Need help with cartrdige choice

6

6BR

Guest
Hello, I am trying to decide on what cartrdige to choose. I am going to build a heavy rifle for 600/1000 yard bench rest and long range varmint hunting. I am thinking about going with one of the following cartridges;

1. 300 WSM
2. 7mmx300 WSM
3. 6.5x284 Shehane
4. .284 Shehane
5. 300 Weatherby AI

I would like to get hear what you guys think. I like the 6.5x284 with the 139grn Scenar shot at 3000fps, however, I know barrel life is not great. Ballitically, the 7mmx300 WSM, using Norma brass, shooting the 180 Berger VLD at 3050fps seems like the best choice, but is it? I've been reading about the .284 Shehane, it too sounds like it would be a good choice with it being able to push the 180grn VLD at 2900+fps, but can it? The 300 WSM has excellent barrel life, but the 6.5x284 has better ballistics when pushing 140grn bullets at 2950 to 3000fps + low recoil. I have been told that the 300 Weatherby AI is an excellent choice for 1000 yard shooting, but I don't know much about it. The 300 Weatherby AI seems to the cartridege of choice for long range competition and from what I can tell, it will easily push the 210grn bullets at 3000+fps. I am really wanting to get into 1000 yard bench rest, and I want to pick the right cartridge. Please, help.
 
6BR,

First of all, apply the same reasoning that got you to finally accept the 6BR round. And MORESO the experience with this selfsame level of competence.... fuh'GEDDABOUT all the charts and rhetoric and concentrate on ONE FUNDAMENTAL, "Which Round Will Give More First Round Hits At Any Yardage?"

WHICH ROUND of all of them exhibits nearly the same real benefits as the 6BR round?

IMO the choice is remarkably simple........ 300WSM.

period.

al
 
That's good info, I will eiher go with the 300 WSM or 6.5x284.
 
I chose the 7mm Rem SAUM for the same reasons that Al gave for the 300 WSM. I believe the only thing the 7mm Rem SAUM gives up the 300 WSM is a some barrel life. Now compare the BC of the 7mm 180gr Berger .659 to the .308 210gr Berger .617 or you can match the BC of the 210gr with the 168gr 7mm Berger.
I stick to the 162 Amax bullets in my 7mm though.

James
 
I have a 300 wtby.AI and I would go with the 300wsm hands down. Remember you mess up and ruin a case in some way or they just wear out, now to get them cases back you have to send another wasted bullet down that expensive barrel or mess around with cream of wheat or some other sh$t. You want 300 ai performance build and ultra mag. 300 wsm will work great and everything is readaly avaiable. just my .02.
 
I agree fire forming a 300 AI would be a lot of added $$$. I wish Lapua or Norma made brass for the 7WSM, because I don't really want to make them out of Norma 300 WSM Brass. It looks like the 300 WSM is the best choice, excellent brass, quality bullets and excellent ballsitics with the 210grn bullets. I called Brunos and they just sold their last Magnum bolt face, I am still looking.
 
You mentioned the 300 AI, but don't want to fire form brass.......Simple.....Plain Jane 300 WBY.;) Will do a better job pushing the heavier bullets than the WSM.


My opinion, of course!!

Good luck,
Tod
 
6.5

This is really easy. Lapua 6.5/284. No modifications or wildcatting. Get some H4350 and the 140gr bullet of your choice. Load it up to 2950-75 and start doping the wind. This cartridge is consistent, if a bit hard on barrels. You will get 800 to 1200 rounds through the barrel before you need to have it re-chambered. Then you are good for another 800+.

OR, go with some wildcat and dink around with brass forming, etc. Always wonder if it's the rifle or your ammunition that's having a problem. Try and wring that extra 100 or 200 feet per second out of the cartridge and cast consistency to the wind. Along with your bullets.

Me, I would hit the easy button. But that's just me.:)
 
By looking at your choices I can tell you have more than a little interest in the 7mm. Your 7mm/300wsm can be done w/out fireforming. I had some RWS 300 win. mag. brass here just laying around so I necked it down to 7mm & I am having a rifle built that should be here any time.(I changed the case design a little but its the same capacity.) The wsm case should be more ideal for 7mm than the one Im using. Go with what you are the most interested in & make it work.
 
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.300wsm

Is the route I would take. If the 6.5 would hold the tune and barrel life was better maybe I would go that way. But in reality it's not the case. Over time the .300 wsm would be the best choice even though it uses more powder. You can buy alot of powder for the cost of a a new barrel plus thread and chamber etc.

If I had to choose an all-round cartridge with all the 20 years experience I have shooting lots of different rifles in tactical/hunting and 1000 yard benchrest there would be a hands down winner, the 300 wsm.

Add up all the pros and cons it only makes sense. I have four recent customers who swear by them. As I'm sure the IBS 1000 yard World Record Holder for HG group will too!

And from 100 yards to one-mile they will hold their own with any other magnum within reason.

For 1000 yard benchrest the .300 wsm will soon be like the 6.5 was when I started 1000 BR back in 01. Yee Haw!

Good luck with your choice!

Tom Sarver
TVP
"Pardon our noise, it's the sound of FREEDOM"
 
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