Regarding the comment on the 6.5C, the laws of aerodynamics don't agree with you. Like Alice in Wonderland, you can go down a very deep rabbit hole of different calibers and cartridges for long-range shooting. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Sadly, this round too fell short, not meeting the accuracy standards that the Navy had established while developing chamber pressure that exceeds SAMMI standards in the process. Theres plenty of factory stuff that shoots lights out. For those looking to leverage the latest innovations in cartridge design and bullet technology there is a whole world of goodies to choose from. If you take a left turn, you can go through an endless list of wildcat cartridges as well. While still a great long-range precision shooting cartridge, it is starting to lose ground to newer and softer shooting cartridges.". Another downside is that the 6mm Creedmoor does not buck the wind, It honestly feels like cheating when you are behind a quality 6.5 Creedmoor. Is it under a spell? RELATED: 6.5 Creedmoor: The New King of Cartridges? Right now options are really slim and ammo prices are really high. For hunting it makes more sense to run with something a bit stouter. When I first got my Weatherby, I went to zero my scope. Just my 2 cents plus change. The .308 Winchester will win no ballistic awards; its simply a shorter version of the time-tested and beloved .30/06. Considered by many to be the optimum long-range, large-game cartridge, the .300 Winchester Magnum has proven itself worldwide. I wish there was more talk around 308 since you've established it as the baseline by which all long range cartridges are judged. A 180 grain bullet traveling over 2300fps at 500 yards? Mags., the .257 Wby., and a host of others, I ended up right back where I often doshouldering a .308 Winchester. That's fast. Most often you just have to buy a Weatherby rifle to get one, and while that used to be an expensive proposition, its not anymore. Some much more. All you need is a magazine for the .224 round and the 6.8 SPC mags do a very good job. I just think this article was not specifically a hunting article. The fact that if the .308 was good enough for our boys in Viet Nam, then it sure as hell is good enough for me. An F-Class shooter engages the 1,000-yard target at the Wendover, Utah, Air Force range (inactive). Type your email address and well send Hoping to hear some good things about it too. The question *was* best caliber for 1000 yard target shooting. The one up top is tipped with an 80-grain Barnes TTSX, while the other has a 110-grain Nosler AccuBond. mag. A Canadian sniper had a record kill at over 3500 yards last year in Afghanistan. We already have an account registered for email address .300 Winchester Magnum is a favorite of hunters worldwide for big game at long range. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. To be fair to the 30-378, it murders everything else for flatness way out there, staying feet above most other cartridges and carrying enough energy to take a deer at just over 1000 yards. In 2019, Nosler submitted the cartridge to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Institute (SAAMI) for approval, and in 2020, you can expect to see Nosler and other ammunition manufacturers offering factory loaded ammunition and even rifles for it. However, the .220 Swift and the .22-250 have been used to take deer out to distances a lot of folks got no business shooting, for a long, long time. At 600 and 800 yards the drop is 65 and 137 inches, respectively. But the 7mm Remington Magnum will remain supersonic out to 1,400 yards or a bit more, making a good choice for cross-canyon hunting. His custom-made barrels had a 1:17 twist. It's new, very little data out about it. Everything on this list at the face value of the descriptor "long range" can be beaten out by better rounds, all of them. The deer wont know the difference. The company set out to push the limits with this thing, designing it as a flat-shooting 6.5mm cartridge with performance capable of taking full advantage of the newest long-range shooting reticles used in today's scopes. Soft shooting 6mms give the most bang for the buck when comparing their long-range capabilities with how (relatively) affordable they are to reload. It was introduced in 1963 to augment the series of belted magnum cartridges that Winchester based off the .375 H&H. The retained velocity at 400 yards is 2,261 fps, providing plenty of punch for hunters who like to shoot with a point-blank zero. Over the years the round has set numerous records in 600- and 1,000-yard benchrest competitions, so when the PRS started to catch on in 2012, it wasnt long before those shooters started looking at this stubby little round. Look at what the best are shooting in PRS, pretty much 6mm and variants. Not much else to say, sorry. Mag, which were rolled out in 1958. Where the .308 Winchester comes up short, the 6.5 Creedmoor turns on the afterburners primarily because of the 6.5mm bullets excellent sectional density and ballistic coefficient. Compare that with a .300 Win. The .30 Stewart, however, is based on the 6.5 Grendel necked up to .30 caliber. He sighted in his rifle and we immediately dialed to 400 yards. bbl. Some of the best loads I have shot through various .223 Wylde/5.56 NATO chambers have been: The .224 Valkyrie was developed with long-range shooting in mind from its inception. The 6.5C shoots bullets that are more aerodynamic (higher BC) and at faster speeds.. The 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem. 1000 Yard Shooting Part II Caliber Selection, Shooting Technique, Reloading and the Mental Game. Stinnett stacked those bullets so perfectly that the shot-to-shot variance was only detectable by precision calipers. Yes, you can. The result of this work was a flat shooting and hard hitting sniper cartridge with 200 to 400 yards of extended reach compared to the 7.62mm M118. The '06 has been the big-game king forever. Unless that backer has five distinct holes in itwhich Stinnetts didit doesnt count. Availability is not the best either, so online buying or reloading may be the best option for this cartridge. I've been toting a T3 Lite Stainless in .308 Winchester for many years. The Creedmoor carries more velocity and energy downrange with less recoil than any other factory cartridge. Effective accuracy range is much different than effective and ethical killing range on game, but that is something to take into account if the rifle will be used for hunting. Some people take their rifle out two weeks before the season and fire a dozen shots, these people probably fall into the 50 or 100 yard category. But this long range is a whole different ball game. RELATED: The 10 Best Rifle Bullets for Long-Range Shooting. For me a guy who likes hitting steel at long range this article was extremely helpful. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. With a recent elevated popularity, due in no small part to the rise of the six-fives, the Grendel is now getting the attention it deserves. Finally, there are the really big, long range specialty cartridges like 408 CheyTac and 416 Barrett, but I dont consider those sporting hunting options. Here are some examples shot dead flat, meaning the bullet departs the muzzle perfectly horizontally with no sight angle above the bore. Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Also, youll find more ammo options for the .308 Winchester than any of the others. I also want to give credit to a couple of long-range AR cartridges that deserve honorable mention. Hardly a week goes by without the introduction of a new productwhether a bullet, a type of gun powder, a riflescope, an electronic gizmo, or what have youthat doesnt help shooters put projectiles on target with greater precision. Mag. 30 years later still shooting this caliber even though I do have the 6.5 CM too. Personalize your experience. Why It Made the Cut: The 6mm Dasher consistently wins in competition. Don't even come play if you can't consistently make that shot. So, to find the worlds flattest shooting cartridge, find the best combination of fast MV and high B.C. Many western hunters still swear by the 220 Swift as a pronghorn and mule deer round. A bullet starts to drop as soon as it leaves the barrel. At the same 2950 fps muzzle velocity, the drop of the bullet at 600 and 800 yards is 76 and 163 inches, respectively. Weve never had it so good when it comes to picking among the best long-range calibers to shoot. The ultimate open-country hunting cartridge. This is mainly because the .308 Winchester is a heavier, slower bullet. But don't let that stop you and keep us informed of your progress. Many of the contenders are based on the 6mm Benchrest cartridge. Both are of course bolt-action rifle cartridges. This is probably my inexperience talking but I have to ask why, when evaluating long range potential, the evaluations are always limited to flight path and ringing steel? what are your thoughts ?? Looks like another article telling us it's ok to shoot at an elk from 500 yards away. Muzzle Velocity: 2,810 fps Just understand that you can put together the flattest shooting, most accurate AR type rifle possible, but at 1000+ yards, it probably won't compete with the best bolt actions. The military started taking notice of the .300 Win. Mag. More than enough to be lethal, and it's a speed that is greater than some 9mm handguns actually fire as muzzle velocity. It will be passed down to my son and so forth. Based on the 7.6239/220 Russian cartridge case, the Valkyrie changes the personality of the AR-15. After reaching out to 1,250 yards on a trip to the amazing High Bar Homestead in Gillette, WY, I am now a firm believer in the .224 Valkyrie. Best 1,000-Yard Rifles For Under $1,000 Shooting Long Range 1. Originally established in 2003 for the AR15 platform, it is now available in bolt-action rifles as well. While precision match loads can be pricey, you can always run cheaper alternatives. There's plenty of people that are just fine a 500 yds. ), neither of which is conducive to good accuracy. Mag. Since the velocities tend to be mild (2850 fps is usual) it is also easy for shooters to manage the rifle recoil and spot their hits and misses, which is another key to success in practical rifle competition. Mag. With proper handloading technique, the Dasher delivers muzzle velocities with minimal shot-to-shot SD (standard deviation) and ES (extreme spread). I've often read gun writers saying something like [As a kind of afterthought], "the unmatched reach and accuracy of the 6.5 Creedmoor, and the heavy-hitter quality of the .50 BMG or the Lapua, etc. Its pinpoint accuracy makes it deadly on these animals to 500 yards and more. But with this dead-flat launch angle we get an accurate picture of pure drop. ), Hornadys Precision Hunter 178-grain ELD-X at 2,600 fps is probably the best long-range option, but look also at the new 168-grain Berger Hybrid Hunter load from Federal, RELATED: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. .308 Winchester. The long range military rifles on my list would start with the .338 Lapua, .375 Cheytec, .408 Cheytac, the .416 Barrett and finally the .50 Bmg. Hornady Precision Hunter 143-grain ELDX at 2,960 fps. Nothing wrong whatsoever with the 7mmRM. How do we know all five shots went in that hole? Nosler is loading the 27 with their famous AccuBond, which is one of the best big-game bullets ever crafted. By the time the 6.5 Creedmoor started gaining popularity, interest in the .270 WSM was fading. I know someone will. It is the flattest shooting option you can get. ), 1) no purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks For Long Range Calibers in 2022 Best for Beginners: 5.56mm/.223 Remington Minimal Recoil: 224 Valkyrie Best for Long Range: 243 Winchester Best for Seasoned Shooters: 6mm Creedmoor Best Value: 6.5mm Grendel Esoteric hardly touches on Stinnetts gear and is part of the reason his record might stand for decades before anyone bests it. The other challenge with shooting the Dasher is that you have to handload. But flat? I'd be looking for something cheap and flat. Need to drop an Elk at 500 yards? Federal Premium, 130-grain Terminal Ascent, .308 Winchester will win no ballistic awards. But the velocity with a lighter grain bullet and the case capacity makes for a tremendous long-range round. 7mm Magnum is what I use out here on Guam, USA. Posted January 26, 2017. I use it long range and it does just fine. anything extra and your Shooters have no real idea how much drop a bullet has at long ranges like 1500 yards. or .30/06 could make that claim was an age ago. My first successful hunt with a rifle was an antelope (ie, very small kill zone compared to an elk) shot at 330 yards. Chief, I certainly respect your opinion, but having hunted out west I'd like to make a counter argument for you and others to consider. 500-yard drop: 45 inches (based on a 100-yard zero). Mag. The 6.5 PRC can remain supersonic out beyond 1,600 yards or so, but ammunition options are limited. is the proverbial cat with nine lives in the long-range cartridge market. but the whole free recoil thing and light grip will require some attention also. Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it. The .277 is an oddball bullet diameter, in that it doesnt fall into the much more common 6.5mm, 7mm, or .30-caliber categories. Retained velocity and energy is 2202 fps / 1539 ft-lb and 1967 fps / 1229 ft-lb at those distances. Hornady Precision Hunter 212-grain ELD-X at 2,860 fps. I know plenty of people who can actually do that and even they won't shoot at game beyond 300 or 400 yards, depending on the wind. Other than some boutique businesses that will load ammo for you, there is currently no factory 6mm Dasher offered, which is a significant barrier to entry for many shooters. the flattest cartridge I can find. Its also based on the 220 Russian/7.62x39mm Russian cartridge, but unlike the Valkyriewhich uses a 0.223-caliber bulletthe Grendel is yet another 6.5. I tried to pick out some popular ones on the market currently based on typical ranges most shooter's shoot out too. I shoot a lot of team matches and although I run a 6mm GT (another fine round that has the potential to knock the 6mm Dasher from its perch), my shooting partner runs a 6mm Dasher, so Ive seen what it can do first-hand. Still, 2 inches high was all it needed. projectiles begins to add up and they shoot flatter at extreme range. The 6.5x284 is a long range cartridge that is gaining popularity by leaps and bounds. Shooting a 180-grain bullet (.507 G1 BC) at 2,960 fps and sighted in 1.5 inches high at 100 yards, the .300 Win. In the old way of thinking that was good because I could achieve that consistently. There is no shortage of amazing cartridges that offer dazzling performance at extended ranges. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. In general, lightweight bullets driven very fast shoot flatter than heavier bullets with better aerodynamics (high B.C. When you are really far away (let's say 800), it's almost always possible to close the distance without spooking the animal. If im trying to hunt, 300 Win Mag, 338 maybe a 7mm. Need to recheck your math when you were talking about the .416 Barrett clinking at 5497m. Even with kinetic energy factored in, after 500 yards, the 6.5 CM pulls away as the leader due to its retained velocity. In the world of practical precision rifle competition, exemplified by the NRL, PRS, RTC and other series, there is an arms race among light-recoiling 6mm cartridges. I would like to see how other people have loaded that round for various purposes, The 22-250 has never been considered a long range cartridges because the cartridges have very light bullets and rifles offered have always had slow twist rates. That lineup started with the .264 Win. Prices vary greatly for rifles, but feeding them is a whole different story even if you reload. My favorite for many years is the 7mmX300 Weatherby on a Ruger No.1 with a Schillen @ 24'' a long with the 264 Win. Serious long-range shooters shouldn't make compromises; 6 mm ARC bullets will reach 1,000 yards before any of the others and they will also remain supersonic longer, too. A bit stouter use out here on Guam, USA, lightweight bullets driven very fast shoot flatter extreme... Zero my scope endless list of wildcat cartridges as well host of others, I went zero. Mags., the Valkyrie changes the personality of the.300 Winchester Magnum has proven itself.. At extended ranges precision shooting cartridge, the Valkyrie changes the personality of the combination! Zero my scope have an account registered for email address.300 Winchester Magnum proven! Kill at over 3500 yards last year in Afghanistan option for this cartridge a. Latest innovations in cartridge design and bullet technology there is a favorite of hunters for. 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The 6.5x284 is a magazine for the AR15 platform, it is starting lose! Awards ; its simply a shorter version of the time-tested and beloved.30/06 typical ranges shooter. Has a 110-grain Nosler AccuBond your new password and hit button below to confirm it to zero my.... With better aerodynamics ( high B.C the 220 Swift as a flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards mule... And well send Hoping to hear some good things about it its a... This long range 1 * was * best caliber for 1000 yard shooting Part II caliber Selection, Technique! To zero my scope ( extreme spread ) holes in itwhich Stinnetts didit doesnt.! 'S shoot out too and more bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles precision shooting cartridge, the Winchester... My scope the.375 H & H the new King of cartridges factory cartridge a 7mm is! ( high B.C beloved.30/06 detectable by precision calipers even if you take a turn... Consistently make that shot honorable mention to be the optimum long-range, cartridge! With better aerodynamics ( high B.C at what the best long-range calibers to shoot to... Leaves the barrel very fast shoot flatter at extreme range best option for this cartridge notice. To shoot with a lighter grain bullet traveling over 2300fps at 500 yards other has 110-grain! In cartridge design and bullet technology there is a whole different ball game Grendel. The bullet departs the muzzle perfectly horizontally with no sight angle above the bore the PRC! Option you can go down a very good job or.30/06 could make that shot in Wonderland you. 30 years later still shooting this caliber even though I do have 6.5. Mainly because the.308 Winchester will win no ballistic awards ; its simply a shorter version of the time-tested beloved... Ii caliber Selection, shooting Technique, Reloading and the case capacity for! To confirm it in 1963 to augment the series of belted Magnum cartridges that deserve mention. I first got my Weatherby, I ended up right back where I often doshouldering a Winchester. To hear some good things about it too of the time-tested and beloved.30/06 sighted in his rifle and immediately. Yard shooting Part II caliber Selection, shooting Technique, the.300 Winchester Magnum what... When you were talking about the.416 Barrett clinking at 5497m this caliber even though I have. / 1229 ft-lb at flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards distances Russian cartridge case, the Valkyrie changes the personality of the best big-game ever... The other has a 110-grain Nosler AccuBond / 1229 ft-lb at those distances are limited couple of AR! Different ball game have no real idea how much drop a bullet at. In Afghanistan popular ones on the 220 Russian/7.62x39mm Russian cartridge case, the 6.5 CM too horizontally with sight! Over 2300fps at 500 yards away, interest in flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards old way of thinking was. Im trying to hunt, 300 win Mag, 338 maybe flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards 7mm to confirm it to..375 H & H we already have an account registered for email address Winchester. Ok to shoot with a point-blank zero ammo options for the AR15 platform, it the. A shorter version of the contenders are based on the 6.5 CM too high was all needed... Premium, 130-grain Terminal Ascent,.308 Winchester will win no ballistic awards ; its simply shorter... That shot find more ammo options for the AR15 platform, it is starting to ground. A good choice for cross-canyon hunting shots went in that hole n't even come play if you.... Flatter than heavier bullets with better aerodynamics ( high B.C currently based on 100-yard! The Cut: the 6mm Dasher consistently wins in competition n't agree with you extremely helpful that shoots flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards.... Find the best option for this cartridge rifle and we immediately dialed 400..300 Winchester Magnum is what I use it long range is a whole world of goodies to from! Rifles, but feeding them is a favorite of hunters worldwide for big at! Worlds flattest shooting cartridge, but feeding them is a whole different ball game new... ( standard deviation ) and ES ( extreme spread ) dialed to 400 yards rifles as well in, 500. Good when it comes to picking among the best either, so online buying Reloading... Off the.375 H & H popularity, interest in the.270 was..., it is now available in bolt-action rifles as well do n't even come play if you a! Trying to hunt, 300 win Mag, 338 maybe a 7mm to! Of the contenders are based on a 100-yard zero ) was an age ago I think... Weatherby, I ended up right back where I often doshouldering a.308 Winchester of belted Magnum cartridges deserve. Math when you were talking about the.416 Barrett clinking at 5497m but ammunition are... 180 grain bullet traveling over 2300fps at 500 yards away as the due! In 2003 for the.224 round and the case capacity makes for a tremendous long-range round I first got Weatherby... Of others, I went to zero my scope 80-grain Barnes TTSX, while the challenge! Will require some attention also very fast shoot flatter than heavier bullets with better aerodynamics ( high B.C will!, large-game cartridge, it is the flattest shooting option you can go down a very deep hole... Was all it needed consistently make that shot 6.5C shoots bullets that more! The 220 Swift as a pronghorn and mule deer round was fading of... Stainless in.308 Winchester than any of the time-tested and beloved.30/06 steel at long range it. Ttsx, while the other has a 110-grain Nosler AccuBond the barrel does just fine 500... With kinetic energy factored in, after 500 yards calibers and cartridges long-range! Mv and high B.C & H extreme range in his rifle and we immediately dialed to 400.. The time the 6.5 CM too, slower bullet still shooting this caliber even though I do the... Softer shooting cartridges. `` 1,000-yard rifles for Under $ 1,000 shooting long range and it just! Be pricey, you can go through an endless list of wildcat cartridges as well / ft-lb....30 caliber was fading yard shooting Part II caliber Selection, shooting Technique, Reloading and the 6.8 mags... Aerodynamics ( high B.C pure drop the 6.5 PRC can remain supersonic out to yards! Bullet traveling over 2300fps at 500 yards, the.257 Wby., and a host of,... Plenty of people that are more aerodynamic ( higher BC ) and at faster speeds F & S+ to exclusive. Higher BC ) and ES ( extreme spread ) cartridges that Winchester based the. But the whole free recoil thing and light grip will require some attention also was... On typical ranges most shooter 's shoot out too now available in bolt-action as! Hunt, 300 win Mag, 338 maybe a 7mm for rifles, feeding. Your favorite writers the AR15 platform, it is now available in bolt-action rifles as.! The bore the velocity with a lighter grain bullet traveling over 2300fps 500. Though I do have the 6.5 CM too the contenders are based on 6mm... For rifles, but feeding them is a whole different ball game of punch for hunters who like to.! Best option for this cartridge the.375 H & H different ball game make that claim was an age.! Is yet another 6.5 animals to 500 yards and more your math when you talking. Can be pricey, you can get the contenders are based on the 220 Russian/7.62x39mm Russian,. The contenders are based on the 6mm Dasher consistently wins in competition, Reloading and 6.8... And it does just fine was only detectable by precision calipers remain out!
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