Building a Thumper

[Pickettpuncher]

Get something that’ll sling a 275gr projectile 2800fps or better,

 

[MTNHUNTER76]

Honestly I'd just stick with the 7 saum. I parted out a custom 300 ultra and currently have a custom 300 norma mag that I never shoot. I shoot my rifles quite a bit in the off season. Its stupid expensive to feed large magnums with current costs and big magnum recoil get's old. Not to mention barrel life usually not great.

6.5 PRC/6.5 SAUM/7SAUM/300WSM are all great for big game. Going up in size to a xl 30 cal or 338 isn't needed unless you plan to hunt at very long ranges.

 

[UnckleBob]

Well duh! I don’t NEED a 338 edge. Just like I don’t NEED sex. But I want it!!!!!

Magnumitis is like marrying a stripper. The initial thrill is real, but so is the need for a cleansing as the reality sets in.

 

[waspocrew]

I had a 338 RUM built by Straight Jacket Armory and it's way too much fun to shoot.

- Stiller Predator Action
- Bartlein Sendero 1:9.3 at 30"
- 5 Port "muscle brake" by Piercision
- Grayboe Renegade stock
- Triggertech Special flat blade
- Hawkins BDL

Sits about 13.5# without bipod. Pushes the 285 Amax a little north of 2900 FPS with H1000. Did some testing with the 260 Hammer and had great results as well - just need to see if I can get a little more speed out of it. At 30", it's more of a range toy, but on our property in Wyoming, hunting with it wouldn't be too terrible.

I say go for it! 338 RUM, Edge, etc - pick one and have fun!

 

[500000KV]

338AI 12lbs with bipod n 2 in the mag. Got load worked up. 3025 fps 300 grain Berger. It’s a hammer.

 

[ROJO23]

I have a 300 wsm and it shoots great 180 grain at 2950fps. I just built a 338 edge and it is a different animal. I am shooting 285 hornadys at 3000fps with no signs of pressure still working up my load. i have not starting working on a hunting load yet. I had pierce engineering build the rifle and my coal is right at 4". I have an internal wyatt box mag

i have shot 2 elk with the 300 wsm, 1 at about 125 yards, the other at 560 yards. Both dropped with 1 shot, never took another step

 

[Geewhiz]

Ive got a 338 rum thats a killer. Shooting 300 berger elite hunters at 2730. Knocked down 11 animals last year averaging 640 yds. Closest was 475 furthest was 900.

 

[UnckleBob]

My idea of Thumper is a 450 Bushmaster which is a beast inside 150 yards. Light, reasonable recoil and big holes in the animal.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Big holes in the tenderloins suck.

 

[UnckleBob]

Big holes in the tenderloins suck.

Yes they do. I lent it to my hunting buddy and he made a bad shot. He had never shot it before.

When I lived in CT, I could not own a AR. After moving back to Texas, I immediately built the most ridiculous AR I could think of.

It is fun to shoot, but it is rediculous.

 

[Intricater]

The original 450 Pro was not designed as a 'deer' gun. It was designed for hunting dangerous wounded bears in the Alaska bush, where you might not have a chance with a bolt gun. When Hornady came out with the 450B, they shortened the case and de-tuned the load for the 250gr. that they had on-the-shelf, so I assume there wasn't much R&D needed to bring it to market.

 

[Intricater]

'where you might not have a chance with a bolt gun', meaning a chance for a 2nd shot with the bear charging you.