Moderate Recoil Cartridges for Wind

[Alex Wheeler]

I dont disagree. But, from my experience in this business most hunters will never shoot in a way to learn wind holds. In reality most competitors will never really learn it. Thats just reality.

 

[Bubba Boomstick]

The common theme from most answers is to know your ballistics and hold accordingly...to which, I do agree. Even from a bipod, I still say aiming error and gun/load accuracy are both at LEAST as important as drift at 300 in a hunting scenario. I can see exceptions so, were you shooting factory Norma ammo and a factory rifle? I just don't know enough details to be more specific. You can have a very decent factory rifle and ammo, and those two things alone could attribute for at least half of the error in shot placement for your one example, and that's with perfect gun handling etc. Lots of unknowns yet. How much magnification? Yes, your chosen load sucks as far as bc and velocity go but the devil is in the details. Like, is this a .5moa combo or a 2 moa combo? Frankly, I can believe either when talking factory gun and ammo.

The rifle shot really well at 100 yards. Sub MOA in windy condition 10 to 20mph. At 200 yards it was starting to have issues with wind. At 300 yards, I could only really hit the gong between gusts of wind. I didn't have a ton of time to prepare as I usually do. I have a little boy so he kinda eats my time. Factory Norma Whitetail 140 grain in factory Berretta BRX1.

I practice a lot with my big boomers like my 338 Norma's. But often people tell me it's too big for deer, I will damage meat, it's not ethical to shoot deer with it, if I use it I am a bad hunter, etc. So I succumbed to peer pressure and used a system I wasn't really familiar with. I should've stuck to my gun haha.

My magnification was set to around 10X, I think. But after I shot number one, I got buck fever and increased my magnification to 18X instead of decreasing it which led me to losing the animal out of my sight picture. Thankfully, he didn't move after getting shot and just stumbled behind the hill.

 

[Bubba Boomstick]

When it comes to western hunting I like a big 30 or 338. Now you know why. Theres real wind out west and its not just about energy. The small caliber guys will say you can kill them with anything and thats true but you cant do it as easy in big wind. If a guy could only have one gun for out west Id pick something in the 300 wm/300 prc range with a 215 berger. If you could have 2 Id pick a 300 wsm with 185s and a 338 lapua improved with 300s for the long shots. Just depends on the country you hunt. If I ever move back to Montana Ill be on the horn with Bartlien ordering that 338 barrel while Im on the road...

I agree. I live in Wyoming so it's windy all the time here. Most guys shoot big rifles like you mentioned.

I have some big rifles, but I thought it was overkill when in reality it was actually what I needed. Even if energy wise it's not necessary, the wind and changing climate and conditions warrant a cartridge that is apathetic to wind and changing climate conditions.

Thank you very much for your response. I appreciate your input.

 

[Bubba Boomstick]

The stated wind was 10-20mph at only 300 yards. I agree with your premise for out west, generally, though. Just not really a tough shot but enough to hold for your own KNOWN ballistics by a little bit. Yes, if one wants to simply never hold off at all, the bigger, the better, mostly, along with higher bc and speeds. Not knocking the op but knowing holdoffs is part of the game, be it hunting or target shooting. He just didn't hold off enough for his setup is all I can read into this. Hunting in the field just requires some ky windage most of the time, even with the big guns, albeit somewhat less.

Yes, not knowing how my bullet/gun combo worked in high wind is my error. I guess what I am looking for is a more forgiving setup. I had maybe a few seconds of opportunity to get this shot off before the animal disappeared.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Yes, not knowing how my bullet/gun combo worked in high wind is my error. I guess what I am looking for is a more forgiving setup. I had maybe a few seconds of opportunity to get this shot off before the animal disappeared.

If you're not hand loading, you might check this ammo out. It should be significantly better in regard to bc and velocity than what you mentioned having used.

6.5 mm Creedmoor 140gr Elite Hunter Rifle Ammunition

Berger's 6.5 Creedmoor 140 Grain Elite Hunter rifle ammunition is designed for hunting mid-sized game, such as white tail deer. The 140 Grain Elite Hunter provides a ballistic advantage over all others when loaded in the Creedmoor. Known for its accuracy and reliability, the 6.5 Creedmoor has...

bergerbullets.com

 

[jackieschmidt]

This guy drives the long range sniping crowd crazy.

More Important Than BC

Bullet construction, sectional density, hunting ability, common sense and other aspects count a lot more in importance in your hunting situations than BC does. Honoring the animal you are going to har

rumble.com