New rifle what caliber should I choose?

[Djahnsen]

So I recently picked up a Weatherby 307 long action and am stuck on what to build.

I’d like to have a 20” barrel and prefer the 7mm’s but I can be open to others.

I was thinking of a 7x57ai build and running 140-150 gr weight bullets. My other thought was the 280ai roughly same bullet weights.

I’m planning on this being a well rounded rifle I won’t attempt a shot on game any further than 400 yards no matter how tempted I may be. Would like for it to be more than capable at taking elk at that range though.

All thoughts and input is greatly appreciated!

 

[stan5677]

270 win


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[Djahnsen]

270 win


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It crossed my mind. I do love the round. It’s not totally out of the fight.

 

[stan5677]

If you’re strictly 400 and in you don’t need the ackley I would look at the 7x57 too. I went 7mm-08.


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[Djahnsen]

If you’re strictly 400 and in you don’t need the ackley I would look at the 7x57 too. I went 7mm-08.


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The main reason I was considering the ackley version of the cartridge was if I ran copper bullets I would have more powder capacity if I needed to seat them deeper. But you are probably right in the since it really doesn’t gain me much. My other thought was it’s no harder to reload them as ai rounds after shooting the standard loads. My father has always shot a 7x57 so we have plenty of brass. I would have just stopped all of this and done the 7mm-08 if I had the short action.

 

[stan5677]

The main reason I was considering the ackley version of the cartridge was if I ran copper bullets I would have more powder capacity if I needed to seat them deeper. But you are probably right in the since it really doesn’t gain me much. My other thought was it’s no harder to reload them as ai rounds after shooting the standard loads. My father has always shot a 7x57 so we have plenty of brass. I would have just stopped all of this and done the 7mm-08 if I had the short action.

If you’d like speed get a 22in barrel 270 and push the hammers over 3200fps


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[puckhead]

Gotta make use of the long action. 270 is easy or a fast twist 25-06 would be cool shooting the 130s. 284win throated long is another cool option. Or 6.5-284. I've got a fast twist 25-284 on a LA and elk inside 400yd is no problemo

 

[3325]

Something classic. 7x57 or .270 Winchester.

 

[Djahnsen]

Gotta make use of the long action. 270 is easy or a fast twist 25-06 would be cool shooting the 130s. 284win throated long is another cool option. Or 6.5-284. I've got a fast twist 25-284 on a LA and elk inside 400yd is no problemo

I have a fast twist 25-06 in an old Mauser action it’s too much fun! That 284 is something I haven’t put much thought into but will dive deep into tonight.

 

[Djahnsen]

Something classic. 7x57 or .270 Winchester.

Hard to beat the classics they’re that way for a reason!

 

[z987k]

On a long action, in 7mm, 284win thoated long.

To really use that long action, the new 25 rpm has a lot to like above and beyond what a 25-06 can do.

 

[puckhead]

I have a fast twist 25-06 in an old Mauser action it’s too much fun! That 284 is something I haven’t put much thought into but will dive deep into tonight.

It's a case worth looking into. The 160s throated out should fit the bill. 25s are cooler tho

 

[puckhead]

On a long action, in 7mm, 284win thoated long.

To really use that long action, the new 25 rpm has a lot to like above and beyond what a 25-06 can do.

But brass.....if it doesn't survive.......

 

[43.6N]

Hard to beat the classics they’re that way for a reason!

257 roberts…AI
Twisted and throated for the 135’s
Just the right amount of classic…and modern

But I guess you could also do the same with the 7x57

 

[Djahnsen]

250 roberts…AI
Twisted and throated for the 135’s
Just the right amount of classic…and modern

But I guess you could also do the same with the 7x57

The 257 Robert’s is one hell of a round and don’t get talked about enough!

 

[43.6N]

The 257 Robert’s is one hell of a round and don’t get talked about enough!

Yup!
If I had access to any halfway decent brass, it would be THE gun for me.

 

[Djahnsen]

Yup!
If I had access to any halfway decent brass, it would be THE gun for me.

Make it from some 30-06 brass super easy!

 

[LightFoot]

So I recently picked up a Weatherby 307 long action and am stuck on what to build.

I’d like to have a 20” barrel and prefer the 7mm’s but I can be open to others.

I was thinking of a 7x57ai build and running 140-150 gr weight bullets. My other thought was the 280ai roughly same bullet weights.

I’m planning on this being a well rounded rifle I won’t attempt a shot on game any further than 400 yards no matter how tempted I may be. Would like for it to be more than capable at taking elk at that range though.

All thoughts and input is greatly appreciated!

I went through the same analysis for a Gen 1 Remington M700 Ti I just acquired. I considered a 6.5x55 pushing 156 Bergers, 7x57 with 168 Bergers, and even a 338-06 (but that thought was quickly dismissed).

I settled on the 270 Win for the flexibility of hand loads and factory ammo. This build is a dedicate sheep rifle for Alaska. If I were doing an all-around build, the 7x57 and 280 are better choices.


No matter what you decide, a good build and quality loads will do anything you need it to do in N.A.


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[nphunter]

I’d do 257 Roberts or 25-06 both AI if you plan on light bullets. If going 7mm I’d run 160-180gr bullets.

 

[MtnW]

I would go with the 280I for all around rifle, you have the choice of a lot of premium bullets in the 140-160 grain and even the 175 grain Nosler Partition if grizzly or moose is on the agenda