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.