Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Flattest shooting, wind defying antelope round

I've shot antelope with a 300WM once, felt a little "overgunned", but did make a good first round hit at 347 long steps. The 280 AI/150NBT was good, as was the 6mm/284 and 6.5/284 I used. When I finally get my Mod 70 7x57, we will see how it shoots, but I'm back to as lwt rifle out in those prairie winds. My .243 is Sporter weight and my 300WM/Mesa is heavy enough, but I'm back to the "overgunned" thing.

For the occasional antelope, long range coyotes, maybe Texas Exotics; What is the flattest/wind defying round among the 300WM/130 TTSX, 7mm RM/120TTSX, 264WM/130, 6.5 PRC, 257wby/115NBT, 25-06/115NBT, 240wby/95NBT?

Sporter weight or heavier?

Depends on how far you feel comfortable shooting--but flat trajectory and less wind-drift are not always found in the same bullet/cartridge.

The .257 Weatherby with 100-grain bullets at 3500+ is the flattest-shooting cartridge I've used, pretty much point-and-shoot to 400 yards--where the wind-drift is just about exactly the same as the 6.5 Creedmoor with high-BC bullets in the 140-grain range. Beyond 400, higher-BC bullets at slower muzzle velocities drift less--such as the Creedmoor with high-BC 140s.

Where does the 6.5 PRC with 143 (for ex) fit in there? 400yds is the extreme edge of my confidence (for game), if not my ability anymore! ha With ammo prices/availability, its a toss between the 257 WBY and even that 6.5 PRC. I have some 101 HH for the 7x57 to try (ala 6mm Rem, right?) I even have some 70HH for the 243. How much does "Time of flight" help with wind?

It's easy to find all this out by using the Berger ballistic program. Just plug in the numbers.

Based on using the program considerably (along with others), you'll find high-BC 6.5 bullets in the 130-grain range will drop and drift less in the 6.5 PRC than similar bullets in the 140-grain range at 400 yards. The heavier bullets start gaining beyond about 500.

I haven't shot a big game animal at 500 yards for quite a while, which is why I use higher-BC bullets in the 130-grain range in my 6.5 PRC.

Have loaded the 110 grain NAB in the .257 Roberts @ 3000 MV specifically for antelope since oh, forever.

But since they STILL remain unobtainium, I've been hedging my bets and building up a stash of 110 grain ELD-X bullets.

When it gets good and warm and windy on the dry side of the state I'll head over to my favorite coulee and start seeing what they'll do at 300 and 400 yards.

7 STW or the 270 WSM are both screamers.....

Good to know guys, thanks all. I really loved that 6.5/284 win wildcat I had, except for its aggravating feeding issues. since it was on a SA, and had the shorter winchester SAAMI chamber neck, I never shot anything but the Nosler 120BT & 125 NP. It was indeed "point and shoot out to 300 (my longest shot on antelope with it). I've played with a few 257WBYs, loved them, but the rifles they were in both required additional $$$ to accurize. I have to come t really like factory rifles that A. Have good triggers already and B. Bedded right/floated. Its why I've rotated a few Bergaras, ha.

I think I am going to go with a Bergara B14 Ridge in 6.5 PRC and if I can't get its trigger where I want, I can always have a TT special put in w/o breaking the kitty. I will try a couple boxes of factory ammo (for accuracy, etc and the brass) this isn't a "Plinker" anyhow.

I've never loaded a Berger VLD anything. Are they difficult to find a sweet spot/accuracy with? How is the Sierra 130 TGK in this regard, anyone? Thanks again, off to Church. Rev Jim

From the sounds of it, your 243 should work well enough if it is twisted right. Are you able to shoot heavies? However, if you think 347 yards is a long shot, your 243 with cheap 100gr BTSP's or 95gr ballistic tips will work just fine..

Jim, you may be one that does not like the man bun (6.5 creed), but I'd suggest that over the PRC. Especially if your "confidence" level is not up to snuff. A big/heavy boomer is not going to do you any favors and you might find you will enjoy range time with the creed. A 143 eldx works very well in that cartridge too...

my favorite 3 cartridges with not to much recoil are 257 & 270 Weatherby mags. and 264 Win.mag. , but now there is a new long range bullet the Berger 135 gr. grain 25 caliber so now with a fast twist barrel the 257 Weatherby mag. should really now shine a long ways out i believe ?

You'd be better off with a Tikka CTR over the Bergara. Not what you want to hear, but the CTR will stomp the chidt out of it. Think 6.5 creed over the PRC too.. Just sayin.

I’d bet a 50 BMG with proper bullets would be right in there for flat shooting, wind bucking.

There is way to much to explain in this forum on what makes a good prairie cartridge. But if 400 yds is your personal limit , it gets a lot easier. With this perimeter , use the .257 weatherby, sight in where your Point blank range is 400yds and learn where it shoots in the wind. past 400 yds is where wind drift and atmosheric conditions play more because drop is a constant that can be predicted, the rest are variables. Long high BC bullets take the variables easier and That is where the 6.5 PRC will shine brighter. If you never used bergers and can get a good supply , they are worth it, but its like learning to handload all over again.

Weatherbys in either .257 shooting 100 grain TTSXs or the 6.5-300 with 127 grain LRXs and a 300 yard zero both give about 420 yards of hold in the hair for point and shoot.

If I luck out and draw the Sheldon again this year I'm taking this 6.5-300 Bee.

Buddy has a 1:7 240 Wby NULA that shoots 110 A-tips @ ~3350fps.

I shoot the 100 grain TSXs through my Accumark 257 and am pleased how well it has handled the wind to 500 yards. It seems to handle the wind better than the charts say it should. I’m not suggesting it won’t blow but I have not seen issues in 15-20mph winds at 500 yards like you would think.

I’ve used my Remington 700 Classic in 264 Win Mag with either 120 gr Ballistic Tips or 125 gr Partitions On most of my Antelopes.

You do you, but Ive killed more of them than I can count with a 300 RUM shooting a 178gr Amax. Theres no such thing as overgunned or too dead.

[quote=Huntaholic] You do you, but Ive killed more of them than I can count with a 300 RUM shooting a 178gr Amax. Theres no such thing as overgunned or too dead.




My Man !! After my own heart.

Jerry

7mm RM (or .280 Rem) with 160 Sierra Game Kings