Yep, Murphy does not discriminate.
-
If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here
Caliber indecision – Sporter rifle
- Thread starter pods8
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
Yep, Murphy does not discriminate.
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
Belted mags don't require any special voodoo anymoreso than a non-belted cartridge. 7mmRM is an excellent option. I've had up to 3 of them at 1 time. Now I'm back down to 2, as I turned one of them into another caliber (.300 Ackley Imp Magnum).Speak of the devil (in terms of a barrel maker I was highly considering!), I saw mention in some other threads elsewhere you guys will make up prefit barrels for use with barrel nuts in house?
P.S. too bad I wasn't pursuing this a couple years ago, I wasn't too far south of you guys (Everett, WA); but I can't complain about the hunting out here.
6.5 looks interesting but I figured I'd stay with the 7mm/30cal turf to limit how many bullet calibers I play with (for now). 280ack does look pretty fun with the benefit of commercial brass (and ammo if need) but both sure command a premium (though probably not much of one once you factor in components to fire form them or any other wild cat and atleast dies are readily available).
Although I've gathered 7mag isn't vodoo to reload it does seemingly require extra dies (to body size separately) to get max life out of them where as -06 parent cases seem extremely straight forward.
7mmRM is hands-down my all-time favorite caliber for all-around hunting. You can load it light and fast for varmints, or heavy and hard-hitting for big game out to 1,000 yards. Just an extremely versatile caliber. It's what I primarily deer hunt with, and have for over 12 years. I still use my others on occasion, but if I'm going deer hunting, I almost always grab one of my 7mmRM's.
So the one thing I see getting mentioned is set up dies to bump the shoulder .002" or so and just neck size however eventually they'll need FL sizing when they get harder to load. [Note I typically always FL size since I never want to have an issue when hunting.] Folks talk of bulging above the belt, I'm unclear if this is from FL sizing moving brass around when just bumping the shoulder or its the brass expanding in subsequent firings and not getting sized back. Either way folks have referenced using a body die to combat that.
Where am I on/off base?
It does look extremely versatile, it'd just be nice if the needless belt wasn't there it would seem. I was looking into the loadings a bit more for it today and was pleased to see IMR4350 runs fairly well for lower weight bullets out of it as I believe I'd tend to shoot 139-145gr turf just like my 7mm-08. (139/140 plinker rounds and probably a mono in the 140-150turf for hunting if they performed). IMR4350 is the main one I already use in 30-06 and occasionally the 7mm-08 (mostly varget though).
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
Don't worry about all that bump crap....Just buy a nice Redding 3-die set with the FL, Neck-sizer, and seater dies. Then you're covered. I neck-size all mine till they get hard to chamber, then I run them through the FL sizer die.
Actually with today's technology the belt is simply there for headspacing, and it was originally designed for guaranteed positive extraction in dangerous game calibers for hunting Africa, and places like that where extracting of a spent cartridge can mean life or death.
Also, I've found that IMR 7828 SSC is the best magnum powder I have used to date. I use it in my 7mmRM's with Berger 168 VLD's for a MV of 3,115 fps. That's kickin pretty good.
I have worked up loads in all of my calibers for 7828 SSC, except my .308 and 7mm-08, which I use Varget because that's the best stuff I've found for the .308 based cartridges.
gohring3006
Well-Known Member
The belt was originally used for head spacing cartridges without a positive shoulder they are pretty much useless in any cartridge with a shoulder they may have helped with extraction but that was not there intended purpose.
Still haven't decided on a new gun yet, good to have other options in the stable already to use in the meantime!
For whatever reason 300WSM has crept into the running in my head quite a bit now. Looks like pretty decent velocity is achievable while still staying on a sporter platform without a brake. Recoil is a bit over my initial ideal 20ftlbs but still tolerable.
For whatever reason 300WSM has crept into the running in my head quite a bit now. Looks like pretty decent velocity is achievable while still staying on a sporter platform without a brake. Recoil is a bit over my initial ideal 20ftlbs but still tolerable.
Just be aware feeding can be a bit tricky on the WSM's. And without single feeding or a long box you will be stuck with the lighter bullets. If you want to consider the .30's look at the 300 winny and a wyatts ultramag box.
Chris
Benchmark Barrels
Chris
Benchmark Barrels
I was thinking on a LA, need to do more homework if there is still a feeding issue but that would address the length issue.
Truc
Well-Known Member
Just put this sporter together, standard 280. When I first looked at velocities difference between the 280 and the AI, I looked at Noslers loading book and saw only 25 fps difference. after I had it chambered I realized that the 280 was 26" and the 280 AI was 24" so I guess the AI will probably get 75fps faster, but is that really enough?
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/280-remington-stiller-142242/
rpierce had the actions for 925 shipped
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/280-remington-stiller-142242/
rpierce had the actions for 925 shipped
Nice rig, good to know the weight/components.
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
If you plan on building a .280, go ahead and build a .280 AI. Might as well go custom caliber if you're building a custom rifle. Just my thoughts.
Plus, the .280 AI is a hell of a caliber and is extremely versatile...Just like the 7mm RemMag is. Which is another good option if you are wanting to go magnum, but not overboard on size, recoil, and want to keep the 7mm bullet diameter.
Plus, the .280 AI is a hell of a caliber and is extremely versatile...Just like the 7mm RemMag is. Which is another good option if you are wanting to go magnum, but not overboard on size, recoil, and want to keep the 7mm bullet diameter.
senderos are 8.5 pounds ( no scope) just get one in 7mm rem. no need to true the action. if you want add a krieger barrel and sell the factory. if you want an accurate sporter weight 7.25 pounds get a sako 85. no waiting.
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
They also offer that new 700 Long Range in a 7mm RemMag, for around $700. Comes with a B&C Medalist stock from the factory. So you have a nice platform to work off of, right out of the box. I hope to have one soon so I can give a good solid review of them.
Found a deal on a donor 270win (M695 action) so that brings 280AI right to the forefront for rebarrel consideration. Check is in the mail for it, good thing I have an elk hunt to distract me while I wait for it to show up.
