1000 yard F open caliber.

[Beck]

What would those of you that shoot F open recommend. I've never shot 1000 but see it in my future.

Thanks in advance.

Editor: We just released an article covering this topic by 2014 F-Open champ Emil Kovan

LINK: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...ming-cartridge-types-for-f-class-competition/

 

[7stubby]

284 Winchester w/ 180gr Hybrids or 183gr SMK

 

[clowdis]

A 7mm RSAUM is by far the most accurate 1,000 yard cartridge that I've ever used. Brass, however, can be an issue. The .284 is just about as accurate but doesn't shoot near as hard. I also don't think it has enough "boiler room" for the heaviest 7mm bullets.

 

[swd]

Funny you ask this today. Todays bulletin has just that topic...
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/

 

[Endyo]

.284 Win - Approx. 2000 Rounds Barrel life, Brass readily available, Well mapped loads with several powders, dies in stock by most major companies, Moderate recoil, Forgiving and easy to load for. Has a moderate to easy learning curve. Has been winning for years. Can have a secondary use as a Midrange rifle due to good ballistics and barrel life should be as competitive as the 6BR, 6.5s at that distance.

.284 Shehane/Walker - Approx. 1500-1800 Rounds Barrel Life, Brass must be fireformed, Also well mapped loads with several powders, Moderate + recoil, Little less forgiving having to fireform brass and develop a load afterwards. Is also winning. Can also be effective at Midrange, slightly less barrel life.

.300 WSM - Approx. 1200-1500 Rounds Barrel Life, Brass is NOT as readily available and slightly more expensive. Best ballistics of the three. Less load data, Less common. Heavy recoil, unforgiving must work on shooting technique and be able to absorb recoil, Relatively short barrel life. Will have to be willing to work on load development more frequently, and re-barrel more often. Wins when the wind blows badly. Does not leave a lot of barrel life to practice frequently. May be better suited as a secondary caliber for windier ranges.

7RSAUM / 7WSM - Approx. 1000 Rounds Barrel Life. Slightly more common than .300WSM. May gain some velocity of the Shehane/Walker. To my understanding the accuracy node is 2900-2950fps which is attainable on the top end of the Shehane/Walker depending on what the barrel wants to do. Brass availability is not very good for either and slightly more expensive. Moderate-Heavy recoil. Less barrel life doesn't leave much room for load development and will require more rebarrel.

A 7WSM may be able to push the 195 EOLs to achieve the best ballistics of all these calibers listed but that's still generally unproven and not much load data exists.


There are of course other calibers that I'll let others fill in on. I'm experimenting with a .284 Walker, but I'm fairly certain the forgiving .284 WIN will get the rest of my $$$ from here on. I had a straight .284 barrel go south very early <1400 rounds. This was my first F-Open gun and to have it completely tuned to my liking took 700+ rounds of continued practice and load development. So after less than a season I was re-barreling and going back to square one.

My next rifle broke in and tuned in 350 rounds. Leaving an estimated 1400 rounds left of barrel life.

 

[Endyo]

Imagine if a barrel that had an estimated 1200 rounds barrel life broke in and tuned in 300 rounds went south earlier than expected at 850 rounds during the middle of a multi day match.

You'd also be paying about 0.70 cents / shot in depreciation of barrel life vs 0.35 cents for a .284 variant.

Also consider the significant down time re-barreling during the middle of the shooting season, and multiple range trips doing load development.

You decide how much performance you are willing to pay for in terms of barrel life, recoil, and cost.

 

[dragman]

.284 or 300wsm

 

[Pappy42]

.284 Shehane is about all the recoil that I want to put up with; but I'm an old guy.

 

[Endyo]

.284 or 300wsm

dragman is that about an accurate sound on barrel life for 300WSM.

 

[dragman]

I have found both to be equally accurate with the easy to tune nod going to the wsm. I disagree with the stated barrel life though. I agree that the .284 should be around 2000, but the wsm is good for at least that or more. I have seen several go well over 2000 rounds and really shoot! If you can stand the extra recoil you won't beat it imho.

 

[Endyo]

Glad to hear the input. Most my information was gathered from research here and barrel life calculations.
I think that helps build the case for considering a .300WSM.

 

[dragman]

Norma brass is pretty easy to get but $2 per. But I have seen north of 20 reloads on some with 210s and h4350 going 2900.

 

[Endyo]

That is crazy. What is the load data?

Maybe I'll update my information above. I don't have any hands on experience with the caliber, I was just sharing my research.

 

[dragman]

63 grains h4350. PM me I have LOTS of experiencewith the 300wsm.

 

[Steve Blair]

.300 WSM - Approx. 1200-1500 Rounds Barrel Life, Brass is NOT as readily available and slightly more expensive. Best ballistics of the three. Less load data, Less common. Heavy recoil, unforgiving must work on shooting technique and be able to absorb recoil, Relatively short barrel life. Will have to be willing to work on load development more frequently, and re-barrel more often. Wins when the wind blows badly. Does not leave a lot of barrel life to practice frequently. May be better suited as a secondary caliber for windier ranges.

This is not my experience after burning three .300 WSM barrels shooting 230 Hybrids. While Endyo is correct concerning recoil and gun handling, barrel life was consistent at 1500-1600 rounds. Of the four F-Open calibers I've competed, 6 BR, .284 Win, .284 Shehane and .300 WSM, the .300 was the easiest to tune, had the widest charge window and grouped as well as the 6 BR. Other than these minor points, I agree with Endyo's comments.

 

[Endyo]

This is not my experience after burning three .300 WSM barrels shooting 230 Hybrids. While Skip is correct concerning recoil and gun handling, barrel life was consistent at 1500-1600 rounds. Of the four F-Open calibers I've competed, 6 BR, .284 Win, .284 Shehane and .300 WSM, the .300 was the easiest to tune, had the widest charge window and grouped as well as the 6 BR. Other than these minor points, I agree with Skip's comments.

Thanks Steve. While I haven't met you I do know you are one of THE foremost experts on the caliber so what you say goes!

My numbers are based on a barrel life calculator. Yours is based on years of real world experience and championships.

From the velocity data you've shared on these forums 230gr Hybrid at 2865FPS I did a very gross ballpark estimate of 66 grains of H4831SC. That calculated out to 1300 rounds of barrel life.

Also, Who's Skip?

 

[Beck]

Thanks guys. Lots of great info. Keep it coming. Y'all have me leaning towards the 300.

 

[Steve Blair]

Also, Who's Skip?

My fault, I had just looked at a PM and failed to shift gears. Sorry, I fixed it.

 

[Zilla]

From a post by David Bailey a while back:

Cartridges that won the United States F-Open National Championship.
2004 = 6.5-284
2005 = 6.5-284
2006 = 6.5-284
2007 = 6.5-284
2008 = 284 Win.
2009 = 284 Win.
2010 = 300 WSM
2011 = 7 RSAUM
2012 = 280 Rem.
2013 = 7-270 WSM
2014 = 284 Win.
2015 = 284 Win.

 

[Endyo]

My fault, I had just looked at a PM and failed to shift gears. Sorry, I fixed it.

No problem I was smiling as I read it.

I appreciate your above input. You guys are getting me re-interested in the .300WSM. The barrel life is a little bit better than I was expecting and it's very exciting to hear how easy it is to tune.

I have a buddy who is getting one chambered and said I could borrow his reamer. I was waiting to see how he fared before taking the dive.

To the OP I would DEFINITELY test shoot a .300WSM to see how you handle recoil and how it effects your shooting position before committing to the caliber. If you google Steve Blair read his article on accurate shooter he mentions this.

Or just be lazy and click here:
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/steven-blair/