7mm RM vs 338 WM

[jason miller]

I have gotten both versions of the Barnes 210's to shoot well with rl19, h4350, and ramshot hunter already. The tipped version has a lot more streamlined ogive, but you're right- it shouldn't matter at normal hunting ranges.

And the 225 AB was my first pick of bullets to try in this rifle, but I didn't think it would shoot them at all because I was getting random 4"-6" groups. That was before I realized the front action screw was contacting the bolt's bottom lug. I'll have to give them another go and hope I can find an accurate seating depth that doesn't destroy the tips.


It would be nice if Nosler would make one of those new Long Range Accubonds in the 200-225 grain range for .338 Win Mags that can't get the velocity to fully utilize bullets heavier than 250...

 

[Oldtrader3]

If you want a long range .338, there are many available ranging from the .340 Weatherby (my favorite) to the .338 Lapua. All will push a 250 grain .338 bullet over 2900 fps and clobber elk to over 500 yards. My .340 Weatherby would chrono 3100 fps with the 225 gr Partition which is a heavy duty elk load by any definition!

 

[jason miller]

Yeah, I wish I could go that route. But this 3.475" magazine box makes a bigger .338 impossible. And I don't want a big .338 enough to buy a whole new rifle just for that purpose. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

I have also considered a 6.5RM. The short magazine box would be no problem for that cartridge, and having a long action would mean I could get the throat set up to seat longer bullets out of the powder column. Or, I guess it would be simple enough to get a new bolt head for any size bolt face I want and get any of the standard long action cartridges, also. I have always thought a 6.5-06 or .280 would be fun. Heck, a fast-twist .270 might be fun with that new Long Range AccuBond... And before anyone mentions it, a .264 WM has never appealed to me. The 6.5-06 and 6.5 RM should get a 140 going plenty fast enough for me while using a good bit less powder.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have a .257 Roberts which is in a standard length Browning action. I really like the arrangement because it allows me to stretch the COAL from 2.775 to 2.920 or thereabouts. Thus allowing me to seat 110 grain bullets flush with the bottom of the neck, instead of .140 inch into the powder space. This not only allows some muzzle velocity gain but also assures that I will never exceed magazine length.