Rifle Build Suggestions

[sandwalk3r]

I'm offloading a number of rifles, pistols, optics and other stuff to make room to have a bolt gun built (happy birthday to me).

I'm torn between sticking with .308 or going up to .300 win mag.

The plan is to get a rifle, optics, suppressor and - if I sell enough - get the new TNVC clip-on.

So I'm just not familiar with .300 win mag, how easy it is to deal with recoil (I want a thread-on can, so probably no compensator), ammo, etc.

The reason I'm still on the fence is that this will probably be my one and only big gun. That means .308 may not be beefy enough to shoot longer distances if/when I finally get around a range where I can stretch out a little. But is .300 win mag too much for my normal range (400yds max), night shooting, ammo price/availability, etc.

So any suggestions? .300 win mag or .308 win?

 

[Rob01]

Why just those two calibers? Building a rifle opens up all sorts of possibilities. You can get 6.5 or 6mm calibers which will give you better balllistics than the .308 with 300WM trajectories but cheaper to shoot.

 

[3-0-hate]

If mostly shooting out to 400, then .308 is the flavor I would pick. I consistently take my .308 out to 1025, accurately.. It's not ideal, but it gets the job done and the 175SMK is still zooming along at 1900fps and carrying 1400ft-lbs of energy..

My next build is going to be 6.5x55 swede. Should stay flatter longer and be a bit better in the wind. Still, the .308 gets the job done nicely.

My choices would be between .308 and a 6.5 variant of some sort if I were you.

 

[Hawk45]

I'll echo what Rob said, the 6.5s and 7s are big now, and offer magnum trajectories w/o magnum recoil (to a distance). That being said, to answer your question specifically, if you are going to be shooting targets (paper/steel) inside 800-1000, a good .308 will be all you'll need. I don't find the recoil on the .300WM to be that bad even with a hunting barrel and un-braked. A properly fitted WM with a good recoil pad and good form/position shouldn't be a problem. If you are going to be going beyond 1000yds frequently, then the WM will be a better option. 300WM will always be more expensive to run than a .308.

 

[billyburl2]

Why just those two calibers? Building a rifle opens up all sorts of possibilities. You can get 6.5 or 6mm calibers which will give you better balllistics than the .308 with 300WM trajectories but cheaper to shoot.

And actually they are better in the wind than 300's!

 

[RyeDaddy]

If mostly shooting out to 400, then .308 is the flavor I would pick. I consistently take my .308 out to 1025, accurately.. It's not ideal, but it gets the job done and the 175SMK is still zooming along at 1900fps and carrying 1400ft-lbs of energy..

From a 308 At 1k? What planet are you shooting this on?

I'll not disagree that the 308 works just fine, and that a 6.5 would be better particularly if you reload. I wouldn't own a magnum for an everyday gun mostly used at 400 yards or less. More expense, wear and recoil for minimal gain at short range.

 

[korykhunter]

I would stick with the 308. IMO the Win Mag would be lots of gun for 400yds. Plenty of 6.5s out there that would give results also. Creedmoor, 260 and on and on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[3-0-hate]

From a 308 At 1k? What planet are you shooting this on?

I'll not disagree that the 308 works just fine, and that a 6.5 would be better particularly if you reload. I wouldn't own a magnum for an everyday gun mostly used at 400 yards or less. More expense, wear and recoil for minimal gain at short range.

Earth. All based on litz tables from Ballistic.

 

[gstaylorg]

Don't care what the table says; no way no how is a 175 moving at 1900 fps at 1000 yd from a .308 load. In fact, subtract about 500-600 fps from that figure and you oughta be in the ballpark.

 

[gstaylorg]

Now that your table showed up correctly, you might want to take a look at the BC and see if you think it looks correct. I'll give you a hint, the G7 BC of a 175 SMK is not .505. It makes a difference.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Ahhhhh... I see the problem here, a picture is worth 1000 words.

You've got a 0.505 G7 BC plugged in... 0.505 is the G1 value, your G7 should be in the neighborhood of .260. Tell us, how many times have you used this drop chart to shoot to 1025 yards?

 

[3-0-hate]

Ive never used this one before. I just rebuilt the load using the chrono numbers I verified last week, but never took the time with this load to build an accurate chart for myself. I guess this is what I get for being impatient and not realizing that I forgot to correct the G7 BC value.. Lol

Makes more sense now with the corrected bc of .243 for the 175smk. 1219fps and 578ft.lbs. at 1025 yards also leaves me with 10.75 mils of drop.

I feel like an idiot now. Haha

I was shooting the 1025 plate last weekend, but I was using my old range card..

Here's my buddy standing next to the plate for reference.

Still gets the job done, just not totally ideal..

 

[peaceatwar]

Why just those two calibers? Building a rifle opens up all sorts of possibilities. You can get 6.5 or 6mm calibers which will give you better balllistics than the .308 with 300WM trajectories but cheaper to shoot.

^^ Came here to say this.

 

[oneshotkyle]

308 long life cheaper to reload and more than enough for 400yds.

 

[Rob01]

0.505 is the G1 value

Actually it's .496 unless you are pushing them over 2800fps.

 

[thx1138jt]

Thought about the same and went with 308. Less ware and tear on the wallet and on me. Well maybe not the wallet but I definitely will shoot more with the same budget. And it will be a long time before I can stretch out consistently over 1000 yards. Figure I can use all the practice I can get and if later a bigger gun is required I can always trade for or build one.

 

[Early Cuyler]

If I were you, I'd take heed to what Rob01 is suggesting. I was in a similar boat about 6 months ago when I bought my DTA. I went with 308win because I didn't want to buy new dies, brass, etc. as I was already set up for reloading 308win. I regret not getting the 260 conversion or a 6.5 creedmoor barrel from SAC as the local comps I've been to have been dominated by 6mm and 6.5mm variants for good reason. I am at a handicap from the start based on caliber and with my shitty skills, I need all the help I can get!

Really when you weigh them out, the 6.5mm variants are excellent options. They're ballistically superior, cost the same (maybe a little less) to reload as 308win, and have less recoil (more comfortable). The only downside is less barrel life, however barrels are consumables and you can get thousands of rounds out of some 6.5mm barrels based on cartridge (obviously you'll get better barrel life out of a 260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmoor than 6.5x284).

ETA: *IF* you are dead-set on those two calibers, I would choose 308win. Cheaper to reload, more comfortable to shoot, and easier to find brass.

 

[Tango down]

sandwalker3r
I see you are standing still, waiting for the end of the hostilities, or the poll results.
If you are married with .308 or .300 WM, then I would recommend going with .308.
1) Your range goes to 400 max, perfect for .308.
2) You can still stretch a .308 to 1000, or more.
3) Lesser ammo cost on .308.
4) Less recoil on .308.
5) Extended barrel life on .308
If you are planning on terminating some kind of life form at 1500, then go with .300 WM.
Good shooting.
Ombre noire

 

[turbo54]

Agree with all of the above; there is zero reason to feed a magnum's appetite for powder, barrels and whooping your ass to shoot mainly at 400, and even out to 1000 sometimes.

Also wonder why OP is strictly considering 308 or 300WM.

Agree that a 6.5mm (Creed, 260) would be a great choice for one "all purpose" rifle.

However, I'll additionally throw out the idea of a 7mm-08, as another fabulous all purpose rifle choice. It "hits" harder at extended range than a 260, the barrel lasts longer than a 260, it drifts in the wind a little less than a 260, and has only slightly more drop.

 

[sandwalk3r]

Hi all and thanks for your responses.

I'd say that the reason I've been looking through the .308 or .300 glasses is just b/c I'm nostalgic for military calibers. I know the 6.5mm choices have been favorites for a lot of competitors and reloaders.

I'm not yet really established in reloading. I agree that for most of my uses, the .300 win mag is too much bullet and cost. I don't get to long ranges often, I have just toyed with killing two birds with one stone by having the rifle to have a good 1,000 yard gun.

The poll results clearly show .308 should be it, so I'll (probably!) heed your advice there.

Thanks again everyone!

~Sand

 

[RTO]

Go to a match and look around and see how many 308 or 300wm's people are shooting. You probably wont see one. Why because they are at such a disadvantage they may as well be shooting a 17 HMR compared to the 6, 6.5, and 7's. Multiply wind calls X 3 or more depending. You can get 260 or 6.5 creed ammo from Southwest ammo or Mccourt Munitions for about the same price as you can get FGMM. So if you dont reload you can still take advantage of the better bc bullets.

 

[Rlbol]

260 all day long!
lighter recoil then both 308 and 300 plus less drop and less wind change

 

[mr284]

I have a 308 and 260 and really enjoy both of them however I am kind of partial to the 7mm, don't overlook the 280 or the 284. Good barrel life, decent velocities and many good bc bullets.

 

[backyardsniper]

Go to a match and look around and see how many 308 or 300wm's people are shooting. You probably wont see one. Why because they are at such a disadvantage they may as well be shooting a 17 HMR compared to the 6, 6.5, and 7's. Multiply wind calls X 3 or more depending. You can get 260 or 6.5 creed ammo from Southwest ammo or Mccourt Munitions for about the same price as you can get FGMM. So if you dont reload you can still take advantage of the better bc bullets.

Not quite like a 17 hmr. I'm having Russell at scout supply build me two right now. Manners MCS-t stocks. one is a 20" 308 the other is a 26" 300wm. I plan to hunt with both. The 308 will get the most range and hunting time and the 300 will mostly be reserved for when I get the opportunity to hunt at really extended ranges. I chose a 300wm because of the retained energy I can get out of some of the heavier projectiles. Not really an Issue if you're just target shooting, but for guys like me where the rifle will double as a long range hunting rifle terminal ballistics also have to be taken into consideration, as well as the over all weight of the rifle. Hence the manners MCS-T instead of something in the Mcmillan A-5 family. 308 is an excellent caliber with lots of easily available Loads and load data. In a pinch you can pick up a box of it pretty much anywhere ammo is sold. Just my .02

 

[sandwalk3r]

Thanks again to everyone. .308 was the final decision. Went with a Drake Interceptor .308 built on the RPA Rangemaster Quadlite action. Excited to get this puppy in!

 

[Pappasniper]

Good luck. I own both 308 and 300WM. Very happy with both. I don't compete and I am perfectly happy. 308 is a great training cartridge, you will learn to shoot in wind. Later you can get another caliber that fights wind better.

 

[RTK]

Are you planing on hunting??