WHAT CALIBER???

[mountaincarver]

the 300 prc is a cartridge designed to factory chamber long heavy high bc bullets for long range. these will go into the mag. it is designed for one who doesn't reload but wants to shoot these projectiles. I think its worth a look.

 

[johnlittletree]

Well no matter what cartridge you choose a standard length action is a better way to go than short action since it gives you a lot more choices later on. If and when you shoot out the barrel you can always take 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch off each end and re-chamber and re-crown. You also will never have to worry about running out of length in the magazine box down the road even with short fat magnums which is a serious problem on the 6.5mm and 7mm VLD bullets in short actions.

 

[johnlittletree]

Since you do not reload the 300WM is the best choice in a magnum. In non-magnum 30-06 would be a great choice. In 300WM you can likely shoot what ever you want with a 1:9.5tw in 30-06 I doubt that it would reliably stablize all 190-210 VLD's not your typical heavy hunting bullets @ 30-06 velocities and 1:9.5tw. Obviously even 220grain round nose would stabilize fine at 1:9.5 even at 30-06 velocities.

300 PRC......He does not reload and it is doubtful he can find 300 PRC pre loaded in rural America outside mega cities! No way a retail store like Walmart, Meijers or a Country Gas station with hunting and shooting store inside would have it and even a small gunsmith likely will not have it either! Even if he reloaded it is a poor choice since you can almost never buy 6.5 PRC or 300 PRC Brass as soon as most of the larger reloading distributors and retailers get any in it is sold out right away. Only one company makes the brass since it is proprietary and that is Hornady.

No mention of who made the barrel or it's length. I am glad you went with 1:9.5 I recommend people go 1:8 or 1:9 so they know they will be able to shoot almost everything even things not yet made.

 

[mountaincarver]

yea, I guess there are risks going with new technology. its hard to get out of a comfort zone. I remember when I tried out the creedmoor when it came out. that one definitely worked out. maybe the 30 cal is different

 

[Krowen]

I just bought an .30 cal hc carbon barrel blank from elk hunter in the classifieds to build a 800 yard light weight hunting rifle. Im not quite sure what caliber I should chamber it in.

I DO NOT RELOAD SO FACTORY AMMO IS A BIG CONSIDERATION

THANKS
RGVT4

Since you don't reload I would choose 300WM so that you always have ammo, but I would send the gun out to a custom reloader if you want to hunt out to 800 yards to maximize accuracy.

 

[Satterlee Scott]

Don't get me wrong I love the 300WM but I have had work the belt a time or two

 

[drborsos]

300 RUM if you are going to hunt, otherwise just go with all the other suggestions to punch paper.

 

[rugers]

300 win mag plenty of good factory loads available

 

[Pacecount]

If you were standing in front of me, I would want to understand your skill set and experience... Are you capable of making an ethical 800 yard shot with a light weight rifle using a belted magnum?

Having said that go with the tried and true... 300 WM... assuming your barrel length is at least 24" at a minimum. If you get creative you increase the cost of ammo and limit your options... not to mention whether you can find ammo when you need it.

Do you have a gunsmith that can custom cut your chamber based on a specific factory round?

If you do not want all the recoil and cost of a belted magnum and you plan on hunting game under 500 or 600 yards I say 308 using Hornady ELDX 178 gr. In this case you should feel comfortable w a barrel 20" to 24".

My AR10 (308) has a 16" barrel and I have taken both cows and mule deer as far out as 478 yards... it's all shot placement.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

300 win mag if you do not reload...I'd like to say the PRC but too early to tell

Depends what you build on too..I have a friend that built a custom 300 WSM on a Tikka T3..he built it on a long stroke T3 and uses a red snake detachable mag...seating his bullets past 3.1...sorry I...back to subject...

300 Win mag...

 

[drborsos]

If you were standing in front of me, I would want to understand your skill set and experience... Are you capable of making an ethical 800 yard shot with a light weight rifle using a belted magnum?

Having said that go with the tried and true... 300 WM... assuming your barrel length is at least 24" at a minimum. If you get creative you increase the cost of ammo and limit your options... not to mention whether you can find ammo when you need it.

Do you have a gunsmith that can custom cut your chamber based on a specific factory round?

If you do not want all the recoil and cost of a belted magnum and you plan on hunting game under 500 or 600 yards I say 308 using Hornady ELDX 178 gr. In this case you should feel comfortable w a barrel 20" to 24".

My AR10 (308) has a 16" barrel and I have taken both cows and mule deer as far out as 478 yards... it's all shot placement.

Ethical 800 yard shot? Never seen such a thing. Just how many things can go wrong in 800 yards? I can know the wind where I am, but I can't figure the wind 300 yards down range for sure, or 500 yards, or 700 yards, let alone 800 yards. Enlighten me on how you know why a 800 yard shot is a sure thing.

 

[Barrelnut]

Ethical 800 yard shot? Never seen such a thing. Just how many things can go wrong in 800 yards? I can know the wind where I am, but I can't figure the wind 300 yards down range for sure, or 500 yards, or 700 yards, let alone 800 yards. Enlighten me on how you know why a 800 yard shot is a sure thing.

Best to leave the ethics out of it, as ever hunter has to judge themselves and their abilities. I have a couple rifles that can make a 800 yards shots. Never made one on game. But If I needed to make one and winds were a factor (like cross canyon) I would shoot at a rock or something 40~50 yards from the main target to judge and correct my wind and elevation. Then take the money shot.

 

[WildRose]

I said 300 PRC because I also believe it will be well supported by Hornady with factory loads and with the US military behind it now, it is likely the round isn't going anywhere....having said that, it is still an act of faith if you don't roll your own. Midway currently carries only two different loads, both hornady, one in precision hunter and the other a match load.

It's early, as demand goes up the supply will certainly increase and more mfg's will start producing it.

Remember, for all of the major mfg's it's all about what they can sell in volume. I'm not gong to be jumping on the PRC bandwagon myself because I already shoot both the WM and th RUM but it won't be going away anytime soon.

 

[WildRose]

The 300 Winchester Magnum is a good choice. In comparison with the 300 Weatherby the ammo if you don't reload is quite a bit cheaper. Both pretty close in performance.

Much harder to find factory ammo for the WBY's though. Every mom and pop shop in the country carries 300wm.