Looking for something more

[TonyAngel]

I've been shooting .308 for a little bit now and I'm on my second semi custom rifle. I'm getting to be a pretty good shooter and am now getting really bored with the .308.

Now I'm looking for something with more thump, just for the thrill of it. The reason that I went with .308 is that it's a good all around caliber and everything lasts a long time.

Although I'd like to get into something hotter, I don't want something that will have me having to get my chamber recut every 1000 rounds.

Like I said, I want something more than a .308, but I really don't know what to call the ceiling. I can say this. I shot a .338 Ultra Mag yesterday that had a 26" barrel and a brake on it and it was too much. I really can't see putting more than 15 or 20 rounds or so through that thing in any one sitting.

So, what's in between a .308 and a .338 Ultra Mag?

 

[spts05]

Re: Looking for something more

uh 300 win

 

[ORD]

Re: Looking for something more

It really comes down to what specifically you want/need to do with the new cartridge that you can't do with the .308. Do you want more range and better terminal performance at longer ranges, do you just want more juice at shorter ranges, are you looking to just punch paper/ring steel or are you thinking about maybe a specific type of hunting...the list goes on and on.

To name a few rounds that have a ton of potential and are a step up from the .308 Win/7.62x51:

7WSM
300WSM
300WM
.30-06

If you don't necessarily want to move "up" in caliber, you can always try your hand at the .22LR/rimfire game and see what trying to shoot a rimfire at 200-300yds is like (it is a $H!Tload of fun and equal amounts of frustration). Cheap, fun as hell, lots of great skills training for reading the wind, etc. Anyway...more stuff for you to think about!

 

[fdkay]

Re: Looking for something more

.280 AI

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Looking for something more

ORD, it's funny that you mentioned the .22.

Not to side track my own thread, but....I just built this.

Ruger receiver
Kidd 18" barrel
Kidd bolt
Kidd two stage trigger
Boyd's Tacticool stock, with whole action bedded
Vortex PST 6-24X50

At 50 yards, I can shoot the staples out of targets with it. I have to learn the read the wind better for longer distances. I've hit clays out at 200 with it so far.
**edit** sorry, that's the stock trigger in the pic. I'll have to snap another with the Kidd with the straight trigger shoe.

BTW, with all of those rounds ending in WSM, are those short action rounds?

I'd also appreciate info on throat life. I'd like to land on something that will get me around 3000 rounds before the throat goes to crap.

 

[ORD]

Re: Looking for something more

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TonyAngel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BTW, with all of those rounds ending in WSM, are those short action rounds?

I'd also appreciate info on throat life. I'd like to land on something that will get me around 3000 rounds before the throat goes to crap. </div></div>

Well...looks like my rimfire idea is shot (pun intended)!

As for the short mags (yes...short action)...the only ones I mentioned were the 7WSM and 300WSM. The other 300 I mentioned is the 300 Winchester Magnum which, as far as I'm concerned, is where it is at for a mainstream, .30 cal long-range performer and my personal favorite. Tons of factory match offerings if you don't reload, TONS and TONS of quality bullets if you do reload that will work on the largest game in North America to punching paper/ringing steel well in excess of 1k. The 7WSM is also a somewhat newer cartridge, but is also an EXTREMELY capable round. Not sure on the 7WSM barrel life, but you might find that data in a search of the Hide. The .30-06 is also a tried and true performer that exceeds the ballistics of the .308 but not quite up to the level of the 300WM, especially with the heavier pills.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Looking for something more

Ok, thanks. I'm going to do some reading up on a 300 win mag.

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Looking for something more

Tony, I was in your shoes about 6 months ago. Needed more than 308 for hunting, son took my 30-06, so I got to buy a new gun

.
Savage LRH 300winmag is where it is at for me. I am shooting 3-4" plates at 550 yards. Heck of a pound on steel, muzzle break puts it lower in recoil than my 308.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Looking for something more

ogreshooter, I'm glad to hear that about the muzzle brake. My question now is what barrel length. I've gotta try to track down a long action now. Maybe Brownell's is running a special similar to that of the short action. 700 that is.

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: Looking for something more

If you are only looking to extend range I would look at a tight twist 243 or standard 284. I managed a second round hit on the mile shot at the Last ASC with the 284. If you have to hit hard at distance, I like the 300 wm or my 7 wsm.

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Looking for something more

For a short action:
260 Remington throated long for 140 bergers

For a long action standard bolt face
284 Win or 280 Ackley

For a magnum bolt face
7WSM