Custom build: which cartridge for maximum accuracy if only shooting factory ammunition

[jjcausey22]

Getting a rifle built by Alamo Precision for hunting at distance. It will primarily be a deer rifle, but it will serve as an elk gun as well. Considering the 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5 prc, 6.8 western, 7 prc, 7 backcountry, or 300 prc. I will only be shooting factory ammo because I don’t reload and my primary deciding factor is accuracy potential with factory ammo followed by killing ability on game (I know there is some trade-off here). I typically prioritize accuracy and shoot-ability first followed by a cartridge that shoots a bullet with adequate weight and velocity to kill the animal as quickly as possible. If you were picking a cartridge for deer and elk and your primary concern was accuracy potential with factory ammunition followed by killing ability with said cartridge out to 600 yards, which cartridge would you choose?

 

[6mm Remington]

280AI or 30-06

 

[Ferrulewax]

Do you only want factory ammo, or do you just want to avoid reloading? You can always get UM or another reloader to load ammo for you.

 

[hereinaz]

6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC, depending on barrel length and max kill range.

 

[huntnful]

6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC, depending on barrel length and max kill range.

This absolutely

 

[Reburn]

6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC, depending on barrel length and max kill range.

This.

 

[jjcausey22]

Do you only want factory ammo, or do you just want to avoid reloading? You can always get UM or another reloader to load ammo for you.

Primarily factory, but I’ve used Choice before and I’m not opposed to using UM

 

[Formidilosus]

Getting a rifle built by Alamo Precision for hunting at distance. It will primarily be a deer rifle, but it will serve as an elk gun as well. Considering the 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5 prc, 6.8 western, 7 prc, 7 backcountry, or 300 prc. I will only be shooting factory ammo because I don’t reload and my primary deciding factor is accuracy potential with factory ammo followed by killing ability on game (I know there is some trade-off here). I typically prioritize accuracy and shoot-ability first followed by a cartridge that shoots a bullet with adequate weight and velocity to kill the animal as quickly as possible. If you were picking a cartridge for deer and elk and your primary concern was accuracy potential with factory ammunition followed by killing ability with said cartridge out to 600 yards, which cartridge would you choose?

I’ll answer it differently:


If max precision from factory ammo is truly the desire- then whatever is changed in Federal Gold Medal Match. That would be 6cm, 6.5cm, and 308. Of those- in that order; 6mm, 6.5, 308.

 

[huntnful]

I’ll answer it differently:


If max precision from factory ammo is truly the desire- then whatever is changed in Federal Gold Medal Match. That would be 6cm, 6.5cm, and 308. Of those- in that order; 6mm, 6.5, 308.

Berger factory ammo doesn’t hold up against FGMM? I have no experience with either, just seen a lot of stacked groups with Berger’s factory ammo.

 

[swavescatter]

I think form’s response was a two part answer, and he just baited the first part. Max precision is a different answer than optimal hunting cartridge, where most dudes probably only need 1.5 MOA for ten shots. But that’s just my guess!

My vote is 6.5 Creed and Hornady Precision Hunter. But search around until you find a fast AND accurate load as they carry lot to lot.

 

[43.6N]

@nm.otter has a chart with bore to capacity ratio of many popular chambering. It’s been interesting to see how some cartridges that are commonly cited to be “accurate” or “shootable” will group closely with each other on that chart.

If only shooting factory ammo, I would second what @Formidilosus listed above. 6mm Creedmoor as my number 1 pick. And stock up on federal gold medal match ammo.

 

[hereinaz]

I’ll answer it differently:


If max precision from factory ammo is truly the desire- then whatever is changed in Federal Gold Medal Match. That would be 6cm, 6.5cm, and 308. Of those- in that order; 6mm, 6.5, 308.

This is 100% true. 6 creed would be my choice…

Just last week, my .223 was shooting 1.5-2 moa with a decent Norma ammo. Then, I shot this with the first rounds of FGMM with 77 gr match kings. I had time for a five round group, but this is typical and larger groups won’t open up much more.

I used a shortie 308 for my buffalo hunt from a blind, and I shot sub moa with three different FGMM loads. The Juggernauts dropped my bison.

Every 6.5 creed I have owned loves it.

 

[swavescatter]

GMM loads do not use great hunting loads, right? My impression was that OTM bullets are inconsistent on game.

OP stated the use case is for hunting.

 

[greyghostnw]

Out of those a suppressed 300prc with a 22” benchmark sendero paired with a bat vesper action.

 

[Formidilosus]

Berger factory ammo doesn’t hold up against FGMM? I have no experience with either, just seen a lot of stacked groups with Berger’s factory ammo.

Berger ammo generally does well. But? It isn’t available nearly as widely as FGG, and no one has been able to match what Federal does with Gold Medal in lot to lot consistency in POI/zero and MV- across decades.

 

[Formidilosus]

GMM loads do not use great hunting loads, right? My impression was that OTM bullets are inconsistent on game.

OP stated the use case is for hunting.

FGM has multiple loads with Berger bullets. And they shoot fantastically.

 

[huntnful]

Berger ammo generally does well. But? It isn’t available nearly as widely as FGG, and no one has been able to match what Federal does with Gold Medal in lot to lot consistency in POI/zero and MV- across decades.

Good to know! Thank you

 

[swavescatter]

FGM has multiple loads with Berger bullets. And they shoot fantastically.

The only ones I saw were the target hybrids, which have a thicker jacket I thought.

 

[huntnful]

The only ones I saw were the target hybrids, which have a thicker jacket I thought.

Hybrid Targets are some killing MF’s.

 

[Brucebarker024]

Of those listed I’d do a 6.5 creedmoor or 6.5 prc but I’d lean creedmoor.