Range Report hunting balistics

[Bubb]

I have saved my pennys and am getting a rifle built. My freind is going to have same gun built so we can figure the mess out together and will be hunting together. We will be hunting muledeer, elk, whitetail, and with practice out to 5-600 yards. My friend has quite a few rifles all bought used! He thinks bigger better and wants a 300 weatherby? I have tried doing a search to compare but couldn't find what I wanted to make my case on why we should build 7mm wsm? I know this isn't apple to apple but to compare the 7mm wsm to 300 weatherby both 180 grn? I just don't see many guns built in this beast 300 Wtby of a cal any more? Would the extra powder be worth it? Any way could some one run the drift/drop/energy on these two out to 600 for me with a 200 yard zero. And yes I reload and will be doing the reload for us.

 

[MD2Colo]

Re: hunting balistics

Man, if it were me I'd go with something more practical like a 30-06. All purpose caliber with enough powder to kill most anything in North America (my old man's four browtine bull moose at 100yds being the largest, in my opinion).
I think magnums are cool and all that, but they take their toll on parts, more $$ to shoot, more wear and tear on you (there are always suppressors, tho), etc.
I have a 7 Rem Mag that is cool and shoots flat and fast and all that, but I get sick of it after 50 rounds. I can shoot any of my 308s all day. Hell, I've only hunted elk with the 7mm Rem Mag one season; the rest it's been all 308. Never shot at anything past 300m, either. That's in the mountains of Colorado, not on the plains tho.


Mulies, whitetails, elk and practice to 5-600 would be perfect for the 30-06. Sexy? not really. WIll it get the job done every time? yes. Using a 300 WbyMag for your wants/needs is too much, imo...aren't Weatherbys mainly used in Africa?? Plus it sounds cool when you say, "thirty odd six"

two cents, brother

 

[mark5pt56]

Re: hunting balistics

From what I witnessed recently, pick up the Winchester 70 in 30-06. This guy was using match ammo and had no problem hitting a 12"x12" plate out to 800 yards. It was the ss version, retail is approx 950-1000. I was impressed with it and hope to get one by next year.

 

[Tunanut]

Re: hunting balistics

The 300wtby is a mule; stick with a 7mm, 30-06, or 280. The 280AI being my preference cause it's sexy.

 

[Bubb]

Re: hunting balistics

the 7mm rem mag cant be too far behind the 300 weatherby? I don't have a ballistic progam but what would the 7mm rem mag 180 berges/ 300 win 210 VDL or 208 A-max / 300 weatherby 210 VDL or 208 A-max could some one run those numbers? out to 600 yards with 200 yard zero.

 

[Longguns]

Re: hunting balistics

Bubb, Look up ballistic calculators and run them yourself. Not trying to be smart but it will work if you put the right info in. You can use the PC based calculators with great results. I use Exbal and really like it. It is a PDA or PC ballistic program but you have to pay for it. JBM does a real good job and is free, also just be sure to put the right data in. Good Luck

 

[Bubb]

Re: hunting balistics

Okay found the program...thanks... but where would I go for velocity of a bullet caliber combo, if I don't have the gun? Search for premade custom ammo get velocity and up load? Has to be a easier way?

 

[MD2Colo]

Re: hunting balistics

I know Hornady tells you the FPS of the ammo when you buy it, it's printed on the box as well as a little trajectory info.
Believe Hornady assumes standard hunting rifle barrel profiles/atmospheric conditions, so their website could a place to start.

 

[MD2Colo]

Re: hunting balistics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bubb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the 7mm rem mag cant be too far behind the 300 weatherby? </div></div>

I put 62 grains (about 1 grain over max, I think) of H4831SC behind a Hornady 162 SST for my 7mm Rem Mag. Max load for a 165gr Spitzer in 300 WbyMag with H4831 is 84.0 grains. That is a shitload of powder

 

[Longguns]

Re: hunting balistics

You might have to do a little legwork and go to each manufactures site to get velocity and trajectory of each cartridge. I know remington and hornady have sites that give factory ballistics. Remember each gun will be different on velocity but those figures will get you in the ball park of what you are asking. I reload and use a chronograph. That is the bestway to get definant answers. Most factory ammo has velocity on the box I believe.

 

[Bubb]

Re: hunting balistics

Shoot I did searches to compare those but
Couldn't find a free site? My only problem
Would be finding a stated velocity with a given
Bullet? Don't some of the better programs
List velocity also? I'll see what I can find?

 

[Longguns]

Re: hunting balistics

Bubb, Go look at Reloading Manuals at a gunshop or a friends if you can't find it on the internet. It's on the net I assure you. Go to Sierra's Website and look there. You can also call and talk to a bullet tech.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: hunting balistics

I like the Hornady 139gr SST Superformance loading in .280 Rem. Plenty of velocity to well out beyond the distances you require; it shoots flat, accurate, and hits hard. Mine runs in a Ruger MKI; and I'm suspecting it'll do quite nicely out of the current MKII. To my view, the most practical 7mm out there; I'd try to ensure it got every bit of a good 24" sporter weight barrel.

Edited to add:

After scoping rhe Sturm Ruger site, I note they have no current .280 offerings. I have little doubt there are plenty out there used. Factory chamberings currently include 270 Win (22" barrels only) which is far more available as ammo. I have two MKI's in .280.

Checking the Hornady site, they have a 130gr SST Superformance load in .270 that has an MV of 3200fps and 6-7MOA of drop and 1400+Ft/LB of energy at 500yd from a 200yd zero. Hornady has a bunch of other 270 offerings as well.

My personal experience with Ruger 77's is that they are built solid, perform flawlessly, and I consider them to be the Cadillacs of the rifle market. IMHO, with factory M77 MKII's available, little sense to having a rifle built, and that goes for Savages, too.

Savage has no less than 31 offerings in .270, including their 111 Lightweight Hunter, which runs 5.5lb with a 20" barrel. The Superformance load starts fast enough to make a little velocity sacrifice to a shorter barrel and still git 'er done.

This 111 Lightweight Hunter features a specially lightened action, fluted bolt, minimum weight 20" sporter barrel, lightened/vented pillar bedded walnut stock, D/M, Accu-Trigger, and an MSRP at $875; same gun/same price in .30-'06, .308, and .260, too.

'Nuff said.

Greg

 

[kytrapper]

Re: hunting balistics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bubb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the 7mm rem mag cant be too far behind the 300 weatherby? I don't have a ballistic progam but what would the 7mm rem mag 180 berges/ 300 win 210 VDL or 208 A-max / 300 weatherby 210 VDL or 208 A-max could some one run those numbers? out to 600 yards with 200 yard zero.</div></div>


Numbers on paper don't tell you about terminal energy and penetration performance, a consideration often over looked in a hunting rifle.

The cost per round of the WTHBY will limit pratice.

Unless needed to save weight or length, short-action magnum the gain of the round over the standard magnum is not really signifigant.

The Member recomending the 30-06 is right on. My suggestion is don't over look the 300 wm if you need or want bigger-now a service round.

The 7 mag is flatter but the 30 cal will open up and provide an exit large enough to ensure easy trailing if you don't snipery drop it in it is tracks.

Just my .03 worth. I have been filling the freezer with .300 wm since 1988.

I also like the 308 and 30-06 but when it gets to the wire I grab the .300 wm and take care of the required task.

 

[Longguns]

Re: hunting balistics

+ 1 on the 300WM. I have used one since 1980 and it does all you ask. Kicks like hell with heavy bullets but it does the job.

 

[RangerWalker71]

Re: hunting balistics

My step brother, uses a 30-06, whitetail, mule and elk. All with great results, my father uses 300WM. Same results, I'm a 7Remmag. Same results. All will work for what your wanting to do. I've used a .243 at 400 yards on White tail. Shot placement is key no matter what cal. Or distance. I'd go with any of the above. Westherby is really sexy, but very $$ for shooting. Plus you can't get ammo just any where

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: hunting balistics

A 6.5 or 7mm is enough for those ranges. A 300win mag would be more than
enough and much cheaper to shoot than the weatherby. Also your chances of getting a weatherby to be as accurate are very slim. They get all that extra powder
in there without raising pressure by means of a long freebore to reduce pressures.
Unless you are going to stretch it out as a flat shooting elk gun I wouldn't even
consider the weatherby.

 

[Rifle Barrel Blanks]

Re: hunting balistics

I think a 300 WM is kind of a do it all round. You would be happy with that for sure.