28 or 30 cal for build

[Tidus56]

I built a 30 Nosler as my step above my 280 AI. I added freebore and a bigger box so I can get a little more powder in the case or atleast get to the lands with the bigger box. I am still waiting on parts and if my barrel wasnt chambered already I would go 30-28 Nosler. It will give you a bit more and I already have a ton of 28 Nosler brass laying around from my 28 Nosler I have. Oh well I guess, should have thought that one through. I say go 30-28 Nosler to shoot the 215s or as Beeman said if your shots are that close I would just go 280 AI it's my favorite overall round, I have used it on elk and mule deer and it left nothing to be desired.

 

[skipglo]

You said you have a 300 Weatherby, or was that had? Anyway...go back to 300 bee or 300 RUM, would be my advice

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

Standard old fashion ho hum .300 WM will serve your every need with very little pain or anxiety !! No need to look elsewhere...has withstood the test of time and your wallet depletion rather well....

 

[VLD Pilot]

Soooo many options. Pick what sounds good. Any will do what your asking. I don't like belted cartridges when non-belted are available with equal performance. My next is going to be the 300PRC. The 28 Nosler is a hammer but the 284 win will get it done as well.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

I think deer are not part of the discussion because both options are overkill for deer.
For big game I'll take big bullets. The biggest bullets are in the 30 cal. The 30 is far more versatile than the 28/7mm. Just compare bullet options between them.
As for the 30 cal cartridges...easy button 300wm....more bang 30N or 300RUM. I'm set up for the 300wm, so rebarreling for me is easy.
I wouldn't feel undergunned with any of the options in your list.

Pretty much agree with wolf in that deer aren't part of this topic as both are way more than capable.
One thing i strongly disagree is his use of the phrase " 30 CAL IS FAR MORE VERSATILE " NONSENSE. THERE would not be a situation where one ( atleast me) where i said to myself man i wish i had that 30 cal. From deer to Brownies either are fantasticly capable.

But like you said you have the fascination for the 30 nos. Go for that. You have to build exactly what makes you excited. Or you will quickly find yourself disappointed.
Best of luck

 

[500000KV]

I built a 30 Nosler as my step above my 280 AI. I added freebore and a bigger box so I can get a little more powder in the case or atleast get to the lands with the bigger box. I am still waiting on parts and if my barrel wasnt chambered already I would go 30-28 Nosler. It will give you a bit more and I already have a ton of 28 Nosler brass laying around from my 28 Nosler I have. Oh well I guess, should have thought that one through. I say go 30 Nosler to shoot the 215s or as Beeman said if your shots are that close I would just go 280 AI it's my favorite overall round, I have used it on elk and mule deer and it left nothing to be desired.

Exactly why I went to 30/28's, able to use 28 brass for it. And it's about 100 fps faster node.

 

[Swamplord]

I appreciate everyone's input. I am more than likely going to go with .30 Nosler will reload. its a solid round and I am just attracted to it. Gunna run it and see. When I get build finished I will let y'all know my impression.

I'll admit I wasn't too wild about the 30 Nosler at first but it has grown on me recently, It is an intriguing cartridge as I am a big fan of the 300 WSM and 300 RUM, you basically have the same diameter case somewhere in between the two in length, the 30 Nosler allows for a bit more punch over the time tested & proven big game smasher, the 300 Win Mag, case length is slightly shorter for less impact on case capacity with bullet seating, and best of all is that both Peterson & ADG make super quality 30 Nosler brass so you aren't stuck with just Nosler cases ....

and Peterson 30 Nosler brass is currently in stock at Grafs .....

and ADG 30 Nosler brass is in stock at Creedmoor Sports
....

Peterson Brass 30 Nosler Unprimed Box of 50 - Graf & Sons

All 50 count listings of Peterson Cartridge casings come in one of their plastic ammo boxes. Made in the U.S.A. Peterson Cartridge Co is committed to producing Match-Grade Brass that enables our customers to get more reloads per casing than industry average. Warning: Only use Peterson...

www.grafs.com

ADG 30 Nosler Brass

ADG 30 Nosler Brass Carefully readthis description! You will likely have to change your load for ADG brass. ADG30 Noslerbrass was designed not only for consistency, but for durability. One of the waysADG accomplished this was adding material to the case in specific areas to...

www.creedmoorsports.com

 

[500000KV]

I'll admit I wasn't too wild about the 30 Nosler at first but it has grown on me recently, It is an intriguing cartridge as I am a big fan of the 300 WSM and 300 RUM, you basically have the same diameter case somewhere in between the two in length, the 30 Nosler allows for a bit more punch over the time tested & proven big game smasher, the 300 Win Mag, case length is slightly shorter for less impact on case capacity with bullet seating, and best of all is that both Peterson & ADG make super quality 30 Nosler brass so you aren't stuck with just Nosler cases ....

and Peterson 30 Nosler brass is currently in stock at Grafs .....

and ADG 30 Nosler brass is in stock at Creedmoor Sports
....

Peterson Brass 30 Nosler Unprimed Box of 50 - Graf & Sons

All 50 count listings of Peterson Cartridge casings come in one of their plastic ammo boxes. Made in the U.S.A. Peterson Cartridge Co is committed to producing Match-Grade Brass that enables our customers to get more reloads per casing than industry average. Warning: Only use Peterson...

www.grafs.com

ADG 30 Nosler Brass

ADG 30 Nosler Brass Carefully readthis description! You will likely have to change your load for ADG brass. ADG30 Noslerbrass was designed not only for consistency, but for durability. One of the waysADG accomplished this was adding material to the case in specific areas to...

www.creedmoorsports.com

And site sponsor JA Outdoors has adg for $5 cheaper than creedmoor:

30 Nosler -

30 Nosler ADG Brass. 50 count per box. Pound for pound the toughest - most consistent brass produced today! Proudly made in the USA!

jaoutdoors.com

 

[jessej]

Soooo many options.

But only one of them is right…..
….. RUM.

IF 600 +or- yards is your projected max range and you're gonna reload, there's no way I'd choose anything else unless you like a radius shoulder (30-378).
Load 150 pills At 37-3800 fps. Zero at 300 yrds. 400 yards will only be 6-7 inches low. Less than 20inchs at 500 yards. If the rifle is accurate and you are proficient with it, it takes very little thought or time to execute a shot out to 500 and only a moment longer at 600.
This load is a proven killer on white tail deer antelope and muleys out to 800.

 

[Nunu]

I'm also planning on a new built and was considering 6.8/.270, 7mm/.280 or the 300. After tons of reading and watching I think I'm leaning towards a 300 PRC. Not final yet but probably.

 

[mnoland30]

I had 7mm's including TCU, 7-30 Water, 7mm Rem Mag, 7m WSM, and shoot anything from 120 gr. to 168 gr. I've never been under gunned. I find that for off hand shooting, my Contender 7 TCU is so much easier to shoot because of the recoil. One reason the 6.5 Creedmore is so popular is because the lack of recoil makes it easy to shoot. Most of the folks I see shooting 300 Win Mags are using muzzle brakes for a reason. You get the same sectional density with a 160 gr. 7mm as a 180 gr. .30 cal. Why punish yourself? I've killed javelina, deer, elk, auodad, and oryx with a 7mm. One shot kills every time I did my part.

 

[WildRose]

But only one of them is right…..
….. RUM.

IF 600 +or- yards is your projected max range and you're gonna reload, there's no way I'd choose anything else unless you like a radius shoulder (30-378).
Load 150 pills At 37-3800 fps. Zero at 300 yrds. 400 yards will only be 6-7 inches low. Less than 20inchs at 500 yards. If the rifle is accurate and you are proficient with it, it takes very little thought or time to execute a shot out to 500 and only a moment longer at 600.
This load is a proven killer on white tail deer antelope and muleys out to 800.

I love my rums but would not blink at the thought of poking something with my 300wm's from 600-900.

My longest ever confirmed kill was at 1230m with a junky old 300wm.

This site should carry a disclaimer, "Reading here may result in Cannonitis".

 

[WildRose]

I had 7mm's including TCU, 7-30 Water, 7mm Rem Mag, 7m WSM, and shoot anything from 120 gr. to 168 gr. I've never been under gunned. I find that for off hand shooting, my Contender 7 TCU is so much easier to shoot because of the recoil. One reason the 6.5 Creedmore is so popular is because the lack of recoil makes it easy to shoot. Most of the folks I see shooting 300 Win Mags are using muzzle brakes for a reason. You get the same sectional density with a 160 gr. 7mm as a 180 gr. .30 cal. Why punish yourself? I've killed javelina, deer, elk, auodad, and oryx with a 7mm. One shot kills every time I did my part.

You should talk to me sometime about the 6.5LRM or 6.5-375Ruger. It has really changed my perspective.

3400fps, clover leaf groups and it barely tickles your shoulder when you pull the trigger.

This from a guy who's primary rifles for 30 years were 7mm RM's and STW's.

 

[4thefunofit]

Hello folks,

I love this website wealth of knowledge here. I have finally decided to build a rifle got smith lined up and decided on most components. It will be primarily for whitetail but planning on mule deer and elk in next few years. I will have shots in Tennessee ranging from 50-600 yards primarily with most shots 350 and under. In the past I have shot 7RM, but currently shoot 6.5 PRC with 143 ELDX. Before I was shooting a built 300 WBY with 210 VLD. I like terminal peformsnce off the 300 WBY better than the 6.5 PRC have not tried 156 and with component shortage have shot the factory 143. I have had things with all my rifles I did not like so why I am building.

I want to "gun up" and initially was leaning towards 28 nosler shooting berger 180 or 195. I know barely life is not good and also feel like I can't go wrong with 30 caliber shooting 215 berger reloads.

Build will be

Manners EH/1A or LRH
Defiance Action
Arcs Rail for tripod with ball head
26 inch proof barrel with suppressor
Timney trigger
ZEISS V6 5-30 already have or possibly NX8 2.5-20

Main thing I'm struggling with is 28 or 30 cal. If 30, 300 win, 30 nosler.

I am not worried about meat damage. When I shoot something I want as much damage, little to no tracking. Of course need to avoid shoulder, proper placement.

I know 28 or 30 cal is big for whitetail but I do not mind recoil and want hammer deer rifle good for western hunts (elk and mule deer) as well.

Let your advice opinions role on. I am ready to start build and start stacking components as I can.

Thanks

This is probably way out in left field, but if you enjoy reloading and tinkering with wildcats a .30-7mmRM AI would probably do all you want and then some. As for the cartridge, it sounds intriguing, but I can't find any info about it.