Best cartrige for long range target and also for Elk hunting.

[point_blank65]

I new to the forum. I was wondering what you alls opinion was on what would be the best cartridge to get for 90% of the time shooting long range target and 10% of the time elk hunting. Initially I was debating on 4 options, 7 prc, 7 rem mag, 300 win mag, and 300 prc. I decided against the prc's due to short barrel life. Here lately I been pretty confident about going 300 win mag, especially with future reloading. Is there something better I'm missing or is this a solid decision.

 

[Jakeweb09]

I'd say barrel life difference between win mag and prc will be negligible. It would be more dependent on rate of fire then cartridge between the two. I'm not a fan of 7 prc myself but 300 prc is a great cartridge and loses the belt, plus more accurate factory ammo if that's what you shoot. For reloading their really a wash if you've got a custom chamber.

 

[point_blank65]

The 7 prc looks to be phenomenal on the ballistics side, but looking at 600 rd barrel life from what I been told. So yeah I'm not a fan either. The last couple weeks, the 300 prc peaked my interest again especially since most of my shooting with it will be long range target. What would the bullet drop difference be on the 300 prc vs the 300 WM at say 1000 yds.

 

[Jakeweb09]

Depends on a lot of things, the properly throat win mag can match ballistics, sammi chamber probably lag behind The prc a bit.

Be pretty tough to burn a 7 prc in 600 rounds but I guess not impossible. I'd say likely more like 1000-1200 depending on shooting style and powder ran. Which isn't far off of the win mag/300 prc. Not very helpful info I'm sure, but between these 4 I'd say it really just depends on if it's a factory rifle or custom and if shooting factory ammo or hand loads

 

[point_blank65]

Using a bergara sierra wilderness and mostly factory ammo for a while until i get into reloading

 

[OG-danimal]

Checkout the 280AI and 6.8 western as well.

 

[point_blank65]

Checkout the 280AI and 6.8 western as well.

I have thought about the 6.8 western but haven't heard of many guys using it so I just kinda put it on the back burner.

 

[LBEdgin]

300 rum

 

[Cookie114]

300 wsm chambered to shoot the heavier stuff will be hard to beat when wanting a great steel and elk killer in one package. I've ran a few with 205 berger elite hunters, 210 VLD and also had a 175 LRX load that hammered.

 

[mtank]

I have thought about the 6.8 western but haven't heard of many guys using it so I just kinda put it on the back burner.

I would love to own a 6.8 western just because but can't justify due to the lack of factory ammo availability. Midway only has 1 option of 6.8 western in stock @ over $70 a box , 11 options for the 280ai @ $45ish a box. 280ai all day every day & twice on Sunday.

 

[Mcranch]

30 nosler .200 throat. 205, 215 Berger. 800/1000 rounds. Prefit barrels, get two to go with a quality custom action.

 

[sierrastalker]

Another vote for 280ai. It's just a hard round to beat for the sweet spot it hits for versatility. I'm also not really into tons of recoil if it's gonna be a 90% range time rifle. Agree with others on barrel life - if you can afford to shoot one out you can afford a new one and you'll probably know a lot more about what you want by then.

 

[FEENIX]

I new to the forum. I was wondering what you alls opinion was on what would be the best cartridge to get for 90% of the time shooting long range target and 10% of the time elk hunting. Initially I was debating on 4 options, 7 prc, 7 rem mag, 300 win mag, and 300 prc. I decided against the prc's due to short barrel life. Here lately I been pretty confident about going 300 win mag, especially with future reloading. Is there something better I'm missing or is this a solid decision.

Welcome to LRH, and enjoy!

Out of your choices, it boils down to personal preference. All are capable of your intended purpose. I prefer .30 cal over .28 cal. I have 3 .300 WMs, which remain my go-to chambering for antelope —to elk-size game to 1KY. Load the .300 WM with 215 Berger, and you're golden. Good luck!

 

[7mm man]

Considering the recent 223 or 6CM kills anything argument that keeps popping up, you will see responses that range from 17HMR to 338LM. A good 7mm, 30cal or 338cal magnum would do the trick. If you want decent barrel life look to the 300WM, 300 PRC, 300WSM, 7SAUM, 7RM or 7PRC. I personally think anything with SAUM in the name has an easy button for accuracy and low SDs.