Choosing a magnum cartridge

[thinhorn_AK]

If factory ammo is what you want to use, I wouldn’t look at anything other than 7rm or 300wm.

I’m personally not really a fan of the 7 mag so I’d get a 300 win mag.

 

[roadrunner]

The lot of BH 77tmk ammo I have gives me 2758 fps in a 20" bbl. At 6000' DA I'm at 1800 fps @ 580 yards and at 4000' DA I'm @ 550 yards. So basically, anywhere I've hunted for elk the BH 77tmk load would be sufficient. Is it perfect for all skill levels? Safe to say, no.

In that same sentiment, is a 7mm or 308 caliber magnum the best choice? Not in my opinion. Lots of standard bolt face short and long action cartridges shine at sub 600 yard shots. With less recoil and cheaper ammo those cartridges allow for more real world practicing (which most will never do anyways) and hopefully a better marksman.

If you can't be accurate at 600 yards with a 243, 7mm-08, or a 308 then the magnum version in those calibers aren't going to fix anything for you. In fact, they will make you an even worse marksman.

Jay

 

[The Guide]

Keep laughing . Anyone who thinks there will be more 7 Mag ammo at a random ACE Hardware store than any other magnum round is delusional. ACE Hardware stores in ND were one of the few places i could consistently find 300WSM ammo post covid. If you want the ability to find ammo in hardware stores buy a gun in 223, 22-250, 243, 270, 30-06, or 300WM. Those are the guaranteed to have a box rounds.

Jay

 

[ElPollo]

Does this count?

 

[SloppyJ]

My 300prc is one of my favorite and most accurate rifles. I load it with N570 and 215 Bergers. It's a nasty combo so that's my choice.

However, I will say that it didn't go on any hunting trip with me last year and I had just as great of luck shooting a 6 creed and my son did just as well with a .223. Both are more enjoyable to shoot than the 300prc.

Coincidently enough, the 18" 25 western I built has ever so slightly better ballistics than my 300prc shooting a 134 ELDM out to and past 1k yards.

You don't "need" a magnum but I understand where you're coming from. You'll be fine with any of your choices but the 300prc has way more going for it than the 300wm.

 

[Choupique]

You don't "need" a magnum

If youre like me and hardly ever kill anything, having more steel reamed out of the action to fit those big cases and bullets makes for a lighter rifle. It can be easier to tote on your armed hiking trips. Therefore, bigger may well be better!

 

[SloppyJ]

If youre like me and hardly ever kill anything, having more steel reamed out of the action to fit those big cases and bullets makes for a lighter rifle. It can be easier to tote on your armed hiking trips. Therefore, bigger may well be better!

I like the way you think! Glass half full kind of guy. Plus you only get a few rounds in a mag so that's not weighing you down either.

 

[wyosam]

If youre like me and hardly ever kill anything, having more steel reamed out of the action to fit those big cases and bullets makes for a lighter rifle. It can be easier to tote on your armed hiking trips. Therefore, bigger may well be better!

Yep, a .338 (or bigger) hole through a sporter weight barrel makes them pretty light!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Perfect!


Specifically within the constraints of the OP I’d go 7 PRC or 7 Rem mag.

Personally, I’ve got enough elk under the belt with 6mm to be quite comfortable, experimenting with 22 cal next.

Going with 6.5x224 magnum aka 22 creed?

What bullet you going to try?

I killed 13 big game animals with 22 Creed and 80 ELDX last year and another 10 or so with 22 Creeds and 233s with 75 ELDM, 88 ELDM, and 77 TMK. Was a fun year and learned quite a bit for my first year with .224 on big game.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Going with 6.5x224 magnum aka 22 creed?

What bullet you going to try?

I killed 13 big game animals with 22 Creed and 80 ELDX last year and another 10 or so with 22 Creeds and 233s with 75 ELDM, 88 ELDM, and 77 TMK. Was a fun year and learned quite a bit for my first year with .224 on big game.

You killed 23 big game animals last year?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

You killed 23 big game animals last year?

Correct. With documented yardages, bullet impact velocities, animal distances travelled after impact, etc.

Many of the photos and descriptions are here on Rokslide for review if you’re curious.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Correct. With documented yardages, bullet impact velocities, animal distances travelled after impact, etc.

Many of the photos and descriptions are here on Rokslide for review if you’re curious.

And you needed the meat from all those animals?

 

[omicron1792]

And you needed the meat from all those animals?

Say what?

 

[IrkedCitizen]

And you needed the meat from all those animals?

There was no guarantee Trump was going to win

 

[Carl Ross]

Going with 6.5x224 magnum aka 22 creed?

What bullet you going to try?

I killed 13 big game animals with 22 Creed and 80 ELDX last year and another 10 or so with 22 Creeds and 233s with 75 ELDM, 88 ELDM, and 77 TMK. Was a fun year and learned quite a bit for my first year with .224 on big game.

18” 22 Creed.

My first pitch load for the first 100 rounds of that barrel gave me 2925 fps with an 88 ELD. I think I might bump it a little, if I do maybe I’ll end up around 3000. No big deal either way.

I’ve taken some game with the 88 ELD before via 22BR, have liked everything I’ve seen, but it hasn’t been all that many animals, looking forward to more data.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

18” 22 Creed.

My first pitch load for the first 100 rounds of that barrel gave me 2925 fps with an 88 ELD. I think I might bump it a little, if I do maybe I’ll end up around 3000. No big deal either way.

I’ve taken some game with the 88 ELD before via 22BR, have liked everything I’ve seen, but it hasn’t been all that many animals, looking forward to more data.

Nice. 3,000 from an 18” with 88 Ms would be pretty fun.

My 19” 8 twist Tikka lite profile shooting 88 Ms settled in at 3065 with not a particularly hot load after around 120ish rounds.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Say what?

Fair question, no? Guys who go around and kill more animals than they need is ok?

 

[Carl Ross]

Nice. 3,000 from an 18” with 88 Ms would be pretty fun.

My 19” 8 twist Tikka lite profile shooting 88 Ms settled in at 3065 with not a particularly hot load after around 120ish rounds.

View attachment 905668

I like it, what powder did you go with? I typically steer pretty clear of pressure and stick with Hodgdon Extreme single base powders when playing for keeps. They seem to perform well across the pressure spectrum. Using 4350 cause I have it but I’d like to find a jug of 4831 to try.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I like it, what powder did you go with? I typically steer pretty clear of pressure and stick with Hodgdon Extreme single base powders when playing for keeps. They seem to perform well across the pressure spectrum. Using 4350 cause I have it but I’d like to find a jug of 4831 to try.

That’s wise. 4350 for all my 22 Creeds so far.

 

[jrotter06]

It depends on how you feel about "new" cartridges but it seems like people love the 7 PRC. Personally, 300 wsm all day.