What is the best round for up to 800 yd shooting?

[UnTainted]

338 Lapua

 

[Ditch-Tiger]

6.5x284
I heard this is the up and coming round for 1,000yrd compatition.

 

[JimmAr]

Best is somewhat subjective because a vague inquiry can result in the people answering the question bringing their own needs/values to the plate. I can tell you that in practical LR competitions in the Rockies, .260 Remington (and substantially similar 6.5mm cartridges) and 7mm RM/WSM have been dominating for the last four years.

Zaks right, I would go for 180gr berger VLD in the 7mm wsm imo.

 

[browningguy]

Just look at what the guys use to actually win long range matches and you have your answer. The only place .308 wins is Palma and F/TR, because that's all you can use. Everything else is won by 6 mm and 6.5 mm rounds including everything from the .243 Winchester to the 6.5 x 47 Lapua, plus a few propriatary rounds in the mix. Personally I went with a .243 for the very low recoil, it shoots fine out to 1000. And by the way I love shooting the .308 as a hunting round.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

30-06 in a Winnie pre 1960 Model 70.

 

[MCMXI]

.308 is at a handicap compared to the cartridges that are popular for practical long-range shooting. At the 08 and 09 Steel Safari, the high .308 was in 7th place both years. They had 75-83% of the score of the winner, who was shooting a 6.5mm or 7mm cartridge. This tells me that a .308 shooter with a great rifle and shooting at the top of his game is still at a significant disadvantage compared to a comparably-skilled shooter using .260/6.5-06/etc or 7mm RM/WSM/etc.

Zak, from a purely learning perspective, do you think that it would help a novice shooter to start out with a .308 given that they're harder to shoot accurately compared to the newer calibers that you mentioned? In other words, is it easier (beneficial, preferred, desirable) to transition from .308 to 6.5mm than it is to transition from 6.5mm to .308?

I find my .308 significantly easier to shoot at 600 yards compared to my .300 Win Mag even though the Win Mag has superior ballistics. The increased recoil does all sorts of horrible things to the muzzle. Something to think about if you decide to go the magnum route.

 

[Zak Smith]

1858,

You bring up a good point. Certainly if you get started on a solid .308 rifle and develop the ability to judge the wind accurately enough to make hits with a .308, when you transition to a better caliber, you will probably perceive it as "easier to make hits with." Off-plate holds become edge of plate holds, and edge of plate holds become "favor side" holds.

However, I have two cautions: 1. If your brain becomes wired for .308 wind holds and you then try to use the same holds for .260/7/etc, you will miss more than you need to; 2. if the original .308 rifle/load just isn't up to the task at a certain range, it might be more frustrating fighting it beyond its limits than productive.

I usually recommend .308 to start off for the reason you refer to in conjunction with ubiquity of good match ammunition and ease of reloading.

I have seen .260/7 shooters using their .308 for a weekend shoot very poorly because their mind was still using .260/7-type wind holds.

With regard to the .308/300/magnum shootability issue; I agree. The beauty of the .260 is half the recoil of .308 but the external ballistics of the .300WM (almost).

-z

 

[Pine Knob]

For 800 yds a 50 cal

This one has a mild recoil for a 50 cal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbXFbdYR-Dg

 

[rangerruck]

6,xc, 6 ppc, 6mm remmy(handloaded), 243, 260, 6.5 swiss, 6.5 creedmore,
6.5 grendel, 6x47, 6.5-06, 243 AI, 6.5 grendel. All should do better, with better b.c. , and less recoil, than 308. this is just a few, I am sure there are more, but I don't know that many cars.

I even like the 7.08, and the more I read about them , the 270 wsm, and the 7wsm, I have really
been digging on them lately.

 

[MinnMooney]

Look at 6BR.com Information overload on long range shooting!

6BR.com has so much information and is really fun to read thru. These guys know what they're talkin' about. they specalize in winning National tourneys and love to share every detail about rifle actions, stocks, front rests, brass, bullets, powder, case prep (& I mean - in detail), scopes, breathing routines and proper thinking while pulling the trigger (excuse me - the ignition engagement system).

THR is great but 6BR.com is highly specialized.

 

[wyohome]

260 Ackley Improved

 

[wyohome]

Forum member Ron Tilley finished fourth overall at the recent NBRSA 600-Yard Nationals. .

 

[Zak Smith]

Speaking of 6mmBR.com, here's an article I did for them a while back


article | 6.5x47 Lapua Tactical TackDriver (6mmBR.com Gun Of The Week)

 

[blackdrag450r]

30-378

 

[Zak Smith]

I sincerely hope all my competitors are shooting 30-378.

 

[poncaguy]

800 yard rounds

I've watched them use the 308 at 1000 yard matches at Skiatook OK with very good results............

 

[Zak Smith]

.308 is only competitive in classes only where its use is mandated by the rules - and not even always then (eg, look at Service Rifle).

 

[d2wing]

My choice, 7mm rem mag, followed by 30-06, because I hunt with them. LMAO at ~z post.

 

[61chalk]

30/06

 

[ArmedBear]

.45-70 bpcr

 

[diesel83]

.300 Winchester Magnum or a the short-action variant .300 WSM. Flatter shooting, more energy. Regardless, get a great piece of glass and learn how to use it.