Initial Thoughts. Mag., and the story of its adoption and evolution in that role is what really lands it on the list of best long-range calibers. Ammo Availability: During its launch in 1997, the .260 was still on par with other wildcats. And that factor alone will make a person a more competent field marksman and a better, more ethical hunter. For a rifle platform, this caliber is great for building a highly modular and dynamic setup. Sig Cross Rifle 14. I fear that is about all this round is targeted for. That honor probably goes to the movie American Sniper, which not only glamorized precision shooting, but gave Americans a hero at a time when we really needed one. It wasnt until the late 1980s that the Navy started looking at the .300 Win. The retained velocity at 400 yards is 2,261 fps, providing plenty of punch for hunters who like to shoot with a point-blank zero. The new case was developed for years based on the T65 developmental cartridge. Muzzle Velocity: Firing a 300gr SMK, MV: 2,650 fps, Ballistic Co-Efficient: 300gr SMK, G1: 0.747 G7: 0.383. to maintain sustained Long Range flight. Like many of the Volquartsen rimfires, it's good for hunting and precision shooting. Though its unlikely the 6.5 PRC will ever be as popular as the 6.5 Creedmoor, it has been well received and several new 6.5 PRC loads were introduced for 2021. The SCAR 15P is chambered for 5.56 NATO and, with its 7.5-inch barrel, is the most compact SCAR to date. In the world of practical precision rifle competition, exemplified by the NRL, PRS, RTC, and other series, there is an arms race among light-recoiling 6mm cartridges. January 7, 2016. Muzzle: 4,186 ft-lbs. MVs range from 2,500 fps (130gr projectile) to 2,880 fps (90gr projectile). A lot can actually affect the observed recoil of a Long Range rifle. The sheer muzzle energy from these bigger calibers is beyond impressive. I would also be interested to see how the .280 AI with 180 Bergers stacked up to, say, the .300 Win Mag with selected 190 grain SMK. What I can tell you is that choosing the right caliber in relation to recoil can make or break your performance as a shooterespecially if youre new to the game. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24x 1,000m: 786 ft-lbs. For off-the-shelf accuracy, the 6.5 Creedmoor is tough to top, no matter how much the Creeds detractors might howl. A good muzzle brake or suppressor is advised. Is Hornady's 6 mm ARC the Best AR-15 Round Ever Made? Cross-Platform Use: Multi-platform builds do exist in the .260 Remington. Cross-Platform Use: The 6.5 Lapua is primarily a bolt-gun only caliber. It would serve as the main infantry cartridge for over 60 years, before being replaced by the 7.62x51mm NATO. In the future, maybe the Over .30 Cal Club will find some traction in the AR- world. Mag. For example, I know some people who shoot 1000 yards with 223. A pencil barrel and light-weight wooden stock, the .308 can feel pretty sharp. I tend to like popular calibers for off the shelf ammo availability and cost, so the gun doesnt just sit in the safe. The .243 was also a great option for those living in countries that banned the use of military countries (.308 Win/7.62x51mm NATO). Fortunately for them, older stalwarts like the .308 Win. If buying online, you are looking to spend at least $2.20 per round. Ive always liked the .260. For the hunters in mind, the ability to take a .30 caliber projectile (which has the superior terminal performance to the smaller 6.5mm projectiles) and flatten its trajectory to achieve those longer shots in higher winds is crucial. Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin finish, presentation-grade wood grips, a brass rod front sight and an exceptional hand-tuned trigger. A good example of a rifle that demonstrates the .308s long-range chops is this rifle I built with Shilen a few years back. No problem. Century and has since stayed for a reason. Very bad if shooting light bullets, not that great if shooting the heavier projectiles. All in all, the .308 is certainly manageable by shooters of most ages. Due to its age and relevance today, the .308 has proven itself for over 65 years! All the big players in ammo offer at least one and often several match-grade, long-range-appropriate factory loads: Barnes, Black Hills, Nosler, Federal, Hornady, Remington, Winchester and more. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Clearly, the rise in popularity of 6.5 mm cartridges, which was inspired by the 6.5 Creedmoor, has driven MSR shooters wanting to experience ballistic nirvana to the Grendel. The .260 Remington and 6.5x55 have higher muzzle velocities, but the mandated faster twist rate of the Creed is what allows it to handle higher BC bullets and outperform both at distance. With low recoil and flat trajectories, the .260 is another great option for someone interested in Long Range shooting. This cartridge as it stands is perfect for a PRS shooter. Charged with Reloder 19 and 22 powders, the round performed well at 1,000 yards during the Navys accuracy testing with the extreme spreads of the groups measuring 10.79 and 10.68 inches respectively. But the military also discovered the benefits of the .300 Win. Why not mention the 7mm Remington Mag? I was an early adopter of this round because it seemed to hit a sweet spot for the kind of hunting I like bestthe open country of the West, where long shots in windy conditions on mule deer, elk, and other game are the norm. The final result was a flat shooting 6.5 projectile that flew like a .300 Winchester Magnum but with less recoil than a .308. Barrel Life: Because of the smaller powder volume and lower MVs, you can expect to see about 3,000 rounds out of your barrel. Handloading ammunition can reap the reward of selecting the exact projectile with the exact desired BC. Using the US Militarys XM1163, MV: 2,940 fps, 230gr Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical G1: 0.717 G7: 0.368, Muzzle: 4,414 ft-lbs. is not typically viewed as a competition cartridge. In 2008, the cartridge was introduced not to expand upon the capabilities of the .338, but the possibilities. I do believe the market will catch up to this round. However, given the choice, there are drastically more capable cartridges. Since the velocities tend to be mild (2850 fps is usual) it is also easy for shooters to manage the rifle recoil and spot their hits and misses, which is another key to success in practical rifle competition. That still is a general rule of thumb today, but they have come a long way. The .30-06 is such a classic sniper rifle round, I could not leave it out of the running. Better are the 175-, 178- and 180-grain bullets, if they can be pushed fast enough. All in all, this caliber is excellent for those of you who do not have the time, money, or training to dive into 1000m+ shooting. they have come a long way. Also a great option for novice or seasoned hunters who want a great flat shooting rifle that can take groundhogs or deer just by changing the ammo. 6.5 Creedmore is my long range favorite. Because the .224 is so new, the market is still catching on. The 375VM2 challenging issues LR performance is very impressive. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. G1 BC: .563 G7 BC: .274. The haters claim it is over-hyped by the outdoor media (certainly true), that it is inadequate for game larger than deer (false), and that its no better than older classic cartridges (also not the case). .308 vs. 5.56 Make the Best Choice for Yourself! This cartridge was designed to deliver devastating .30 cal Magnum performance. Ballistic Co-Efficient: The projectile designed specifically for Long Range shooting is the 90 grain Sierra Match King. Reloading is also expensive because the brass isnt cheap. This caliber filled a very necessary rule in the combat space. Overall best performance for the cost and practicality is the goal. Shooters are required to spot misses themselves and make needed corrections without assistance. Ill admit, I fancy myself a bit of a marksman. Expect to see about 2,500 round barrel life. He used .30-caliber BIB 114-grain bullets made by Randy Robinett (loaded over H4198 powder for a 2980 fps muzzle velocity). I like the idea of taking the .223/5.56 concept and stretching its legs. MV values for the .224 vary from 2,700 fps (90 grain projectiles) to 3,400 fps (60 grain projectiles). Firing the 250gr Lapua Scenar projectile, MV: 3,030 fps. Some compare it to the .260 or 6.5 Creedmoor, the 6.5x47mm Lapua is known to be very accurate. This is especially important to those of you who reload and can tailor a custom load for your rifle. From what can be expected, the .224 wears a little bit more than the .223, approx. No other caliber on this list can perform more universally across multiple systems than the .308. That includes the 6 Dasher, 6 GT, 6 BRA, and 6 BRX, along with the 6.5mm and 6mm Creedmoors. It is a product of natural selection and evolutionthe best features of several classic LR rounds fused into one. Its an excellent choice for shooting groundhogs out to 500 yards. Especially in the bolt action realm. High-end AR-10s can regularly maintain sub-MOA accuracy. Slightly more than the .308 Winchester. Muzzle: 2670 ft-lbs 500m: 1439 ft-lbs 1,000m: 698 ft-lbs 1,500m: 335 ft-lbs. 1,000m: 1,451 ft-lbs 1,500m: 722 ft-lbs. Its too much cartridge to be practical in PRS or sniper-type competitions. 1. Ammo is available online, however, it is not cheap. Most Magnum cartridges have 10 times less barrel life than standard cartridges. Mag. But this list is comprehensive enough to cover the most popular and best-performing rounds that are regularly used by shooters across most long-range disciplines. While its not as efficient as the 6.5 Creedmoor, and recoils harder and burns barrels faster, it is indubitably more effective at bucking wind. 1,500m: 295 ft-lbs. As more and more interest in the Long Range community, one thing has become apparent. Saying all that to say this: The next updated version of this article likely wont see many changes unless it is 10 years or more removed and we get some new things with real utility and promise. The history lesson was GREAT! As to be expected, the 6mm Creedmoor is still a young cartridge. Muzzle: 4,677 ft-lbs. The average life will be anywhere from 4,000-7,000 rounds. When firing with the .300NM at 1,000m, you get that same feeling. One cartridge needs to be crowned the most accurate and it just happens to be one youve probably never heard of. Budget speaking, the 6.5 Grendel is much more of a value in rifle and ammo costs than the AR-10 class of calibers. Below, is an example of a Range Card computed by the Applied Ballistics software. An AR-10 firing with a suppressor, the .308 will recoil slightly more than an AR-15. Multi-platform builds do exist in the .260 Remington. The average cost per round of .260 Remington online will be around $1.70. Ammo Availability: Factory ammunition can be found nearly anywhere for about 30 cents per round but as stated before, prices range greatly. The designation of 7.62x51mm points to the military brother of the .308 Winchester. A legacy that inspires confidence. hit its first major stumble. The average price per round is $3.00-$4.25. I had no issue staying on target for a follow-up shot. To overcome this design limitation, reamers were modified to tighten up the chamber, headspace the cartridge off the shoulder rather than the belt, and lengthen the throat. Mag., while having to put up with significantly less recoil. Put the two together and you have a great shooting LR round. It hits hard and flies flat and straight. Hopefully, at the end of this article, you can apply the same questions and principles to select which caliber you want to dive into the awesome world of long-range shooting. I like the RPM more, and think it just needs a 2- longer (at least) barrel to be practical. Mag. Availability in stores could be troublesome unless shopping at a Cabelas/Bass Pro Shop. If you are inexperienced, youre in luckbecause todays Long Range shooting community is being flooded by great, streamlined, low-recoiling cartridges. That handy rifle is an excellent expression of the subtle nature of the .308. Their latest entry into this space was specifically engineered for the AR-15. What Caliber Is An AR-15? A standard 6BR, after all, set the ten-shot 1000-yard world record. Mag. Muzzle Velocity: Using the 143 grain ELD-X, 2950 fps. The other challenge with shooting the Dasher is that you have to handload. Using Berger 140gr VLD projectiles G1: 0.593 G7: 0.304, Muzzle: 2,266 ft-lbs 500m: 1,174 ft-lbs 1,000m: 535 ft-lbs 1,500m: 296 ft-lbs. For these various applications, these are my top picks among long-range calibers. History: One of the newer cartridges on the list, the .300 PRC comes to us from Hornady in 2018. In 2008, the cartridge was introduced not to expand upon the capabilities of the .338, but the possibilities. All 6mm projectiles are notorious for extremely fast throat erosion. It is indeed a gratifying experience to know you can direct a bullet to a beachball or even a smaller target at such an incredible distance.