So I've decided to sell my custom chopper and will have around 10k maybe more to play with. I have alway's wanted a .50BMG and want to start shooting out to a mile+++. I also have thought about the .338 Lapua as an option, or .375 Cheytac. Rifles I'm considering are AIAX .50, HTI .50 (which is about 2,500 cheaper than an IA .50) and I know I can get the .375 Cheytac barrel as well for this platform, I also am considering a AIAX in .338 Lapua Magnum. This rifle is really going to be just a fun gun to shoot really long range steel it will rarely be used to shoot under a 1000 yards, I have a .308 for that. Ammo costs seem to be about the same for the .50 and the .338, maybe a bit cheaper for the the .50. I know alot of people say the .50 is alot to handle and its not the most accurate round, but I think out of the platforms I've listed and with good ammo it can reach out along way and be very accurate. Any advise is appreciated.
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Wanting a ELR bolt gun, help me choose caliber and rifle.
- Thread starter Shoottothrill
- Start date
Take a look at the windrunner platform... you can Swap barrels and bolts to change from BMG to 408 to 338...
EDM Arms - M96 .50 Cal BMG - Custom Cal Rifles 50 .308 gun guns Hurricane Utah Assault Rifle
If serious, give the shop a call as they will take time with buyers.
Tom Miller is retired ATF and is a rep. He is or was based in San Diego but he use to travel to different gun shows. I don't know if he still travels or if he will be in your area....
Tom also has a knack for putting together a package to get someone new to shooting the 50 everything they need....
In terns of cost, I think that ammo for the .338 is the same or more than 50 bmg
TSM Consulting Extreme Firearms
EDM Arms - M96 .50 Cal BMG - Custom Cal Rifles 50 .308 gun guns Hurricane Utah Assault Rifle
If serious, give the shop a call as they will take time with buyers.
Tom Miller is retired ATF and is a rep. He is or was based in San Diego but he use to travel to different gun shows. I don't know if he still travels or if he will be in your area....
Tom also has a knack for putting together a package to get someone new to shooting the 50 everything they need....
In terns of cost, I think that ammo for the .338 is the same or more than 50 bmg
TSM Consulting Extreme Firearms
why not check out the Desert Tactical (DesertTech now) or even the New Barrett System coming soon? I personally like the Desert Tactical but I would start off getting the SRS. They are very nice to deal with. Let us know what you do!
I have heard the EDM Arms rifles are accurate quality systems, I personally don't find them to be all that attractive. Spending this kind of money I want my ELR rifle to be a sexy bitch.
If you are looking for much past a mile, 338 Lapua might not be the right round. I have a 338 with a 24" barrel and 2" brake (26" total) and when shooting 300gr Sierras it starts to go subsonic around 1 mile depending on the weather. I'm not saying you can't shoot past a mile, just something to consider.
I am big AI Fan, no question there, but in the HTI department look at the DTAs...
I think the bull pup shines in the HTI calibers
I think the bull pup shines in the HTI calibers
Hitting a target out at a mile doesn't require a huge 338. I went this route some time ago and built a 338 edge. I ended up with a 20lb rifle that costs a lot to shoot but I did end up hitting targets at 1 mile. I have since sold that gun and built a 7mm Dakota to replace it that weighs 12lbs. That gun will be for sale soon and will be replaced with a 6.5 saum. It will get you to a mile and will do it in a short action with a 24" stick. The conditions have to be just right to hit anything at 1 mile no matter how big of a gun you have. After all that I feel those large calibers are too, heavy, too long and too expensive to shoot, but that's just me.
If money wasn't a problem I'd get a custom .375 CheyTac. Also be warned that shooting any of these calibers will be very very expensive.
I like the 6.5 saum as well and really like the Gap X-treme hunter, that George put together. I would love to have one for a hunting rifle and probable will someday, but this rifle is for the fun and wow factor. Seeing a splash for a 6.5 Saum at 2000 yards might be a bit challenging.
Have you spent alot of time with either the DTA HTI .50, or .375 Cheytac rifles? Would love to hear thoughts and impressions, thanks Lowlight.
Take a look at some of Kirby Allens wildcats. His wildcats and rifles are purpose built for ELR shooting and hunting.
Another option is Shawn Carlock's(sp?) LRKM. It is a bullpup purpose built for ELR shooting and hunting.
Another option is Shawn Carlock's(sp?) LRKM. It is a bullpup purpose built for ELR shooting and hunting.
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My new obsession is the 7mm bullets, I'm probably going with the 7mm-08 with an effective range at 1500m at sea level. And better energy at distance,than the 300 win mag.
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OP,
It depends on the purpose you have for the rifle and what you mean by 'ELR'.
.300WM and any 7-Mag will easily shoot ELR distances and will do it without breaking the bank. Either caliber will leave you with enough money for barrels and ammunition.
Of course, if you want to purchase a novelty, spend $5 per shot, and leave the rifle in the safe 364 days a year I would not suggest that you spend your money on anything sensible.
On the plus side, if you buy an expensive novelty you will have something to show people when they come over to your house.
It depends on the purpose you have for the rifle and what you mean by 'ELR'.
.300WM and any 7-Mag will easily shoot ELR distances and will do it without breaking the bank. Either caliber will leave you with enough money for barrels and ammunition.
Of course, if you want to purchase a novelty, spend $5 per shot, and leave the rifle in the safe 364 days a year I would not suggest that you spend your money on anything sensible.
On the plus side, if you buy an expensive novelty you will have something to show people when they come over to your house.
I agree with Graham, id do a 300win mag, 300 Norma or 338 Norma.
Those cartridges will get you waaay out there depending on bullet and velocity. You'll have more bullet selection, cheaper brass, cheaper bullets, everything in general will be cheaper.
.338 Norma has hit a target at 3220 yards. IDK of most people that plan on shooting farther than that.
Those cartridges will get you waaay out there depending on bullet and velocity. You'll have more bullet selection, cheaper brass, cheaper bullets, everything in general will be cheaper.
.338 Norma has hit a target at 3220 yards. IDK of most people that plan on shooting farther than that.
Yep, my 375CT sat in the safe most of the year because it was really expensive to shoot and I felt like it didn't come into it's own till 1500 yards or so. Ended up selling it to buy stuff I would use more often.
A 300 Norma or 300 RUM with a long barrel and 230's makes for a light recoiling and effective ELR rig. Do the numbers, 230's/.743BC at 3050-3100 fps does really well.
Then there's Kirby Allens 300 Rapter, 230's at 3340 fps!
Another nice thing about faster speeds is not having to use up so much elevation in your scope.
A 300 Norma or 300 RUM with a long barrel and 230's makes for a light recoiling and effective ELR rig. Do the numbers, 230's/.743BC at 3050-3100 fps does really well.
Then there's Kirby Allens 300 Rapter, 230's at 3340 fps!
Another nice thing about faster speeds is not having to use up so much elevation in your scope.
I would consider the 338 edge, 7mm wsm in a la, the Dakota cartridges, and of course the usual suspects that have been mentioned. You know I recently spent a fair amount of time contemplating a cartridge for a build that is similar, and I spent a lot of time weighing the merits of the 30-06.
Hi Graham your opinion is always valued by myself and many others here on the Hide. I think I was pretty specific saying I want to ring steel out to a mile plus. Lets just say that 2,000 yards is a nice round number. If I was to go with a .300 win. Mag. Exactly how would I set it up, please be specific. Rifle and ammo, thanks Graham.
Wanting a ELR bolt gun, help me choose caliber and rifle.
There is a world of difference between one mile and 2000 yards.
The 300WM won't make it to 2000 yards without the 230 OTM. 210VLDs will get you to 1900 or so, depending on velocity and altitude, but that's a practical limit for the cartridge.
If 2000 is your goal I wouldn't go with either a 7 Mag or a .300. But if your limit is one mile I would consider it.
There is a world of difference between one mile and 2000 yards.
The 300WM won't make it to 2000 yards without the 230 OTM. 210VLDs will get you to 1900 or so, depending on velocity and altitude, but that's a practical limit for the cartridge.
If 2000 is your goal I wouldn't go with either a 7 Mag or a .300. But if your limit is one mile I would consider it.
Honestly, I think you only have two choices here,
A 338LM if you want a rifle that is more practical, and the 375CT if you want the most you can possibly get.
For a 338 with the option to do stuff like the 338NM, and even potentially to go backwards to a 300WM, consider the AX338, they are hammers. I am not sure what AI will do about parts like available with the PSR, but I am pretty sure people will be pushing for bolts and stuff. I have shot my AI 338LM with factory loads to 2400m and it worked no problem. Better bullets and loads mean increased accuracy at distance.
If you want the be all ELR/ULR then the 3375CT is the winner today. With something like the DTA you have the option to interchange between other calibers and it tends to be cheaper as a system than it's competition.
Trigger Time here in CO just got 2 new DTAs in 375CT and I fingered them, and they are nice. I think the DTAs shine in the HTI calibers as I have noted. They are exactly as advertised and offer a good flexible solution for anyone without wasting your money.
Sure, people can claim to do all sorts to a mile with smaller stuff, but honestly, those claims are to be taken with a grain of salt. They are usually shooting rocks on the side of a hill and guessing it was 2 MOA when it was really 20MOA, or they are only hitting 3 out of 10 shots, so while ecstatic they hit the target more than once, it's really not what you are looking for. You want repeatability.
Economically you have the 338LM, realistically you have the 375CT or something close. Anything else is wasting your money
A 338LM if you want a rifle that is more practical, and the 375CT if you want the most you can possibly get.
For a 338 with the option to do stuff like the 338NM, and even potentially to go backwards to a 300WM, consider the AX338, they are hammers. I am not sure what AI will do about parts like available with the PSR, but I am pretty sure people will be pushing for bolts and stuff. I have shot my AI 338LM with factory loads to 2400m and it worked no problem. Better bullets and loads mean increased accuracy at distance.
If you want the be all ELR/ULR then the 3375CT is the winner today. With something like the DTA you have the option to interchange between other calibers and it tends to be cheaper as a system than it's competition.
Trigger Time here in CO just got 2 new DTAs in 375CT and I fingered them, and they are nice. I think the DTAs shine in the HTI calibers as I have noted. They are exactly as advertised and offer a good flexible solution for anyone without wasting your money.
Sure, people can claim to do all sorts to a mile with smaller stuff, but honestly, those claims are to be taken with a grain of salt. They are usually shooting rocks on the side of a hill and guessing it was 2 MOA when it was really 20MOA, or they are only hitting 3 out of 10 shots, so while ecstatic they hit the target more than once, it's really not what you are looking for. You want repeatability.
Economically you have the 338LM, realistically you have the 375CT or something close. Anything else is wasting your money
If you consider the Gunsite targets are 18X30 with the 10" circle in the middle,
Last time through, I never fired more than 2 rounds at any target from 1600 to 2000 over by the train tracks.
With my rifle and the 285gr stuff we were hammering
Last time through, I never fired more than 2 rounds at any target from 1600 to 2000 over by the train tracks.
With my rifle and the 285gr stuff we were hammering
I've seen 2000 done with 208's...Would I plan to reliably do anything at 2000? No...Even a gust or a flutter at 1500 is going to screw you but, in terms of the round? I bet he can 2000 with the right load.
For a mile, I'd say the Win mag or a 7...I agree w/Graham on those points...
I have a Stiller Tac 300 in a AI AX with a Bartlein 1/10 24 1/4. - I'm confident I could ring steel at 2k but, not consistently...Unless you're pushing 208/225...Maybe.
How many times... one day, under what conditions ?
Seeing it done once, on a nice day, doesn't count.
Seeing it done once, on a nice day, doesn't count.
Fair points. -- It was a nice day, wasn't windy...
When I started typing your first post hadn't hit yet, which I agree with 100% -- I think a HTI would be the best bet...Always see conversions available on the b/s/t forums...
.375 is going for $5-$10/round...
Better be checking your math, twice.
300 Winmag launching 215gr Berger at 2850-2900 fps flies pretty well.
7-08 has a lot of potential, but I don't think it can beat that.
300 win mag with 208 amax, 215 bergers, a 300 rum with 230 bergers will get you to a mile with good results. A 338 lapua, edge, norma, or any improved version will get you to 2000+ yards. If you want a big gun the 375 chey tac is a bad ass for over 2000 yards, up to that point you do not NEED one but it is your gun so shoot what you think is cool and have fun. And yes I do shoot a mile and over a lot in high mountain winds, its not always about hit it every time at that distance but more for fun and how much easier it makes 1000 yards feel.
I really like the 300 win. Mag and I'm sure it can do a nice job, but its missing the wow factor.
The HTI in a .50 BMG would be alot of fun and I can ad the Cheytac Conversion later, for a flatter shooting long range beast. It's also a bit cheaper than the AIAX .50. Owning an AIAX is a dream rifle to me though and will way heavy on my decision. I could break weak and get an AIAX .338 Lapua Mag. and I'm sure I'd be whistling zippity do da out of my asshole with that set up.
I have a Gap-10 .308 that I really like and will shoot the most often and can reach a 1,000 yards with.
I will take the Big magnum caliber out one or twice a month and shoot 50 rounds through it at a sitting. So I'm not that worried about ammo cost. If there was a caliber conversion for the AIAX .50 I would really like that. Maybe at Shot 2014 who knows.
I feel like the .338 ammo cost is worse than that of the .50 and only slightly better than that of a .375 Cheytac, so why not have the extra horsepower.
This rifle will not be used for hunting, so that's not a consideration.
Please keep the comments coming.
Would love to hear from some HTI or AIAX .50 BMG owners.
The HTI in a .50 BMG would be alot of fun and I can ad the Cheytac Conversion later, for a flatter shooting long range beast. It's also a bit cheaper than the AIAX .50. Owning an AIAX is a dream rifle to me though and will way heavy on my decision. I could break weak and get an AIAX .338 Lapua Mag. and I'm sure I'd be whistling zippity do da out of my asshole with that set up.
I have a Gap-10 .308 that I really like and will shoot the most often and can reach a 1,000 yards with.
I will take the Big magnum caliber out one or twice a month and shoot 50 rounds through it at a sitting. So I'm not that worried about ammo cost. If there was a caliber conversion for the AIAX .50 I would really like that. Maybe at Shot 2014 who knows.
I feel like the .338 ammo cost is worse than that of the .50 and only slightly better than that of a .375 Cheytac, so why not have the extra horsepower.
This rifle will not be used for hunting, so that's not a consideration.
Please keep the comments coming.
Would love to hear from some HTI or AIAX .50 BMG owners.
Get a DTA SRS A1 chambered in .338 and another magnum such as 300 WM or 7 WSM. While I would love to have a HTI in 375, I think you will have more flexibility with an A1. You can also run short action cartridges for more fun.
The .300 and .338 are really close ballistically till around 1600 yards so I don't see a reason to own one of each.
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