Hunting

[TRnCO]

went out today and filled my late season doe tag with my D-Tech .243 wssm. I've lost count how many antelope that I've shot with this rifle, but with 85 partitions, it sure seems to work well. Still haven't recovered a bullet. Shot this one at 330 yards, in her bed.

[buckshotbarlow]

^^^ there u have it...Get the lil calibers for the lil critters, and get the bigger ones for the big'r critters. It appears that Mike does have brass in stock.

[MarkCO]

Just an opinion...

I would skip .300BO. While I have 2, they just don't cut the mustard for Big Game. Sure, you can try to hunt like an Archer and get close on deer and do fine with them, but for Pronghorn and Elk, please, just say no. I just tracked a Cow elk for 5.3 miles in 10 degree weather that was hit with a 7mm Mag in the chest. In over 100 head of elk shot in my presence or by me, the ones the are not DRT have all been hit with less than .30 caliber or a .30-30 (which is close to the .300BO). Elk are tough!

If you are willing to limit yourself to Deer and Pronghorn, and smaller, I would strongly consider a 6mm to 7mm. There are two paths here:

1. There are both 6mm and 6.5mm that use necked up .223 brass. The nice thing is just a barrel change, so they are a bit less expensive and more reliable. Plus, you can build one yourself. 6x45 is basically a .243 minus 500 fps. It is okay, but you do have to be able to put the brakes on at about 250 yards. There is a 6.5 PCC (which I am currently building), a 6.5Whisper and a 7mmWhisper, but I would avoid Whispers. Jones is a jerk and they don't even build barrels for the 6.5 and 7mm anymore.

2. The 6.5G and the 6.8SPC. These are fatter cartridges and typically need bolts, barrels and mags for a conversion. In some cases, milling of the upper receiver too. Personally, I see no advantage since you can get almost identical ballistics with the .223 based cases for about half the cost. If you are not a reloader, these are your choices in the 6-7mm.

If you want to be less limited in terms of game, there is the .458SOCOM and the .450BM. There are some differences, but to me the .450BM is the better choice. Just a Bolt and barrel change, and the bolt can be made from a 7.62x39 bolt pretty easily. I am currently working with Tim LeGendre (The designer of the .450BM) on some new "stuff". First is a .450Corvette, which uses a proprietary gas system, higher twist rate, longer barrels and the math says 300 grain bullets at 2700 fps, but it will still be able to shoot factory .450BM loads (225s at 2200). There is a 9mm Nato AR (124s at 3000 fps) in the works too, but that is further off.

If you are interested in a 6.5PCC or a .450BM, I can help you source parts. The .450C (Which Bert at BP should be done with the barrel next week) will be off a few months.

[bsoelman]

wow thanks guys, that is a lot of info and unfortunately it seems there are even more options than I knew about, I want to build something good but budget is also an issue, any ideas what some of this stuff is running price wise and what ammo is even available? I am still leaning a bit towards the .300 due to the price and availability of parts and ammo, and I likely will just be hunting dear for a bit. If I want to go elk I could just go buy a 30-06 and be done with it. I am still open to suggestions though. I spoke with a few guys at Jensens and they thing the .300 does just fine out to 300-400 yards.