ben_g wrote:...The 284 would always be my suggestion for a beginners ‘one calibre’ setup...You want better barrel life, better grouping and at least equal ballistics then have a 300WSM chambered...
Ben,
According to my ballistics calculations, a 30 cal 215 Berger will only outperform a .284 using 180 Bergers if it exceeds the energy limits (3500 ft-lb) allowed on Australian "Classification" ranges. I get the following approximate figures for 20mph wind deflection at 1000yards :
.30 cal Berger 215gn Hybrid G7 0.354 at 2708 fps (3500 ft-lb) deflects 11.4 MOA
7mm Berger 180gn VLD G7 0.350 at 2820 fps (3178 ft-lb)) deflects 10.9 MOA
Granted there are higher BC .30 cal bullets but that's also the case for 7mm. I'm currently using Berger 190s in a 284 Shehane and its figures are :
7mm Berger 190gn Hybrid G7 0.384 at 2824 fps (3364 ft-lb) deflects 9.6 MOA
It is an advantage to be able to go to any NRAA affiliated range in Australia and not have to load down to comply, and the 284 and variants are always under 3500 ft-lb if they're loaded using safe practices.
The 3500 ft-lb limit will not be of concern for some (e.g. South Australia I'm told), but its not good general advice to say that the 300 WSM is better ballistically than a 284 for F-Class.