Best rifle cartridge for open terrain - Unit 21 Whitetail hunt

[firstcoueswas80]

Put a brake on that 2506, load up near max ttsx or accubond loads, and fill an ark. Quarter bores far beyond what they should.

[cactusjack]

and the suppressor guy speaks up again. I have the same Tikka T3 300wsm you do. It shoots lights out but it kicked like a SOB. Then I put on a suppressor. Now it kicks about the same as my 243 and I dont need to wear ear protection. It still shoots .5 moa. Did I mention I like suppressors?

[lamrith]

 

 

I think my biggest problem with the 300wsm is the almost 31lbs of kick that i have to deal with, as it is a Tikka T3 Lite.

 

I bought it before shooting one to replace my 270, as its not like I have access to tons of rifles in all calibers to try like some on here seem to post as a possibility.

 

I ask the question to get opinions since i cant shoot every caliber before i buy, to see what others use. I have only shot a 300wsm, 270, 7mm mag, 30-30, 22-250 and 5.56/223.... so its not like i have shot a ton of calibers either.

 

Yeah, the 300wsm may be able to fill my tag with a marginal 500 yard shot, but i would rather wait for a 300 yard shot that i know i can ethically make, with a rifle i enjoy shooting and practicing with.

 

The 300wsm comes out of the safe, fire a couple rounds at the range to check it is still on zero, and back in the safe it goes. Maybe if i had a heavier rifle i would enjoy it more, but 31 lbs of kick per Chuck Hawks evaluation on this make/model/caliber is just plain unpleasent.

 

If you get a thrill out of having a 30lb sledge hammer smacking your shoulder more power to you...... but thats not my idea of a good time.

 

Plus like i said in the first post.... its a reason for me to get another gun with the wifes approval.

 

You can tell the single vs the married guys on here.... the single guys are the ones sayin just to shoot the 300wsm..... the married guys are the ones actually providing suggestions....

6.5 Grendel can reach out. Not think it best if you are looking for 500yrd+ shots on game all the time due to it's lower muzzle velocity. But 400-500yrds on deer would be ok, there are a number of great medium game bullets in the 100-129gr range thta perform very well. It has taken Elk @ 400yrds. the round itself is capable of reaching out a mile reliably and consistently due to it's high BC bullets Then there is also 6.5creedmore, or 6.5swede for that matter for higher velocities. Grendel I know is just a real nice mellow shooter, something you can shoot al day and not feal beat up. Leading to better familiarity with weapon and performance which leads to better shots on game. I built up an AR in 6.5grendel and IT shoots sub .6MOA as long as I am doing my part and that was with a budget barrel and factory 123G Amax ammo.

 

Don't let the size and #'s fool you, the 6.5 bullet is a great performer even if the # on paper do not make it look like it is to some. Europeans been using it (6.5x55) for their big game for over a century.

Funny you mention the 6.5 Grendel, as I recently picked up a stripped lower I am debating building either a 300blkout pistol or a 6.5 Grendel rifle out of as my next project gun.

 

For this hunt, since I already have the 300wsm and 7mm-08 in the safe, I think I am looking to add either a 243, 25-06 or 257 Roberts to the mix. I think the 257 Roberts will be out of the running due to factory ammo availability. At one point I was looking at the 280 and 260, ammo availability ruled those out as well.

 

I do have a single stage press that I use for handgun ammo, I have not ventured into reloading rifle ammo, but this close to a hunt, and with hopefully a new rifle, I would rather stick to factory ammo for now.

 

Built my Grendel over the winter and then built a 300blk a month later!! Really like the grendel, just a great shooter, with plenty of reach for medium/big game at distances I feel comfortable shooting game at. Round is such that I can spend a day shooting long range building skillset without breaking my shoulder or the wallet..

 

It is what I will be bringing down for Oct hunt in 34A.

[Desert Rat]

Picked up a .243 today. Figured I would move the scope over from the 300wsm for the time being.... didn't buy scope rings and.... The tikka rings are Tikka specific.

 

So much for gething to the range at 7 tomorrow.

[roninflag]

which .243??

[Titanium700]

You will be happy with a .243

[Desert Rat]

which .243??

I went with the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2.

 

I thought about the Howa, but didn't like the heavy stock, although I would love a heavy stock like that on my Tikka. The Nikko scope on the Howa would have been ripped off eventually anyway.

 

As appealing as the Ruger American was pricewise, the bolt action just seemed clunky.

 

The Remington 700adl was $90 cheaper with a scope, but it's a throwaway scope and the Weatherby I thought was worth the extra $90.

 

I moved my 4x12-40 Vortex Diamondback from my 300wsm to the 243 for now until I buy another scope.

[Bnnes]

Lamrith I've been thinking about building a 6.5 Grendel. I'm not sure with what parts to go. What setup did you go with?

[lamrith]

Lamrith I've been thinking about building a 6.5 Grendel. I'm not sure with what parts to go. What setup did you go with?

I had a stack of AR parts laying around. I will not deny it I am a cheap SOB, I only bought above base Milspec on a few items, def not a pinnacle build but it is working VERY well, best most fun shooting rifle in my safe. Check out 65grendel.com for the experts and LOTS of information...

 

I do not have pricing on everything, but list what I know off top of head..

Basic cheapest I could find stripped lower Reciever ($50)

Anderson Lower parts kit (would not buy again, get a DPMS or other cheap kit)

Generic buffer assembly with 6 position adjustable stock ($25 ebay)

B5 Sopmod buttstock stock to replace generic 6position. (Used $50)

ALG Defense Combat trigger ($65)

Hogue pistol grip ($25)

Basic stripped upper and upper parts kit.

Basic Milspec barrel nut

Brownells 18" Barrel with matching bolt ($299)

Troy Alpa rail 13" ($100 ebay)

Killer Innovations muzzle brake .30cal ($50 local Company, not needed but looks cool)

Primary Arms 4-14x44 ACSS FFP scope ($280)(added sunshade and butler creek covers

AD-Recon 30mm 20MOA Scope mount ($149 if bought with scope)

 

 

This is with the original Ergo F93 stock, great stock but heavy. I swapped it out for Sopmod and dropped .5# for a 9.5# total weight.

 

.6MOA or better with Factory 123G AMAX ammo when I am not jerking the trigger like a spaz on the last shot.

 

Join the Horde it is fun!

[Bnnes]

Thansk for sharing lamrith! I rencetly built a 300 blackout and love it. Next I will be building a upper in the 6.5 Grendel. I

[lamrith]

Thansk for sharing lamrith! I rencetly built a 300 blackout and love it. Next I will be building a upper in the 6.5 Grendel. I

No problem, I did it the other way, grendel, then 300 :-p.

[lionhunter]

Desert rat. I have the 21 tag but in Dec. ( not sure what tag you have). I have a .243, a 25-06, and 270 wsm. THE 300 wsm is what is going on my dec coues tag! No such thing as "overkill". Shoot them behind the shoulder they die... At ant rate, shoot what you shoot well and enjoy your hunt.

[Bnnes]

Lionhunter I'll be using my new 300wsm as well on my October hunt. That is if I can make it with classes and all

[roninflag]

Desert- have you decided on ammo for your .243 for open country? what is your distance and groups size goal?

[airmark]

7mm mag shoot it like I'm shooting my bow and it's all good.elk or deer.