

[TxLite]

It’s not a magnum, but I’d also be looking at 284 win.

Your TL3 can stretch out to 2.98” according to google, so you should be able to free up some powder space over traditional 284 win load data while keeping the same bolt face as your creedmoor.

 

[wind gypsy]

The SS models seem pretty optimized for a SA but i'm prone to stick with SAUM or 6.5 PRC based cases.

 

[B23]

25 SAUM. If you're concerned about barrel life 25 Creedmoor. 25 SAUM built on a short action BAT Igniter using a 3.100 Baney box and 134 ELD-M's.

 

[blairmckenzie1]

I would stick to something that you can reliably get brass for. I wanna say SAUM brass can be hard to come by at times. 6.5 PRC seems to be here to stay.

 

[rootacres]

7 SAUM

I run mine with 168 VLDs. Recoil is mild, bucks the wind well, delivers some payload at distance. Ive laid down all my elk and deer with that caliber. I use it as a preference over my 300 PRC.

For what it’s worth, I shot my first NRL hunter match with the SAUM earlier this year. I liked playing the game so I order a 6.5 creed barrel. Right now I use my HNT chassis and origin action with 2 different barrels (7 SAUM / 6.5 creed) and 2 different scopes (Nightforce for hunting / MK5 for NRL).

 

[Bergerblaster]

7 SAUM

I run mine with 168 VLDs. Recoil is mild, bucks the wind well, delivers some payload at distance. Ive laid down all my elk and deer with that caliber. I use it as a preference over my 300 PRC.

For what it’s worth, I shot my first NRL hunter match with the SAUM earlier this year. I liked playing the game so I order a 6.5 creed barrel. Right now I use my HNT chassis and origin action with 2 different barrels (7 SAUM / 6.5 creed) and 2 different scopes (Nightforce for hunting / MK5 for NRL).

View attachment 645989

Sounds like you and I are on the same program. What kind of speed you getting with the 168’s? I was a little worried running them in a short action with them being so sensitive to seating depth.

 

[Shortschaf]

6.5SS on a short action all the way

 

[rootacres]

Sounds like you and I are on the same program. What kind of speed you getting with the 168’s? I was a little worried running them in a short action with them being so sensitive to seating depth.

So I have a 22" 8.4 twist, that put the 168s right around 2900fps. Thats with H4350. If you ran H1000 or some others you could probably squeeze out a little more. Loaded ~.020 off, that puts the coal right around 2.945" (if I remember correctly).

 

[smokinbobf4]

I am running the same combo. 22” proof 7 saum on an origin action. Berger 168 vld but with h1000 and at 2970fps. I tried h4350 but couldn’t get the velocity. Absolutely love that setup!


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[jimh406]

If you are thinking that 6.5 isn’t enough, how about 300 WSM, 6.8 Western, or 270 WSM.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Dam it guys y’all are making me want a 7 SAUM again… I have three builds I need to finish first…

 

[JohnJohnson]

700-800 yards is really my max range I would shoot for up to Elk size game.

A 143gr ELD-X with a MV of 2700fps is still 1800fps at 700 yards. Or are you thinking more along the lines of wind deflection? A 6.5CM at 800 yards (MV of 2700) drifts 1.5 MIL with 10 MPH crosswind. The same bullet from a 6.5PRC with a MV of 3000fps drifts 1.2 MIL for that same 10MPH crosswind.

My followup is just what is the measurable metric at your max distances of 700-800 yards that you want a bullet/cartridge combo to meet? Whether that's speed, energy (please don't say energy), wind drift, or whatever.