jackburcs
FNG
Looking at picking up a Seekins Havak PH2 and am torn on the cartridge. For context, I'd like to be able to take elk and black bear, which I believe a 6.5 can do, but it's a matter of effective range, and I'd like the option to shoot out to 500, even though I don't feel comfortable shooting past 300-350 yet.
Originally I was thinking the 6.5 PRC as a great hunting round that shoots flat, but I did not really consider ammunition. I am pretty set on solid/mono bullets, the best of which seems to be the 127gr Barnes LRX. Not sure why the .264 LRX bullet is so light, but it is. Running the numbers, that bullet has the same BC as the 168gr TTSX that I shoot right around MOA in my Ruger American Predator.
With that 127gr bullet, neither the 6.5 creed nor the PRC really outperform the 168gr TTSX or 175gr LRX in .308 by a significant margin. And in a more magnum .30 cal, the LRX is offered in weights up to 212gr. In 7mm, it's offered at 168gr. Both of those have great BC and subsequently performance advantages over the 6.5s and the .308, albeit at the cost of recoil. That leaves the 7mm RM, 300 WM, and 300 PRC for available chamberings for the Havak PH2. Is there any disadvantage to belted cartridges? The 300 PRC seems like a great choice, but availability of factory loadings and components seem to be vaporware, even more so than everything else. Ideally, I would love to go 280 AI, but I'm looking for a not crazy expensive factory rifle, and the Seekins is the most appealing to me, with form, fit, and function all taken into account (I like the way it looks). I know some factory rifles are loaded in 280 AI, but none that interest me like the Havak.
To me, I value lower recoil at least a little, so I'm leaning towards 7mm RM, but if we're going big, 300 PRC obviously gives the most energy, and 300 WM offers the ability to pick ammo up off the shelf pretty much anywhere, if needed.
Looking for thoughts. I'm sure I'm missing something. This seems like an area where a 7mm PRC would be desirable. Mostly because I suspect it would catch on, and if so, I'm betting Seekins would chamber the Havak in it.
Thanks,
-Julian
Originally I was thinking the 6.5 PRC as a great hunting round that shoots flat, but I did not really consider ammunition. I am pretty set on solid/mono bullets, the best of which seems to be the 127gr Barnes LRX. Not sure why the .264 LRX bullet is so light, but it is. Running the numbers, that bullet has the same BC as the 168gr TTSX that I shoot right around MOA in my Ruger American Predator.
With that 127gr bullet, neither the 6.5 creed nor the PRC really outperform the 168gr TTSX or 175gr LRX in .308 by a significant margin. And in a more magnum .30 cal, the LRX is offered in weights up to 212gr. In 7mm, it's offered at 168gr. Both of those have great BC and subsequently performance advantages over the 6.5s and the .308, albeit at the cost of recoil. That leaves the 7mm RM, 300 WM, and 300 PRC for available chamberings for the Havak PH2. Is there any disadvantage to belted cartridges? The 300 PRC seems like a great choice, but availability of factory loadings and components seem to be vaporware, even more so than everything else. Ideally, I would love to go 280 AI, but I'm looking for a not crazy expensive factory rifle, and the Seekins is the most appealing to me, with form, fit, and function all taken into account (I like the way it looks). I know some factory rifles are loaded in 280 AI, but none that interest me like the Havak.
To me, I value lower recoil at least a little, so I'm leaning towards 7mm RM, but if we're going big, 300 PRC obviously gives the most energy, and 300 WM offers the ability to pick ammo up off the shelf pretty much anywhere, if needed.
Looking for thoughts. I'm sure I'm missing something. This seems like an area where a 7mm PRC would be desirable. Mostly because I suspect it would catch on, and if so, I'm betting Seekins would chamber the Havak in it.
Thanks,
-Julian
