Long Range Build - 7PRC, 7BC, 300PRC?

[Woodsman44]

Yeah I’m with you! For east coast deer I went from the reliable 30-06 to a lightweight suppressed 6.8spc. It kills just the same but the kids can shoot it. Though it’s not setup for spotting shots. AR platform weighing about 7.5 lbs with scope, suppressor. No need for anything larger for 400 yards or closer deer hunting.

I’m now trying to figure out the most long range potent elk round to stay within the shot-spotting recoil range. I like the 257 Marksman a couple guys on here built but that might be a little too much. It’s a necked down 6.8 Western. I’d like a little more than the 25 creedmoor. 6UM is also an option.


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[Treeman_MG]

Yeah I’m with you! For east coast deer I went from the reliable 30-06 to a lightweight suppressed 6.8spc. It kills just the same but the kids can shoot it. Though it’s not setup for spotting shots. AR platform weighing about 7.5 lbs with scope, suppressor. No need for anything larger for 400 yards or closer deer hunting.

I’m now trying to figure out the most long range potent elk round to stay within the shot-spotting recoil range. I like the 257 Marksman a couple guys on here built but that might be a little too much. It’s a necked down 6.8 Western. I’d like a little more than the 25 creedmoor. 6UM is also an option.


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If you really want and are capable of shooting elk at 1000 yards, that's pretty much what @Ryan Avery designed the 6UM for. My other eye opener was just how WELL small calibers kill, with the right bullets.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

I don't understand the allure of the 25 caliber.

A 140gr from a 6.5cm will get you plenty far and doesn't have much recoil. Then a 6cm with a 108gr is also plenty.

If you simply want to be different then by all means go with a 25

 

[Treeman_MG]

I don't understand the allure of the 25 caliber.

A 140gr from a 6.5cm will get you plenty far and doesn't have much recoil. Then a 6cm with a 108gr is also plenty.

If you simply want to be different then by all means go with a 25

I also agree with this. There's really only 2 or 3 heavy for caliber bullets for the .25. The 6mm has more options, and less recoil.

 

[Woodsman44]

The only allure is better BC with the 134 eldm vs the 115 DTAC.


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[Treeman_MG]

The only allure is better BC with the 134 eldm vs the 115 DTAC.


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I get it, but I think we are all guilty of "pole vaulting over mouse turds," as @Formidilosus would say.

The recoil thing is a lot bigger deal than most people will admit. I was always in "I can shoot my 300wm just fine," camp. And I shot it well enough to kill a pile of animals with. . . .but I shoot so much better with my smaller guns. It really is a very noticeable difference, which I can only imagine is amplified at longer ranges than I shoot.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

You are talking very minimal differences in BC. Sierra TMK bullets don't have the highest BC out of comparable bullets but fly just as well and kill wonderfully

 

[nm.otter]

I don't understand the allure of the 25 caliber.
A 140gr from a 6.5cm will get you plenty far and doesn't have much recoil.

.25 cal 134gr is ballistically similar to the 147gr (which really comes to life in a 6.5 PRC). There's a reason the NRL Hunter crowd loves them.

 

[Woodsman44]

When it comes to velocity at distance the 6UM with a 115 DTAC is about the same as a 257 Marksman with the 134 eldm since the 6UM is pushing a higher MV. It seems the trade off is fire-forming all brass with 6UM 40 degree or a little more recoil with 257 marksman. I’m not sure if the additional recoil would make it difficult to spot shots. Nearly the same powder charges, just a slightly larger, 19 grain heavier bullet.

Regarding 6 vs .25 vs 6.5 - the idea here is go with the smallest for the target distance. From a BC standpoint, 115 seems to be the minimum with 6mm and there currently aren’t many options in that weight range (DTAC and Berger?). Speer might have one out soon. I’ve found more options with .257 bullets with much better BCs.


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[WestTN2288]

What velocity are you thinking from a 20-22” barrel for the 7PRC? 2900 would be pushing it in my experience, with a 168gr bullet, you’d be a little light on killing power at 1000 yards:

This is the 175gr ELDX @ 2950 I shoot from my 24” barrel 7prc. A little better, but feels marginal on killing power to me. I think 1800 fps is bottom end for ELDX expansion. I would plan on a 175 grain or larger Hornady ELD or Berger if you really want to shoot 1000 yards on game.

Maybe I’m late to the party, but what app is that?

 

[Woodsman44]

I’m landing on 6UM 40 or 6.8 Western brass necked down to 6mm or .257. Looks like all will produce similar performance. Not sure there’s a reamer for 6-6.8 Western. Someone on here has a 257-6.8 Western reamer I might be able to rent. Bullet selection and costs are the biggest items. Probably a 18 or 20” barrel, suppressed. Folding stock of some sort. I also have a REM 700 short action I’d prefer to use. Have a tikka as well if it makes more sense. Thoughts on lowest cost, considering stock, barrel, chambering, reloading, and accuracy?


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[wpeach1912]

Cost and accuracy will be a tossup if you have actions for either already. 6mm barrels are probably a bit easier to find. Reloading cost will be pretty similar as well since it’s the same brass supplier. Dies and finding reamers are going to be the difficult part. 6UM probably has a better source for a reamer. There’s more 6mm bullets available too. 257-6.8 will probably carry its velocity farther if you’re still wanting to shoot 1k+

 

[Mackadoodle]

My vote is 7 PRC. A reputable guy i follow wont do a 300 PRC on a tikka action, un certain of his reasoning but he is more knowledgeable than me .

 

[Treeman_MG]

My vote is 7 PRC. A reputable guy i follow wont do a 300 PRC on a tikka action, un certain of his reasoning but he is more knowledgeable than me .

I believe the 300prc overall length is too long for a tikka action, with factory mags/bottom metal. It might fit with aftermarket stuff, not sure.

 

[Mike D Texas]

My vote is 7 PRC. A reputable guy i follow wont do a 300 PRC on a tikka action, un certain of his reasoning but he is more knowledgeable than me .

Tikka actions are limited to cartridges 3.500 and under to feed from a magazine. Preferably under for 100% reliable feeding from a magazine.


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[686]

Maybe I’m late to the party, but what app is that?

Applied Ballistics Quantum

 

[Gila]

Bat Machine made the Vesper M only for UM. Building a rifle yourself that can print 10 shot groups sub-MOA at 1K is a daunting task. Unless you want to pay for the learning experience, best left to the professionals who do it for a living. You will need a gunsmith either way. UM will build you a rifle with the Vesper or a Tikka T3x. You can get a Gunwerks Magnus for around $5K minus optic and suppressor. UM uses ACE barrels, I believe. Gunwerks uses their own actions and barrels.

First I’ve ever heard of “killing power”. What is killing power? How does it relate to long range hunting? All I look at is bullet construction, impact velocity and BC. Am I missing something?