.308 vs .300 Win Mag for long range accuracy?

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what woud Carlos Hathcock say

If the good man were alive today, he'd probably say something about going with a 338 Lapua or something in .50 BMG. I seem to recall one of his more famous shots being made with a gun in .50 BMG.

There's a great 3 part interview with Mr. Hathcock on Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVJONj95so4. Until I heard him talk, I never realized what a good 'ol boy he was heh.
 
The Army considered the difference significant enough that all the .308 sniper guns are being rebuilt as .300 Win Mag. Apparently the long range benefits are there.

They do NOT shoot handloads, factory production only.

300WM has a much better trajectory and bucks wind much better, but at the expense of increased recoil and decreased barrel life. Neither of those may be a huge issue for combat use, but both are considerations for pre-deployment train ups and such. (When we started running the numbers on converting over to 300WM circa 2006 or 07 one of the issues that popped up was sending a team guy through our Group's SOTIC course with his issue sniper rifle in 300WM meant -- without a reduction in rounds fired in the course -- would mean the rifle would be going back to the factory for a new barrel at the conclusion of training.)
 
The fellow member wants to punch paper at 1000 yards not to kill a T-rex.
and most times not "mo powa is mo betta", Accuracy is "mo betta"., specially if it is also easier on the wallet.

Cannot beat the big magnums though but then we are drifting away from his parameters.
 
Yeah, honestly, if I clamped it in a bench rest and pointed it at a target 1,000 yards off and it hit it every time I triggered a remote release connected to the rifle, that would be the caliber for me. If it can't hit the same spot within a foot or two at 1,000 yards locked into a bench rest, then I'd want to look for something else...

Something that has enough energy to make it that far - and it's all flat land anywhere you have 1,000 feet for shooting around here, but the end velocity, as long as it's 'enough', eh, it's just paper.
 
a target 1,000 yards off and it hit it every time I triggered a remote release connected to the rifle, that would be the caliber for me. If it can't hit the same spot within a foot or two

In theory, a quality 'out of the box' rifle will shoot that and better; doesn't matter if it's .308, 30-06, 300wm......... The trick is you (or me) properly holding the rifle still enough to hit the same spot (within a ft) every time; then add the wind (probably not going to be a constant full value 10mph from rifle to target), spin drift, alt, temp, humidity, and several other smaller things that I don't understand.

It's You; Not the Rifle !!!

When you can make a quality rifle / optics shoot 1.5 ft groups @ 1000m, then you should consider upgrading the rifle or purchasing a better rifle. Until then, save the $ difference that you would have spent on a high dollar setup and spend that money on a spotting scope and A Lot of Ammo!
 
Long Range F class competition information page: http://demigodllc.com/articles/introduction-to-f-class-1000-yard-competition/

Quote:

you need a load that will stay at supersonic speed to the target. As a general rule, a bullet that has a ballistic coefficient (BC) of 0.50 or higher launched at 2600 fps or faster will make it to 1000 yards. Great long-range loads generally have a BC of 0.60 or higher and are shot at 2850 fps or faster. In .308 Winchester, the Federal or Black Hills 175-grain, or Lapua 155-grain loads will work. In .300 Winchester Magnum, the 190-grain loads from Federal and Black Hills are good choices. Rifles that are built specifically for F-Class often use the long, sleek, and high-BC bullets in 6.5 mm and 7 mm calibers such as .260 Remington, 6.5-284 Norma, 7 mm Remington Magnum or 7 mm Winchester Short Magnum.

The issue for us non Govt employees, is the extra cost of the .300 win mag ammo even if you handload, and the fact that the barrel will have to be replaced frequently for match grade accuracy to be maintained.
 
I'd stay at the .308 level and work up a load. I found my 700 really likes 45 grains of Varget in once fired brass with CCI primers and Sierra BTHP's in 168 gr. It likes them so much my wife - who didn't fire rifles until we started playing at the range with mine - assembles beautiful .375" groups at 100 yards. I haven't fired at 1000 yards yet, but it makes nice groups at 785, the longest I've shot it thus far.

I have humped my 14 lb. rifle around in the hills, and yes... it gets real heavy, real fast, but you just can't beat the stability of a heavier rifle. Although, if I were only going to pull the trigger once, I'd guess a 7 lb. rifle would be much nicer for a long walk. I personally won't know, I have a heavy one and I like it... A LOT!
 
My $0.02, for what it's worth:

Get a decent .308 caliber, it's a great round for deer, elk, and antelope, as well as smaller bear like those found in southern AZ and learn to shoot the bejesus out of it. When you can shoot 3" groups consistently at 500 Yards then look at moving up to the .300 Win Mag.

Right now my personal limit on long distance hunting shots is 300 Yards. I'm working on extending that by the next hunting season. I shoot a .308, and feel that for the distances I'm shooting and my ability, it's about right. When I get out to 800 yards consistantly, 5" group, then I'll look at moving up to a .300 Win Mag.

BikerRN
 
There is no comparing a 308 to a 300 win mag. That's like comparing a 22lr to a 22-250...

If you're talking raw joules, no. If you're talking about just putting lead on target at a fair distance, yes.
 
I like the .300 more then the .308 (i think its ugly), but thats personal preference. The 308 will kill just as well as the 300mag untill ranges get beyond what most of us should be shooting at....and honestly farther then i think there is any reason to shoot. If your going to be shooting 100rds a day, or at 1k i think there are better cartridges then both.
 
If your going to be shooting 100rds a day, or at 1k i think there are better cartridges then both.

20 rounds in a day, maybe 40 in a blowout heh. For 1,000 yd ranges, what cartridge would you go for?
 
I was looking at some .260 rem. cartridges in the store today and holding 'em up to a .308 round - is there any particular reason the .260 is better at long distances?
 
I shot a running rabbit at 1127 yards with my 300 Weatherby Mag. I aimed for the head but hit him in the heart so all I could eat were the rear legs. Next time I use a 308 and post the shot on you tube.
 
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