Dannavyret
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- Jul 23, 2007
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What is the maximum effective range of the .30 cal rifle round in the 150 to 165 grain range and where can I find information?
Range of the .30 cal
- Thread starter Dannavyret
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Heavy Metal Hero
Member
Are you talking .30 carbine or something like .308?
EDIT: I am assuming you mean a rifle round of sort and not the carbine
EDIT: I am assuming you mean a rifle round of sort and not the carbine
Maximum range meaning what?
How far will it go before it hits the ground if you point it 45 degrees up in the
air? Not a trivial question: this is important to know if you're setting up a range and want to stay safe.
How far away is it good for hunting polar bear/moose/deer/coyote/rabbit?
How far away does it stay flat enough that you don't need to know the exact range? That's what most hunters want to know.
.30 cal meaning what?
.30 M1 Carbine, .300 Weatherby Magnum, or something in between like .30-30, .30-40, .308, .30-06, .300 WinMag?
.30" is a very popular bullet diameter, as is the slightly smaller 7mm and the slightly larger 8mm. It's used in a lot of VERY different rounds.
How far will it go before it hits the ground if you point it 45 degrees up in the
air? Not a trivial question: this is important to know if you're setting up a range and want to stay safe.
How far away is it good for hunting polar bear/moose/deer/coyote/rabbit?
How far away does it stay flat enough that you don't need to know the exact range? That's what most hunters want to know.
.30 cal meaning what?
.30 M1 Carbine, .300 Weatherby Magnum, or something in between like .30-30, .30-40, .308, .30-06, .300 WinMag?
.30" is a very popular bullet diameter, as is the slightly smaller 7mm and the slightly larger 8mm. It's used in a lot of VERY different rounds.
Not enough info there for an answer. In .30 cal what exactly are you talking about? All these listed below and there are more out there are all .30 cal rounds. Some are only good to 100-150 yards some good out to 1000 yards
.30 carbine
7.62x54
30-30
.303
.308
30.06
.300 WSM
.300 win mag
.300 rum
.30 carbine
7.62x54
30-30
.303
.308
30.06
.300 WSM
.300 win mag
.300 rum
Crotchety? Nah.
I keep a ballistics chart by my toilet and peruse it just for fun. No ****.
I find the variety of cartridges fascinating. That's probably because I started out shooting muzzleloaders, where you really get to be one with your load.
Various ammo makers and the Guns & Ammo web sites are good to peruse. Chuck Hawks has lots of articles, too -- not the last word, but definitely a lot of food for thought.
All of that said, I have a .30-06 as a big game rifle. You look through the charts enough, and the objective answer to a lot of questions is ".30-06!"
I keep a ballistics chart by my toilet and peruse it just for fun. No ****.
I find the variety of cartridges fascinating. That's probably because I started out shooting muzzleloaders, where you really get to be one with your load.
Various ammo makers and the Guns & Ammo web sites are good to peruse. Chuck Hawks has lots of articles, too -- not the last word, but definitely a lot of food for thought.
All of that said, I have a .30-06 as a big game rifle. You look through the charts enough, and the objective answer to a lot of questions is ".30-06!"
Heavy Metal Hero
Member
You forgot to carry the one.
What is the maximum effective range of the .30 cal rifle round in the 150 to 165 grain range and where can I find information?
I guess you're talking about 308, 30-06, 300 mag with that bullet weight.
My 1903 Springfield has the sights regulated to 2700 yds, M1 1200 yds, and the M16A2 to 800 meters. The ballisticians apparently figured out the bullet will still have some effect to those ranges.
The Army says the effective range of the M14 or M16 is 460 meters. The fact is most soldiers can only reliably hit targets out to about 200 meters (Marines are more likely better).
Effective range is also dependent on the shooter. The better ballistics of a 300 mag can usually only be exploited by an expert shooter. Iron sights or scope? How accurate is the rifle?
If you want to define effective range as the ability to hit a man size target reliably as the military does I can only speak for myself. I'd put my limit at 400 yd with an M1 with iron sights and 600 with a decent Remington 700 or Savage 110 with a scope.
I guess you're talking about 308, 30-06, 300 mag with that bullet weight.
My 1903 Springfield has the sights regulated to 2700 yds, M1 1200 yds, and the M16A2 to 800 meters. The ballisticians apparently figured out the bullet will still have some effect to those ranges.
The Army says the effective range of the M14 or M16 is 460 meters. The fact is most soldiers can only reliably hit targets out to about 200 meters (Marines are more likely better).
Effective range is also dependent on the shooter. The better ballistics of a 300 mag can usually only be exploited by an expert shooter. Iron sights or scope? How accurate is the rifle?
If you want to define effective range as the ability to hit a man size target reliably as the military does I can only speak for myself. I'd put my limit at 400 yd with an M1 with iron sights and 600 with a decent Remington 700 or Savage 110 with a scope.
Jim Watson
Member
.30-06 150 gr flatbase to hit the ground when fired at a 34 deg angle (Not 45 deg in atmosphere.) = 3500 yards.
Hatcher's Notebook.
.308 with 155gr Scenar or Sierra Palma Match bullet on a standard Long Range bullseye target = 1000 yards.
Me.
Hatcher's Notebook.
.308 with 155gr Scenar or Sierra Palma Match bullet on a standard Long Range bullseye target = 1000 yards.
Me.
DMK
Member
A quick google indicates in multiple places that the M1 Garand 30-06 supposedly had an effective range of 450-500 yards, as did the M14 (7.62x51/.308). Seems kinda short to me. Maybe that's based on statistics including average soldier's competence with the weapons.
Despite everyone being picky about it, any 30 caliber in that class would generally be about the same. That would include 7.62x54R, .303 Brit, 7.5 Swiss, etc. Those are all pretty equivalent to 7.62x51, with 30-06 being a tad hotter and longer legged. I may bre wrong, but I believe 8mm Mauser is closer in performance to 30-06 than the others.
.30 carbine is a 110gr load and doesn't come in 150-165gr weights, nor does 7.62x39 in any military load (It's generally loaded with a projectile around 123gr, although some commercial loads push a 150gr softpoint). Supposedly both of these have an effective range of 300 yards. For the latter, it sounds about right, I believe the military was a bit overzealous concerning .30 carbine though.
Despite everyone being picky about it, any 30 caliber in that class would generally be about the same. That would include 7.62x54R, .303 Brit, 7.5 Swiss, etc. Those are all pretty equivalent to 7.62x51, with 30-06 being a tad hotter and longer legged. I may bre wrong, but I believe 8mm Mauser is closer in performance to 30-06 than the others.
.30 carbine is a 110gr load and doesn't come in 150-165gr weights, nor does 7.62x39 in any military load (It's generally loaded with a projectile around 123gr, although some commercial loads push a 150gr softpoint). Supposedly both of these have an effective range of 300 yards. For the latter, it sounds about right, I believe the military was a bit overzealous concerning .30 carbine though.
W.E.G.
Member
Without excellent conditions for obtaining a rock-solid hold, and good range-estimation skills, you can expect to miss most targets at any distance more than about 300 yards. Any ordinary .30 caliber rifle cartridge will be highly effective within the marksmanship range of most shooters.
A good friend of mine, recently deceased, could hit the 10 ring at 1000 yards with his .308 with almost constant regularity. He was special. Just because *some people* can do it, does not mean the ordinary guy should expect to have success just because he tries to do it.
A good friend of mine, recently deceased, could hit the 10 ring at 1000 yards with his .308 with almost constant regularity. He was special. Just because *some people* can do it, does not mean the ordinary guy should expect to have success just because he tries to do it.
Attachments
30 cal at 165 grains. Ok. You need to load up a ballistics calculater and see how much energy the bullet has at distance. The only factor missing here is muzzle velocity and bullet balistic coefficient. You can hit something at 1500 yards, but will it have enough energy to kill what your aiming at.
Next, be realistic. If your a noob, 100 yards, ok 150, good 200, great 400. Most shots are below 150 yards for a kill. If your going for big horn, you better expect 400 and practice using your scope. Are you reloading your own rounds? You know how to adjust a sight from 100 to 400 with a 5 knot cross wind?
Any round can go 2000 yards. The big question is, will it be within a fist or two of what you aim at? That's what it's all about. Knowing your limitations with both the cartridge and your abilities and adjusting to it to get a clean kill. Reload and practice.
Don't be too dissapointed. The same applies to 50 bmg as well. I just has a lot more energy behind it. You'll be fine under 150 yards, but practice to 400.
Next, be realistic. If your a noob, 100 yards, ok 150, good 200, great 400. Most shots are below 150 yards for a kill. If your going for big horn, you better expect 400 and practice using your scope. Are you reloading your own rounds? You know how to adjust a sight from 100 to 400 with a 5 knot cross wind?
Any round can go 2000 yards. The big question is, will it be within a fist or two of what you aim at? That's what it's all about. Knowing your limitations with both the cartridge and your abilities and adjusting to it to get a clean kill. Reload and practice.
Don't be too dissapointed. The same applies to 50 bmg as well. I just has a lot more energy behind it. You'll be fine under 150 yards, but practice to 400.
Neo-Luddite
Member
OK---POINT or AREA target--for starters?
Big differences. The shooter+the rifle+the loading really will tell the tale of the tape.
Too many variables.
What you've asked is much like asking 'how fast is a race car'?
This said, here's my guess based on me. I'm in my thirties, have a minor military background (but served as an infantryman and machinegunner, 11B) and have owned a .30 rifle (m-1) for 15 years. My best attribute--I have exceptional eyesite (still exceeds 20/20). On any day I can hit a man sized object at 300 yards, on most days the same at 460 yards, and I can hit a (lets say) large auto at 800-1000 yards (area target).
Many can do much better, but they are folks with special skills and equipment--I'm close to very-much Joe average.
Big differences. The shooter+the rifle+the loading really will tell the tale of the tape.
Too many variables.
What you've asked is much like asking 'how fast is a race car'?
This said, here's my guess based on me. I'm in my thirties, have a minor military background (but served as an infantryman and machinegunner, 11B) and have owned a .30 rifle (m-1) for 15 years. My best attribute--I have exceptional eyesite (still exceeds 20/20). On any day I can hit a man sized object at 300 yards, on most days the same at 460 yards, and I can hit a (lets say) large auto at 800-1000 yards (area target).
Many can do much better, but they are folks with special skills and equipment--I'm close to very-much Joe average.
R.W.Dale
Member
Which coincidently is also "Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea."
Well, I'm not special and didn't really have any special equipment i.e. ultramatch accurized rifle and big glass plus meticulously made handloads. My wife and I took our service grade M1 Garands through a Thunder Ranch course a couple of years ago and were reliably hitting reduced man size steel (14" width or ~40% reduced) out to 500yds with issue iron sights. Ammo was PMC "green" nonlead ammo in 180 grain. I was using McCann gas nuts to ensure no damage to the gas system. It did take several rounds to get dialed in with sight settings (elevation) as this was not standard milsurp 30-06 or my handloads, but once dialed in our hit ratio was better than 90% at 500. At 300-400 closer to 100%. I suspect we would have done better with bolt guns and glass plus handloads (usually Hornady 165gr SST for both M1 and bolt guns), but this illustrates the point that with a modicum of training and standard equipment you can reach out fairly far for effect with a standard 30 caliber load. Recommend Fred's Guide to Becoming a Rifleman over at fredsm14stocks.com for another look at max effective ranges.
Regards,
Bob
Regards,
Bob
Jeff F
Member
I've shot a .303 British Enfield No4 Mk1/3 in 1000 meter dcm rifle matches a few times just because I could. Scored in the top 12% of the shooters. .30 Cal's can reach way out there and accurately too.
If you went to the FT Benning school for boys like I did (twice, once for basic/AIT and once for IOBC) they teach you that the max range for the 7.62x51mm is 3750 meters and the max effective range (from an M60 - I'm dating myself) is 1100 meters (plunging fire).
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
R.W.Dale
Member
I use the same methodology in shooting groups with 30 caliber rifles. I try to "miss" everything that isn't the target.
extended ballistics - federal .308M
assuming you mean 7.62x51, and assuming you would be using a bullet suited to long range use, below see an excerpt from:
Maj. John L. Plaster, USAR (Ret.), an overqualified author on this subject.....
as you can see, windage gets kinda tricky past 600 yds, even if one has a wind meter, it will not always be doing the same thing at an over 1/3rd mile away target...one needs to be able to judge wind by plant movement, dust flying, etc.
experienced operators only need apply beyond this. this is the basis for my 600yd max-effective limit, not an inability for the round to kill WAY beyond that.
Federal .308 Match, 168 Gr. BTHP
FEDERAL .308 168-Gr. BT HP Match, Velocity in Ft-per-sec., Energy in Ft-Lbs.
Muzzle 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
VELOCITY 2600 2420 2240 2070 1910 1760 1610 1480 1360 1260 1170
ENERGY 2520 2180 1870 1600 1355 1150 970 815 690 590 510
SIMPLIFIED UP/DOWN DATA
100-Yard Distance
Angle Compensation
30 Degrees 0.3"
45 Degrees 0.7"
60 Degrees 1.3" {Maximum effect}
So that you can see how to translate this up/down data into 1/4 Minute of Angle scope adjustments, we've included Table Seven, which shows these computations for a 45 Degree Slope.
Minutes of Angle Up/Down Compensation, 45 Degrees
Federal .308 Match, 168 Gr. BTHP Shooting Up -or- Down Compensation
Degree Slope hold-under in inches @ 100yd increments
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
5 Degrees .01 .04 .10 .20 .33 .51 .74 1.0 1.4 1.8
10 Degrees .04 .16 .40 .75 1.2 1.9 2.7 3.9 5.2 6.9
15 Degrees .09 .38 .91 1.7 2.8 4.3 6.3 8.7 12 16
20 Degrees .16 .67 1.6 3.0 5.0 7.7 11 15 21 28
25 Degrees .25 1.0 2.5 4.7 7.8 12 17 24 33 43
30 Degrees .30 1.5 3.5 6.7 11 17 25 34 47 62
35 Degrees .48 2.0 4.8 9.0 15 23 33 47 63 84
40 Degrees .62 2.6 6.3 12 19 30 43 60 82 108
45 Degrees .70 3.3 7.8 15 24 37 54 75 102 135
50 Degrees .90 4.0 9.6 18 30 46 66 92 125 165
55 Degrees 1.1 4.8 11 21 35 54 79 110 149 197
60 Degrees 1.3 5.6 13 25 41 64 92 128 174 232
Yards/Compensation in inches/MOAs/1/4 MOA Clicks
100 0.7” 0.70 3 (0.74 MOA)
200 3.3” 1.65 7(1.75 MOA)
300 7.8” 2.60 10 (2.50 MOA)
400 15.0” 3.75 15 (3.75 MOA)
500 24.0” 4.80 19 (4.75 MOA)
600 37.0” 6.10 24 (6.00 MOA)
700 54.0” 7.70 31 (7.75 MOA)
800 75.0” 9.37 37 (9.25 MOA)
900 102” 11.30 45 (11.25 MOA)
1000 135” 13.50 54 (13-50 MOA)
REMEMBER: Always compensate by aiming LOW!
WIND DRIFT DATA for Federal .308, 168 Gr. BTHP Match
Deflection of a Crosswind 90 Degrees to Bullet Path in inches. {Use 3/4 of measurement for non perpendicular winds.}
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
5 mph 0.4 1.5 3.7 6.8 11.1 16.1 23.5 32.0 42.1 53.8
10 mph 0.8 3.1 7.4 13.6 22.2 33.3 47.1 64.1 84.2 107
15 mph 1.2 4.6 11.1 20.4 33.3 49.9 70.6 96.1 126 161
20 mph 1.6 6.2 14.8 27.2 44.4 66.6 94.2 128 168 215
30 mph 2.4 9.3 22.2 40.8 66.6 99.9 141 192 253 322
MOVING TARGET LEADS, .308 Federal Match 168 Gr. BTHP
Distance in Yards/Lead in Inches
Target Speed 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Walk 3 MPH 7 13 21 29 37 46 56 68 80 93
Trot 6 MPH 13 26 42 57 74 92 113 135 158 185
Dash 10 MPH 21 44 68 95 122 154 187 224 264 306
The easiest way to remember the 3 MPH moving target leads is to COUNT IN SEVENS -- 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and you'll have the correct walking leads almost perfectly for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and even 600 yards.
Rifles & Shooting
EXTENDED BALLISTIC DATA FOR THE FEDERAL .308 MATCH ROUND:
All the data you wanted but couldn't find -- wind, moving targets, trajectories, etc.
By Maj. John L. Plaster, USAR (Ret.)
After nearly a decade of instructing police and military students in counter-sniping and precision shooting, I've amassed a useful variety of .308 Match ballistic data, which has been further refined and developed for inclusion in a new textbook, "The Ultimate Sniper: An Advanced Training Manual for Police and Military Snipers."
The most thorough book ever written on sniping and long-range scoped rifle shooting, it also contains extended data on Federal .223 Match, .300 Winchester Magnum; 7.62mm military Match; .243 Winchester; and even the .50 Caliber Browning rounds.
Because this .308 Match data is of great interest to NTOA riflemen -- and such a wide variety has never before appeared in print -- my publisher, Paladin Press, has authorized me to share it with you.
Although derived from ballistic tables provided the author by Federal Cartridge Co., many of these results required such additional calculation that I alone must take responsibility for accuracy. While these calculations were meticulously performed, I still recommend that you verify the results in your own rifle before attempting a 'real-world' shot.
The Trajectory Table
The accompanying trajectory table (Table one) tracks this round for any zero distance from 100 through 1000 yards. While few law enforcement riflemen zero their weapons beyond 100 yards, I'd rather risk giving you too much information than not enough. (Some tactical missions, such as skyjacks, of course, may require a more distant zero.)
Still, even if you zero for just 100 yards, you should know the exact bullet trajectory so you'll see how high to 'hold' for a longer range shot, if it proves necessary.
Moving Target Data and Compensation
Normally it's much better to wait and engage your target when he pauses momentarily rather than attempt a moving target shot. But a moving target may be the only shot you've got.
All the data published in Table Three reflects a target moving 90 degrees to the path of your bullet, that is, moving directly right or left, which is FULL VALUE. Should the target move oblique right or left, whether toward or away from you, use ONE HALF the value since in relative terms he's crossing your front at half the speed. And when he's heading directly toward you or away from you, there's NO VALUE and no movement compensation or leads at all. Aim dead-on.
Must you actually carry all this data in your head? No. I memorize just the 3 MPH leads, then double them for a trotting target and triple them if it's at a dead run. And I can mentally cut in half any one of these if the target's moving obliquely.
The easiest way to remember the 3 MPH moving target leads is to COUNT IN SEVENS -- 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and you'll have the correct walking leads almost perfectly for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and even 600 yards.
Crosswind Data
The best reaction to a stiff crosswind is to shift your location so you're either perfectly upwind or downwind from your target and thereby eliminate the effect of wind altogether.
When relocating is physically or tactically unfeasible, the Wind Data in Table Four allows great accuracy when properly applied.
And don't forget that unlike a moving target, an oblique wind is NOT 1/2 value but 3/4 value since a bullet is very sensitive to a crosswind.
Must you actually carry all this data in your head? No. I memorize just the 3 MPH leads, then double them for a trotting target and triple them if it's at a dead run. And I can mentally cut in half any one of these if the target's moving obliquely.
The easiest way to remember the 3 MPH moving target leads is to COUNT IN SEVENS -- 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and you'll have the correct walking leads almost perfectly for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and even 600 yards.
Up/Down Shooting Compensation
While the book explains this phenomenon in depth, just let it be said here that up/down shooting requires aiming LOW for compensation. Despite it not seeming logical, this is equally true whether your target is downhill or uphill; always compensate by AIMING LOW.
Keep in mind how quickly angles increase as a suspect's position gets higher above street-level -- by the time he's about 4 - 5 stories or higher, and you're across an average downtown street, he's probably already 40 degrees UP. The Austin 'Texas Tower' gunman, Charles Whitman, fired from a 28-story perch about 50 degrees UP from most-lawmen, who typically returned fire from cover 300 yards away. This means their uncompensated shots probably hit about ten inches high and helps explain why it took so long to neutralize him.
We computed this data for UP/Down angles at 5 through 60 degrees in Table Five, just so you could get a better feel for the effect. (Sixty degrees is the angle at which the greatest compensation is required.)
To keep from dazzling you with too much complicated up/down information, I've included "Simplified UP/DOWN Data' (Table Six) which shows the compensation needed at 100 yards for 30-, 45- and 60-degree up/down targets. You can see that there's little compensation required at such short range until the angle approaches 60 degrees, and even then you need only aim 1.3 inches LOW to be perfectly on-target.
hope this helps,
gunnie
assuming you mean 7.62x51, and assuming you would be using a bullet suited to long range use, below see an excerpt from:
Maj. John L. Plaster, USAR (Ret.), an overqualified author on this subject.....
as you can see, windage gets kinda tricky past 600 yds, even if one has a wind meter, it will not always be doing the same thing at an over 1/3rd mile away target...one needs to be able to judge wind by plant movement, dust flying, etc.
experienced operators only need apply beyond this. this is the basis for my 600yd max-effective limit, not an inability for the round to kill WAY beyond that.
Federal .308 Match, 168 Gr. BTHP
FEDERAL .308 168-Gr. BT HP Match, Velocity in Ft-per-sec., Energy in Ft-Lbs.
Muzzle 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
VELOCITY 2600 2420 2240 2070 1910 1760 1610 1480 1360 1260 1170
ENERGY 2520 2180 1870 1600 1355 1150 970 815 690 590 510
SIMPLIFIED UP/DOWN DATA
100-Yard Distance
Angle Compensation
30 Degrees 0.3"
45 Degrees 0.7"
60 Degrees 1.3" {Maximum effect}
So that you can see how to translate this up/down data into 1/4 Minute of Angle scope adjustments, we've included Table Seven, which shows these computations for a 45 Degree Slope.
Minutes of Angle Up/Down Compensation, 45 Degrees
Federal .308 Match, 168 Gr. BTHP Shooting Up -or- Down Compensation
Degree Slope hold-under in inches @ 100yd increments
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
5 Degrees .01 .04 .10 .20 .33 .51 .74 1.0 1.4 1.8
10 Degrees .04 .16 .40 .75 1.2 1.9 2.7 3.9 5.2 6.9
15 Degrees .09 .38 .91 1.7 2.8 4.3 6.3 8.7 12 16
20 Degrees .16 .67 1.6 3.0 5.0 7.7 11 15 21 28
25 Degrees .25 1.0 2.5 4.7 7.8 12 17 24 33 43
30 Degrees .30 1.5 3.5 6.7 11 17 25 34 47 62
35 Degrees .48 2.0 4.8 9.0 15 23 33 47 63 84
40 Degrees .62 2.6 6.3 12 19 30 43 60 82 108
45 Degrees .70 3.3 7.8 15 24 37 54 75 102 135
50 Degrees .90 4.0 9.6 18 30 46 66 92 125 165
55 Degrees 1.1 4.8 11 21 35 54 79 110 149 197
60 Degrees 1.3 5.6 13 25 41 64 92 128 174 232
Yards/Compensation in inches/MOAs/1/4 MOA Clicks
100 0.7” 0.70 3 (0.74 MOA)
200 3.3” 1.65 7(1.75 MOA)
300 7.8” 2.60 10 (2.50 MOA)
400 15.0” 3.75 15 (3.75 MOA)
500 24.0” 4.80 19 (4.75 MOA)
600 37.0” 6.10 24 (6.00 MOA)
700 54.0” 7.70 31 (7.75 MOA)
800 75.0” 9.37 37 (9.25 MOA)
900 102” 11.30 45 (11.25 MOA)
1000 135” 13.50 54 (13-50 MOA)
REMEMBER: Always compensate by aiming LOW!
WIND DRIFT DATA for Federal .308, 168 Gr. BTHP Match
Deflection of a Crosswind 90 Degrees to Bullet Path in inches. {Use 3/4 of measurement for non perpendicular winds.}
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
5 mph 0.4 1.5 3.7 6.8 11.1 16.1 23.5 32.0 42.1 53.8
10 mph 0.8 3.1 7.4 13.6 22.2 33.3 47.1 64.1 84.2 107
15 mph 1.2 4.6 11.1 20.4 33.3 49.9 70.6 96.1 126 161
20 mph 1.6 6.2 14.8 27.2 44.4 66.6 94.2 128 168 215
30 mph 2.4 9.3 22.2 40.8 66.6 99.9 141 192 253 322
MOVING TARGET LEADS, .308 Federal Match 168 Gr. BTHP
Distance in Yards/Lead in Inches
Target Speed 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Walk 3 MPH 7 13 21 29 37 46 56 68 80 93
Trot 6 MPH 13 26 42 57 74 92 113 135 158 185
Dash 10 MPH 21 44 68 95 122 154 187 224 264 306
The easiest way to remember the 3 MPH moving target leads is to COUNT IN SEVENS -- 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and you'll have the correct walking leads almost perfectly for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and even 600 yards.
Rifles & Shooting
EXTENDED BALLISTIC DATA FOR THE FEDERAL .308 MATCH ROUND:
All the data you wanted but couldn't find -- wind, moving targets, trajectories, etc.
By Maj. John L. Plaster, USAR (Ret.)
After nearly a decade of instructing police and military students in counter-sniping and precision shooting, I've amassed a useful variety of .308 Match ballistic data, which has been further refined and developed for inclusion in a new textbook, "The Ultimate Sniper: An Advanced Training Manual for Police and Military Snipers."
The most thorough book ever written on sniping and long-range scoped rifle shooting, it also contains extended data on Federal .223 Match, .300 Winchester Magnum; 7.62mm military Match; .243 Winchester; and even the .50 Caliber Browning rounds.
Because this .308 Match data is of great interest to NTOA riflemen -- and such a wide variety has never before appeared in print -- my publisher, Paladin Press, has authorized me to share it with you.
Although derived from ballistic tables provided the author by Federal Cartridge Co., many of these results required such additional calculation that I alone must take responsibility for accuracy. While these calculations were meticulously performed, I still recommend that you verify the results in your own rifle before attempting a 'real-world' shot.
The Trajectory Table
The accompanying trajectory table (Table one) tracks this round for any zero distance from 100 through 1000 yards. While few law enforcement riflemen zero their weapons beyond 100 yards, I'd rather risk giving you too much information than not enough. (Some tactical missions, such as skyjacks, of course, may require a more distant zero.)
Still, even if you zero for just 100 yards, you should know the exact bullet trajectory so you'll see how high to 'hold' for a longer range shot, if it proves necessary.
Moving Target Data and Compensation
Normally it's much better to wait and engage your target when he pauses momentarily rather than attempt a moving target shot. But a moving target may be the only shot you've got.
All the data published in Table Three reflects a target moving 90 degrees to the path of your bullet, that is, moving directly right or left, which is FULL VALUE. Should the target move oblique right or left, whether toward or away from you, use ONE HALF the value since in relative terms he's crossing your front at half the speed. And when he's heading directly toward you or away from you, there's NO VALUE and no movement compensation or leads at all. Aim dead-on.
Must you actually carry all this data in your head? No. I memorize just the 3 MPH leads, then double them for a trotting target and triple them if it's at a dead run. And I can mentally cut in half any one of these if the target's moving obliquely.
The easiest way to remember the 3 MPH moving target leads is to COUNT IN SEVENS -- 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and you'll have the correct walking leads almost perfectly for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and even 600 yards.
Crosswind Data
The best reaction to a stiff crosswind is to shift your location so you're either perfectly upwind or downwind from your target and thereby eliminate the effect of wind altogether.
When relocating is physically or tactically unfeasible, the Wind Data in Table Four allows great accuracy when properly applied.
And don't forget that unlike a moving target, an oblique wind is NOT 1/2 value but 3/4 value since a bullet is very sensitive to a crosswind.
Must you actually carry all this data in your head? No. I memorize just the 3 MPH leads, then double them for a trotting target and triple them if it's at a dead run. And I can mentally cut in half any one of these if the target's moving obliquely.
The easiest way to remember the 3 MPH moving target leads is to COUNT IN SEVENS -- 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and you'll have the correct walking leads almost perfectly for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and even 600 yards.
Up/Down Shooting Compensation
While the book explains this phenomenon in depth, just let it be said here that up/down shooting requires aiming LOW for compensation. Despite it not seeming logical, this is equally true whether your target is downhill or uphill; always compensate by AIMING LOW.
Keep in mind how quickly angles increase as a suspect's position gets higher above street-level -- by the time he's about 4 - 5 stories or higher, and you're across an average downtown street, he's probably already 40 degrees UP. The Austin 'Texas Tower' gunman, Charles Whitman, fired from a 28-story perch about 50 degrees UP from most-lawmen, who typically returned fire from cover 300 yards away. This means their uncompensated shots probably hit about ten inches high and helps explain why it took so long to neutralize him.
We computed this data for UP/Down angles at 5 through 60 degrees in Table Five, just so you could get a better feel for the effect. (Sixty degrees is the angle at which the greatest compensation is required.)
To keep from dazzling you with too much complicated up/down information, I've included "Simplified UP/DOWN Data' (Table Six) which shows the compensation needed at 100 yards for 30-, 45- and 60-degree up/down targets. You can see that there's little compensation required at such short range until the angle approaches 60 degrees, and even then you need only aim 1.3 inches LOW to be perfectly on-target.
hope this helps,
gunnie
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