Long Range Caliber?

[Curly]

Could always consider a .308 Win for those ranges too......

[Tony 270]

For that range the 7WSM would work well. Of course so would any of the other 7mags, any 300 mag, and many others.

[longknife]

.270 or the 7 mm. the 7mm has more punch, but you will feel it in your shoulder

[JimmyHoffa]

.50 BMG you can get bullets with a BC higher than 1.  So that is a plus.  There are some .460/.416 caliber rifles that are good.  For the extreme long range 'hunting' calibers, I think any of the bigger .338s are kind of taking most of the spotlight.  I usually reverse engineer for what you may be asking.  What is the max range you are willing to shoot?  Then what is the required energy for the biggest animal at that range?  Then what bullet type?  Acceptable trajectory?  Etc? Etc?  Then I get a list of options of what calibers.  After that, I ususally look for parts availability for reloading for those calibers and reviews on them.

[Hyde]

I'd be looking at something with a .284 bullet.  The guys on the long range show on Outdoor channel like the 7 Rem Mag. 

[Magnum_Willys]

Elk + 500 Yards with confidence = .338  (or .300 Ultra or 30-378) 

[Curly]

Could always consider a .308 Win for those ranges too......

You guys are no fun.  I was hoping for a little argument on my statement above.   I actually would not recommend the .308 for elk at ranges past 300 yards.  Not that it wouldn't work, but I think a 30-06 would be the minimum you'd want to try 300 - 500 yard shots.  7mm mag would be better than the 06 and even better would be a 300 Win mag.  (Probably could have a good debate on what is better.....the 7mm Rem mag or the 300 Win mag.)

Personally, if I was going to get a rifle that was dedicated to long range elk......it would be a 338 RUM, or an 338 EDGE.  Those 338 Bullets have some good BC's and can punch quite a large hole in the animal.  But I'm not sure I'd consider 300 - 500 yards "long range".  500 is getting out there......but if 500 yards is your limit, then I think just a plain old 338 Win Mag would be in order.  Just get a scope with the ballistic reticle.  It will burn a lot less powder than the RUM or EDGE and will be easier on your shoulder.......and you won't have to put a brake on it.

[HUNT]

7mm Ultra Mag....  Just a 7mm Rem Mag on steriods!!!

for 300-500 yards its perfect.  No special scope needed - just a crosshair.  Sight it in 3 inches high at 100.  Dead on at 350.  Only 12-14 inches low at 500 yards.  On an elk at 500, just hold on its back.  There is something to be said for always holding "hair".  This may be one of the flattest shooting big game cartridges out there.  But I'll leave that to the ballistic guys.  Anyone?

[joebear]

you cant go wrong with a solid 300 ultra mag. the bc is better then the 338 and the recoil is a bit less.
this rifle will do anything you need it to. I have shot dogs to brown bears with it and they all fall. factory ammo will due you fine i prefer to shoot 180 grain trophy bonded they perform great. good luck with your choice.

[Curly]

Good article on long range rifles:  http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/long-range-rig.php

And here is an article on the 338 EDGE

[rbros]

30 Cal BC's are not better than 338 BC's.  In the light 200gr bullets yes, but the 300gr 338 SMK has a much higher BC than any 30 cal bullet with the exception of some custom bullets. 

The 300 Ultra, 338 Edge would work, but in my opinion for the ranges he is looking at...out to 500yds, a 7 mag or 7WSM would fit the bill nicely.  Less recoil, great ballistics.  Run 180 Bergers and don't look back.

[Wanttohuntmore]

if your comparing a 338 cal 300 gr SMK BC to a 30 Cal, be fair and compare it to the 240 grain 30 Cal SMK.  That's more apples to apples.  Both are amazing for long range, both require faster twist barrels.  Both are very specialized for long range targets, though many use them on game.

For elk, bear, out to 500, a plain old over the counter 300 win mag, 7 rem mag, 338 win, with heavy bullets (not too heavy for the barrel twist, or accuracy could be bad), will do the trick.  I've been wanting to build a 338 Ultra for quite some time now, even have an action ready for the build, but am having a hard time justifying going through with it.  I currently have a 7STW that shoots farther and more accurate than I can hold steady.....

[MDGrand]

Well, this ALL comes down to personal taste. I have found the 30 calibers have higher BC's than the 270s and 7mm and ultimately more knock down power over all. The 7mm for some reason though does come with faster twist rates and from a bullet perspective offers the better BC over the .270, hence the guys on the "Best of the West" likeing that caliber the best.

In my personal quest to have a big knock down, long range monster I created the following:

Rem 700 - 300 RUM, XCR II, HS Precision Stock, Monarch X 2.5-10x44 milidot scope, 26" barrel, 1 in 10 twist, cryogenically froze the barrel.

Loads:

210 Berger VLD, 3.54 OAL, 87.9 grains RL 25 = 2950 ft/per sec, 0.063 BC  1/2 MOA  For Elk and Deer       
200 Barnes Tipped TSX, 3.56 OAL, 87.9 grains RL 25 = 3050 ft/per sec, 0.058 BC 1/2 MOA For Bear

[MuleySniper]

O.k. I know Han Solo and Michael Jackson were both cryogenically frozen. But what does that do for a barrel? Never heard of it, just curious!
MS

[WDFW-SUX]

Doesn't do anything.