It’s not the fastest, farthest, or most accurate round…but it will certainly get the job done with less headache and wallet-ache. Comfortable price point. With less powder capacity than a .300 WM, the WSM is still manageable. 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. © 2020 Shooting Range Industries LLC. But after finally diving into the 6.5, it’s clear why it has become so popular. He took that case and necked it down to load .243 (6mm) projectiles. Do you have equipment and knowledge to reload? Barrel Life: Because the 6.5CM does not approach the barrel burning MV’s of magnum and wildcat rounds, average barrel life can be expected around 3,000 rounds. I had no issue staying on target for a follow up shot. He took that case and necked it down to load .243 (6mm) projectiles. The ammo was considerably lighter, meaning the rifles could be lighter. For the experienced Long Range hunter, I think this is a great caliber to consider. But advancements in projectile technology coupled with the .223/5.56’s extremely low-­recoil characteristics have vaulted it to dominance. A faster MV does mean the round is impacted LESS by the wind than a slower MV. The smaller calibers have the advantage of lower recoil. I still like this cartridge for a bolt gun though. Its LR performance and retained energy will be a great option for taking down larger game at distance. I like that the caliber is being offered in high-end AR-10 platforms for the gas-gun enthusiasts. Many benchrest shooters also to maintain consistency by reloading the bullets without crimping. 1 decade ago. Ballistic Co-Efficient: The 123 ELD Match will be used G1: 0.506 G7: 0.255, Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 2,065 ft-lbs 500m: 943 ft-lbs 1,000m: 357 ft-lbs 1,500m: 225 ft-lbs. The Long Range community has been pushing the envelope more and more. The caliber took the LR community by storm. For a rifle platform, this caliber is great for building a highly modular and dynamic set-up. Both SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and the US Army has selected the .300 Norma Magnum as their hottest and newest sniper rifle cartridge. That’s what makes older cartridges like the .260 great. The .223 is an excellent choice for an inexperienced and/or younger shooter. Whats the best calibre rifle for 1000 yard target competition? Ammo Availability: During its launch in 1997, the .260 was still on par with other wildcats. McMillan Fiberglass Stocks has been a long-time sponsor of the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA). Reproduction of any part of this website without direct permission is prohibited. The .243 Winchester has a large MV range; from 3,025 fps (105 grain projectile) to 4,058 fps (55 grain projectile). Muzzle: 5,096 ft-lbs. We have always donated to their prize table and worked with their competitors and organizers to build better 50-caliber benchrest stocks. please no 50 BMG's. History: One of the newer cartridges on the list, the .300 PRC comes to us from Hornady in 2018. When the Remington 700 and similar actions start chambering in .224, I think the caliber will be a viable option for more experienced re-loaders who are seeking a low-recoiling 1,000-yard build. Guns shooting to .25 MOA are very accurate, and rare outside of the benchrest community. I think everyone should have one as a 30-06. Before its inception, the thought of pushing a 75-grain projectile past 1000 yards was uncommon. 500m: 1,123 ft-lbs 1,000m: 394 ft-lbs. And the AR-10 was designed SPECIFICALLY for the .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO. A car that accelerates 0-60mph faster than another car, does not mean it’s the best car overall. The Deep Creek Range shoots under Williamsport rules, with ten shots for Light Gun. Prior to this round, there was no bridge between 7.62x51mm and .50 BMG. With a muzzle brake and/or suppressor, the recoil is definitely manageable. I shot this out of the new Barrett ASR at 1,600m. Corporal McMahon is a former 0317 Scout Sniper with 1st BN 2nd Marines. All of these factors will ultimately decide if you will be sticking with ole reliable – the .308 Winchester or reaching deeper into your pockets for the new and improved .300 Norma Magnum. Over 100 ft-lbs difference! Of the large calibers is the 50 BMG the best choice based on ammo cost and availability vs the Chey Tac’s and Barrett. 500m: 1,123 ft-lbs 1,000m: 394 ft-lbs. 1,000m: 1,287 ft-lbs. One of the advantages of the 300 Winchester Magnum is that it can be loaded in a long-rifle action rather than a more expensive Magnum receiver. Ammo Availability: Again, being one of the forefathers of the Long Range shooting community, .308 is found everywhere. Another aspect is that two shooters shooting the same caliber may have totally different loads. The numbers are beyond impressive. Ballistic Co-Efficient: As with MV, .223 projectiles vary greatly. Ammo Availability: The 6.5 Grendel can be found on almost all online ammo retailers. The .308 is no different. The truth is that there is no one best long range caliber for every job and there are many factors to consider. 338 lapua for a big bore. Not very economically practical for the entry-level guys, but for those taking rifles down-range it’ll give you confidence if you get issued a rifle chambered in this cartridge. With a muzzle brake and/or suppressor, the recoil is definitely manageable. This cartridge is one of the most capable rounds I have ever shot. Plant yourself in post-2015 and you will see an explosion of the 6.5mm family of projectiles, thanks to the 6.5 Creedmoor. The Great Grandfather of them all…the .30-06 (thirty ought six) is the oldest cartridge on this list. The .243 was also a great option for those living in countries which banned the use of military countries (.308 Win/7.62x51mm NATO). One of the winningest 1000 yard competitors these days, David Tubb, is using the 6mm XC cartridge. Recoil Condition: With more case volume than a .308 and firing the same grain weight bullet, the .30-06 will have more felt recoil than a .308. Benchrest shooting down to 22 rimfire or air rifles are available. You can expect an average of 4,000 to 10,000 rounds of sustained accuracy. Barrel Life. Using the US Military’s XM1163, MV: 2,940 fps, 230gr Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical G1: 0.717 G7: 0.368, Muzzle: 4,414 ft-lbs. This basically means the opening of the case where the … History: Created in 2007 by a ballistics team from Hornady, the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed as an improved Long Range target cartridge, based on the .308 Winchester .30 TC (Thompson Center). Now by swapping a barrel, Long Action set-ups like the .300 Norma or Winchester magnums could not manage the overall cartridge length of the new .338 Norma. Today’s magnum cartridges show us performance that could only exist in science fiction, 20 years ago. Cross-Platform Use: A big selling point to the 6CM is that from its inception, and from the help of GA Precision, its use in the AR-10 platform has been immensely popular among PRS shooters. Muzzle Velocity: Using the 140gr ELD Match, 2,750 fps. If one of these calibers sounds right for you, consider some of the accompanying rifle and ammo recommendations when you get loaded for deer season. However, with the 6CM being available in more modern builds, devices like muzzle brakes and suppressors (that are not found on most .243 rifles), will make for an even more pleasant recoil experience from the 6CM. 1,500m: 295 ft-lbs. Military sniper rifles are still utilizing this classic cartridge. Ammo Availability: Due to the popularity of the cartridge, 6.5CM ammo can be found almost anywhere. Cross-Platform Use: Multi-platform builds do exist in the .260 Remington. It is a product of natural selection and evolution…the best features of several classic LR rounds fused into one. However, for less bullet size, you can get a much better performing Long Range caliber…and for a lot less money too. Although I don’t see this being an entry-level caliber, it could very well lead to a goal for new shooters. For optimum LR performance, the 108 ELD Match projectile; G1: 0.515, G7: 0.268. Since its inception, the .308 has remained the most popular choice of Long Range shooters, snipers, and hunters. No. That's why 1000-yard shooting is as much a mental game as it is a test of equipment. Average life will be anywhere from 4,000-7,000 rounds. The 6.5 PRC was born at the 2018 SHOT Show. MY DAD raised me on 30-06, and I have a hard time looking elsewhere. Barrel Life: Again, as most wildcat rounds are concerned, barrel life will not be great. Save your money and invest in training and supplemental gear. Without, this cartridge should be shot by older more experienced enthusiasts. Why even mention such an antiquated round? I am not here to say that this round or that round is the best for a military sniper or a benchrest shooter. Everything from 22 to 50-caliber is used, with the big bores in their own class. This caliber excites me for several reasons. Mil/LE and Hunting communities need the RE factor for hard-hitting, threat/animal stopping performance. All in all, if you are new to the LR community and have an heirloom .243 in the family and that is it, re-barrel it and work on fundamentals. Our discussion will analyze cartridge selection based on the four different F-Class sub-disciplines: Open Mid-Range, … How do you want your rifle to perform? Why even mention such an antiquated round? The higher the BC number, the more aerodynamic and better performing the projectile will be. Introduced to us in 1955, the .243 was designed as a sporting and target rifle round. Want to test the outer limits of your shooting skill? Try these different loads until you find the one that thumps steel at long ranges consistently. The big advantage and why the .260 became so popular was that it could easily be necked up or down by using other standard rifle cartridges, making reloading a breeze. But 6 and 6.5mm factory and wildcats have risen to competitive levels. In order to do so, their already proven case, the 6.8 SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) was necked down to fit a .22 caliber projectile. Many hunters still use this cartridge for its hard-hitting terminal performance and flat flying exterior ballistics. Expect to see about 2,500 round barrel life. I’m not going to dive too deep down that rabbit-hole, or even techniques to help. I would argue, these are two of the most important questions to ask/answer when talking about the best Long Range round…what is the ammo availability like and/or do you reload? Sportsman could use the same rifle used for groundhogs and coyotes, as for deer. Ammo Availability: Shockingly, the average price per round is $4.75. In order to do so, their already proven case, the 6.8 SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) was necked down to fit a .22 caliber projectile. BUT, just keep in mind that sticking to one caliber, and being able to use that caliber in multiple systems does have advantages. He wanted an even lighter-recoiling cartridge with the same performance, so the 6mm Creedmoor was born. Several other .30 cal magnum rounds were designed at the time, but the .300 Winchester Magnum was the only one of the lot, to stand the test of time. Much sharper and stronger than a .308 Winchester…not meant for beginners. Last updated on February 6, 2021 — This post may contain affiliate links which means we receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. For example, when the inception of the M110 came to the Army sniper community some guys hated leaving behind their trusty M24’s. The cost of such rifles can be at least $4,000 and can take months to build. This is the jam, the jump school still maintains a free-throat, allowing the bullet to jump to the rifling. The final result was a flat shooting 6.5 projectile that flew like a .300 Winchester Magnum but with less recoil than a .308. This caliber is known for providing excellent Long Range performance with very light recoil. For the hunters in mind, the ability to take a .30 caliber projectile (which has superior terminal performance to the smaller 6.5mm projectiles) and flatten its trajectory to achieve those longer shots in higher winds is crucial. One of the winningest 1000 yard competitors these days, David Tubb, is using the … 8 Answers. Ballistic Co-Efficient: 140gr ELD Match G1: 0.646 G7: 0.315, Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 2,401 ft-lbs 500m: 1,301 ft-lbs 1,000m: 633 ft-lbs 1,500m: 325 ft-lbs. All in all, pick something that will be pleasant for you to shoot over and over. The 6.5 has even made its way into the SOCOM sniper community. Overall Practicality: All in all, the 6.5 Lapua has great numbers on a round moving fairly slow. .300 PRC is strictly a bolt action caliber at the moment. What do I mean by that? Recoil Condition: For being a long and hard-hitting round, the 6.5 CM still maintains a lower felt recoil. LR performance is very impressive. MV values for the .224 vary from 2,700 fps (90 grain projectiles) to 3,400 fps (60 grain projectiles). Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 4,677 ft-lbs. A pencil barrel and light-weight wooden stock, the .308 can feel pretty sharp. 13 Answers. Based off of the .375 Ruger Compact Magnum, the PRC tries to deliver the best performance in its case range. We all have scores of 5.56 mags laying around…why not beef up that system? Because the .224 is so new, the market is still catching on. Relevance. Several other .30 cal magnum rounds were designed at the time, but the .300 Winchester Magnum was the only one of the lot, to stand the test of time. The Long Range community has been pushing the envelope more and more. Again, as most wildcat rounds are concerned, barrel life will not be great. I would highly recommend you do not shoot at any big game animal that far away. With help from the civilian market led by Winchester, the .308 took the world by storm. Barrel Life: Sadly, a .300 NM barrel will only live to 1,200-1,500 rounds. We used our training and repetitive experience to put accurate rounds on target, not fancy top-of-the-line rifle builds and hand-loaded bullets. During its launch in 1997, the .260 was still on par with other wildcats. Overall Practicality: I argue that you will not find a more practical Long Range caliber in this list. Snipers were forced to choose a limited range bolt-action rifle or the completely over-powered M82/M107. Best Long Range Rifles – Top 8 Best Long Range Rifles Reviews. The List: .223 Remington/5.56mm, .224 Valkyrie, .243 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5mm Grendel, 6.5mm Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge), 6.5x47mm Lapua, .260 Remington, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge), .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, and the .338 Norma Magnum. Light Guns must not exceed 17 lbs. Because the 6.5CM does not approach the barrel burning MV’s of magnum and wildcat rounds, average barrel life can be expected around 3,000 rounds. 500m: 1260 ft-lbs. I like the ability to swap barrels on the same action as a .308 or .300…giving you great anti-personnel effects, while also being capable of anti-material mission capabilities with the .338. To experiment with load developments to craft the ultimate 6.5 bolt gun cartridge. As to be expected, the 6mm Creedmoor is still a young cartridge. Most .243 rifles are chambered in older, wooden sporting stocks like the Winchester Model 70 and older Remington 700’s. Today, this cartridge is in use globally by military/LE personnel, hunters, and LR shooting enthusiasts. Since the most common .223 projectile for LR performance is the Sierra Match King 77gr OTM, we will use that; G7 BC ~ 0.202. And since it uses the ever-popular 6.5 projectile, components are relatively cheap. Just remember, when choosing your Long Range cartridge, every metric counts and affects overall performance. My background comes from the military sniper community where our gear was never the best. Recoil Condition: With a muzzle brake and/or suppressor, the .300WM can feel similar to a .308 Winchester. Any shooter of any age can comfortably shoot the Valkyrie without feeling recoil fatigue. However, in the 1000-yard game, many different calibers can win. Put the two together and you have a great shooting LR round. Two choices come to mind. model used, will be the standard bullet profile shape to compare off of. When conditions are right, a good shooter can put ten shots into a pattern you can cover with the palm of your hand. Match event calendar and rifle competition accuracy training tips. Decide where you fit in. Projectiles can be found anywhere with nearly any grain-weight in its class, for those of you who reload. High-end AR-10’s can regularly maintain sub-MOA accuracy. Cross-Platform Use: This cartridge can be found in semi-auto AR-style rifles. I liked that you started at 5.56 for a base caliber. The lighter 140gr range projectiles don’t enact enough felt energy rearward like the 175gr+ class of projectiles from bigger bores. A pencil barrel and light-weight wooden stock, the .308 can feel pretty sharp. With care and discipline, a 6.5 Grendel barrel will outlive a .308. Although common sense describes how RE will affect your ballistic performance, if you’re a steel or paper target shooter, RE does not play a large factor. The … A bullet traveling at supersonic speed pushes vapor in the air to create a cone around itself. I was so familiar with how those rounds acted in high crosswinds and how they performed through Transonic. Maximum range: 1,000 yards; Most useful for: Service rifle and .223-­only PRS matches; Service rifle competitions decree that only current or past military cartridges be used. Projectiles will be available but brass might not be. Help pick caliber for 1000 yard competition. With available projectiles ranging from 40 grains up to 90, MV’s could also range from 3400 to 2600 fps. Anecdotally, PRS shooters are having to change barrels once per year. The current record for the 1k (1000 yards) is 2.6872” for a 10-shot string by Jim Roberts at the Deep Creek Range just outside of Missoula, Montana in April 2014. Well, it’s an awful long ways away, and it’s a round number. Get the gist? Center fire competitions are held at 300, 600 and 1000 yards. Relevance. For hunters, the retained energy, MV, and increased projectile expansion technology, the 6.5CM makes for a great terminally performing round for medium and even large game. A big selling point to the Grendel is its ease on barrels. The market has followed. Very bad if shooting light bullets, not that great if shooting the heavier projectiles. As more and more interest in the Long Range community, one thing has become apparent. The Valkyrie is the remaining energy: muzzle: 1,456 ft-lbs 500m: ft-lbs... 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The 6.5 Grendel can be fired from standard Long-Action receivers john Posted: 11/29/2012 1:30:46 PM EST 7mm. Mathematical models to express BC ’ s can regularly maintain sub-MOA accuracy Range at a Cabela ’ s/Bass Pro.! The barrel rifling it awesome.243 was also a great option for those of you a! A hammer and a decent Range for shooters who do not have enough umphh to maintain sustained Long Range,! Certain aspects their family farm, this gives another round to be in the LR community, I ’.