Help me choose a caliber

[CJ_BG]

This is a great post and please know that in quoting you, my intention wasn’t to target you specifically. I was speaking in general after seeing 1,000 of these “what caliber” threads and was very bored in a meeting at work haha.

Understood, no hard feelings. Even if it was targeting me I'm a FNG that's been here all of 5 minutes

Seriously though if OP wants to shoot elk at 650 the necessary understanding of all ballistics internal, external, and terminal cannot be understated

 

[cole96]

Why do you want out of the 6.5-300wby? That might help answer your question too.

Well it was a justification to buy another gun. I shoot it great. I’ve decided I’m going to keep it and have a custom built. I’m going to do a 7 prc, a 22or24” barrel but undecided as it will be suppressed full time. Ag composites stock.

 

[LightFoot]

Well it was a justification to buy another gun. I shoot it great. I’ve decided I’m going to keep it and have a custom built. I’m going to do a 7 prc, a 22or24” barrel but undecided as it will be suppressed full time. Ag composites stock.

Suppressed full time means you should go 22” or even 20”

My Gunwerks 20” 7PRC shoots 180 ELDMs at 2684. So, that’s still 1800+ fps at 900y.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[SouthPaw]

Of the rifles I mentioned above, all of which can kill an elk at 600-650 yards, I would choose the 22 Creedmoor and will be doing so later this Fall in Wyoming to kill an elk.

Isn't Wyoming 6mm+ for elk?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Isn't Wyoming 6mm+ for elk?

Oh then I will 100% abide by this very important and super enforced “law” while I kill cow elk on private property. You can count on me!

 

[mtg]

So with you saying you’re keeping your current rifle, a 7prc really isn’t that different with your suggested distance of 600 yards.

If it were me I’d get something in a different “ballistic group” if you will. If you indeed want to get into reloading, a 308, 708, 270win, or even a 6.5cm are easier, and cheaper to learn on, and all fairly easy to find good reloads for, assuming good technique n components.

 

[yttm34]

30-06 is my favorite and drops anything.

 

[bucksanducks12]

I gotta add another one in for the 6.5 bleedmoor. I’ve shot 4 bears, a muley, a lion, and some coyotes. Been there and watched my buddies roll 2-3 bears. All with 143gELDX.

My furthest was just under 400, so can’t speak at anything further than that. But, all my critters have been bang flop (outside of the lion which I spined and required a follow up). Reason being, ammo is affordable, easy to find, a recoil is mild at best so I can shoot several boxes a year. I can comfortably shoot 800, so I know while hunting I have the upmost confidence to make the 650yds and in shots. Rifles under 7.5 lbs with 3 in the mag and the can.

Anyway, here’s a coyote from last week. 230yds, exit was big enough to stick a baseball in.

 

[KenLee]

I shame she's not a more popular cartridge. 120 Ballistic tips at 3250 have let the air out of a lot of PA bucks at the hands of a family friend.

The baby 7 will do the same with 120 NBT with less weight and recoil. Great fit for deer

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I gotta add another one in for the 6.5 bleedmoor. I’ve shot 4 bears, a muley, a lion, and some coyotes. Been there and watched my buddies roll 2-3 bears. All with 143gELDX.

My furthest was just under 400, so can’t speak at anything further than that. But, all my critters have been bang flop (outside of the lion which I spined and required a follow up). Reason being, ammo is affordable, easy to find, a recoil is mild at best so I can shoot several boxes a year. I can comfortably shoot 800, so I know while hunting I have the upmost confidence to make the 650yds and in shots. Rifles under 7.5 lbs with 3 in the mag and the can.

Anyway, here’s a coyote from last week. 230yds, exit was big enough to stick a baseball in.

View attachment 769110

Tell me more about “only shooting a few boxes a year” and yet being “good” out to 800 and “having upmost confidence in killing at 650 and in.”

Do you mean you have another similar gun you train with? A “few boxes a year” is not providing you with enough field information for what you claim. Anyone who says otherwise is simply lying or stretching the truth on the internet.

When you shoot your “few boxes a year” what hunting type shot positions are you practicing?

Apparently this is my rant thread but I see this on Rokslide and some YouTube video links that get sent my way. I can’t help but cringe.

 

[bucksanducks12]

Tell me more about “only shooting a few boxes a year” and yet being “good” out to 800 and “having upmost confidence in killing at 650 and in.”

Do you mean you have another similar gun you train with? A “few boxes a year” is not providing you with enough field information for what you claim. Anyone who says otherwise is simply lying or stretching the truth on the internet.

When you shoot your “few boxes a year” what hunting type shot positions are you practicing?

Apparently this is my rant thread but I see this on Rokslide and some YouTube video links that get sent my way. I can’t help but cringe.

Totally understand. I’m fortunate, I have a job where I’m doing wildlife removals full time so I shoot well over your average guy. That being said, I run probably 5 boxes of ELDX through my hunting set up before and during the season to stay sharp on the rifle I carry in the field.

That being said, most of those shots through my hunting rig are prone over my pack. But, I shoot standing over a truck hood, and sitting with my pack in front of me as well. Spot where I’d shoot recreationally is a mile into a timber cut, so I always enjoy the throwing the pack down first thing and taking a “real scenario” first shot to make it count with an elevated heart rate before shooting for groups.

I’m also a huge fan of shooting paper. Rock busting is cool and effective, but even with a tripod and a phone scope I feel that it doesn’t tell the whole story.

 

[SloppyJ]

I remember my first build and choosing the caliber. Now I have badass guns in everything but a 25 and .277. Just embrace it and start grabbing what you want!

 

[Lou270]

6.5 prc, 6.8 Western, or 7 prc would be my list. I prefer the 6.8W and have had great luck with mine, but all great well designed cartridges. A 270, 7rm, or 30-06 if want to be practical (ie buy corelokts at the gas station worse come to worst). The prior group is really just a modern take on the former group (ie 130-180 gr bullets at similar velocities but higher BC)

Lou

 

[6mm Remington]

280AI
300 WSM
30-06

 

[mrkronyak]

25-06