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Perhaps a bit of a dumb question but I just purchased a new "long range" type rifle and I'm starting to research ammo.
I'm not a reloader so was looking for some advice into the best factory ammo that for that application.
The rifle will be used for a Stone sheep hunt, but mostly for deer and elk here in Montana.
I'm pretty new to this long range stuff so pardon my ignorance, I'm just trying to get my feet wet slowly and make informed decisions.
Thanks in advance.
Chris
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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What is long for your purposes?
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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I would try the Federal 180 Trophy bonded tips to see if my rifle shot them well, or possible one of there other loads...or find a friend that reloads that would help you tune some loads to your rifle with a Berger 185 gr vld!
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Chris
Would be best to try a few different bullets and manufactures and see what shoots best. I'd test them at 300 minimum. Nosler custom ammo is pretty good. I'd go 180gr accubonds. Try the HSM 185vld or 210vld. Copper creek will custom load you ammo.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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I use 180 Ttsx out to 600 yds in a 1-11 twist barrel and they work very well.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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ABM and HSM if you are wanting to shoot Bergers.
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What is long for your purposes? Good question! I'd like to work up to 700-800 yards at some point. Not on game animals though. I'd like to be proficient out to 500 yards in calm conditions if I needed it but hope to never shoot that far unless I felt incredibly confident. My favorite part of hunting is getting as close as possible but I would like to expand on my capabilities if I needed to reach out there sometime. I've shot the Federal trophy bonded tips in my 300 WSM and liked those. Maybe I should start there first. Any other advice is much appreciated. Thx, gents!
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Campfire Tracker
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In a purpose built long range gun i would opt for a high bc heavy for caliber bullet. Distance is easy to dope, wind isnt so i will take every advantage i can there.
If forced to buy factory the ABM 230gr Berger OTM would top my list. Otherwise i would be calling Copper Creek about some Hornady ELD-X loads.
What length barrel? What twist? Factory magazine or aftermarket (i.e. badger, Atlasworx etc).
I just got a new LR rifle in 300 WM myself and so far have seen really good results with the 212 eld-x but i Have Badger bottom metal fed by A.I mags. I do not think this bullet will work in most factory magazines due to length though the 200 and 220gr options should work fine.
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In a purpose built long range gun i would opt for a high bc heavy for caliber bullet. Distance is easy to dope, wind isnt so i will take every advantage i can there.
If forced to buy factory the ABM 230gr Berger OTM would top my list. Otherwise i would be calling Copper Creek about some Hornady ELD-X loads.
What length barrel? What twist? Factory magazine or aftermarket (i.e. badger, Atlasworx etc).
I just got a new LR rifle in 300 WM myself and so far have seen really good results with the 212 eld-x but i Have Badger bottom metal fed by A.I mags. I do not think this bullet will work in most factory magazines due to length though the 200 and 220gr options should work fine. Twist is 1-10, barrel length is 24". The rifle is a Montana Rifle Company Cascade Extreme topped with a Leupold VX-6 3-18 x 44 mm CDS Zero Lock scope. Thanks for the help guys, definitely giving me some great ideas, I appreciate it!
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I'd look at getting into reloading to open up your options a little more
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Campfire Outfitter
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I'd look at getting into reloading to open up your options a little more This! Even if you have to sell a rifle to get set up as it'll make all your other rifles much more interesting.
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Thanks for the info guys, I ordered a couple boxes of the HSM Berger 185 gr VLD's and will give those a try.
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Hornady Extreme Hunter with ELDX.
“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”. Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.
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Actually, better start handloading.
“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”. Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.
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Fish- you can get on long range hunting for more opinions. any/many of the 150 to 210 grain would be great. the lighter faster ones are actually faster and flatter out to 600 yards if you check the charts. ammo loaded with berger bullets you have the best chance for long range accuracy, they are a match bullet. get some a try various weights. next a would try ballistic silver tips.
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Fish- you can get on long range hunting for more opinions. any/many of the 150 to 210 grain would be great. the lighter faster ones are actually faster and flatter out to 600 yards if you check the charts. ammo loaded with berger bullets you have the best chance for long range accuracy, they are a match bullet. get some a try various weights. next a would try ballistic silver tips. Thanks, Ron! I'm going to start with the 185 grain Bergers from HSM ammo and see how those go. Probably try the 215 grain hybrids at some point. I'll slide on over to Long Range hunting to see what else I can sponge up. Great advice so far, thanks gents!
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The Hsm 168 Berger shoot really well out of my 300wsm and for some their Fps seems fast when looking at reloading.So far in the last three seasons several mule deer( one really good one),A antelope,and a 375 class elk hated them.Although not really long range as all were under 500yards.Shoot what your gun likes.
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