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> Caribou Hunt / Bullet Selection
Caribou Hunt / Bullet Selection
@ 02:35 pm (GMT) |
Jim MoseleyGot lucky! I have a practically a "free" caribou hunt in Sept of "2015". After reading Nathan's Long Range Cartridge book many times, I still can't decide on the correct bullet for my 7 mag. Hart 26"/#6 contour/ 9 twist. The hunt will be in Canada. My first trip! They say the caribou will weigh between 250-350 lbs with a two caribou limit. Wind is a major concern with 20 to 30 mph. This will be open tundra so if conditions are calm for a day or two, a 1000 yd shot will easily be available. Bullets under consideration are the 162 Amax, 168 Matrix, 190 Matrix, or the Berger 180 Match "Hybrid". The 190 and 180 would be great to buck the wind if I can push them fast enough. Once I decide, I can use the bullet this fall for whitetail hunting for a real test. Need all the opinions I can get! Anyone with real kills at "long range" will be helpful. I'm comfortable out to 1100 yds. Weigh in Nathan! |
Replies
@ 05:14 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionHi Jim, there are of course two ways to skin this cat. The first is to adopt a single load for all around use, the second is to dual load.You could adopt one of the matrix bullets. You will need to email Marshal directly and tell him your needs because he has yet to divide his product listing into soft jacketed VLD hunting bullets versus target (fast twist) jacketed bullets. The second option would be to stick with the bullet you have and know well, but to then adopt something like the 162gr SST or 160gr Partition (or even the basic 162gr Interlock) for closer work. Just one at the top of the magazine would do. With all three bullets, you should be able to start about a half grain below your current load and work up in .2gr increments, 3 shot groups through and just past the current sweet spot as a preliminary test. The SST would be good if you can get it, its trajectory and POI can be similar to the A-Max in some barrels. Rule of thumb- anything that you have to dial for- use the A-Max. Adopt the same jump if running the SST. Adopt 20 thou jump if experimenting with one of the soft points. For UK, Oz and NZ readers, Caribou body weights and builds tend to be the same as Red deer. |
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@ 09:19 pm (GMT) |
Jim MoseleyRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionThanks Nathan. I think I'll email Marshall about soft jacketed VLD's. Something about the 190 that strikes my fancy. Did you ever finalize an accuracy load for the 190 in the 7mag? |
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@ 07:34 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionHi Jim, in a rifle with similar freebore / COAL and sweet spots to yours, the following proved best:Bullet jump .5mm / 20 thou. 66.5gr H1000, Velocity 2878fps, ES 2fps. All bullets touching at 100 yards. |
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@ 09:45 pm (GMT) |
Jim MoseleyRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionWhen I ran your numbers at 1100 yds on the 190, the MV was 1600 fps with 1100 lbs of energy, but I can't remember the minimum velocity you stated for expansion or fragmentation. Do you have the OAL of just the 190 gr bullet? I wonder if Retumbo would give the MV a boost? I have 2 lbs on the shelf. |
@ 11:59 pm (GMT) |
faulknerRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionJim, Sounds like a great trip you have got your self lined up on! Where about are you heading northern B.C or Quebec/Newfoundland. One thing that can be an issue is getting a good look at the antlers to see if its a legal animal.B.C. regs definition; Caribou - 5 Point Bull - has one antler which bears at least 5 tines (points), including the tip of the main beam above the rear point. If rear point is missing, the first rear-facing point will be used as the rear point. So good optics are a must, and a good guide with young eyes help! Look forward to hearing more! Aj |
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@ 02:37 pm (GMT) |
Jim MoseleyRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionThere will be six hunters in our party. We are hunting the Quebec's Leaf River herd. It's a DYI hunt. Two of the guys have hunting there on multiple occasions. It's through Jack Hume Outfitters. |
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@ 05:06 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionHi Jim, 1800fps was the cut off. You could try Retumbo but I think you will be pushing things to the limit to get 1800fps at 1100 yards.Projectile length: 1.523" COAL: 3.407" |
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@ 11:49 pm (GMT) |
faulknerRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionJim that sound like a fantastic adventure, I've been to Quebec once but not to hunt and it is beautiful there, an extra day on the trip spent in Quebec city is well worth a visit! I am not sure on there regulations there but that should be easy to find.As much fun as building a new load for a rifle is I thing your 162 Amax load to be adequate but Nathan suggestion of a dual load is a good one for the possibility of a snap shot or the rare chance of a bear encounter. The 190 Matrix I don't think needs a suplement load, I hope to be shooting a few critters this fall with the 190 so I'll keep the camera handy. Are you sticking with the Rem Mag or re-chambering to the Practical? ;) Cheers Aj |
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@ 04:17 pm (GMT) |
Jim MoseleyRe: Caribou Hunt / Bullet SelectionConsidering there are no long range bullets available anywhere, I'll just stick with one box of Amax that I have left. And yes Faulkner, when the throat in my 7 burns out, I'll have it chambered to the 7 Practical. One of my buddies shoots a 300 mag and he's saving all his brass for me. |
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