How big is "big enough"

[4xforfun]

Getting out of the comp world and figure on having fun shooting up all my left over "stuff". I have lots of HEAVY 30 cal stuff I'd like to bang steel with at LR/ ELR. 208, 210, 215, 220, 230 and 245 Bergers, 240 SMK's. 230 and 250 A TIPS, etc...... Problem is that my old 300 WBY tubes are 11 twist with one 12 twist and one old10 in the mix. Looking at picking up a 1.25 straight taper 8 or 8.5 twist 32ish inch long 30 cal and chamber it in a boomer on my BAT 1.55 M. I already have the standard and magnum bolt for it and will get a Lapua bolt face also if needed.

Thinking of the following..... which are at the top of the food chain as far as eating powder.....
300 ULTRA
30-338 Norma standard or Improved
30-338 Lapua standard or improved
30-378 WBY

Don't know much about the newer offerings like the 300 PRC or the 30 Nosler.

I have lots of RL 25, RL 33, Retumbo, H1000, H4831, and faster and faster powders and lots of Fed 215 M primers

Single shot...my 300 WBY LOADS with a 215 Hybrid is 4+ inch OAL, so looong freebore.

I have steel out to 1500 with flash bangs and places to shoot twice that far.

I know that there is a point of diminished returns.....do you see that point on this list?

Just thinking out loud,
Tod

 

[WAMBO]

The 300 Ultramag will get you what you want without having to buy a new bolt.
The 30/338 Lapua Improved is real close to the Ultramag in powder capacity, I have both and don't see any difference between them seeing that there is better brass available now for the Ultramag.
If only shooting to 1500 I would go with the PRC.
JMHO

 

[slm9s]

I'm no expert but from the couple I've loaded for and what I've read the 300RUM is known to be quite accurate.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I go 300 RUM or 300 NM or 300NMI
Availability of good cases is a huge factor and they aren’t insane barrel burners.
300 lapua is certainly an option as well.
300NMI, 300RUM and 30/338 lapua are all quite close in case capacity.

Don’t discount 300NM however, my experience shooting them well past a mile has always been enjoyable.

 

[L.Sherm]

Personally I dont like the Lapua or Norma cartridges unless you have the bigger action set up for them.
That leaves the 300 RUM which will be in that 4" neighborhood seated properly with the Heavies.
I like the 30-28 Nosler over the straight 30 because you dont have to push it as hard to get around that 3100 FPS node with 215's

 

[shoot4fun]

I own a 338LM and a 300 Norma Mag 35˚ Improved and have shot both at 1800 yards. I had thought the 338LM was the Mac-daddy (without going to the really big stuff like Cheytac, but the 300NMI impressed me the most so far. Even more impressed with the 215 Berger Hybrid. I thought it would require the 30 caliber heavies like 230-245 grain but the 215 Hybrid out shines them for me.
I'm sure there are others in the 30 caliber area that will do well but I have no experience there.
I envy your access to distances at and over 1 mile. It isn't easy to find here.

 

[4xforfun]

I own a 338LM and a 300 Norma Mag 35˚ Improved and have shot both at 1800 yards. I had thought the 338LM was the Mac-daddy (without going to the really big stuff like Cheytac, but the 300NMI impressed me the most so far. Even more impressed with the 215 Berger Hybrid. I thought it would require the 30 caliber heavies like 230-245 grain but the 215 Hybrid out shines them for me.
I'm sure there are others in the 30 caliber area that will do well but I have no experience there.
I envy your access to distances at and over 1 mile. It isn't easy to find here.

Actually, most areas around here have lots of room, but it is TO FLAT. You really don't have any depth perception as far as distance. Did I hit 1 foot below the target or 15 or 100 feet in front of it. Best to have some sort of elevated shooting point or be shooting into a hill. Also....everything is farmed around here, so, early spring or late fall before or after the crops....or.......winters if there isn't much snow. North Dakota = snow!!

 

[wywindsor]

I've been looking this over for a year now. I narrowed it down to three and settled on the Prc. The 30 Sherman was one and the 300 Wheeler the other. I didn't want to form brass was the main reason. Both the Sherman and wheeler are faster, but the prc is an over achiever IMO. Look up Alex Wheeler's 300 prc here.