Carey Farmer
Well-Known Member
As a build on lancetkenyon and Mike Mattison's comments: decide what terminal energy and impact velocity you want, at what distance. Then select your cartridge according.
In my case, hunting whitetail in narrow fire breaks / senderos in heavy timber / brush, I wanted reliable DRT. In my mind that meant it's best to have upwards of 2500 fps impact velocity and 2000 ft-lbs terminal energy. In 6.5 caliber only 264 Win Mag and 6.5 WSM meet that requirement at 500 yards, and even then it takes a pretty long barrel.
I picked 264 Win Mag because Norma makes pretty good cases for that chambering, and both ADG and Peterson make good 7mm Rem Mag brass that's easily necked down to .264 win mag dimensions.
In my case, hunting whitetail in narrow fire breaks / senderos in heavy timber / brush, I wanted reliable DRT. In my mind that meant it's best to have upwards of 2500 fps impact velocity and 2000 ft-lbs terminal energy. In 6.5 caliber only 264 Win Mag and 6.5 WSM meet that requirement at 500 yards, and even then it takes a pretty long barrel.
I picked 264 Win Mag because Norma makes pretty good cases for that chambering, and both ADG and Peterson make good 7mm Rem Mag brass that's easily necked down to .264 win mag dimensions.