Thread: Building a big gun?

Originally Posted by chainsaw

You want a “big gun”, you want to be able to “anchor the big stag on the spot”. I get the appeal of bigger, better, new shiny toys, etc - it’s a guy thing, & an itch we all luv to scratch - but I’d approach this from a different angle, cos you’re going to spend a shit load of $ if you build said toy, that you won’t ever recoup. I assume your primary purpose is hunting not paper or gongs.

How far (real world) do you expect to be taking shots on live game ?
Realistically, most of the time it will be sub 300 yds, and occasionally you might get the chance to stretch legs to 500 – 800, even more rarely 1000 ? In my books 5 – 600 yds on game is bloody long way in attempting an ethical shot on a game animal in mountain terrain. My rule of thumb is the rifle/shooter/ammo must be consistently capable of 0.5 moa or better and conditions favorable.
A bigger hole in the wrong place will never beat a slightly smaller hole in the right place.
Have you had experience firing a big 30 cal ? or 338 ? or similar ? If not, try to hook up with someone who has one and put some lead down range.
Did you enjoy it ? were you able to shoot ½ moa or better ?
Many folk find the recoil and/or muzzle blast from a big 30cal a big step change from 7mm or 6.5 magnums, for some the experience is downright unpleasant, even with a big arse suppressor or brake.
To get the performance from big 30cal you’re going to need to run 26in bbl and heavy pills to get decent BC (more recoil).
Then you want to consider the joys of dragging a big, long, heavy rifle thru the bush and scrub. 95% of the time will be spent carrying the rifle not shooting it.
If majority of long range hunting shots are sub 1000 yds & more likely 5 – 800 yds then you are better served by a lighter set up and calibre (again assuming you/platform can achieve ½ moa consistently). There are plenty of options in 7mm and 30cal, perhaps even 6.5 magnum. In 30 cal the 3006 or 3006ai or 300WSM with 180 – 200gn high bc pills will do the job nicely, without the need for 300WM or bigger. Your handle “7saum” - looks like to have a pretty good option right there, or 284 or 280ai or 7mm RM or if you want “big” 7mm RUM or N28. From experience the 7mm Blaser mag is pick of the bigger 7’s.

This is all very sensible indeed and comes from decent experience.

@saum7 i have 284's, a 7mm Saum, a 28 Nosler running 195's at 3100, and a 300 Rum, running 210's, all light hunting weight rifles. Both the 28 Nosler and the 300 Rum are 26" barrels.

I generally shoot deer at much greater distances than most, average is 500-650 yrds with my longest deer just shy of 1000 yards. What rifle do i take 95% of the time? and therefore shoot nearly all of these deer with?......My 7mm Saum, why, because I like carrying it, it's short in comparison to the big guns, its heaps lighter, only 3.1kg inclu the 4-20x50 dialing scope, and even just using a 162 Amax at 3050 fps it smashes deer hard at the ranges I usually shoot them at, inside 700 yards.

The big guns are fun, and they get their outings, but they spend most of their time sitting in the safe feeling jealous of their little brother the 7mm Saum who gets all the action.

I see you are in Hastings, im in Napier, you are welcome to meet me at the gravel pit range sometime and have a shot or two with the 300 Rum and see what you think