best caliber for 2,000 yard competition

For hunters, medium-game will be the limit of this caliber. Mag. Handloading ammunition can reap the reward of selecting the exact projectile with the exact desired BC. (7.62x51mm NATO) and the .50 BMG. The cartridge Stinnett used is nearly as surprising as the group he shot. Thanks. Ammo Availability: One of the biggest drawbacks of this round is that ammunition is not readily available and its expensive. I fear that is about all this round is targeted for. Currently, G1 through G8 and GL is the only mathematical models to express BCs. Sadly, a .300 NM barrel will only live to 1,200-1,500 rounds. The lighter 140gr range projectiles dont enact enough felt energy rearward like the 175gr+ class of projectiles from bigger bores. It has been a proven competitor in the PRS circuit. 17 Best Long Range Calibers in 2023 (Ranked by a Marine Sniper), This topic may be daunting to some readers because the actual numerical values in which we represent a projectiles Ballistic Coefficient seem like arbitrary numbers. With the projectile variability and network of knowledge on this cartridge, I think its a great option to build a classic hunting rifle. Initial Thoughts: The first time I fired the .300NM I was blown away. 1,500m: 776 ft-lbs. The .260 Remington sparked quite the interest in the North American market of the 6.5mm cartridges. (Even though the term cartridges is correct, the common usage of caliber dictates why this story is called Best Long-Range Calibers rather than Best Long-Range Cartridges.). Now, are these the only viable options for a long-range cartridge for you? My background comes from the military sniper community where our gear was never the best. The final result was a flat shooting 6.5 projectile that flew like a .300 Winchester Magnum but with less recoil than a .308. The .300 Win. But when you consider the specific task at hand, the field of options narrows. Mag. Is it the fastest? For average shooters wanting to plink at steel targets on their family farm, this round is far overkill. Average barrel life will depend greatly on ammo type and how fast the gun is shot (barrel temp.). I would guess that every Walmart in the United States carries .243 Winchester. was shown to have a higher trans sonic range than the .30-06. | I built a .338 Lapua when I was in Gunsmithing College in Susanville. But advancements in projectile technology coupled with the .223/5.56s extremely low-recoil characteristics have vaulted it to dominance. 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. I like the idea of basically a short-action .300 Win Mag. 1,000m: 786 ft-lbs. Several factors like powder temperature sensitivity, barrel length, ammunition consistency, and atmospheric conditions will all change your MV value. What do I mean by that? Great article. A 6.5 PRC build certainly will not be cheap, so if you are a beginner or limited on budget, this is not the caliber for you. Very similar to the .243 Winchester. Either way it is flexible for your mission. Mil/LE and Hunting communities need the RE factor for hard-hitting, threat/animal stopping performance. Modernized versions, such as Sierras 168-grain Tipped MatchKing and Hornadys 168-grain ELD Match, substantially bump up ballistic coefficient (BC) numbers, further increasing capability. Thinking that its deficiencies compared to newer calibers are mainly its moderate BC bullets due to cartridge length, I thought I might try reloading long with something like the 225gr ELDM. I see this more for the shooter that needs terminal performance. Overall Practicality: With things like barrel life and ammo availability into consideration, the 6mm Creedmoor is a perfect option for the more seasoned and able LR shooter who doesnt mind reloading consistently and replacing barrels often. Anecdotally, PRS shooters are having to change barrels once per year. With available projectiles ranging from 40 grains up to 90, MVs could also range from 3400 to 2600 fps. Other Equipment Nosler Trophy Grade Accubond 165-grain .308 Win. I fear that is about all this round is targeted for. You have more knowledge in your non-dominant pinky than I have. Then came the bonus plates at 3,592 and 4,137. MVs range from 2,500 fps (130gr projectile) to 2,880 fps (90gr projectile). Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. The possibilities are endless with the .223. Rule of thumb: 30-50 fps for every inch of the barrel either gained or lost. When buying precision off-the-shelf ammo, most of the time you will not have the luxury of thumbing through several different BCs of the same caliber and ammo manufacturer. The .223 Remington offers an excellent choice for the novice weekend warrior who has limited distance range facilities. History: Winchester designed the .300 WSM in 2001 with the idea of a hybrid. I will do my best to adequately describe what can be felt. You get excellent Long Range performance, with recoil slightly less than the .308 Winchester. Both SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and the US Army have selected the .300 Norma Magnum as their hottest and newest sniper rifle cartridge. If landing in the top 10 at a major PRS match is high on your bucket list, the 6mm Creedmoor is probably your best cartridge bet. For the reloading enthusiasts, this gives another round to be excited for. Best hunting caliber for barrel length 16.5-20" tex68w; Oct 31, 2022; Bolt . With low case volume and slower MVs, the Grendel is an ideal cartridge for barrel life. The 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges will offer the lightest recoil, the .300 PRC and . . One of the classic LR projectiles is the 175 Sierra Match King @ 2,700 fps. Semi-automatic pistols for self-defense continue to be extremely popular, but there is a surprising amount of new double-stack 1911s and revolvers released this year. Todays magnum cartridges show us the performance that could only exist in science fiction, 20 years ago. The 6.5 Lapua is primarily a bolt-gun only caliber. The process of forming the brass is laborious. Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Optic-Ready Autoloading Shotgun: First Look, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol, Most useful for: PRS & 1,000-yard slow-fire matches, Most useful for: Service rifle and .223-only PRS matches, Most useful for: Matches regulated to .308 only, Most useful for: 1,000-yard slow-fire matches, Most useful for: Cross-country long-range & 1,000-yard slow- fire matches. Certain accessories like muzzle brakes and suppressors drastically reduce recoil (up to 70% reduction). They create these great cartridges and then neuter them with barrels too short to reach their full potential. Still not in the magnum range so no worries. is the perfect Goldilocks round. For close range, PMC Bronze at about $0.50/round is great for practicing. | Hathcock, of course, went on to become the most storied Marine sniper in history in Viet Nam in the following years, though he didnt do it with a .300 Win. It was introduced in 1963 to augment the series of belted magnum cartridges that Winchester based off the .375 H&H. I initially did not put a brake on itafter the 14th round (during barrel break-in) my right peck muscle started to quiver. Not to mention guys that still compete with and collect old military surplus riflesI see the .30-06 sticking around for a good while longer. Early pioneers were Ruger, GA Precision, Hornady, and Savage. R1 (8): RB Bijan Robinson, Texas R2 (38): T Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse R3 (75): EDGE Zach Harrison, Ohio State R4 (113): CB Clark Phillips III, Utah R7 (224): S DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama R7 (225): OG Jovaughn Gwyn, South Carolina. The Dasher was the brainchild of benchrest shooters Dan Dowling and Al Ashton (Dasher is a mashup of their names) who developed it in 1999. Muzzle velocity is somewhere around the 2800 2900 range with 26 barrel. are all capable of fine accuracy and game-killing power at these distances. Most off the shelf set-ups are going to be on the high end of the market so the 6mm CM is not ideal for a beginner shooter. Also, no mention of the .375 & .408 Chey Tac, the 416 Barrett, and of course the .50 BMG. This round was developed in conjunction with the AR-15 rifle in the early 60s. Due to the popularity of the cartridge, 6.5CM ammo can be found almost anywhere. The 6mmCM excels amongst the PRS community and even long-range hunting. You dream it, and it can be done. Is it the most accurate? While it uses the same case-head dimensions as the .30-06 and .308 cartridge families, the 6.5 Creedmoors direct ancestor is the .30 TC. Steel placed at 500 yards are the bread-and-butter targets for PRS and NRL competition, so for these applications the pipsqueak 6mms are the best. He would then fire-form the brass in a barrel dedicated to that process and then run that brass through a die with a .30-caliber mandrel, at which point he turns the case neck for uniformity and trims the brass to the right length. During benchrest competition the targets have a paper backer that is moving placed behind them. That is the average barrel life of the Magnum cartridges. The .223 is extremely limited in range compared to the other cartridges due to attributes such as the deficiency of mass in the projectile, making the .223 perform poorly in high wind conditions and lack the energy retention to be a great Long Range cartridge. That includes the 6 Dasher, 6 GT, 6 BRA, and 6 BRX, along with the 6.5mm and 6mm Creedmoors. Great Article!! The average cost per round of .260 Remington online will be around $1.70. Garmin Tactix 7 Pro Ballistic Solar-Powered GPS Smartwatch: First Look, Wilson Combat SFX9 5-Inch Solid Frame 9mm Pistol: First Look. When comparing TR values, think of it this way. For example, my Allterra Arms 6.5 PRC shoots Hornady 143-grain ELD-X bullets at 2950 fps. 1,500m: 610 ft-lbs. Remington simply took the .308 case and necked it down to house the 6.5mm. On the plus side, barrel life is outstanding. I talked to the score keepers watching the target cameras and they confirmed they could see what looked like an impact on the plate as well. Mag. Take the .308 Winchester at 500 for comparison, The level of confidence of a first-round hit at that range is extremely high. Turns out my confidence in the round was not misplaced. The .223 is an excellent choice for an inexperienced and/or younger shooter. At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks For Long Range Calibers in 2022. Do you intend to run the same caliber across bolt and semi systems? Due to its age and relevance today, the .308 has proven itself for over 65 years! Get the gist? Its also a great option for those interested in close to medium range varmint hunting. Im very glad I read it and committed to the round. I predict the 6.5 Weatherby RPM and 6.8 Western to be busts. If theres a downside to the 6 mm ARC its that right now there are only three factory loads offered for it. 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. For those lucky enough to be able to own and fire a .338 rifle, you know what I mean. Ballistically, it absolutely trounces the .308 Win. But you wouldn't want to hunt with it. For all-around optimal performance, the projectile weight needs to be in the 140gr+ range. Muzzle Velocity: Using the 140gr ELD Match, 2,750 fps. Like most calibers with projectiles lighter than 150 grains, the recoil can be considered light. The 6.5 Creedmoor, which was introduced seven years before the movie, was just receiving so-so interest. The cost of such rifles can be at least $4,000 and can take months to build. Expect to see about 2,500 round barrel life. It wont keep up with the 6 mm ARC, but its still a great long-range performer in an AR-15, and there is a good selection of Grendel loads to choose from. Cross-Platform Use: Hornady designed the 6.5 PRC for use in a bolt-gun. Ryan Cheney The Specs Rifle: GA Precision Custom Cartridge: 33XC Action: Defiance Deviant Tactical Stock: Manners F-Class Trigger: Triggertech Diamond Two-Stage Barrel: 35-inch Bartlein with a 9.5 twist Muzzle brake: Terminator T4 Rather than the 3,000 to 5,000 rounds a careful shooter gets out of a 6.5 Creedmoor, most 6mm Creedmoors are burned out by the 2,000-round mark, and many last fewer than 1,500 rounds. Vastly improved barrel life by having a good case volume to bore volume ratio, and pushing longer bullets through the tube. For extreme long-range competition there are a host of specialized rounds designed to hit targets placed two miles (or more) from the shooter. I also love that this cartridge can be fired from standard Long-Action receivers. Since then, it has become a popular option for those who hunt big game or enjoy shooting at distance with AR-15s. But theres another thing thats making hitting at extreme distances easier and thats several modern rifle cartridges that have been introduced since the turn of the century. At the time this cartridge was revolutionary in that it bridged the gap between small and fast varmint projectiles with heavier medium game calibers. Availability in stores could be troublesome unless shopping at a Cabelas/Bass Pro Shop. The new big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. This Internet piece is the first in a long time, on any subject, that has captivated me all the way through. Barnes, Hornady, Federal, and Berger all make loads ranging from $0.60-$1.30 per round. This is especially important to those of you who reload and can tailor a custom load for your rifle. The average life will be anywhere from 4,000-7,000 rounds. Ammo Availability: As to be expected, the 6mm Creedmoor is still a young cartridge. The calibers up for debate will be: .223/5.56mm, .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. 1,000m: 1,523 ft-lbs. These are all with commercial brass available, 300NM, 338NM, 338LM , 375CT , .408 CT and 416 B all shoot very good out to and passed 2000 yards. Currently, G1 through G8 and GL is the only mathematical models to express BCs. Fortunately for them, older stalwarts like the .308 Win. This website is not affiliated with the United States Marine Corps, and the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Marine Corps as a whole. Now, this parameter may not be too important to most of you out there, searching for the best Long Range caliber. This basically means the opening of the case where the bullet is seated, is tightened from 6.8mm to 5.7mm. Ive made five-in-a-row 1,400-yard hits on a 24-inch round steel gong with my favorite 6.5 Creedmoor match load (a 142-grain SMK pushed to 2,750 fps with H4350 powder). Much sharper and stronger than a .308 Winchesternot meant for beginners. One of the great things about a .223 rifle build is that the recoil is manageable for a shooter of any age. .300 PRC is strictly a bolt action caliber at the moment. You need to get the best long-range rifle caliber for competitions. Shortly after leaving the Marine Corps, McMahon became a contractor for the US Army, testing small arms and large caliber weapons for potential military contracts. Basically, if you click on a product link on this site and buy that product we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Taking the original .300 Ruger Compact Magnum and necking down to accept the 6.5CM projectiles, Hornady could fire the same projectiles as the 6.5CM but with 250 fps added MV. 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. If you are looking for exceptional, hard-hitting, flat performance, you might want to consider the .300 PRC. Adding this .30-caliber to the family was a no-brainer and, in fact, wildcatters had done so from nearly the moment the .338 Win. 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. I have used it on more big game animals than any other cartridge since 2007. A lot of the newer, ultra-flat cartridges take a good deal of reloading knowledge to successfully harness their ability. Lets look at the last point, first. The .260 also made a name in the hunting community as well, so finding it on the shelves is no problem. Unfortunately, the better the long-range bullet (read: heavy and streamlined with a stretched-out profile), the longer it intrudes into the .308s powder chamber. Another rapidly growing competitive discipline is the .223 only PRS-type match. For the hunting world, yes. Ive also dabbled in the world of ELR shootingmeaning Extreme Long Rangeshooting to 2,000 yards and beyond with the Remington Custom Shop 300 PRC I had built for that purpose. 1,500m: 306 ft-lbs. One other downside of the .308 is that it has just enough recoil to be annoying. You may see something like this: 6.5mm 140-grain VLD G1 BC: 0.593 G7 BC: 0.304. I do not know of any systems running this caliber in gas guns. The top-end stuff certainly has its gatekeepers. This can get expensive so choosing my first is very important. Most modern shooters are very familiar with the AR-15 design. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. Easy and fun to shoot. Muzzle: 2,832 ft-lbs. Vortex Strike Eagle 4-2450 Most Affordable Vortex Optics 4-24x50 Strike Eagle 330 at EuroOptic Prices accurate at time of writing 330 at EuroOptic EuroOptic (See Price) Amazon (See Price) My most affordable pick is the Strike Eagle 4-24x. Any shooter of any age can comfortably shoot the Valkyrie without feeling recoil fatigue. It will tumble erratically and fall short of the intended target. appeared, calling that cartridge the .30-338 Winchester. For those lucky enough to be able to own and fire a .338 rifle, you know what I mean. I like the idea of taking the .223/5.56 concept and stretching its legs. However, most off-the-shelf Long Range rifle manufacturers are chambering their flagship rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor (and for less than $1,200). Not ideal for beginners or those who do not reload. Nostalgia for my earliest days in deer camp. All in all, proven through years of ballistic testing, the 6.5 Creedmoor fills the gap between extended-Long Range performance and cost-effective and barrel-safe MVs. 500m: 2,755 ft-lbs. That said, there is very little factory ammo available, and performance is stated to be between the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC, though having loaded for and shot multiple rifles chambered in all these, I can honestly say the 6.5284 Norma is generally AT LEAST the equal of the 6.5 PRC. January 7, 2016. After writing each of these parameters and reviewing each caliber, I could think of around much better suited than the 6.5 CM in a given categorybut it excels in almost every category. The sheer muzzle energy from these bigger calibers is beyond impressive. 6.5 projectiles hold a reputation of great BCs. This caliber thrived in the late 20th Century and has since stayed for a reason. Heres his account of the achievement, which took place at the Spearpoint Ranch in Barnard, Kansas, on March 27. Expect about $5.50 per round. New LR shooters also often skimp on glass and what I see most often is that someone buys a cheap scope so that they can afford other goodies for their rifles. Its moderate recoil, inherent accuracy, and proven lethality is why it is such a great choice for new hunters. The projectile still punched through steel at one mile! High-end AR-10s can regularly maintain sub-MOA accuracy. Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. A column writer for. are tough to beat. Muzzle: 2,158 ft-lbs 500m: 1,047 ft-lbs 1,000m: 436 ft-lbs 1,500m: 222 ft-lbs. Will have to buy a 6.5 after reading your article. We all have scores of 5.56 mags laying aroundwhy not beef up that system? Barrel Life: Given the projectile weight and MV, I would guess barrel life to degrade around the 2,000 round mark. Although the two cartridges have very small differences, SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunitions Manufacturers Institute) maintains it is safe to interchange the two rounds. Cross-Platform Use: The 6.5 Lapua is primarily a bolt-gun only caliber. Factory ammo isnt heavily available; expect to pay around $1.75 per round. Early pioneers were Ruger, GA Precision, Hornady, and Savage. Like many standardized wildcat rounds, this cartridge excelled in bench rest, long range medium game hunting, and steel target shoots. This, generally speaking, means less error due to poor wind judgment will occur when firing long distances. Im referring to cartridges that have been custom designed by people in the industry who squeeze every drop of performance out of a round. Little information is out there on 6.5 PRC barrel life. I would guess that every Walmart in the United States carries .243 Winchester. 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. Other than that, the projectiles will always be available. Barrel life is excellent, even when 10-shot rapid-fire strings are run over and over during a weekend match. If you want the absolute best performing Long Range caliber, it will certainly come at a cost. The main issue with the latter is that there are few rifles so chambered. Until now, bolt action rifles only. Tikka T3 CTR Tikka rifles are excellent shooters. 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. keeps reinventing itself to remain relevant. As said before, each of the parameters will have to be thought about. The lack of factory offerings is one reason the 6 GT might overtake the Dasher. The .243 can be a great beginner gun because of its low recoil and ammo availability. Sporting Rifle Accessories Used In Video MDT LSS. Mag. For a rifle platform, this caliber is great for building a highly modular and dynamic setup. Still less than the classic .308 Winchester. So like the 6.5 Creedmoor, if you have a .308, you can have two calibers in one rifle action with a new barrel. Mags., the .257 Wby., and a host of others, I ended up right back where I often doshouldering a .308 Winchester. Other than some boutique businesses that will load ammo for you, there is currently no factory 6mm Dasher offered, which is a significant barrier to entry for many shooters. He wanted an even lighter-recoiling cartridge with the same performance, so the 6mm Creedmoor was born. I would expect to see 6,000-8,000+. For average shooters wanting to plink at steel targets on their family farm, this round is far overkill. Snipers were forced to choose a limited range bolt-action rifle or the completely overpowered M82/M107. Is your shooting hobby or mission dependent on a limited budget? Cross-Platform Use: Unfortunately being such an older caliber, new-age tactical guys will not see this cartridge on many platforms. To take the 6.5CM and add MV to the equation, pure joy happens. If I was building a rifle on this caliber, I would expect to look at bolt-only options. With low recoil and flat trajectories, the .260 is another great option for someone interested in Long Range shooting. Its pinpoint accuracy makes it deadly on these animals to 500 yards and more. With regard to external and terminal ballistics, a screaming Muzzle Velocity has its ups and downs. Thank you for your service. However, out of identical rifles the Valkyrie generates about 20 percent less recoil.

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