Range Report Wisdom on a Caliber Selection

[EN2722]

Members of the Hide,
Please bear with me as I’ve done a few searches and never came up with the answer. I went back and forth on where to post this. If it's in the wrong place, please let me know and I'll repost it correctly. I’m currently going back and forth between caliber selections for a LA build. Recently, I purchased a Rem700 LA with a magnum bolt face action with the intention of building a tribute gun for my father chambered in 300 WM. However, the more information I pour-over, the more I question the 300 WM decision.

Some requirements as to the caliber decision:

1. It would be used for both hunting and shooting steel.
2. I do not have a barrel just the action and trigger.
3. The largest caliber owned to date is 308 and below. So this would be a from the ground up build.
4. Remage barrel caliber selections due to having the tooling already.

The shortlist that I’ve been considering is:

1. 300 Win Mag
2. 300 PRC
3. 7mm Rem Mag
4. 338 Win Mag (least preferred)

Is there one caliber that would be better than another?
Are you currently shooting any of the listed calibers? Why?
Have you moved from one to another due to performance reasons or personal reasons?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

-Matt

 

[Ledzep]

Don't really think (for the intended use) you'll necessarily go wrong with any of the above. You'll get better (and cheaper) bullet selection with the 7mm or .30's, and you'll probably have the easiest time finding match ammo for the PRC (Hornady).

 

[EN2722]

Don't really think (for the intended use) you'll necessarily go wrong with any of the above. You'll get better (and cheaper) bullet selection with the 7mm or .30's, and you'll probably have the easiest time finding match ammo for the PRC (Hornady).

Thanks for the response. I kind of figured which is why I’m having a difficult time on a selection.

I do reload and I cannot remember the last time I shot factory ammunition. Which really makes it more difficult.

 

[Newbie2020]

No experience or wisdom here but I read a lot. I’ll just tell you what I’d do in your place:

If you want conventional go 300WM; if you want to push the boundaries go 300 PRC.

If you reload then 300 PRC ammo won’t be a problem. More bullet choices, quality brass is available. 1:8 twist barrel for long heavy bullets. Be fun to really reach out past 1,500 to 2,000 yds with the tool designed for doing just that.

Ballistics differences to 1,000 are nearly negligible. Theoretically the PRC is more accurate to 1,000 yds, but those differences are likely negligible also. The real differences are past 1,500 using the longer heavier bullets.

Need a heavy rifle though—-tons of recoil.

 

[EN2722]

No experience or wisdom here but I read a lot. I’ll just tell you what I’d do in your place:

If you want conventional go 300WM; if you want to push the boundaries go 300 PRC.

If you reload then 300 PRC ammo won’t be a problem. More bullet choices, quality brass is available. 1:8 twist barrel for long heavy bullets. Be fun to really reach out past 1,500 to 2,000 yds with the tool designed for doing just that.

Ballistics differences to 1,000 are nearly negligible. Theoretically the PRC is more accurate to 1,000 yds, but those differences are likely negligible also. The real differences are past 1,500 using the longer heavier bullets.

Need a heavy rifle though—-tons of recoil.

I appreciate the honesty.

Reading a lot is how I got myself in this predicament. Honestly, it may come down to flipping a coin on the Win Mag and PRC. I see the benefits of both.

Have you read about guys doing a 1:9 or 1:8 on the 300 WM so they can shoot the heavier bullets? I assume at a certain point bullet design does not allow you the ability to load it into a magazine on the Win Mag. Where as the PRC was designed around the heavier pill options.

 

[Long Range 338]

There is something about the 300WM that makes the recoil feel very snappy and brutal in a lighter rifle. However the 30 cal bullet selection is almost endless. I've got a serious soft spot for the 7RM for a hunting rifle as it is a near perfect package in my experience. Fast, flat, and mild recoil make me a fan, nostalgia keeps it that way.

 

[GMZ]

Why are you second guessing the WM? It’s long in the tooth but definitely still gets it done with heavy bullets on both steel and game. Berger is loading ammo with their 215/230 hybrids plus you can find ammo on any shelf in the US.

That said I’m going to be getting into a 300 soon and leaning PRC. Better case for shooting heavies, no belt, little more juice than a WM and Hornady ammo is $35/box if you need it in a pinch.

 

[EN2722]

There is something about the 300WM that makes the recoil feel very snappy and brutal in a lighter rifle. However the 30 cal bullet selection is almost endless. I've got a serious soft spot for the 7RM for a hunting rifle as it is a near perfect package in my experience. Fast, flat, and mild recoil make me a fan, nostalgia keeps it that way.

The only experience I have with the 300 WM is on a Mark 13 MOD 7 with a suppressor. I could see the recoil being a touch too much in a light weight mountain rifle. Good thing, I’m still young and haven’t learned my lesson.

I have always kept my eye on the 7RM. Do you think performance wise, it hangs in there with the .30 cal magnums? Plus side is, NSS has a Criterion 7RM Remage option.

 

[EN2722]

Why are you second guessing the WM? It’s long in the tooth but definitely still gets it done with heavy bullets on both steel and game. Berger is loading ammo with their 215/230 hybrids plus you can find ammo on any shelf in the US.

That said I’m going to be getting into a 300 soon and leaning PRC. Better case for shooting heavies, no belt, little more juice than a WM and Hornady ammo is $35/box if you need it in a pinch.

I‘m not second guessing the 300 WM‘s ability, however, it is 2020 and science says there’s better options available. Like you said, you’re looking at the PRC.

Honestly, I wouldn‘t shoot anything under 200 grain pills from the WM. I know there are probably dozens of people who swear by the 175-190 grainer’s but in my mind it makes no sense. I would be looking at the 215/230 line up of projectiles.

 

[Long Range 338]

The only experience I have with the 300 WM is on a Mark 13 MOD 7 with a suppressor. I could see the recoil being a touch too much in a light weight mountain rifle. Good thing, I’m still young and haven’t learned my lesson.

I have always kept my eye on the 7RM. Do you think performance wise, it hangs in there with the .30 cal magnums? Plus side is, NSS has a Criterion 7RM Remage option.

It sure does. I'm addressing this from the hunting aspect as steel doesn't require any energy, just hits. Its a great balance of bullet weight, velocity, and manageable recoil. Its not the new sexy thing but its had staying power for so long for a reason.

 

[EN2722]

It sure does. I'm addressing this from the hunting aspect as steel doesn't require any energy, just hits. Its a great balance of bullet weight, velocity, and manageable recoil. Its not the new sexy thing but its had staying power for so long for a reason.

Shooting steel is purely for the enjoyment of the sound of a projectile careening down range and smacking the shit out of It. lol

I appreciate that info In regards to hunting. This firearms primary role would be for deer like animals to moose. I’ll definitely be taking a peek into the 7mm world and see what it’s all about.

oh of note, I’m still shooting a 308 under the Tac Division and do not own anything with a Creedmoor at the end of it. My preference is function over flashy.

 

[Steel head]

I think the 7RM is a good option.
Rifle can be lighter for hunting and still be enjoyable for extended steel periods of shooting steel.

7 saum in a long action is also an option.

I like the 30’s but target shooting in a lighter rifle kinda sucks with them for more than a 20ish shots.

 

[M1Army]

I ended up going with the 300 Win Mag - it is classic and I know other options exist (as you are discussing) but I liked staying in the .30 Cal bullet category as I own many .308's too.

I also found a Model 70 Classic Sporter (with the Jewled bolt etc.) for a great price that was awesome and just needed TLC - so I cleaned it up and went with a new stock and have the .300 Win Mag Hunting rig I wanted.

Good Luck!

 

[EN2722]

I ended up going with the 300 Win Mag - it is classic and I know other options exist (as you are discussing) but I liked staying in the .30 Cal bullet category as I own many .308's too.

I also found a Model 70 Classic Sporter (with the Jewled bolt etc.) for a great price that was awesome and just needed TLC - so I cleaned it up and went with a new stock and have the .300 Win Mag Hunting rig I wanted.

Good Luck!

View attachment 7310654

Very nice piece of weaponry. Funny, I actually looked for a Winchester Model 70 before pulling the trigger on the Rem700. They sure are beautiful firearms.

Honestly, it appears to be apples-to-apples comparison. Where one has a weakness the other has a strength. Is the requirement lighter and fast or heavy and a little slower. Too many decisions if you ask me! lol

 

[EN2722]

I think the 7RM is a good option.
Rifle can be lighter for hunting and still be enjoyable for extended steel periods of shooting steel.

7 saum in a long action is also an option.

I like the 30’s but target shooting in a lighter rifle kinda sucks with them for more than a 20ish shots.

I never thought of the 7 SAUM...great, thanks lol. I literally have zero experience with that one.

Yeah, I’ve considered for the WM running a 24-26” barrel with a brake. Just so I can shoot more than 20 rounds at a time.

 

[264win]

Any of the options will do, though the 338 win mag would lag a bit for very long range shooting.
my choice would be 300 win. I like the 300 prc, but would not choose it for the same reason I wouldn’t choose a 7 SAUM. It’s a great round with limited availability of ammo and components. In 5 years that may get better or worse.
The 300 win mag with 24”+ barrel and 215 Berger’s is a very versatile set up.

 

[SporterII]

7 SAUM. Flexible on weight, recoil and bullet selection. My .02

 

[EN2722]

Any of the options will do, though the 338 win mag would lag a bit for very long range shooting.
my choice would be 300 win. I like the 300 prc, but would not choose it for the same reason I wouldn’t choose a 7 SAUM. It’s a great round with limited availability of ammo and components. In 5 years that may get better or worse.
The 300 win mag with 24”+ barrel and 215 Berger’s is a very versatile set up.

Appreciate the insight. That’s similar to what I was thinking when this build started. I’ve found a decent amount of data on the 215 Hybrids under H1000 or Retumbo.