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

[mtnbound]

Rifle will be between 7.5 and 8 pounds without an optic or suppressor. I really want a 20-22 inch barrel and I’ll shoot it suppressed at all times. Would like the capability to shoot game at 500-600. That could possibly increase if I get better at reading and calling wind. I will probably shoot eld-m’s in factory ammunition because I want the most margin of error with wind out to those distances.

Personally, I prefer 2000 fps as my minimum impact velocity for maximum terminal range, so keep that in mind when I suggest the 6.5 PRC. Depending on how much you actually shoot, a dedicated training rifle (223) is something else worth investigating at the current cost of 6.5PRC ammo running $50.00 a box, it's gonna get expensive to get proficient at shooting 500-600+yards. You will need to balance the cost of a trainer rifle and ammo to see if it's worth it to you, but if you are serious about getting better at long range, a trainer is a good investment because the only way to get better is by shooting in real-world conditions.

 

[nm.otter]

What am I looking at here? What does the ratio correlate to?

Mostly explained at the top of that post.

The ratio is the usable case capacity (to bottom of neck) in cubic inches divided by the square of the bore diameter (in inches). Think of it as 'magnum-ness' -- a dimensionless number which can also be derived from ml and mm.

 

[wapitibob]

Do you ever see 30 cal "look at my 1000 yard groups" on the 'net?

Get a 6 or 6.5

 

[RockAndSage]

Mostly explained at the top of that post.

The ratio is the usable case capacity (to bottom of neck) in cubic inches divided by the square of the bore diameter (in inches). Think of it as 'magnum-ness' -- a dimensionless number which can also be derived from ml and mm.

It has got to be an excellent proxy for barrel life, as well.

 

[LightFoot]

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?

6.5 PRC

Factory 7 PRC is just not there yet for consistency and variety.

300 Win is also a great choice when limited to factory ammo, i.e. Federal 185 HYB, Hornady 178 or 200 ELDX, Federal 200 TA, Barnes 180 TTSX or 190 LRX, and many others.


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[nm.otter]

It has got to be an excellent proxy for barrel life, as well.

I believe so.

I suspect it may also relate to load sensitivity (or the lack thereof).

 

[Dobermann]

the 105gr and 109gr 6mm Berger Hybrids, the 130gr and 140gr 6.5mm, and the 308 185gr Berger Juggernauts generally kill well, and ai would personally rather use them ...

Your autocorrect is giving away Skynet's intentions ...

 

[hereinaz]

They do. But, the 105gr and 109gr 6mm Berger Hybrids, the 130gr and 140gr 6.5mm, and the 308 185gr Berger Juggernauts generally kill well, and ai would personally rather use them with the possible downsides rather than deal with Hornady’s absolute inconsistency.

For maximum long range, I don’t like Hornady factory ammo. The BC of the bullets and SD if the ammo combines to increase group size. FGMM and some Sig ammo groups better and shoots better.

I use Berger hunting bullets for hand loading but know many that swear by the hybrids. It’s not that the jackets are that much thicker.

 

[Wrench]

Ever considered loading your own? An arbor press setup takes very little space, doesn’t need to be bolted down and can produce incredible ammo. Cost to get going is comparable to what a couple boxes of custom ammo would cost.

And to answer your direct question.. I'd go 6creed, followed by 6.5 creed then 7-08.

 

[SDHNTR]

The blanket statements about factory ammo are misleading. They could be true, they could just as easily be not true. It all depends on the barrel. One box of factory ammo could be excellent or terrible out of any particular rifle.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The blanket statements about factory ammo are misleading. They could be true, they could just as easily be not true. It all depends on the barrel. One box of factory ammo could be excellent or terrible out of any particular rifle.

I’d qualify this only to say, “one *lot* of factory ammo could be excellent or terrible out of any particular rifle.” If factory ammo varies much from box-to-box, I won’t consider using it. But I don’t mind at all buying it at least 200 at a time (and preferably far more than that) when it is consistent within the lot.

 

[wind gypsy]

Depends on barrel length. If not cutting to 18ish inches for suppressed shooting, Creedmoor. If it is going to be a shorty for suppressed shooting, maybe 6.5 PRC as factory ammo in a shorty 6.5 creedmoor is going to have pretty slow velocity by the time it hits 600. 25 Creedmoor would be a nice compromise in that regard but you didn't list it as a possibility.

 

[HuntHarder]

6.5 Creed. Tons of factory options with good terminal ballistics out to 600-800 yards.