Which 30cal for long range precision rifle?

[Fordnutter]

Ok so my next project will be a 30 cal something for my long range hunting / club level F class competition. Question is what cartridge case should I be contemplating?

My wish List is
- Superb accuracy
- 1500 round + barrel life
- 208gr Amax / 210 Berger from 2,850 from 30" barrel with single base powder
- Non Belted case

I think this rules out the 30-06 so were thinking 300 SAUM, 300 WSM....

 

[Larryh128]

I'm a big 300 WSM fan & I think there are a lot of better brass options than the SUAM. Probably the dedicated target shooters will opt for the SAUM as it probably has a minute amount of accuracy potential over the WSM but the WSM is an accurate cartridge.

 

[Fordnutter]

No one a fan of the 30 cal

 

[Minesweeper3433]

I seriously doubt you are going to get 1500+ barrel life out of anything that can push a 210 class bullet that fast if it is shot in F class.

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

A 300 Win Mag would do exactly what you want! The belted mag case may not be the most popular option anymore but it sure is functional and is available in good brass. Nosler Custom and Norma as well as RWS and all the local USA manufacturers make brass for it. Headspaced off the shoulder and coupled up with the new 230gr Berger Hybrids launched at 2800+fps, it will compete with any precision 30 cal long range case that is available.

The new 30cal bullets from Berger are a game changer and a back to the future 300WM case is as good a place as any to start from. The case size is just about perfect for launching the new bullets at 2800 to 2900fps. You might also want to look at the 30-375Ruger if you want to wildcat a 300WM equivalent without a belted case. Personally I dont think it would be worth the extra effort but its another option.

Ian

 

[cmillard]

why would you rule out the .30-06? that old work horse is easy to load for and there are good reloading components

 

[Millsaps75]

I love my 300 wsm. I've been shooting one for about 10 years now. Its extremely accurate and I'll always have one around.

 

[PaulJ]

I have been using a 300WSM in F Class competition for many years now.
My first barrel's round count was 1,800 then I had it cut back and re chambered and it is still winning.
That barrel liked 210 and 190 gn Berger VLD's the 210's doing 2,860fps and the 190's 3,000fps.
Kreiger 1.25" straight profile 1:10t barrel and all up weight of 9.950kg to keep it safely under the 10kg weight limmit.
I have found 30 cal easy to find or tune a accurate load and I have also tested the 215 and 230 gn Berger Hybrids in this barrel and the 1:10t barrel stabilises them as well but I do not know what speed they are doing.
I had Dave Kiff from PT&G make a tight neck match reamer. I use Norma brass, neck turned. I have had other rifles and caliber combinations built but I just keep goin back to the 300WSM.
cheers
Paul

 

[wboggs]

You are correct in that the .30-06 will not produce this velocity. I have a 30" barrel and get about 2700 with the 208 Hornady and 2640 with the 215 Berger. Both loaded to below max pressures but around 50-52,000 psi.

 

[Fordnutter]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Looks like 300wsm is where it's at. I do find the old work horse 30-06 intriguing but I'd have to be happy with shooting 190gr under projectiles for a resonable ballance of velocity - food for thought.

 

[acloco]

Cut the belt off your 300 Win Mag cases.....and be done with it.

 

[FroggyOne2]

Acloco,

Not everyone has a lathe of some sort to do that with.

 

[hogan]

Lots of other choices.....

.30/338win mag is a perennial favourite
.300win mag probably the easiest and no-brainer solution

Also the .30-06 Ackley Improved. The AI'd 06 really shines with 200gr and heavier bullets which you specify

Then there is the .30/284 which is maybe the best all-around choice due to Lapua 6.5/284 brass.


Any belted-magnum chamber can be cut so the ctg headspaces on the shoulder rather than the belt. Take that approach and you will not worry about "advantages" non-belted cases are touted to have.

If you really want velocity, the Lazzeroni Patriot is worth consideration and there's always the .30/338 Norma; but both are .590 boltface ctgs. The Lazzeroni Warbird is his other larger-capacity .30mag...


For most accessible and affordable brass and dies, best choice is gonna be the 06 AI.

Good Luck!

 

[Zia Hunter]

I have both a 300 WM and 300 WSM and they are both fine shooters. No need to cut off the belts on a 300 WM just set up your dies to head space off the shoulder. I will neck size them until they start chambering tightly then use a body die to set back the shoulder .001 to .0015. Anneal every couple of firings and the brass will last for many firings. BTW I only use Norma brass.

 

[Steveb]

I shoot a 300 SAUM in F-O Class using 210 Matrix and Berger VLD's at about 2800 fps. Barrel life is over 2000 rounds. I pull the last barrel at 1700 rounds and it had a lot of life left. Estimated life is somewhere around 2500 rounds from what I see.

Extremely easy to tune and has a very wide sweet spot. Tried 200 and 215 Hydrids also.

Recoil is very comfortable and not tiring for a long match. Have shot back to back weekend matches of 400 rounds with no issues.

Have beat all the wonder 6's and 284/7mm's out to 1000 yards so accuracy is very competitive.

Steve

 

[treeman]

I'm just curious. Why does it have to be 30 cal.?

 

[M14AMU]

why would you rule out the .30-06? that old work horse is easy to load for and there are good reloading components

Simple! For the majority of the 'younger set'....it's not ROMANTIC enough!! Too be 'cool'....ya gotta have the latest whizzbanger....with magic bullets!!

 

[MNFinn]

Simple! For the majority of the 'younger set'....it's not ROMANTIC enough!! Too be 'cool'....ya gotta have the latest whizzbanger....with magic bullets!!

jeez, that makes this "young" guy's .308 really unsexy. Will admit though, looking at a .300 for the next gun to add to the collection...but nothing replaces my .308 out to 600, I love that gun

 

[Fordnutter]

Keep the replies coming guys -very helpful. Ive got nothing against the 30-06...I just think it falls a little short of case capacity to push some of the heavyweights at the speed I'm looking for.

 

[Fordnutter]

I'm just curious. Why does it have to be 30 cal.?

I'm found my 284 Shehane to be very fussy to tune. My limited research suggests that the 30 cal's tune a little easier & the 300 SAUM, WSM or Win Mag seem inherrently accurate. Might just be my barrel but I've never had such difficulty getting a rifle to shoot as I have with my Shehane.