Next big banger

[AckleyImproved]

Hi

I have my 6mm Br on the way betting built.. and when my 300WMs barrel is shot out Im changing it to 1 6.5/284!

Now the question.... I want to build a whopper of a rifle...

Whats your thoughts of a caliber??

So far.... 6.5/300WSM
404 Jefferys necked to 7mm/7.62
7 STW
7mm/300 RUM
338 Lapua Magnum
Any ideas for a big banger

Thanks

Ackley Improved

 

[jb1000br]

whopper for what??

a 300RUM with 210 JLK's out of a 30" tube is a whopper, and flat as hell to 1000 yards!
JB

 

[biggjake]

If you take a look at the equipment lists from several 1000 yd clubs,I think You will see that several derivitives of the 300 Weatherby are the dominate 300 Magnum cartridges being used.These cartridges include the 300Ack,308 Baer,300 Weath./Imp.I've seen very few people using the larger 404/416/338LAP. Based cartidges.If you get a 200-220 grain bullet moving at 3000+fps,about 80 grains of powder is all you need.I used to shoot my 300 Ack. beside another shooter who had a 30-338Lap.,and we shot the same bullets at the same velocities.So why bother with the added expense of more expensive brass,more powder,etc.

 

[Riverine]

I don't know if this counts as a Big Boomer, but the first thing I do, in considering a new Caliber, is see if I can get Lapua or Norma brass for it. Then I look at the price lists. In the USA, Norma has a very odd price schedule. Some big calibers cost less than small calibers. 6.5-284 costs less than 6mm BR, for example.

Anyway, Sinclair is selling Norma brand 270 WSM brass for $61/100, and 7x57 Mauser for $65.40. I'd look at running one of those,7x57 improved) with Cauteruccio's custom 176gr 7mm bullets. Or the Jimmy Knox 168 or 180gr 7mm from www.OKWeber.com . That would give you a .7 BC bullet with just about the right case capacity. I think Berger's got a new 7mm too.

 

[Danr55]

Hi AI.. Let me make a recommendation for a big boomer.

Several years ago in Denver, a gunsmith named Charlie Durham put together a wonderful assortment of cartridges. The 8X62 Durham Magnum is probably one of the most unique and the most fun to shoot of the bunch. I have two of them and they both do very nicely. I get velocities in the 2950 to 3000 fps range shooting 220 grain Sierras and about 75 to 100 fps more with 200 grain Nosler partitions. Check Mr. Ackley's book, Vol. 1 for particulars.

 

[mikecr]

Lazzeroni Warbird,308)
http://lazzeroni.com/ct_lacart.htm

Expensive brass but will likely last forever.

 

[Bullmoose]

The 408 Cheytac is the way to go. It is much smaller than the 50bmg, the rifles are about 1/3 lighter and the case much smaller and more efficient. In fact the 400gr 408, which are turned from a solid copper/brass have more energy than the 50BMG out beyond 1500-2000 yards. Now this is a boomer. I don't really remember the details, but it is interesting. They also put together a gun with a BAT action using the 378 or similar case necked down.
Note that the CheyTac people have a patented bullet that is supposed to ensure that the over rotation as the velocity slows doesn't cause any yaw. I don't think thay are finished developing it. They are even leaal in the Republic of Calif.
Search Cheyenne Tactical or CheyTec for the web site.

 

[BountyHunter]

I have a 338 Lapua Ack Improved that puts 300gr SMKs out right at 3000 fps. Lapua brass is $1 per and lasts forever. Brass is cheapest part of a gun so build it for the best brass Lapua or Norma.

we have the 408s shooting in the mile comp in Ohio. Coppering is a problem after 15-18 rds and right now only Lost river bullets,$1 ea) are available.

we have some mftrs working on other 408 bullets and 338 bullets which will make both better.

30-338 Lapau is a screamer and great brass.

Personal opinion is too much changing in the area of the 408 right now to jump in with only bullet that requires a much faster twist than a regular bullet. Wait until other bullets are on scene and proven. My guess is it will eventually be worked out and more economical to shoot which it is not now. If you got to have one call Leonard Baity in NC,6br recommended smith) as he has built several of these guns and has the reamers for chambers and dies.

338/404 is another boomer that will do 3000+ fps.

an 8.5 BAT action or Python can be used with any of the above.

BH

 

[AckleyImproved]

Hi there Bounty hunter

How do you go about comp. dies for the 338Lapua AI??

Thanks
AI

 

[BountyHunter]

I bought my gun and dies used from a guy needing $. The dies are Neil Jones,NS only) and a redding body bump die that had been custom honed to fit for FL sizing.

You can go with Neil Jones,$275) and get FL size or talk to Jim Carstenson on this site about his custom set from the Redding body bump die and modifing a Forester Bonanza standard 338 Lapua micro seater for the AI version.

Or order your own chamber reamer AND resize reamer. Do not use the chamber reamer for a FL sizer because it will not resize anything. That way your smith can make your own custom FL sizer and with neck bushings.

BH

 

[AckleyImproved]

Thanks for that Bountyhunter..

Whats your gun, as in components...stock, action, barrel???

I am leaning towards a Stiller Python, barrel blocked in a McMillan MBR50...

How does it shoot???

Thanks
AI

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

A while back I had a 338 Snipe-Tac built by Dave Viers at VIERSCO.COM . Dave is a great guy and does great work. His .338 Snipe-Tac is built on a .408 Chey-Tac necked down to .338. My configuration :
LAWTON 8000 Action
LAWTON 32 inch CM barrel
1-11 twist rate.
Manners carbon fiber Tactical stock
JEWELL Trigger
Limbsaver recoil pad
And Dave's custom BRAKE,this thing really works)
The gun is topped with a Nightforce 5.5x22x56 NSX
Badger Ordinance 50MAX scope rings.
AND, finished with a custom paint job.

I am currently shooting a custom 265gr Aluminum Tipped bullet that I chronographed at 3496fps. The ME is beyond imagination.

 

[tate]

How about this one for size.A 30-378 weatherby mag.Have one an love it

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

I had a custom built 30-378 and for some reason it could turn that Broughton barrel really hot in just two or three firings. I was shooting 113gr of 7828 pushing a 150gr bullet. In the 338 I use 142gr of US869 pushing a 265gr bullet without the same consiquences.. And like I said, the brake on this 338 really works. Good luck with what ever you build.

 

[JHardy]

Bear:

That 338 of yours has to be on the very top of all super bad boy long range guns I have seen. I have shot a 408 Chy Tac at a Hawks Ridge practice day a few years back, but it was not even close to the accuracy you are getting.

As to the rifle itself, just drop dead beautiful eye candy.

Congrats,
Jim Hardy

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

Thanks Jim. I really love thing thing. It's hard to believe somebody would say they enjoy shooting a 338/408, but this thing is NICE to shoot.