Stepping up from 6.5

[muskellunge]

Currently shooting a 6.5 creedmoor. I have access to land where I can shoot at distances well over what I believe my skill level will ever allow.
Looking for opinions on how much bigger than 6.5 to go. Basically trying to decide from 7mm, .30 cal mags or .338. I'm not completely up to date on
the current performance of these calibers with the newer, heavy, high BC bullets. I handload but am not interested in fireforming. I'm not afraid to
pay to play within reason as long as there a significant improvement in performance.

 

[MACHTECH]

I would look at 28 Nosler or 300 Norma Mag.

Regards,

Todd

 

[Fursniper]

How far do you want to/can you shoot (the distances available to you), it does make a bit of a diffetence?

 

[muskellunge]

Shootable distance is about 2500 yards. Also should mention I want to mag feed if possible.

 

[Fursniper]

Ok, well, I shoot out to 2500 with a .338AI fairly frequently, that's with Flatline solids. Performance is pretty good but I'm really glad I went ackley improved as I'm not sure I would have been satisfied with a standard cartridge out to those distances. Really though, if you think you're eventually going to be reaching out that far (& since you have a range for that kind of distance, why not?!) the 375 Cheytac is much more capable without all the hassel of fireforming, special dies, etc. When I started on this journey I was going to go with a standard 338lm as I thought hitting steel with authority at a mile would "do the trick" for me. Then I decided to go with the improved cartridge for the experience of something new & a bit different and I'm glad I did as I didn't realize how addicting shooting that far out was going to be lol. Once i started whacking steel at 2500, i was hooked! Knowing what I know now & if I was going to start again, I'd just start with a 375 build or maybe a 338/375. Build costs would be very close. Ammo expense would be slightly more but not by much. Just my take on it.

 

[muskellunge]

Ok, well, I shoot out to 2500 with a .338AI fairly frequently, that's with Flatline solids. Performance is pretty good but I'm really glad I went ackley improved as I'm not sure I would have been satisfied with a standard cartridge out to those distances. Really though, if you think you're eventually going to be reaching out that far (& since you have a range for that kind of distance, why not?!) the 375 Cheytac is much more capable without all the hassel of fireforming, special dies, etc. When I started on this journey I was going to go with a standard 338lm as I thought hitting steel with authority at a mile would "do the trick" for me. Then I decided to go with the improved cartridge for the experience of something new & a bit different and I'm glad I did as I didn't realize how addicting shooting that far out was going to be lol. Once i started whacking steel at 2500, i was hooked! Knowing what I know now & if I was going to start again, I'd just start with a 375 build or maybe a 338/375. Build costs would be very close. Ammo expense would be slightly more but not by much. Just my take on it.

Excellent points. I think you just might have convinced me. Thanks

 

[kthomas]

Ok, well, I shoot out to 2500 with a .338AI fairly frequently, that's with Flatline solids. Performance is pretty good but I'm really glad I went ackley improved as I'm not sure I would have been satisfied with a standard cartridge out to those distances. Really though, if you think you're eventually going to be reaching out that far (& since you have a range for that kind of distance, why not?!) the 375 Cheytac is much more capable without all the hassel of fireforming, special dies, etc. When I started on this journey I was going to go with a standard 338lm as I thought hitting steel with authority at a mile would "do the trick" for me. Then I decided to go with the improved cartridge for the experience of something new & a bit different and I'm glad I did as I didn't realize how addicting shooting that far out was going to be lol. Once i started whacking steel at 2500, i was hooked! Knowing what I know now & if I was going to start again, I'd just start with a 375 build or maybe a 338/375. Build costs would be very close. Ammo expense would be slightly more but not by much. Just my take on it.

Because .375 sucks to shoot.

The Norma is more than capable to shoot that distance, and is a lot cheaper and easier on the end user. I would agree with the .375 if we were talking 3,000-4,000+ yards, but at 2500 yards, the Norma would be an easier step up from 6.5 and very capable.

 

[Fursniper]

"Because .375 sucks to shoot".

Sorry you think so. Wondering how many of these you have shot..... With the weight of the rifle and a decent brake a properly set up 375 for long range engagements is quite comfortable to shoot IMO. I have opportunity to shoot 4 or 5 different 375 CT'S and frankly, they are much softer & enjoyable to shoot than my 30-06 hunting rifle.

 

[lash]

"Because .375 sucks to shoot".

Sorry you think so. Wondering how many of these you have shot..... With the weight of the rifle and a decent brake a properly set up 375 for long range engagements is quite comfortable to shoot IMO. I have opportunity to shoot 4 or 5 different 375 CT'S and frankly, they are much softer & enjoyable to shoot than my 30-06 hunting rifle.

^^^Plus 1^^^

This is also my experience.

Though I have nothing against a 300 Norma since I've not so much as set eyes on one. I am totally open to doing so.

 

[jbailey]

300 Norma and the 198gr Flatlines would have no problem at 2500 yds. 300 Win Mag or WSM and the same bullet, again, not a problem. I have had the 198gr Flatline from a 308 out at 2100yds with success. That is getting the bullet going at 2750fps MV. Those magnums will add 300 to 400fps to this MV.

If you want to add expense and recoil to the equation, 375 is option, but the 30 cals more than capable with the right systems. 3000yds would be another story. 30 cals run out of gas there.

 

[kthomas]

"Because .375 sucks to shoot".

Sorry you think so. Wondering how many of these you have shot..... With the weight of the rifle and a decent brake a properly set up 375 for long range engagements is quite comfortable to shoot IMO. I have opportunity to shoot 4 or 5 different 375 CT'S and frankly, they are much softer & enjoyable to shoot than my 30-06 hunting rifle.

Fair enough, I've only shot one, it kicked a heck of a lot more than a .300NM. perhaps others are more pleasurable to shoot.

I still believe that a .300NM is more than capable at 2500 yards, a lot cheaper and still softer to shoot (though I guess how you quantify that is debatable).

You'll be well served either way.

 

[muskellunge]

Who else is worth looking at as far as solid/lathe turned bullets?

 

[muskellunge]

Also with bullets like the flatlines do have to single feed?

 

[Fursniper]

Also with bullets like the flatlines do have to single feed?

Depends on the gun, the particular projectile and how you load them. Some, like cutting edge are made for magazine AND single feed (the "non single feed are still pretty long though). In my experience, most heavy calibers set up for extended long range are utilizing ammo in single feed configuration however.

 

[jbailey]

Also with bullets like the flatlines do have to single feed?

Magazine fed Flatlines are possible and easy with a long action. Any of the popular cartridges in 7mm and .30 cal will magazine feed from a Long action with any of the Flatlines in those calibers. Do make sure you have the rifle twist as well. This will take you to your 2500yd limit nicely.

RE other solids - I don't have any experience with any of the others.

 

[spikele]

300 Norma and the 198gr Flatlines would have no problem at 2500 yds. 300 Win Mag or WSM and the same bullet, again, not a problem. I have had the 198gr Flatline from a 308 out at 2100yds with success. That is getting the bullet going at 2750fps MV. Those magnums will add 300 to 400fps to this MV.

If you want to add expense and recoil to the equation, 375 is option, but the 30 cals more than capable with the right systems. 3000yds would be another story. 30 cals run out of gas there.

I was told that you could only load up to 180gr for WSM. True?

 

[Dan Warner]

Absolutely not. You can run the 180 in any 30 cal you want. Case capacity and velocity aside of course. There is no reason you couldn't run the 180's in the 300 Norma. It would work quite well I'm sure. Question is though, why would you want to when the 198 is far superior to the 180 in performance.

 

[Tazman308]

I was in a similar quandary having spent the last 3 Years learning from my custom 308. I should receive my 300 NM this week. I looked at all the options including 338 and 375s but I went with the 300 NM so I could reach out 2500 yards without beating myself to death. OK, I’m a pussy when it comes to rifles that kick and are not fun to shoot. My NM will have a Proof Barrel, Elk Meadows muzzle brake, and a McMillan A5 with KWM adjustable cheek rest. I expect this rifle to be very comfortable, relatively inexpensive to feed, and a 2500 yard shooter.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Skeletal issues limit my recoil tolerance. I have handloaded for the .280 Remington with 120, 140, and 150gr bullets, and they are very tolerable and accuracy was easy to find. I was getting ready to start with 175's when my Brother, who owned the pair of Ruger 77's MK 1's (one with a varmint weight barrel), requested them back. I still really miss those rifles.

A note of interest, the rifles had 1:9" twist, and bullets of significantly longer length and greater weight than the 175's might have preferred a 1:8" twist. Of additional note, factory 280 Rem ammo can be fired in the 280AI (or 280 RCBS Improved) chamber, completely fireforming the brass to the improved spec. The Hornady 10th Edition manual lists loads for the 175gr ELD-X (.675BC) with max velocities of 2600-2700fps from a 22" barrel.The AI typically adds another 100fps to that.

Greg

 

[Fursniper]

I would go for 300 NM or 408 CheyTac

I wouldnt go 408. The 375 balistically is a better choice, it just shoots better. Probably why the 375 dominated at the Ko2M and 408's were absent. If you really want bigger than 375 now, the 416 barrett is probably a better choice (although not without its challenges!).