Getting into long range shooting, need advice

[4fingermick]

In my mind, any advantage the 300Win Mags, etc give you at the longer ranges is not flat trajectory, we know the range exactly, I think the main advantages are that with a higher velocity it is exposed to the wind for a shorter period and it will stay supersonic for a bit further out, also having more whoompum, it can launch heavier bullets. Pretty much every thing else is a disadvantage, noise, recoil, barrel wear, burning great quantities of powder, expensive brass, etc.

It is also hard to find 1000yd ranges anymore, don't go wasting heaps of bucks on extreme long range stuff if you have to drive for days to get to use it.

Good luck, Mick.

 

[redneck2]

Like most everything, there is no one "right" answer.

The .308 will obviously work and work well. I just opted for the 7 mag due to bullet selection and overall ballistics. It has less recoil than the .300 WM (which I also own), and as good or better B.C. Check out websites that have B.C.s listed and it may give you some of the info you're looking for. The 168 SMK is probably the bench mark.

I assume you're going to reload. If you don't, I suspect you'll either settle for lower quality ammo or higher cost. Reloading cost for the 7 mag will be just very slightly higher than .308

The other alternative is a .260 Rem. IIRC, it is actually a 6.5-08. If you hand load, you can get some great bullets and have nominal recoil. Even a .243 can get old after 100+ shots.

 

[Zak Smith]

BC has a much larger effect on wind drift than velocity.