Here is a question for the guys, like me, who shoot "unknown distance rifles or UKD."

Do you find that first round hits are easier with a lighter recoiling rifle or a ballistically superior magnum? Also, do you have trouble spotting your impacts at distance?

I have lots of experience with my 6.5x47, but basically none from a magnum cartridge outside of my old 700 7mag. I understand that recoil has many effects on the shooter including slower follow ups, flinch, etc, but I am wondering how this effects real world accuracy and down range performance.

So what says the masses? I have narrowed the cartridge choices down to three. 6.5x284 with 140's, good ole 7mag with 162-180's, or the 300wsm with 200 grainers +. This will be in a rifle that weighs in around 10 pounds total.

My logic says go with the 6.5. Less powder, less recoil, cheaper bullets, and great lapua brass. But if the magnums will give me a better first round hit ratio, none of the benefits of the 6.5 will matter.

In my opinion, if you've been shooting rifles long enough recoil won't bother you, and especially on the first shot. On the other hand, there's no reason to tolerate more recoil than you have to. I think in terms of eight-pound rifles, though. If it's going to be a ten-pounder, I don't see anything standing in the way of plain ol' personal bias and preference.

First I make UKD into KD with a range finder.

First round hits only come down to your ability to judge wind and to correct for it properly for thw cartridge you are shooting. I have 22-250, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7 Rem Mag, so small, medium, large. Cold bore distance hits are just as easy with one as a another. Just comes down to practice with each rifle and good not taking for each rifle. The Creedmoor holds together in all weathers to 600 yards, same as the 7 Rem Mag. Beyond that DA and temp must be consulted. Even then there may only be plus .1 Mil or minus .1 Mil from "average condition DOPE", DA if about 1500' and temp of 70F.

DONT FLINCH!

About a week before I headed Mule deer hunting I got out the 7 Rem Mag to check zero and check DOPE. I ran from 400 yards out to 800 that evening. The 800 was a perfect center hit and I thought, hmm wonder what a second round will do?" So I fired another one. I drove down the rangr repainting targets and it was just about dark by the the time I got to the 800. The light is from the pickup as the phone was about dead.

Heaviest recoiling rifle I have shooting 180's on a compressed load of Retumbo. Do everything right at the loading bench, and do everything right behind the rifle and great things will happen.

I should have been more clear on the UKD stuff. I have been using a t-prf for years now, it's accurate out to about 1300 yards. That's plenty for me.
I describe ukd as getting off a square range with targets at odd distances and separated by varying degrees.

These kind of UKD ranges are what really put me to the test. Range, Dope it, make a wind call, and let it fly. Increasing my first round hits with more energy than my 6.5x47 provides is a real goal of mine.

How far out are you wanting to do the ukd targets?

I think you're on the right track with the cartridge list you have.

My goal is a 90 percent 1st round hit ratio on 1.5 moa sized targets at around 800 yards. This may not sound like a lofty goal, but trust me, it's harder than many people may think. Making a proper wind call is where all the difficulty comes into play.

My family's ranch has 1200 yard fields for setting up targets.

7 Rem Mag with 180 VLD Hunting or

300 Win Mag with 210 VLD Hunting

Both have high BC and high MV. So both deliver a whole lot of energy down range. The 7 like I have shows up with 1200 ft/lbs at 1000 yards. Rule of thumb is 1000 ft/lbs to kill an elk. I won't shoot at a game animal that far, but it's sure nice to know I have that kind of horse power available.

Days I'm at my range and I make time to fire a few rounds I start with a cold bore shot at 600, 700, or 800 with the 7 or the 6.5 Creedmoor. I figure if I can make a good wind call and get a hit that far I'm good to go on the lone coyote or hog I see as far as I see it.

X2 on everything above. I would possibly change to the 230gr hybrids if the rifle has the twist.

Yes. As long as they perform on game. That is a "target" bullet isnt it?

I was keeping apples to apples.

I'm loving the 208 amax in my 300WM. They are affordable and my rifle loves them. This is my big rifle that weighs in at 21 lbs with the can on, so recoil is basically eliminated completely. I've only had a chance to take it to 600 and it shoots great, but I'm ready to get to my buddies ranch in Mason so I can stretch it out to a mile.

As far as 6.5's, the one that I'm really interested in is the 6.5 Super LR. Looks pretty awesome so far. My gunsmith told me about it, and he is getting ready to rebarrel his two 6.5x47's in 6.5 SLR. Just waiting on reamers.

Mac, you should check out Cawthorn Cartridge Club. I have shot a few matches there, plenty of room to stretch the legs on a 300.

I've checked into it, and it's out of my price range. I know the owner of gunsmoke and he lets me and a few other guys shoot 500, but thats it.

Sorry to bring up an old thread.

But I was just gifted an old 700 7mag. Already had an extra stock, 20 moa rail, and mike rock bipod. It's time to sell some odd things I have laying around, and buy a scope, trigger, and barrel. BDL hinged floor plate is fine for this rifle.

decisions. decisions.

It's come down to a decision between a 7mag (most likely) and a 26 nosler. The rifle won't be shot as much as the 6creed. So I most likely won't have to rebarrel quite as often.

For me, between 7 Rem Mag and 28 Nosler, yes I wrote 28 on purpose. The deciding factor would be how hard it would be to get brass and dies for the 28 Nosler.

Other than that, as I've written before, the 7 Rem Mag with 180's is a hoss!

Just ordered up a calvin elite trigger.

7mag just makes too much sense. Easy to find ammo and brass. I am already set up for reloading 7mag. I have a few hundred 162 amax's and a few pounds of h1000 to play with until I can procure some bergers.

I think either shilen ( best barrel I ever shot) or benchmark will get the call on the barrel.

Until then, I will see if I can get this factory barrel to shoot. Just measured the remington chamber, the amax can not be seated to touch the lands. Not that I load to the lands anyways, but I typically get close. Remington chambers are always throated way too long. Oh well, we will see if an amax can jump around .40 and still shoot.

I hope you meant .040"

A-maxes are easy to make shoot.

From that post wonder if the chamber/lead was cut that way or if throat erosion has taken place.

7mag has a long history of getting the job done. Sounds like a wise move with the parts you already have

Nope. You literally can not seat the bullet to the lands, and still have it in the case at the same time.

Kmon may have it right. This could be throat erosion, but the rifle doesn't look to be shot all that much.

Picked up and installed the calvin elite trigger and a set of ARC m10 rings today. Threw on a spare weaver EDMR until I decide on the optics. All it needs now is a barrel and a trip to the gunsmith.


BTW, applying a torque of 55 inch pounds to a set of ring caps just doesn't seem right. These rings are on a whole different level.
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