Guest lucky_erickson Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 I have been looking for a new toy. I am looking for the ultimate long range rifle. I was looking at these calibers, 308, 6mm, .257 Weatherby, .260 Rem. Don't really know what to go with. I will be putting either Nightforce or Leupold LRT with some over 20 power on the rifle. Any other suggestiong for calibers would be appreciated!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian_Goose Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber I think it would be better to go with a heavier bullet... but don't take my word for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber You will be reloading for this...correct? What is your goal? If you are looking for a varmint gun, target gun, big game hunting rifle, etc, the answer is going to be different. What do you consider to be long range? Are you looking for a 300 yard, 500 yard, or 1000 yard rifle? I would not recommend any of the Weatherby cartridges. The .308 Win is a good cartridge and when loaded with match bullets, it will do the job. The 6 BR is very popular with High Power Shooters. As is the 6.5/284 which is a semi wildcat. The record group at 1000 yards (1.996") was shot by a 6.5mm/06 Improved if I remember correctly. Through the years it has been discovered that while velocity cures the rainbow trajectory issue, it does not always provide for the best accuracy. For hunting purposes it would allow you to reach out and at least have the numerical values required for taking game at distance. Whether you hit your target or not is another issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lucky_erickson Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber Well I plan on moving out to Montana here before to long, so I would be using it on coyotes, antelope, mule deer, etc. I know the smaller calibers won'tbe the best choice as far as energy. I have a 7mm Ultra Mag right now, but the twist rate which i was told if 1:10 doesn't like the heavier bullets with the high B.C.'s. I want to be able to take a mule deer out to 600 to 700 yards if needed. Chances are I won't but I would mind knowing I could with some practice and my range finder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber [ QUOTE ] I want to be able to take a mule deer out to 600 to 700 yards if needed. Chances are I won't but I would mind knowing I could with some practice and my range finder. [/ QUOTE ] Walk and get a few hundred yards closer. It will take more than some practice to get competent enough to shoot game at those distances. I don't care what state you live in, its not necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber I grew up in eastern Wyoming and have hunted SD, Wyoming, and colorado all my life. There is no need to ever have to shoot that far. Do you know how far 600-700 yards is? Do you have any idea what a 5-10 mph cross wind will do to any bullet at those distances? I'd stick with the 7mm you have. I have used the 7mm rem mag, and the 308 exclusuvly for years, and have taken many elk, muleys, and antelope. Yet I doubt I have taken a shot further than 400 yards. You have a great western rifle now. You can try any caliber you wanted but get real man those are just crippeling shots your talking about taking. Practice with what ever rifle you'll use til your ready to puke and your shoulder hurts. Then go hunting and see how realistic those shots are my friend. I believe once you get into a hunting situation in that country you'll change your tune. I have heard storys of insanly long shots taken by hunters that have killed game, but I also doubt their abilty to proberly judge distance in that country as well. If you have never hunted the west your making some plans for shots that are unetical, not practical, and just plain not necessary. I hope you find the rifle your looking for and decide to become proficiant with it, but know your limitations as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber I would get a 25-06 for that sized game and move about 300-400 yards closer before you start slinggin lead at them. Unless you are into military sniper compitition type shooting, I think anthing over 350 yards is probibly a dream, not to mention a very unethical hunting practice IMO. IMO if your shooting 600-700 yards, that's target practice, not hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lucky_erickson Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber I know anything over 400 yards is a heck of a shot, and this gun I would be looking for would probably be used for targets for anything over 450 yards. I've been hunting out there before, its wide open country and you can see for miles. I just hate it when I'm out calling coyotes and you have one hang up at 500 to 700 yards and just sit down and howl and look in your general direction. You can't just walk and get closer to a coyote in that country its next to impossible, especially after you have been trying to call him in. I just wouldn't mind taking a shot at him if the conditions were right, like wind less than 5 mph, and the range finder has him at x yardage. I'm not saying I'm going to be going around taking crack shots at animals just to say I hit him at this distance. I know I could sneak up a lot closer to mule deer and antelop, but I know I couldn't sneak up on a coyote that is looking for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber [ QUOTE ] I have been looking for a new toy. I am looking for the ultimate long range rifle. I was looking at these calibers, 308, 6mm, .257 Weatherby, .260 Rem. Don't really know what to go with. I will be putting either Nightforce or Leupold LRT with some over 20 power on the rifle. Any other suggestiong for calibers would be appreciated!!! [/ QUOTE ] .50 BMG should work just fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber [ QUOTE ] You can't just walk and get closer to a coyote in that country its next to impossible [/ QUOTE ] Then I suggest you become a better caller to bring them in closer. You could also learn to choose better vantage points where they have to be closer to see you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EIGHTPOINT Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber I hope your not relying on your call name " lucky " to make these shots. Do what AJ and the others have advised. They know what they're talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber [ QUOTE ] You can't just walk and get closer to a coyote in that country its next to impossible, especially after you have been trying to call him in. [/ QUOTE ] Not true, I do it all the time in washington states' wheat country. Theres always a way to get closer. You should be proficient to 300 yds. Almost any high powered rifle will give you that. I consider myself to be an excellent shot but 300 is my max for game animals. (Not coyotes) The firthest I've killed a game animal was 180. My average yote is 150. My furthest yote this year was 250ish. A 400-700 yd rifle is not needed for hunting. It's really not even realistic. If you shoot at a yote at 500 yds chances are the ONLY thing you've done is teach that yotes that calls are very very BAD. What if you wound a deer or elk at the distance? How about half that distance? You'll never find it. Sniping is not hunting. It's just sniping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idaho_ Elk_ Huntr Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber [ QUOTE ] I have a 7mm Ultra Mag right now, but the twist rate which i was told if 1:10 doesn't like the heavier bullets with the high B.C.'s. I want to be able to take a mule deer out to 600 to 700 yards if needed. [/ QUOTE ] I have several 7mm Ultra mags and I would rather have it than any caliber you listed. It is a bad bad rifle. As far as long shots, I though the same as you but I found most of the time if you see game at 700 yards it nothing to get 3-400 yards closer. Even on Antelope this past year with a bow I could get close enough for a reasonable rifle shot in open country. As for high bc bullets there are a few customs made that goaround .8 that will work in your Ultra mag but are so long that they have to be loaded single shot. If your Ultra is a Remington it should have a 1 in 9 twist and about .3 freebore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hookedonhunting Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 Re: Long Range Caliber 7mm rem mag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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