Posted on 12/31/2018 5:32:46 AM PST by w1n1
.308 Shoot off Semi-Auto vs Bolt Action Rifles
We can compare bolt action rifle and semi-auto by specs, but it doesn't tell the full story of which rifle to go with.
Another approach is to setup a course of fire that simulates an environment where you would have to utilize the skills necessary for precision long range shooting. That is calculating windage, elevation, etc, with targets at various ranges and timed. (considered a better way to test)
So what does this have to do for the folks into hunting. This all depends on what you're hunting and the prize that you're going after. Maybe, its land management where you have to rid of hogs or coyotes.
Walt Wilkenson of Gunsite and Larry Vicker will be shooting with a .308 Surgeon and an SR-25 from Knights Armament in this shoot off. After seeing this course of fire you can figure out which rifle you would need to get the job done.
Their course of fire has multiple targets at various ranges and timed. See the rest of 308 rifle.
You left out sorting bullets by weight and controlling runout on the cartridge! I did all that for my .308 hunting loads. Why? Because I can.
I am still young enough to be concerned about a round that burns out a barrel in a thousand to fifteen hundred rounds.
Is that suppose to mean something, That’s been done with many calibers and long before the mediocre Creedmoor became popular. The 26 Nosler and my 6.5 300 Weatherby out runs it by about 500 ft/s. At 400 yards I’m still running faster than the Creedmoor at the muzzle.
Now if ya got a bad case of sissy shoulder then by all means shoot the Creedmoor, that and it’s ability to be run in a AR-10 frame size is the only real purpose it serves.
I really like my Cetme’ .308.
Don’t know if the guys in the shoot-off hunt...Doesn’t matter to me...No problem with guys who just punch paper...Great fun, but as you said, it’s not the same as hunting...
Good for you re: your hunting philosophy...My Dad taught me to hunt, and always told me (stressed) it was unethical to take any shot you could not guarantee a clean kill...Gotta wonder about “hunters” who fling lead 5-600 yards, then miss or wound...They’re right down there with guys who herd shoot in my book...
It’s about respect for wildlife and being humane as well as avoiding the problems of tracking a wounded animal in rough country...
My longest shot taken was 293 yards (laser ranged) and a bull elk dropped in place...Nosler 180 gr in .30-’06...Rifles and loads continue to improve, but the ‘06 and .308 in the right hands will put meat in the freezer...Gramps always said “If you can shoot, it doesn’t matter what you shoot; if you can’t shoot, it doesn’t matter what you shoot...”
Happy hunting, Flintlock...
The 6.5 Creed gives excellent long range ballistics but the 308 and it are comparable out to about 500 yards.
Ballistics, yes; energy, no.
I prefer a 300 winmag for anything past about 700 yards, and a 50 BMG for anything past 1200.
Paper is fine for fun, but a rifle has to do some work once it gets there for anything else.
You just put your finger on it. Ammunition optimization for the AR10 platform. That's where it shines.
For no recoil, and precision, it’s hard to beat the creedmoor package, they did a great job on that one. Also, it’s cheaper to shoot than some others. If I need more than that for range, I’d go build a 300 Norma or so, maybe a 300 PRC (still watching that). Load the bullet further up the neck of the case. It’s not always about speed either. Actually the whole subject is very complicated and there are so many variables that I’m sure you’re aware of. To go and bash a cartridge because you don’t like it seems silly.
I do love my 308s too, but they serve a different purpose.
Why the stock and forend of my old 870 Magnum are stored away. The wood is too pretty to mess up. Ugly plastic functions just as well in use.
No bashing just being truthful. When you have a cartridge running 500 ft/s slower than it’s rivals it’s mediocre. You make a comment about 2000 yards shot’s, kinda got ya beat on that one. Fired a shot up the A Shau from FOB Bastogne almost to the Laotian border in 1971. Took out 7 two leggers in one shot. Just a little over 30 thousand yards. I’ll admit I might have been using something a little bigger than a 6.5 Creedmoor.
I wasn’t an arty guy, only infantry. Nice shot though.
I look at the costs etc associated and there’s a reason a lot of the precision guys are going this way. I like the 6.5 Swede too, but it’s far more uncommon here.
The BC’s on the 6.5 bullets are great for a smaller guy too. I also handload, and it’s cheaper and forgiving for that.
As I was saying though, my m-14 has plenty of food too.
Now a 300 Win Mag at the same yardage, clean hole like you drilled it. Only problem is the 300 Win Mag got meat on both ends where the BMG we were shooting just pushed.
Yes terminal ballistics is important. That is when the bigger the projectile, in most cases, will deliver what you want in this area.
Like the deer I shot yesterday with a 308 168 grain hollow point match that I load. Small hole going in but everything on the inside was mush. Exit hole you could fit your fist into. That is performance.
The 50 demands the right bullet. A lead 50, as you said, just mushrooms. An AP rounds, however, punches through.
This was mild steel and the 300 WIN Mag was not AP. Go figure.
Neither for me. I prefer levers, e.g., .308 BLR or .30-06 1895.
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