Needs some help picking a cartridge for Tactical Matches/Hunting purposes?

[Tulo2tass2]

Jelrod1,

What is the big deal about small primers? I have heard that statement before but I don't know why people consider that an attribute?

Thanks

 

[ShootDots]

You can run considerably higher pressures and NOT destroy your primer pockets.. The web area of a case with a small primer pocket is thicker and much more resilient... That's why a 6.5 x 47 Lapua can equal a 6.5 Creedmoor OR a .260 Remington, both of which have larger case capacities..

 

[Tulo2tass2]

Drop port,

As far as hunting needs I'm not positive yet. I was thinking mule deer is probably my biggest game with a rifle because I bow hunt for elk.

 

[Tulo2tass2]

ShootDots,

Thank you, that finally makes sense!

 

[jelrod1]

Jelrod1,

What is the big deal about small primers? I have heard that statement before but I don't know why people consider that an attribute?

Thanks

Small primer brass lasts longer before the pocket loosens up and can run at higher pressure. I also tend to find loads with better ES with a small primer. That's hard to ever be apples to apples but generally true for me. Mainly a length of life thing for me.

ETA: Man you guys post fast .....or I'm just slow

 

[flatlander]

I've been shooting some practical steel & paper matches for the past few years with rifles I built for myself - chambers from 223 AI (fun to shoot, very good accuracy with Berger 90VLDs out of a 1-7tw bbl - got hits out at 1300 & 1400yds with it first time out), 6x47 Lapua (excellent with DTAC 115s out of a 1-7.8tw bbl), 6.5x47 (also excellent with 130VLDs & 140 LRBTs using RL17), 260 Imp 30* (my current favorite with Sierra 123 & 142MKs), and 284 Win (great LR ctdg, but more recoil).

Really like the little 223 AI, but if you think it's hard to see 6mm bullet splash, try a 22 cal anything.

The 6x47 is a great little ctdg with 105 Hybrids or DTAC 115s, and I've gotten all the velocity I need with RL17 - but it's temp sensitive.

6.5x47 - dittos the above comments for the 6x47 pertaining to RL17. Both these ctdgs allow bullets seated way out in AICS mags, but - again - to get the velocity I wanted, I had to use RL17 - very fine accuracy, but temp sensitive.

260 Imp 30* - really, really like this one. Not hard to understand why so many shooters choose the 260 - accurate, mild recoil, decent bbl life. I've shot .163"-.200" 3-shot groups with mine while checking 100yd no-wind zero with S123MKs in a fireforming load doing almost 2900fps. Not a barn-burner where velocity's concerned when running 139-142gr bullets, but I'm using 4831, 4831SC, or N165 and getting ~2700fps, which is no slouch in the wind. I trued a new SA 700 action and used a one-pc PTG fluted custom bolt, along with PTG DBM, Jewell HVR, 26" Bartlein 1-8.5tw sendero, all in a McM adjustable A5.

284 is a great 1000yd ctdg IMHO. I shoot H162 AMaxes, JLK & Berger 168VLDs, S175 & 180MKs, and Berger 180s - both VLDs & Hybrids out of mine, using mostly H4831. Downside of my rifle is that it's heavy - 15.25lbs, and has a 28" bbl to get velocity, so it's a little cumbersome to maneuver, not to mention heavy to carry if you're hunting or have to walk from stage to stage in a match. I also added a brake to make it more comfortable to shoot in really awkward positions, which added almost 2" more to the already long bbl. Love this rifle - it's one accurate & effective weapon. Big old bullet splashes make it easy to spot your own shots with the brake, and I really love to shoot it. But...I'll be shooting that 260 Imp 30* next season.

 

[Tulo2tass2]

Jelrod1 or whoever,

Last newbie question... What does ES stand for?

Thanks

 

[jelrod1]

Extreme Spread of the velocity shot through a chronograph with many rounds.

 

[Tulo2tass2]

Can you give a quick example of ES?

 

[jelrod1]

If I shoot 20 rounds through the chrono and the highest velocity is 2720 and the lowest is 2710 the Extreme spread is 10fps. All of the others fall in between. Generally the load that produces the lowest amount of ES will perform better at longer distance having less vertical dispersion.

 

[Tulo2tass2]

Ok that's what I thought, thank you

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I would look at what the f class guys are using. They tend to be at the forefront of the best combo of wind bucking, recoil, and accuracy.