best long rane hunting cal. for big game?
- Thread starter jnoel2279
- Start date
I would shoot my 6.5 ICBM,6.5 STW w/35 degree shoulder) Trued 700 long action, Badger Ordinance bolt knob and 20 moa base, HS stock, Heavy fluted SS K&P 26' barrel w/brake. Nikon 6.5-20 Monarch scope.
The 142 Matchking at 3500 fps is one amazing bullet. Run the ballistics on that and you will be amazed out to 1200!
Trajectory,Simplified)
Input Data
Manufacturer: Sierra Description: HPBT MatchKingâ„¢
Caliber: 0.264 in Weight: 142.0 gr
Ballistic Coefficients: 0.550 [0-2050], 0.575 [2050-2400], 0.580 [2400-2850], 0.595 [2850-5000] G1
Muzzle Velocity: 3500.0 ft/s
Sight Height: 1.50 in Line Of Sight Angle: 0.0 deg
Cant Angle: 0.0 deg
Wind Speed: 10.0 mph Target Speed: 10.0 mph
Temperature: 59.0 °F Pressure: 29.92 in Hg
Humidity: 0.0 % Altitude: 4500.0 ft
Std. Atmosphere at Altitude: No Pressure is Corrected: Yes
Zero at Max. Point Blank Range: No Target Relative Drops: Yes
Round Output to Whole Numbers: No
Output Data
Elevation: 3.597 MOA Windage: 0.000 MOA
Atmospheric Density: 0.06483 lb/ft³ Speed of Sound: 1116.5 ft/s
Maximum PBR: 434 yd Maximum PBR Zero: 368 yd
Range of Maximum Height: 201 yd Energy at Maximum PBR: 2581.7 ft•lbs
Sectional Density: 0.291 lb/in²
Calculated Table
Range Drop Drop Windage Windage Velocity Mach Energy Time Lead Lead
,yd),in),MOA),in),MOA),ft/s),none),ft•lbs),s),in),MOA)
0 -1.5 *** 0.0 *** 3500.0 3.135 3861.8 0.000 0.0 ***
100 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.3 3344.0 2.995 3525.2 0.088 15.4 14.7
200 -0.0 -0.0 1.4 0.7 3193.7 2.861 3215.5 0.180 31.6 15.1
300 -4.2 -1.3 3.3 1.0 3048.6 2.731 2930.0 0.276 48.5 15.4
400 -12.2 -2.9 5.9 1.4 2908.4 2.605 2666.6 0.376 66.2 15.8
500 -24.2 -4.6 9.4 1.8 2770.6 2.482 2419.9 0.482 84.8 16.2
600 -40.8 -6.5 13.9 2.2 2635.6 2.361 2189.8 0.593 104.4 16.6
700 -62.4 -8.5 19.3 2.6 2504.6 2.243 1977.5 0.710 124.9 17.0
800 -89.6 -10.7 25.9 3.1 2377.2 2.129 1781.5 0.833 146.6 17.5
900 -122.9 -13.0 33.6 3.6 2252.6 2.018 1599.6 0.962 169.4 18.0
1000 -163.1 -15.6 42.6 4.1 2131.6 1.909 1432.5 1.099 193.5 18.5
The 142 Matchking at 3500 fps is one amazing bullet. Run the ballistics on that and you will be amazed out to 1200!
Trajectory,Simplified)
Input Data
Manufacturer: Sierra Description: HPBT MatchKingâ„¢
Caliber: 0.264 in Weight: 142.0 gr
Ballistic Coefficients: 0.550 [0-2050], 0.575 [2050-2400], 0.580 [2400-2850], 0.595 [2850-5000] G1
Muzzle Velocity: 3500.0 ft/s
Sight Height: 1.50 in Line Of Sight Angle: 0.0 deg
Cant Angle: 0.0 deg
Wind Speed: 10.0 mph Target Speed: 10.0 mph
Temperature: 59.0 °F Pressure: 29.92 in Hg
Humidity: 0.0 % Altitude: 4500.0 ft
Std. Atmosphere at Altitude: No Pressure is Corrected: Yes
Zero at Max. Point Blank Range: No Target Relative Drops: Yes
Round Output to Whole Numbers: No
Output Data
Elevation: 3.597 MOA Windage: 0.000 MOA
Atmospheric Density: 0.06483 lb/ft³ Speed of Sound: 1116.5 ft/s
Maximum PBR: 434 yd Maximum PBR Zero: 368 yd
Range of Maximum Height: 201 yd Energy at Maximum PBR: 2581.7 ft•lbs
Sectional Density: 0.291 lb/in²
Calculated Table
Range Drop Drop Windage Windage Velocity Mach Energy Time Lead Lead
,yd),in),MOA),in),MOA),ft/s),none),ft•lbs),s),in),MOA)
0 -1.5 *** 0.0 *** 3500.0 3.135 3861.8 0.000 0.0 ***
100 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.3 3344.0 2.995 3525.2 0.088 15.4 14.7
200 -0.0 -0.0 1.4 0.7 3193.7 2.861 3215.5 0.180 31.6 15.1
300 -4.2 -1.3 3.3 1.0 3048.6 2.731 2930.0 0.276 48.5 15.4
400 -12.2 -2.9 5.9 1.4 2908.4 2.605 2666.6 0.376 66.2 15.8
500 -24.2 -4.6 9.4 1.8 2770.6 2.482 2419.9 0.482 84.8 16.2
600 -40.8 -6.5 13.9 2.2 2635.6 2.361 2189.8 0.593 104.4 16.6
700 -62.4 -8.5 19.3 2.6 2504.6 2.243 1977.5 0.710 124.9 17.0
800 -89.6 -10.7 25.9 3.1 2377.2 2.129 1781.5 0.833 146.6 17.5
900 -122.9 -13.0 33.6 3.6 2252.6 2.018 1599.6 0.962 169.4 18.0
1000 -163.1 -15.6 42.6 4.1 2131.6 1.909 1432.5 1.099 193.5 18.5
6.5 ICBM
Sorry for the delay in a response guys. I have not been back to this site/post for a while.
The big 6.5 ICBM has 400 rounds down the tube. The tough cut rifle barrel K&P has sustained some wear but not much. Accuracy with almost all the loads I have tried have been sub 1/2" at 100 yds. I am hoping to get 800-1200 rounds of barrel life. Once accuracy drops off I could set it back some.
As to loads it depends on the bullets you are shooting. I have only used RP brass either 8mm Rem Mag or 7mm STW. I would like to get my hands on some better stronger brass.
100 grain bullets work best with RL22 or 7828. Start at 74 grains of either and work your way up to 82.
120 grain bullets again work well with RL22, 7828, H1000 or 50BMG.
140's work best with H870 (no longer available) or now US-869. 88-93 grains of US-869 works very well.
I have not tried the 140 Berger VLD but I will get to this one later this winter.
This is my long range rockchuck buster. I would also use it for long range big game if not going to far from the truck or not climbing to many hills.
Mike Delbo
Sorry for the delay in a response guys. I have not been back to this site/post for a while.
The big 6.5 ICBM has 400 rounds down the tube. The tough cut rifle barrel K&P has sustained some wear but not much. Accuracy with almost all the loads I have tried have been sub 1/2" at 100 yds. I am hoping to get 800-1200 rounds of barrel life. Once accuracy drops off I could set it back some.
As to loads it depends on the bullets you are shooting. I have only used RP brass either 8mm Rem Mag or 7mm STW. I would like to get my hands on some better stronger brass.
100 grain bullets work best with RL22 or 7828. Start at 74 grains of either and work your way up to 82.
120 grain bullets again work well with RL22, 7828, H1000 or 50BMG.
140's work best with H870 (no longer available) or now US-869. 88-93 grains of US-869 works very well.
I have not tried the 140 Berger VLD but I will get to this one later this winter.
This is my long range rockchuck buster. I would also use it for long range big game if not going to far from the truck or not climbing to many hills.
Mike Delbo
If you consider long range to be 800 yards and further with that in mind I would go with my 300 rum shooting a 210 berger hunting vld. broughton 26'' heavy contour barrel defensive edge break and recoil lug it's a tack driver for a big 30 Well when this barrel is shot out I'm going to order another broughton barrel except this time it will be a .338 give me an edge why? because it will gut em and skin em as far as the eye can see ;D
Am a believer in high BC bullets, and agree with the No Short Action perspective to enable proper bullet seating with the VLD and heavy matchkings etc.
That said, I have a Win 70 SA that being a lot longer than a Rem 700SA will be ideal for a .284 wildcat; probably the .338/284.
Reloader 17 seems to be The Ticket for medium capacity ctgs that shine with med burn-rate powders. Even the .338Win seems a likely gainer from RL-17.
Can you beat the lower pressure, less bearing area, and high BC in .338 cal? Only if you go .375 and find some of the Lost River 350gr matchkings or other custom bullet.
I like the .338/300win for moderate capacity and versatility. Have gotten mild results with 250gr bullet w/65gr xmr4350 and .340wby like w/79gr, RL 17 may also get that last 100fps that makes this ctg equal to the .3338rum. I owned .338 and .300rum rifles, plus a .30-378wby and ditched them. No reason in my scheme to slave for velocity. Just buy a 100moa adjusting scope...
A .338 rum that was midway between saum and rum might be interesting...
That said, I have a Win 70 SA that being a lot longer than a Rem 700SA will be ideal for a .284 wildcat; probably the .338/284.
Reloader 17 seems to be The Ticket for medium capacity ctgs that shine with med burn-rate powders. Even the .338Win seems a likely gainer from RL-17.
Can you beat the lower pressure, less bearing area, and high BC in .338 cal? Only if you go .375 and find some of the Lost River 350gr matchkings or other custom bullet.
I like the .338/300win for moderate capacity and versatility. Have gotten mild results with 250gr bullet w/65gr xmr4350 and .340wby like w/79gr, RL 17 may also get that last 100fps that makes this ctg equal to the .3338rum. I owned .338 and .300rum rifles, plus a .30-378wby and ditched them. No reason in my scheme to slave for velocity. Just buy a 100moa adjusting scope...
A .338 rum that was midway between saum and rum might be interesting...
My suggestion is based on the heading "Big Game".
I've got a .300 RUM and a .338 RUM, and consider the .338 RUM to be the superior chambering and it has no problem running a 250 gr bullet to 2950 fps (the accuracy node in this particular rifle) and with excellent barrel life. The .338 RUM has also proven to be accurate out of the box with factory fodder and exceptionally accurate with handloads.
And when it comes to big game, more than adaquate for moose and the great bears.
I've got a .300 RUM and a .338 RUM, and consider the .338 RUM to be the superior chambering and it has no problem running a 250 gr bullet to 2950 fps (the accuracy node in this particular rifle) and with excellent barrel life. The .338 RUM has also proven to be accurate out of the box with factory fodder and exceptionally accurate with handloads.
And when it comes to big game, more than adaquate for moose and the great bears.
TODAY, I shot a Savage Model 12 in .308 Winnie Pooh caliber, and I'm still alive enough to say its recoil is LESS INTENSE than my favored .243 Winnie Pooh with 100 grain premium fare! How could I have been so wrong in selecting a smaller caliber for Big Game Hunting! Sure, a .243 Winchester can easily beat-down any deer going, but a .308 can seal the deal with FAR LESS shoulder punch. A .243 Winchester loaded to the max smacks the shoulder smartly, while a .308 Winchester rocks the shoulder SMOOTHLY. This new physical data rocks my shooting world to its core! Cliffy
Re: 6.5 ICBM
Norma makes 375H&H brass. I think the 8mm Rem Mag is same as 375H&H. 7mm STW is 8mm Rem Mag necked down. I use the Norma brass for 375 H&H loads. Winchester has been good as well. Not sure if the blown out case of 8mm and STW requires a longer case than 375H&H.
Stormbringer said:
Norma makes 375H&H brass. I think the 8mm Rem Mag is same as 375H&H. 7mm STW is 8mm Rem Mag necked down. I use the Norma brass for 375 H&H loads. Winchester has been good as well. Not sure if the blown out case of 8mm and STW requires a longer case than 375H&H.
Above .243 Winchester, I'm a neophite, yet I'm eyeing a new .264 Winchester Magnum. The thought is to add 40 grains of striking force to my standard 100 grain .243 loads. I'm a bit worried about the recoil increase, because I'm not a flincher, and don't want to become one. Flinching creates the main reason for missing targets. Maybe I'll increase my hunting range to 500 yards from my current 350 yards. Is the recoil sharp in a full-boat .264 Mag load? Cliffy
To me, "Big Game" is an Elk, Moose, Grizzly, Polar, Brown, Narwhal, Rhino, Elephant, etc, because I outweigh all whitetails, most Muleys, most feral hogs, I know what would put me down, since I'd be "Medium Game." Wound me and I'd become more vicious than the meanest Cougar. A well-placed .243 Winchester 100 grain load would stop my heart, but a mis-placed .338 Win Mag bullet would really piss-me-off. "Medium Game" includes wolves, feral hogs, deer, alligators, springbok, cougars, etc. No rifle is too light, if one knows how to aim accurately. Flinching and $5 will get you a Whopper at BurgerKing. cliffy
.300 Ultra 210, is your shoulder in traction yet? How's you hearing, or do you want me to repeat that question? How do the shooters to your left and right at the practice range react to your muzzle blast? Have you stopped anyone's heart yet? Yea, I'm caustic regarding super horsepower, especially where practice range shooting is involved. My .243 Winchester loads rattle the metal roof, so I'm always noticed under same. If a .30-06 Springfield cannot satiate your power-lust, I assume a MAGNUM load apparently can. Gaining other hunters' attention is always an incredible BLAST. Cliffy
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