My favorite caliber

[Steve Sheasly]

I love all my rifles and various cartridges they are chambered for BUT I'm pretty sure the 28 Nosler could fill that order easily.

yes but it did not come out till 2015 and I already owned these guns. I could load the Lapua to do it all as well. Reach out further and hit harder -- ofcourse you do have to carry the Lapua and mounted with a scope and shooting sticks I think mine weighs close to 18 pounds. So If I lose 18 pounds I guess it is a wash
28 Nosler
Type Rifle
Production history
Designed 2015
Specifications
Parent case .404 Jeffery
Case type Rebated rim, bottlenecked
Bullet diameter .2840in
Neck diameter .320in
Shoulder diameter .528in
Base diameter .550in
Rim diameter .534in (13.6mm)
Case length 2.590in
Overall length 3.340in (84.8mm)
Case capacity 93.8 gr H2O
Rifling twist 1 in 9 inches
Primer type Large rifle magnum
Maximum pressure (SAAMI) 65,000 psi (450 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
160 gr (10.4 g) 3,191 ft/s (973 m/s) 3,596 ft⋅lbf (4,876 J)
180 gr (11.7 g) 3,081 ft/s (939 m/s) 3,795 ft⋅lbf (5,145 J)
150 gr (9.7 g) 3,262 ft/s (994 m/s) 3,545 ft⋅lbf (4,806 J)

Magnum 338 Lapua
Type Rifle
Place of origin Finland
Service history
Used by Multiple official and civil users
Wars Afghanistan War
Iraq War
Production history
Designer Nammo Lapua Oy
Designed 1989
Produced 1989–present
Specifications
Parent case .416 Rigby, .338/416
Case type Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter 8.58 mm (0.338 in)
Neck diameter 9.46 mm (0.372 in)
Shoulder diameter 13.82 mm (0.544 in)
Base diameter 14.91 mm (0.587 in)
Rim diameter 14.93 mm (0.588 in)
Rim thickness 1.52 mm (0.060 in)
Case length 69.20 mm (2.724 in)
Overall length 93.50 mm (3.681 in)
Case capacity 7.40 cm3 (114.2 gr H2O)
Rifling twist 254 mm (1-10")
Primer type Large rifle magnum
Maximum pressure 420.00 MPa (60,916 psi)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
12.96 g (200 gr) SP 1,005 m/s (3,300 ft/s) 6,734 J (4,967 ft⋅lbf)
16.20 g (250 gr) Partition 897 m/s (2,940 ft/s) 6,516 J (4,806 ft⋅lbf)
16.20 g (250 gr) Lapua Scenar GB488 VLD 910 m/s (3,000 ft/s) 6,634 J (4,893 ft⋅lbf)
19.44 g (300 gr) Sierra HPBT MatchKing 826 m/s (2,710 ft/s) 6,632 J (4,892 ft⋅lbf)
19.44 g (300 gr) Lapua Scenar GB528 VLD 837 m/s (2,750 ft/s) 6,810 J (5,020 ft⋅lbf)

 

[VLD Pilot]

yes but it did not come out till 2015 and I already owned these guns. I could load the Lapua to do it all as well. Reach out further and hit harder -- ofcourse you do have to carry the Lapua and mounted with a scope and shooting sticks I think mine weighs close to 18 pounds. So If I lose 18 pounds I guess it is a wash
28 Nosler
Type Rifle
Production history
Designed 2015
Specifications
Parent case .404 Jeffery
Case type Rebated rim, bottlenecked
Bullet diameter .2840in
Neck diameter .320in
Shoulder diameter .528in
Base diameter .550in
Rim diameter .534in (13.6mm)
Case length 2.590in
Overall length 3.340in (84.8mm)
Case capacity 93.8 gr H2O
Rifling twist 1 in 9 inches
Primer type Large rifle magnum
Maximum pressure (SAAMI) 65,000 psi (450 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
160 gr (10.4 g) 3,191 ft/s (973 m/s) 3,596 ft⋅lbf (4,876 J)
180 gr (11.7 g) 3,081 ft/s (939 m/s) 3,795 ft⋅lbf (5,145 J)
150 gr (9.7 g) 3,262 ft/s (994 m/s) 3,545 ft⋅lbf (4,806 J)

Magnum 338 Lapua
Type Rifle
Place of origin Finland
Service history
Used by Multiple official and civil users
Wars Afghanistan War
Iraq War
Production history
Designer Nammo Lapua Oy
Designed 1989
Produced 1989–present
Specifications
Parent case .416 Rigby, .338/416
Case type Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter 8.58 mm (0.338 in)
Neck diameter 9.46 mm (0.372 in)
Shoulder diameter 13.82 mm (0.544 in)
Base diameter 14.91 mm (0.587 in)
Rim diameter 14.93 mm (0.588 in)
Rim thickness 1.52 mm (0.060 in)
Case length 69.20 mm (2.724 in)
Overall length 93.50 mm (3.681 in)
Case capacity 7.40 cm3 (114.2 gr H2O)
Rifling twist 254 mm (1-10")
Primer type Large rifle magnum
Maximum pressure 420.00 MPa (60,916 psi)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
12.96 g (200 gr) SP 1,005 m/s (3,300 ft/s) 6,734 J (4,967 ft⋅lbf)
16.20 g (250 gr) Partition 897 m/s (2,940 ft/s) 6,516 J (4,806 ft⋅lbf)
16.20 g (250 gr) Lapua Scenar GB488 VLD 910 m/s (3,000 ft/s) 6,634 J (4,893 ft⋅lbf)
19.44 g (300 gr) Sierra HPBT MatchKing 826 m/s (2,710 ft/s) 6,632 J (4,892 ft⋅lbf)
19.44 g (300 gr) Lapua Scenar GB528 VLD 837 m/s (2,750 ft/s) 6,810 J (5,020 ft⋅lbf)

Oh no doubt the Lapua mag hands down has the ballistic advantage. My only point I guess is IF you only had one. My 338 Lapua improved would be awesome but I wouldn't like it as a pronghorn gun. Wouldn't really like it as a deer gun much either. I'll never own a 28 Nosler having a 7 Rem mag and a couple 284s and 7-08. With today's bullets, i really do not need a magnum for what I do. Other than playing the ELR game, wouldn't really need a 338 Lapua.

 

[Steve Sheasly]

Oh no doubt the Lapua mag hands down has the ballistic advantage. My only point I guess is IF you only had one. My 338 Lapua improved would be awesome but I wouldn't like it as a pronghorn gun. Wouldn't really like it as a deer gun much either. I'll never own a 28 Nosler having a 7 Rem mag and a couple 284s and 7-08. With today's bullets, i really do not need a magnum for what I do. Other than playing the ELR game, wouldn't really need a 338 Lapua.

Well stated.
I currently hunt Moose and Elk and want to some time venture after "the black death" Cape Buffalo and Gemsbok. Then my bucket list will be done and back to Moose and Wapiti.

I also want to go to the south island and hunt Chamois, Tar and Red Deer, which either my .243 or 270 wsm would handle nicely.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Well stated.
I currently hunt Moose and Elk and want to some time venture after "the black death" Cape Buffalo and Gemsbok. Then my bucket list will be done and back to Moose and Wapiti.

I also want to go to the south island and hunt Chamois, Tar and Red Deer, which either my .243 or 270 wsm would handle nicely.

Well your not under or over gunned on the Cape Buffalo using the 338 Lapua. It's a next zip code shooter but just as at home up close in the big boys with the right load.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

It's just tough comparing apples to oranges. The 270 is my favorite deer caliber out to about 350-400 yds. The 130 grain bullet never exits I always find it on the opposite side of the body under the hide. The deer gets all the energy and I've never had one take a second step after he's been hit. It's just tough to beat the superior ballistics of the 7 mm bullets available today. Berger definitely hit a home run with the 130 150 and 170 in the 277 caliber. I have a friend who built the 270 WSM to use the 170s for shooting 1000 yds. The setup does phenomenally well but at that range when I'm shooting 180s from my 284 at a 3000 fps, it outperforms his setup in both drop and wind. Also the accuracy of my 284 is far superior to his 270 at those longer ranges. Guessing why you don't see many 270 WSMs in 1000-yard matches.

It is tough, with so many variables top make true apples to apples comparisons. My point, between bullets only .007" diameter apart, and it's understood by those that know and shoot both caliber bullets, is that you can make apples to apples comparisons both between 7mms and 270s and within each caliber, e.g. my opinion is that the 7mm-08 hand down beats a 7x57, only due to it's higher pressure limit, which is more of a case of a newer round vs an old one. As to the 284 vs 270WSM, I'm not trying to be snarky when I write, one data point does not statistical significance make, in any caliber comparison. IMO, that 200-300fps muzzle velocity nod to the 270WSM is significant. As to matches, we see on this post that many shooters like many calibers and many of those are well known, or well hyped and the WSM line is known but is not a major player in any popularity contest. In any case, let's keep shooting flat and straight.

 

[Steve Sheasly]

You need at least two more options, 6.5 and 7mm.

My favorite is the 7mm STW and second to it would be the .300wm because of it's utility.

I dunno the 6.5 is getting a lot of hype. But a 160 grain max bullet weight is a bit light like by 50% or so. If a guide allowed this light of a gun I am sure he would be backing you up with a much larger caliber. I know I would be. Of course bullet placement is everything.The 300 is a great round but it is belted and developed in 1963. There has been a lot of innovative improvements since then. I think we are in the infancy of long range shooting and as knowledge and technology advances, and it will. The game will continue to get better. This is what I believe gave genesis to the 6.5 creedmoor. I just do not think it is there yet.

 

[VLD Pilot]

It is tough, with so many variables top make true apples to apples comparisons. My point, between bullets only .007" diameter apart, and it's understood by those that know and shoot both caliber bullets, is that you can make apples to apples comparisons both between 7mms and 270s and within each caliber, e.g. my opinion is that the 7mm-08 hand down beats a 7x57, only due to it's higher pressure limit, which is more of a case of a newer round vs an old one. As to the 284 vs 270WSM, I'm not trying to be snarky when I write, one data point does not statistical significance make, in any caliber comparison. IMO, that 200-300fps muzzle velocity nod to the 270WSM is significant. As to matches, we see on this post that many shooters like many calibers and many of those are well known, or well hyped and the WSM line is known but is not a major player in any popularity contest. In any case, let's keep shooting flat and straight.

136 ft lbs/83 ft lbs difference to be exact. Considering the comparison of a magnum versus a non magnum cartridge, fairly impressive.

 

[VLD Pilot]

I dunno the 6.5 is getting a lot of hype. But a 160 grain max bullet weight is a bit light like by 50% or so. If a guide allowed this light of a gun I am sure he would be backing you up with a much larger caliber. I know I would be. Of course bullet placement is everything.The 300 is a great round but it is belted and developed in 1963. There has been a lot of innovative improvements since then. I think we are in the infancy of long range shooting and as knowledge and technology advances, and it will. The game will continue to get better. This is what I believe gave genesis to the 6.5 creedmoor. I just do not think it is there yet.

I only compared the 162 to the 150 out of fairness. Obviously the 180-195s would be the choice if used on a guided BIG game hunt meaning Biggest bears, Moose or African game. Tough to beat the 195 ahead of a load of powder in a 28 Nosler.

 

[Hunter09]

As others have said already, .30-06 is my favorite "do it all" round.

 

[operator1]

Choosing a caliber for an all around hunting rifle can be daunting for a new or even experienced hunter. After owning several .30 caliber magnums and not liking the weight of these guns, I finally settled on the .270 wsm. My daughter and I both have them and I have found that this caliber has all the qualities i could want in a deer and elk killer. My kid loves hers

300 wm has been my favorite for years and will remain. All around gun for every continent except some in Africa. Flat shooting, and hard hitting. Many choices on ammo and bullet weight. Just can't be beat. Put a brake and tame if you must.

 

[JIsbell40]

I used to think this way and explained on an earlier post how a good recoil pad changed the way I think about 30 cals, bigger than that, or magnums. Separately, and I think someone can speak to the reason as to why, but a bigger bullet behaves differently downrange. It just does. Mind you, I love them all from .25 to .338 as long range fun.

Such as 180 Berger 183 smk 197 smk or 195 Berger?
I have a 300 Weatherby with a 30" lilja that shoots 208 maxes @3075. But given the choice between carrying that 16 lb monster and my 11 lb 7wsm, it's no contest. And the big 30 doesn't offer any ballistic advantage over my 7wsm with a 180 Berger.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

Such as 180 Berger 183 smk 197 smk or 195 Berger?
I have a 300 Weatherby with a 30" lilja that shoots 208 maxes @3075. But given the choice between carrying that 16 lb monster and my 11 lb 7wsm, it's no contest. And the big 30 doesn't offer any ballistic advantage over my 7wsm with a 180 Berger.

As I've mentioned, I wish there were more off the shelf rifles in 7WSM.What a round.
That's great that your 7WSM likes the 180gn bullets. My Win Model 70 Shadow does not like the heavier 175+ class bullets but prefers 150-162gn and has done well with TB Bear Claw.

 

[VLD Pilot]

As I've mentioned, I wish there were more off the shelf rifles in 7WSM.What a round.
That's great that your 7WSM likes the 180gn bullets. My Win Model 70 Shadow does not like the heavier 175+ class bullets but prefers 150-162gn and has done well with TB Bear Claw.

Is it a 10 twist ? I believe they are 10 twist. Explains why it doesn't like the heavies.

 

[JIsbell40]

As I've mentioned, I wish there were more off the shelf rifles in 7WSM.What a round.
That's great that your 7WSM likes the 180gn bullets. My Win Model 70 Shadow does not like the heavier 175+ class bullets but prefers 150-162gn and has done well with TB Bear Claw.

I have a krieger 1:8 twist on a sako 75 SM action McMillan varmiter stock. My 7wsm browning has a 23" tube I believe it's a 1:9.25 twist. It doesn't like anything heavier than 154 grains.

My only issue with 30 cals is how great my 7s shoot with heavy bullets. Higher BC, faster muzzle velocity.