240SMK, 300WM or 300RUM

[BrettSass844]

Curious if anyone is shooting the 240gr SMK? I have my next build down to a few calibers and this specific projectile has my interest! There are a few things I would like to know: what case is best suited to get this bullet to 2800+fps? What is the expected barrel life based on true experience? How easy are they to work up loads on? What was achieved velocity, COAL, powder used, brass used, and so on?
I would like to start buying components in the next couple months. I would be willing to go up to 30" on a barrel. I want to mag feed. I want the ability to not only shoot the 240SMK but also the 220SMK and 208A-Max. I would love to be able to get this in a 300 win mag I am just not sure it will have enough power to push that heavy of a bullet. Also not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze jumping up to a RUM. Any experience and advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[dcloco]

208 Amax are about extinct at the moment.

220 and 240's are on the endangered species list because the 208's are extinct.

All three should be available this spring when both companies re-tool.

The win mag will not push the 240's that fast....well..they can...but the brass will only last a couple firings at most.

How far do you intend to shoot? Paper or game animals?

If shooting at 1000 yards or less, stay with the Win Mag. Brass is cheaper....and a lot less recoil as well. :)

[BrettSass844]

I would mostly shoot paper. Could see a few hunting trips in its life but nothing consistent enough to influence the build. I would like to eventually push this next rifle to 1500 and possibly a little further. Most shooting would be up to 1K. But I definitely want the option to touch further! The RUM has me worried about barrel life and throat erosion. I know some guys over on the hide have pushed the Amax a mile several times with good results. But the BC on the 240 looks like it would be similar to a 338 Edge or Laupa using 250s. That is hard to overlook :)

[wbm]

How about the 210 Berger?

[DGD6MM]

I had a .300 RUM that was chambered by Pac-Nor for the 240 SMK. 3 shot group at just over a mile just under 8 inches. I shot 220 SMK's 3 shot group at 1060 yards - 3 inch group. Go with the .300 RUM. They make barrels everyday. If you are gonna shoot a big magnum, I would suggest - get used to less barrel life, This is why I shoot my 6CM's most of the time, but I did dust off the 7RSAUM and stretch it's legs yesterday .

[kdog70]

Depends on how custom you can go the 300 Hulk or 300 JAzz is the way to go. The 300 hulk is a shortened 338 Lapua necked down and the 300 Jazz is the 338 Norma necked down If I remember right. Tom Starver, the advocate of the Hulk claims 3000fps with the 240SMK and 3500 with the 208 Amax.

I have shot both the RUM and WM and the 208 and 210 bullet is the best for the case size in my opinion. You can drive the 208 amax and 210 Berger fast enough to pass the 240SMK. I tried the 240SMK and I could not get the speed that I thought I needed in order to make it a better choice than the other two I mentioned. This winter though I am going to try the new Hornady 225 and the 220 SMK see what happens.

Good luck
Kdog
Provided is some information on the 300 Hulk.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/300-hulk-56-firings-same-brass-22352/

[Captain Finlander]

The typical .308 has a 1 in 12 to 1 in 10 twist and the high BC 200 + bullets need a faster twist to stabilize them. So they are a specialty in a limited market.