Long range rifle

Status
Not open for further replies.
ms6852 said:
ESHEATO makes a lot of sense. A 243 will outshoot a 308 at 1000 yards as will a 30-06. I prefer the 30-06 simply because depending on wind conditions I can go with 150 gr on calm days or go with 175 smk sierra or heavier bullets to 220 on very windy days.
Click to expand...

The .243 with a 105 Berger VLD exhibits slightly less wind drift than the 220SMK from a .30-06, does it at very low recoil and around $10/100 rounds less.

The 208gn AMax is nominally a better long range bullet than any of the SMK's. Better BC (tested) for less wind drift than any of the Sierras and can be driven faster than the 220 and 240gn.
 
helotaxi said:
The .243 with a 105 Berger VLD exhibits slightly less wind drift than the 220SMK from a .30-06, does it at very low recoil and around $10/100 rounds less.

The 208gn AMax is nominally a better long range bullet than any of the SMK's. Better BC (tested) for less wind drift than any of the Sierras and can be driven faster than the 220 and 240gn.
Click to expand...
I have not shot the AMAX bullets yet and have researched them extensively. I am anxious to try them out. My brothers gave me 7000 bullets to reload in smk in various weights and that is all I have been shooting until I run out. Thanks for the headsup helotaxi.
 
I'm surprised that not that many people have said .270. Its quite a amazing long range cartridge. I feel it just like the .308 but higher velocity, in my opinion.
 
The ballistic coefficients of .270 bullets seem to stop about where the 6.5 and 7mm match bullets start. Does that matter at long hunting ranges? No, but it will at Long Range, defined by target shooters as over 600 yards.
 
As has been pretty well covered, .338 LM burns an unnecessary amount of powder to push an unnecessarily large bullet for 600-1,000 yard shooting. It's more ideal for 1,500+.

The .308 is commonly used for this, although handicapped by it's low velocity, especially with heavy match-type bullets.

Something in the 6mm, 6.5mm or 7mm caliber is probably your best bet. Or a .300 Win Mag. My own build on my next long range varminter is going to be a 700 action with a 28" tube chambered in 6mm-06 AI. Good bullet options in .244" caliber, and not having to use insane amounts of powder to get high velocity with a high B.C. bullet; 3,400+ FPS with a 105 or 107 using ~60-63 gr. charge.
 
.308, .308, .308... but I did buy myself an Armalite A30 in .300 Win Mag. As far as the .308 / 30-06 capabilities, I should point out that millions of us have shot NRA Hi-Power matches at 600 yards, with M1s and iron sights...
 
I own a GAP (Georgia Arms Precision) rifle in .260 Rem that will tickle an 18" gong at 1,000 yards consistently.....on the days I am consistent. :cool: Loves 139 Scenars and 140 AMAX loads. Wouldn't sell it for anything.
 
Last edited:
hymnatr said:
I was looking for a 600 - 1000 yard gun.
Click to expand...
I have a Grendel AR with a Satern barrel, sub-MOA and it owns 0-1000. I can't imagine a bolt being much better, but this rifle isn't your average AR either, you can't buy it like this.

I want a .338 too, but I just don't have the range to shoot it yet. It would be like having a great dane in an apartment. Any of the 6.5mm rounds will do what the .338 will do inside 1000m with regards to accuracy. The BC of the .338 is better than the 6.5, but you just don't need it inside those ranges.

I plan on eventually getting one, but I can go over the Cascades to the deserts near Yakima and just shoot out there, miles and miles of nothing, it's a trip, but hey, how often plan on shooting it? Those rifles eat rifling, if you shoot it a lot plan on a new barrel soon.
 
Take a look at the new Tikka target rifle. Get the 260 with one in 8 twist barrel. You will have fun with that !!!
Dave
 
On your budget I'd be looking at Sako and Swarovski. Caliber is more personal preference. Lots of rounds will shoot well at a distance, I might opt for .308 or .338 Lapua.

Sako's are highly accurate and their triggers are the best out of the box you'll find, they break like glass and are a reasonable balance between being too light and too heavy. I don't have a trigger gauge so I don't know exactly what the pull weight is, but it is great. Good luck with your purchase.
 
I plan on starting a long range rifle with a Savage 10FP McMillan .308 and a Nightforce BR scope. No idea on rings.

Then later on I'll swap barrels to a 6.5x28mm Norma BR or 6mmbr for improved ballistics. Not sure what changes I'd have to make to the rifle for that yet. Savages bench rest rifles are really tempting, but I think I'd like to shoot off of a bipod, not a rest.

I don't know any other way to get a decent 6.5 BR rifle with a Mcmillan stock for a decent price.

I don't know how the precision rifle builders get their pricing. I guess demand is higher than they have time for, because thier pricing can really be rediculous. I'm not paying more than $3k for a rifle with no scope or anything.
 
$5k on gun and optics??

How about a Sako TRG in .308 (about $2,600, plus tax) then mount a $2,000 scope on it.

I hope you handload. Match ammo is expensive.

Or you could go the Carlos Hathcock route and buy a Remington 700 in .30-06, stick an 8x scope on it, and shoot until you're real good.
 
plan on starting a long range rifle with a Savage 10FP McMillan .308 and a Nightforce BR scope. No idea on rings.

Then later on I'll swap barrels to a 6.5x28mm Norma BR or 6mmbr for improved ballistics. Not sure what changes I'd have to make to the rifle for that yet. Savages bench rest rifles are really tempting, but I think I'd like to shoot off of a bipod, not a rest.

I don't know any other way to get a decent 6.5 BR rifle with a Mcmillan stock for a decent price.
Click to expand...

Call Savage and ask their Custom Shop to install a 260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmoor barrel on the 10FCP McM instead of a 308 tube; can't imagine it'd be a major bump in price.

You could also build a rifle off a Stevens action, in a McM A5 stock, with a Criterion match barrel and SSS Competition trigger for about the same money as a 10FCP.
 
Strongly recommend against .338 unless it's your third long-range rifle.

My best advice is here

D100_3368_img.jpg
article | Practical Long-Range Rifle Shooting, Part I - Rifle & Equipment extwh3.png

.260 Rem if you reload. .308 if you don't.
 
Rifle Envy well not really!

I have a buddy with the Sako TRG 42 and another with the AR-30 both in .338 Lapua. I want something to use at the range with them where I could consistently hit a steel plate at 800 yards. I have a PSL, FN FAL, Colt HBAR, Mini 14 but am wondering if I should go out and get a Grendel Upper, step up and get a FNAR or go the Remington 700 route. Any suggestions? not really interested in the AR-30 or .338 I not the kind of guy to send 5 bucks down range every time I pull the trigger
 
Last edited:
.338 is a complete waste inside 1k. The necked down .308 family of cartridges (.243, .260, 7mm-08) are really in their element at those ranges. The .308 will work, but by the time you get to a bullet with a good enough BC that it doesn't just kite in the wind, it's going so slow it's still kiting. The smaller caliber send higher BC bullets downrange faster and do it with less recoil and cost. The 7mm WSM is another cartridge worthy of consideration. 7mm Rem Mag ballistics in a short action package. Great selection of high BC bullets in 7mm.
 
Just about any caliber can be forced to work, just some are a lot easier to shoot, and some are a lot easier to pay for.

My respect for the 270 stops at 400 yards, but ONLY because of the immature selection of projectiles. I love the round and have a few rifles chambered for it in Winchester Classic design.
IF the 6.5-06 or 280 had been first on the scene, it is doubtful the 25-06 and 270 would even exist at the level of popularity they currently have.

The 260 with a 24" barrel (min) will do the trick, it is what my brother shoots and it is a sweetheart about recoil.
6.5x47, 6.5 creedmoor are a little shy on horsepower FOR ME but will work, those cases necked down to 6mm would slightly stretch the yardage markers- it would seem to reason.

The 243 or 6mm remmy with an aftermarket barrel with 1-8/9 twist will REALLY shine with the 100+gr. bullet weights at the cost of barrel life- about the time you get really proficient a new barrel is in order; the 6mm XC - Dasher - Norma BR are all excellent choices ( in that respective order) but start-up costs are tough.

6.5x55 has really surprised me ,as I started using the caliber for deer, it is very close the the 260- possibly a little better because of case capacity - but it is a Ford vs. Chevy IMHO.

I had a 7mm SAUM built and couldn't be happier with the performance, but had excellent reference loads from 6mmBR.com and was after chrono spread numbers to eliminate that major variable that shows up horribly bad on target at 1000 yards. This rifle only shoots known marked distances, 28.5" barrel kinda limits its portability........

For TACTICAL I believe I'd go with the 260 or 6.5x55, for target ( with a bench! ) I already made my choice and am happy with the results.
 
There is a reason that long range custom rifles are chambered in 260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmore and other light recoiling calibers. They consistently out perform their larger counterparts at longer distances with slippery bullets. If it were me I would buy a Sako TRG-22 in .260, I think Eurooptics has them in stock. Then top it with a S&B, NF or US Optics scope.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
My Noir collection... Evil Black Rifles.
Replies
20
Views
890
Ar180shooter
A
H
  • Locked
  • Poll
Long Range Build
Replies
8
Views
462
patsygarret
P
C
  • Locked
Savage 110 BA Stealth in 338 Lapua at 38,000 FPS with a Chronos 1.4
Replies
6
Views
636
d2wing
d2wing
M
  • Locked
'Best' cartridge for long range?
2
Replies
39
Views
1K
Skylerbone
Skylerbone
A
  • Locked
.338 Remington Ultra Magnum: Cost Efficient .338 Lapua?
Replies
4
Views
726
Zak Smith
Zak Smith
Back
Top