I'm interested in some opinions on caliber, barrel length, twist, stock choices for a flat-shooting round for a rifle build. I was thinking of a Stiller predator/TAC action, or possibly the Surgeon for a build. Something with the energy for a 500 or 600 yard shot on an elk (maximum size of animal to be hunted---no 50's required) and also as a target gun to 1000. I DON'T want to start a discussion on the ethics of such shots, as I know the arguments on both sides of the fence and personally just want to dabble in some long range shooting of targets FIRST. My thoughts were 300 RUM, or possibly a 338 (probably with a brake). At this point I'm picturing something on the tacticle/practical side of things, 27ish-28" barrel, heavier (12-14lb?) finished weight. Good trigger, good barrel (Mike Rock, Krieger, Broughton, 5R) and extremely accurate... I'd like to start accruing parts for a fun build as my new lathe will be ready to run in the next month....
Any thoughts, suggestions???? I'd be interested in any specific choices of optics for that kind of shooting too.

Do a bit of looking at energy charts for different calibers and bullet weights out to 600 yards and make sure the cartridge you choose has the energy to cleanly kill elk at that distance....I'd want a minimum of 1500 ft-lb assuming you can hit a vital spot at that distance.

I think this will put out calibers under 7MM from consideration.

I'm in the process of building a couple of 338/300RUM's for just such a thing. These will be throated specifically for the Sierra 300 gr. Match King bullet. The barrels chosen will be 28 inch, #5.5 contour, 10 twist Shilen Select match barrels. I'm shooting for at lease .5 MOA from these, and hopefully better than that.

1500 ft-lb, thats a good ballpark figure but with some bullets its probably a lot less.

if your wanting to shoot 500-600yards my guess is that youll be using 180gr accubonds as you'll need a higher bc bullet.

a 300RUM driving 180gr accubonds at 3100fps or so would have roughly 1600-1700ft-lbs at 600 yards. id go with a number 5 or 6 contour 28" barrel 1 in 10 twist. you should easily achieve 3100fts with 180s.

Matt

Either the Stiller or the Surgeon action would work very well. I like a #7 profile barrel and you will easily do that in the weight limit you list. In fact you may need to go up to hit the numbers you are talking about (depending on stock weight and scope).

Another vote here for the 300 RUM. I think that calibre has a lot to offer in the areas you are looking. Those ballistics with a 180gn to 190gn bullet have worked well for me.

If you really feel the need for a 338, a 338 RUM or the 300 RUM necked up will do the job, but are probably not required unless you are planing on stepping out past the distances you list.

The .338 Lapua might be worth consideration.

The 300 Win, will work just fine.I have used it for years with great success.A 300 RUM is also a good choice as I own one as well yet my favorite is my 300 Win. The 300 Win. set up corectly will give 180 grains a 3100 FPS start and a RUM will get 3300 Plus FPS.....The larger the caliber the heavier the rifle will be....

http://www.rangehunting.com/forums/index.php

Lots of info here on the 338-300 RUM(Edge), and other long range hunting/target cartridges.

Thanks guys, that's kind of what I had in mind, in fact I was thinking of the 338 Lapua on the Surgeon action, OR finding a magnum Rem action and doing the 300 RUM. What's the deal with the 338 RUM vs. the 338-300RUM? Is it a little more capacity or better neck length? How do either of those stack up against the Lapua?

I decided to go with the 338-300 RUM. The 300 RUM case is .090" longer than the 338, but the neck is only .306(300 RUM and 338-300RUM) as compared to .330 on the 338 RUM.

You'll likely need a Wyatt's box on a 700 action to feed the 338-300 RUM with any "longer" seated bullet.

The Nosler RUM brass mades up for the difference between the quality of the Remington and Federal RUM as compared to the 338 Lapua, not to mention the cost and potential availability issues of the Lapua.

Depending on what side of the camp you're on, a 28-30" 338-300 seems to run right with an equal length 338 Lapua, if not just a little faster.

Another magazine option:

http://www.wyattsoutdoor.com/detmag.html

If I had to do it again, I'd probably start with a Lawton 8500 XL action though.

The .378 Weatherby is a long range big game cartridge with few peers and would make an interesting project.

A 200gr Accubond in a fast 300 mag would get you there, I would imagine.

Matt, I know there are the issues with Dakota, but I have a 338 Dakota that is really accurate. I bought 200 pieces of brass, and based on the longevity of the first 50 pieces I've been working with, I'm pretty sure that's a lifetime supply for me. If you're doing a lot of target shooting, the more readily available brass for the Lapua or the RUM is maybe worth a consideration point or two.....mine is about 12 lbs all up, scope ammo the works, it is based on a Sako M-75 action with a 27" barrel. It is shooting really well at 600, which is the max available at the range I shoot at. I'll be trying it a 1000 later this fall at a farm I can get 1000 at.

I know there are a lot of 1000 yard circuit shooters who have gone with the 338 Dakota, maybe some of those other links will speak to that. I have been very impressed with the design of the Dakota cartridges, the future brass availability is the only negative as I see it.

The Lapua is a sniper round for a lot of military applications, and I know is damn accurate...I'd probably lean that way over the RUM.

Good luck--Don

One other negative with the Lapua would be the action and stock availability. If I went that route I'd certainly want a suitable action such as the Surgeon or the Stiller Tac that have a larger bolt and action diameter for safety and accuracy. I'd probably feel better with the same actions in one of the ultramags too I guess. I pretty much have it down to the 338 RUM, 338 Lapua, or the 300 RUM in that order. I've heard of another round coming out on a shortened Lapua case that looks interesting too as it's designed to seat the long 300gr bullets to the base of the shoulder at magazine length vs. down into the powder column. In fact I was offered free use of the chambering reamer for it and I was seriously considering that one also.

I suppose between those 3 or 4 I wouldn't go wrong, I already have a very accurate 300WSM with 25" barrel so I'm leaning toward the 338's although if I headed out west for a mule deer hunt where I just wanted to park my ass on a mountainside and glass the slopes the 300 RUM would be great, and if I wanted to do the same for elk I'd want one of the 338's.... What to do.....

I suppose since I'll be doing all the work on it myself there's always the option of fitting two barrels for the rifle in 300 and 338 RUM and having both. That could very well be a good idea since I have a 27" takeoff Rock barrel with 5R rifling already. Hell, that might be a good idea, just chamber up that barrel and shoot it a bit, and if I feel the need for a 338 I can order a barrel and make it up.


I should probably post this in the optics area, but I'll pose the question here. I'm looking over some of the Nightforce scopes for this build and I'd welcome some suggestions on other optics in the $1000 range (+/-) that would be ideal for this application too.

Thanks for all the information so far, I'm looking forward to more!

either the 180 or 200gr accubond would be my choice, forgot to mention the 200gr one before.

go for nightforce, the benchrest crowd apparently love them. when i get mine (its in the wishlist!) id get the 5.5-22X56NXS with the npr-2 reticle

338 RUM, cheaper brass, good performance. If it's not enough rechamber to 338-300 RUM