Seeking an inherently accurate larger cartridge for bench.

[VaniB]

Can you benchrest gentlemen point me to a .284 or .308 caliber cartridge for bench style shooting which you believe has inherent accuracy over other cartridges ?

I want to build my next rifle around a cartridge that seems to have proven itself in competition to be more naturally accurate then other cartridges. While I don't formally compete, I mean to shoot 1/4" to -3/8" 5 shot groups with all 5 shots typically clustering and touching. With the shooter properly doing his part, it seems that some cartridges will do this more consistently then others. While I realize 6BR or the PPC is considered "inherently accurate", I want to shoot a larger 284 or 308 diameter bullet. I've considered the 7mm-08, 308Win, or 284Win cartridges, but I'm open to any cartridge in 7mm or 308 cal in both SA or LA. I may also want to shoot long range with this cartridge too, and so is why I prefer at least a minimum 308 case capacity.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

If you didn't throw in the long range part I'd say a 30BR. I know some guys are shooting the 300 WSM pretty well in long range BR.

 

[LHSmith]

The .308 Win. set a lot of early records in Score Hunter BR. The reason it fell out of favor for smaller capacity cases is due to the accumulated effect of recoil in the 10 lb. weight limit for ~ 60 rounds/match ....... limitations for which non-competitive use need not apply. It is no slouch in long range either.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

In 1k yard benchrest there are only 2 that seem capable of consistent wins. The 6 dasher and the 300 wsm.

 

[johara1]

+1 on what Alex said………… jim

 

[savagedasher]

If you will go to Williamsport PA 1000YD they have history on what guns are and have ben used. The 300WSM and the dasher does most of the wining. Larry

 

[CaptainMal]

Let me throw in another angle. Zfastmalibu told you the truth in benchrest competition. Your accuracy standards are awful - 1/4 to 3/8" is not really that good. Then you say you are not into competition.

You hunting with the gun?

People have different opinions about bench shooting. If you have standards as you stated, just about any reasonable cartridge will meet them in a precision rifle.

 

[Immike]

Let me throw in another angle. Zfastmalibu told you the truth in benchrest competition. Your accuracy standards are awful - 1/4 to 3/8" is not really that good. Then you say you are not into competition.

You hunting with the gun?

People have different opinions about bench shooting. If you have standards as you stated, just about any reasonable cartridge will meet them in a precision rifle.

Good eye Captain. Try a 260 , 280 , 284win ... They will do what you want without going custom.

 

[Steve Blair]

Good eye Captain. Try a 260 , 280 , 284win ... They will do what you want without going custom.

[br]
Mike and CaptainMal are correct. A .284 Win in a long action is an excellent choice. A long action allows bullet seating to take full advantage of the case capacity and feed from the magazine. It will also not beat on you in a lighter rifle. My .300 WSM is very accurate and remarkably easy to tune but weighs just under 22 pounds. Not exactly a mountain rifle.

 

[VaniB]

Let me throw in another angle. Zfastmalibu told you the truth in benchrest competition. Your accuracy standards are awful - 1/4 to 3/8" is not really that good. Then you say you are not into competition.

You hunting with the gun?

People have different opinions about bench shooting. If you have standards as you stated, just about any reasonable cartridge will meet them in a precision rifle.

My shooting is done verly slow and methodical at 100 yards from off of a bench with an iron rest, adjustable cradle, 24X scope, carefully crafted hand loads, and wind flags. However, I am NOT using an actual benchrest gun. I would best describe the heft and barrel contour of my custom rigs as being in the class of Sendero Varmint style rifles or Remington Police rifles. Therefore, I don't expect to shoot sub 1/4" groups with them, and I am quite content with 5 shot sub 1/2" groups.

The reason why I don't post this sought of question in the "general" or "big-stuff" forums, is because of the amount of hunters and casual shooters who would reply. I have YET in all the years I've gone to the public range ever seen the everyday "hunter" or weekend shooter put a single 1/2" MOA 5 shot cluster on their target with their bolt action......never mind the 1/4" groups I seek.

 

[Immike]

I bought a 7mag from my neighbor years ago ( browning medallion ) after some trigger work and load work it did better than great. Darn thing would kill flies at 200 yards on a calm day. I just worked with it.

 

[johara1]

I think the difference is a good 1000 yd. barrel will shoot in a .1 or under and the load should be in the single digits on ES. A good one will shoot through the wind…… and both cal. were mentioned above Dasher in light and 300WSM in heavy…… jim

 

[GSPV]

Color me pessimistic, but I don't think that too many people are going to be happy with any rifle or cartridge that they shoot primarily at 100 yards but also want to be a wind cheater at 1,000.

Just for the sake of clarity, "long range", in benchrest, means 1,000 yards.

If twas me, I'd build two different rifles. Else, I'd have a compromise and I'm not interested in compromises.

 

[Shynloco]

VaniB,
Though you didn't list this cartridge as a possibility, might I suggest you also consider a 30BR that IS INHERENTLY a very accurate cartridge, though a wildcat. I have both a 30BR and a .308 Benchrest rifle and both are very accurate and and fun to load and shoot. Now if I were going to go out to 1K, I'd be venturing into the .284, though a 30BR shoots lights out at 600 yds. Just something to add to your list of considerations. Good luck on whichever way you decide to go.

Alex

 

[dragman]

My .02
he asked for an inherently accurate larger cartridge so I have too assume it's gotta be .284 and up.

300WSM is the go too, generally very easy to deal with and does a LOT of winning

.284 a good set up .284 IMHO will hold it's own with the WSM but isn't as easy to get shooting

7SAUM is the wild card, harder to get it shooting that "one hole" but if you can tame it and get it doing the business It's a hard animal too beat without going to a BIG 30.

 

[LHSmith]

My shooting is done verly slow and methodical at 100 yards from off of a bench with an iron rest, adjustable cradle, 24X scope, carefully crafted hand loads, and wind flags. However, I am NOT using an actual benchrest gun. I would best describe the heft and barrel contour of my custom rigs as being in the class of Sendero Varmint style rifles or Remington Police rifles. Therefore, I don't expect to shoot sub 1/4" groups with them, and I am quite content with 5 shot sub 1/2" groups.

The reason why I don't post this sought of question in the "general" or "big-stuff" forums, is because of the amount of hunters and casual shooters who would reply. I have YET in all the years I've gone to the public range ever seen the everyday "hunter" or weekend shooter put a single 1/2" MOA 5 shot cluster on their target with their bolt action......never mind the 1/4" groups I seek.

And I don't think Van is interested in case forming or cares to spend hours prepping brass. ...... I believe he wants this new toy to shoot strickly for fun.....but he wants to be "the guy" at the local range that put groups down range well under .5 moa pretty much at will....barring tricky conditions.
The .308 gets you Lapua brass (2 versions)......not many of the other recommendations allow for quality off-the-shelf brass. If one does his homework, and gets the right reamer specs , there is no reason this varmint grade gun can't also shoot impressive 600 yard groups which will make the OP proud.....as long as Vani does his part in the learning curve. Maybe he will get the bug and pursue competition.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I bought a 7mag from my neighbor years ago ( browning medallion ) after some trigger work and load work it did better than great. Darn thing would kill flies at 200 yards on a calm day. I just worked with it.

Mike, I don't believe a 7mm Mag would have the knockdown power at 200 yards to kill a fly, you need a .300 RUM for that!

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I bought a 7mag from my neighbor years ago ( browning medallion ) after some trigger work and load work it did better than great. Darn thing would kill flies at 200 yards on a calm day. I just worked with it.

Mike, I don't believe a 7mm Mag would have the knockdown power at 200 yards to kill a fly, you need a .300 RUM for that!

I think he means that he can kill flies at 200 yards, with the muzzle blast alone.

 

[artbosco]

The 30BR! http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/30br/ Some think it even outshines the 6PPC.

 

[Erik Cortina]

The 30BR! http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/30br/ Some think it even outshines the 6PPC.

That would be great, except he wants to do some long range shooting with it as well, so the 30 BR is out.