Rifle build from a clean slate

[huntstrong2850]

Let’s say you had the opportunity to start fresh on a rifle and it will be fully custom but you’re wanting to build one rifle to hunt practically any game in North America with from elk to deer to sheep and goats. I’m in that current position and struggling with what caliber to choose. Just some general feedback on what you guys like and prefer from some of you who really do use one rifle to do all your big game hunting. Would you stick to the norm and go with a 270, 300win, 308, 7mag, or 338win... or step into a different world with the 28 or 30 nosler, 300 rum, 338 rum or lapua, even the 6mm or 6.5-300... having the longer range capability for your coues deer or fun shots on antelope but still able to take down an elk quickly and accurately. What’s some of you guys favorites and experiences with what you use.


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[johnsd16]

It depends on what kind of shooter you are or want to be, and if you do or want to reload. Also what is the biggest game you want to hunt with any regularity. If you want to get into the long range (over 600yd) game that could sway you toward some or away from other calibers. As you point out there are tons of great big game calibers out there. I moved to ID in 2017 from the Midwest and sort of went through a similar question. I already had 25-06, 270 WSM, 22-250, 280 rem and 30-06. I wanted a rifle I could carry in ID, MT, WY and AK for deer, elk, and bear with the consideration for running into grizzlies. For those reasons and that I didn’t have a big caliber I built a 338 win mag. If you reload there are a lot more options. I don’t currently load, but want to in the next 5 yrs.

Down the road I plan to basically have two primary rifles with the 338 win mag and 260 rem when I built that one (next using the 22-250 as a donor). If you plan well you can really cover most rifle hunting needs with 2 and more confidently 3 rifles in my opinion (don’t tell wife or expect me to sell any of my current collection).

I look at is as something that is shooting 45-80gr bullets for varmits or light game, something in the 100-150gr range for deer/close range bigger game, and something shooting 200-300gr for heavier game or longer (relative) ranges. You can find a lot of options in those categories.

To do one build I would consider something like a 7mm rem mag a minimum, and going over the 338 class (win mag, Lapua, edge, RUM, -378 wby, etc) isn’t necessary.

Long post. Wife is watching the bachelor.

 

[huntstrong2850]

It depends on what kind of shooter you are or want to be, and if you do or want to reload. Also what is the biggest game you want to hunt with any regularity. If you want to get into the long range (over 600yd) game that could sway you toward some or away from other calibers. As you point out there are tons of great big game calibers out there. I moved to ID in 2017 from the Midwest and sort of went through a similar question. I already had 25-06, 270 WSM, 22-250, 280 rem and 30-06. I wanted a rifle I could carry in ID, MT, WY and AK for deer, elk, and bear with the consideration for running into grizzlies. For those reasons and that I didn’t have a big caliber I built a 338 win mag. If you reload there are a lot more options. I don’t currently load, but want to in the next 5 yrs.

Down the road I plan to basically have two primary rifles with the 338 win mag and 260 rem when I built that one (next using the 22-250 as a donor). If you plan well you can really cover most rifle hunting needs with 2 and more confidently 3 rifles in my opinion (don’t tell wife or expect me to sell any of my current collection).

I look at is as something that is shooting 45-80gr bullets for varmits or light game, something in the 100-150gr range for deer/close range bigger game, and something shooting 200-300gr for heavier game or longer (relative) ranges. You can find a lot of options in those categories.

To do one build I would consider something like a 7mm rem mag a minimum, and going over the 338 class (win mag, Lapua, edge, RUM, -378 wby, etc) isn’t necessary.

Long post. Wife is watching the bachelor.

Well I’m a competitive shooter, and have taken coues out past 600 yards. But I’ve done a lot more shooting with your standard cartridges as in 308 and 300 win mags. I’ve never ventured far from that other than with varmit rifles, your 204’s and 22-250’s. I’ve been really looking into the nosler rounds a lot but being from the east it’s not something anyone here shoots.

Most hunting done will be for mule deer, occasionally elk once a year or every other year, and mountain goats as well as dall sheep in the near future. But what I’m really wondering is there a caliber you would choose to be comfortable on any of those above if you had to take that 600 yard shot last day there he is it’s now or it won’t happen. I’m just looking for something new since I moved a rifle the other day and looking to build a new something lol...


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[Dcrafton]

I am building a full custom as we speak,
280ai
Proof research carbon fiber barrel 1:8 twist
A419 hellfire break
ARC nucleus action
McMillan game Hunter edge tech stock
Jewel trigger
VX5 HD scope
Seekins rings


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[dirtytough]

I like the 30 nosler or the 300 prc. Now that there is more 30 nosler brass being manufactured from other companies that’s probably what I’m going to build. Just waiting on bottom metal. But the 300 prc has ammo for $45 a box and is actually throated properly to maximize case capacity from the factory. I doubt if you reload you will notice much difference.

 

[huntstrong2850]

I like the 30 nosler or the 300 prc. Now that there is more 30 nosler brass being manufactured from other companies that’s probably what I’m going to build. Just waiting on bottom metal. But the 300 prc has ammo for $45 a box and is actually throated properly to maximize case capacity from the factory. I doubt if you reload you will notice much difference.

I’ve been reading a lot of what I was able to find on the 30 nosler and it seems like it’s legit badas* being more energy than the 300win and only slightly less than the rum. It’s definitely on top of my list, saw somewhere the barrel life on the 30 is greater than the 28 as well can you verify that?


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[dirtytough]

I’ve been reading a lot of what I was able to find on the 30 nosler and it seems like it’s legit badas* being more energy than the 300win and only slightly less than the rum. It’s definitely on top of my list, saw somewhere the barrel life on the 30 is greater than the 28 as well can you verify that?


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Nope I can’t. But it makes sense that barrel life is better since the 30 nos case has a few grains less capacity than the 28 nos and a larger bore.

 

[huntstrong2850]

Nope I can’t. But it makes sense that barrel life is better since the 30 nos case has a few grains less capacity than the 28 nos and a larger bore.

You’re right that would make a lot of sense.


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[tdhanses]

I did this exact thing a few years ago, went 270wsm. All I can say is when I shoot the barrel out I’ll be rebarreling it to a 300wsm.

Really bullet choice and available brass options should fall into your consideration. I wanted a 270wsm to play with the Berger 170’s and really almost pigeon holed myself to a build for one bullet but I also have 175gr Matrix and 180gr Woodleigh. Not nearly the options as a .308 cal.

Also while all these newer cals sound great, how long will they last?

 

[huntstrong2850]

I did this exact thing a few years ago, went 270wsm. All I can say is when I shoot the barrel out I’ll be rebarreling it to a 300wsm.

Really bullet choice and available brass options should fall into your consideration. I wanted a 270wsm to play with the ether 170’s and really almost pigeon holed myself to a build for one bullet but I also have 175gr Matrix and 180gr Woodleigh. Not nearly the options as a .308 cal.

That’s one thing I have been considering and there aren’t a lot of available options yet to the 30 nosler is the one downside I’ve seen with that caliber


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[Ndbowhunter]

Shot heaps of shit with a 300 win mag, and a fair bit with lesser calibers They all died, and probably faster with the tinsy 223 then the magnum flinging no melt tip bullets.

I still hanker for a 6br all custom how i’d Like or a fast twist, large coal 222ai, or a bitchin 284 win fast twist, or even a tank 300 win mag just cuz

But the fact of the matter a tikka superlite in 6.5 creedmoor does it all.

You can invent some scenario in which case it may not be perfect, but that shitty stock, ugly action, goofy mag just plain gets it done..

30 degree shoulder, lapua brass, .6 something bc 2700fps with only 42grains of powder sure is a nice place to be.

Not to be that guy, jus sayin.

 

[huntstrong2850]

Shot heaps of shit with a 300 win mag, and a fair bit with lesser calibers They all died, and probably faster with the tinsy 223 then the magnum flinging no melt tip bullets.

I still hanker for a 6br all custom how i’d Like or a fast twist, large coal 222ai, or a bitchin 284 win fast twist, or even a tank 300 win mag just cuz

But the fact of the matter a tikka superlite in 6.5 creedmoor does it all.

You can invent some scenario in which case it may not be perfect, but that shitty stock, ugly action, goofy mag just plain gets it done..

30 degree shoulder, lapua brass, .6 something bc 2700fps with only 42grains of powder sure is a nice place to be.

Not to be that guy, jus sayin.

Haha I like your wording ... and 6mm is something I’ve been looking into as well. Your argument makes a lot of sense though thank ya sir


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[dirtytough]

I did this exact thing a few years ago, went 270wsm. All I can say is when I shoot the barrel out I’ll be rebarreling it to a 300wsm.

Really bullet choice and available brass options should fall into your consideration. I wanted a 270wsm to play with the Berger 170’s and really almost pigeon holed myself to a build for one bullet but I also have 175gr Matrix and 180gr Woodleigh. Not nearly the options as a .308 cal.

Also while all these newer cals sound great, how long will they last?

I believe there are 4-5 brass manufacturers making nosler brass now. I don’t really look for factory ammo but I think it was like $65 a box last time I looked.

The 300 prc was adopted by the military so I’m pretty sure it’s here to stay. Also as well as the Hornady factory ammo shoots in the 6.5 creed and 6.5 prc I bet the 300 prc will shoot pretty well with factory ammo also.

I also like the 300wsm. That would be a great choice also.

 

[huntstrong2850]

I believe there are 4-5 brass manufacturers making nosler brass now. I don’t really look for factory ammo but I think it was like $65 a box last time I looked.

The 300 prc was adopted by the military so I’m pretty sure it’s here to stay. Also as well as the Hornady factory ammo shoots in the 6.5 creed and 6.5 prc I bet the 300 prc will shoot pretty well with factory ammo also.

I also like the 300wsm. That would be a great choice also.

Factory ammo today from nosler thru midway while I was looking was cheapest at $69 and the rest more around $80 per box with their long range version sold out every where you look


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[dirtytough]

If I wasn’t going to reload I would go prc. If I was going to reload I would probably go nosler since there are more brass options available at this time.

Like I mentioned earlier I have all the parts except the bottom metal sitting here ready to go. And I’m still torn between the nosler and prc.

 

[huntstrong2850]

If I wasn’t going to reload I would go prc. If I was going to reload I would probably go nosler since there are more brass options available at this time.

Like I mentioned earlier I have all the parts except the bottom metal sitting here ready to go. And I’m still torn between the nosler and prc.

Makes a lot of sense I’m seeing that now the more you guys talk about things I wasn’t factoring in


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[huntstrong2850]

Reading about that PRC has some pretty interested in that. That’s a sweet round it seems like.


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[Ndbowhunter]

284 with 180 el’s-m in a 26” should getcha right above 2800fps. That will match external ballistics of a prc.

7saum should hit 2900

That’s Not a straight up fair comparison, wringing the nuts off a handload vs relatively mild saami spec factory fodder. But a 284 with 180’s would be a lot easier on the pad, and can be built a lot smaller and lighter and still be shootable.

Lapua brass with a simple neck up, 28cent bullets. Tons of room in the mag box, great barrel life, plenty of ass for the biggest game.

284 win on a long action, built to be around 7.5 all up scoped is a grail gun imho.

All that said, a shit ass 788 in 22-250 with crappy Remington 55gr has dropped 8 moose for my buddy. Hasn’t bought meat outside of the odd chicken in 9 years.

Sometimes ya got to look around and realize everyone’s at the back of the bus on the short bus.

 

[huntstrong2850]

Sometimes ya got to look around and realize everyone’s at the back of the bus on the short bus.

Haha touché my friend. Glad I posted this I’ve learned quite a bit already


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[Rob5589]

Being a .284 fan myself; an 8.5 twisted .284 tube, throated long to run 180's, in 7 Rem mag would be a great all around critter killer. Pretty easy to hit close to 3000 fps with Retumbo or similar. And for me, the 7's are just easier on the shoulder than the 300's. The old 7 mag isn't as pretty as some of the newer stuff but can still get it done.