would like to try longrange shooting I have being shooting for a long time and reloaded a ton. would like to shoot up to 1000yds I was thing of a H.S. rifle or 700rem blue printed and rebarrel . donot know much a about big cal but was thinking of 7mm 300 wby or 7mmstw or 338 lapua . would like to know if i am the right track or out to lunch thanks for the input.
would like to get into long range shooting
- Thread starter hornchaser
- Start date
arcstarter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lethbridge, AB
Seems for longer ranges lots of guys like the .338 Lapua but it does get expensive fast... some of these guys have tons of experience so I'd let some of them chime in before you make your decision
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Cartridge and cal choice really depend on the impact energy you want at distance.
If you are hunting, then bigger is better ( to a point).
If you just want to shoot rocks, or paper, then LR starts with the fast twist 223 and goes up from there. Although not ideal, a fast twist 223 is 1 mile capable.
Accuracy requirements and budget also come into play. So will recoil.
If you are competing in F class, that is one set of requirements. LR BR, another. Just trying to smack a milk jug, you may find todays factory rifles more then adequate if they get properly bedded and good ammo loaded for them.
So let's hear more about your goals. Don't worry about the gear cause that is easy to sort out ONCE you know what you want to achieve and how much you want to spend.
If you visit my website, I have a series of articles that can help you get started and covers the rifle build, reloading and optics. Also, has some of my recent project rifles so you can see what is possible.
There is no one 'right' answer. Just a huge range of options that you can choose from as you desire.
Fun, fun, fun...
Jerry
If you are hunting, then bigger is better ( to a point).
If you just want to shoot rocks, or paper, then LR starts with the fast twist 223 and goes up from there. Although not ideal, a fast twist 223 is 1 mile capable.
Accuracy requirements and budget also come into play. So will recoil.
If you are competing in F class, that is one set of requirements. LR BR, another. Just trying to smack a milk jug, you may find todays factory rifles more then adequate if they get properly bedded and good ammo loaded for them.
So let's hear more about your goals. Don't worry about the gear cause that is easy to sort out ONCE you know what you want to achieve and how much you want to spend.
If you visit my website, I have a series of articles that can help you get started and covers the rifle build, reloading and optics. Also, has some of my recent project rifles so you can see what is possible.
There is no one 'right' answer. Just a huge range of options that you can choose from as you desire.
Fun, fun, fun...
Jerry
I have 5 cooper rilfe from 17achley hornet to 223 rem and I have hit gopher out to 429yds with the tac 20 but I do not know about big cal would like to used it for shooting paper and long range hunting and not to sure about recoil my hunting rifle is 243 so not used to recoil . accuracy is a must for me
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Have a read at the many project rifles posted in this forum. There are several dozen covering all manner of fun.
then 6mmBR.com has close to 100 more projects with write ups that you can explore. gun of the week section.
Let us know what you decide on. If recoil is an issue, then smaller better. think fast twist 223 and 6BR or something larger with either weight and/or muzzle brake to tame the kick.
Jerry
then 6mmBR.com has close to 100 more projects with write ups that you can explore. gun of the week section.
Let us know what you decide on. If recoil is an issue, then smaller better. think fast twist 223 and 6BR or something larger with either weight and/or muzzle brake to tame the kick.
Jerry
With the exception of the Lapua brand brass a 338 Lapua isn't much more to reload for than any other magnum or ultra magnum. We're splitting hairs between them so don't let the cost of the brass and a few pennies for powder and projectiles sway you from one of the best LR hunting cartridges out there....if indeed LR hunting is your goal. If your goal is just punching paper or plinking out to 1000 yards there are other choices. Oh, and don't worry....the 338 Lapua is plenty accurate.
Shooting is done on the range - not on the computer. Experience is gained on the raage - not on the computer.
If you join the Alberta Rifle Association and shoot with them, you will find plenty of people shooting long range with 308 and 223. i have used both on the same target at the same time and found very little difference. I was shooting the 155 Sierra and the 80 gr Sierra. the 223 had slightly less wind drift. Both were launched at about 2950fps.
The F Class crowd shoot any caliber they want, with various flavours of 6.5mm being most popular.
If you are getting started in "long range" a 6.5x55 or a 260 rem with a longer throat would be a great place to start. Both are great for hunting, too.
If you join the Alberta Rifle Association and shoot with them, you will find plenty of people shooting long range with 308 and 223. i have used both on the same target at the same time and found very little difference. I was shooting the 155 Sierra and the 80 gr Sierra. the 223 had slightly less wind drift. Both were launched at about 2950fps.
The F Class crowd shoot any caliber they want, with various flavours of 6.5mm being most popular.
If you are getting started in "long range" a 6.5x55 or a 260 rem with a longer throat would be a great place to start. Both are great for hunting, too.
Last edited:
The .308 is still used for long range competition more than any other cartridge. Palma, TR, FTR and Match rifle shooters shoot this cartridge (pretty much exclusively) out to 1200 yards. It isn't the only choice, but it is a damned easy one to make work.
The cannon shells you mention are good at 2 things: Taking down large North American game, and burning out barrels fast. The 7STW has a barrel life so short, that once you find a load that works really well, your barrel's most accurate life is pretty much over.
The ambition to start long range shooting is an often-posted subject on CGN. Mastery of long range shooting includes mastery of short range shooting and of extremely consistent loading. Almost anything will shoot to 1000 yards. Seriously. Knowing where to aim it and knowing how to make it fly straight is the challenge.
The cannon shells you mention are good at 2 things: Taking down large North American game, and burning out barrels fast. The 7STW has a barrel life so short, that once you find a load that works really well, your barrel's most accurate life is pretty much over.
The ambition to start long range shooting is an often-posted subject on CGN. Mastery of long range shooting includes mastery of short range shooting and of extremely consistent loading. Almost anything will shoot to 1000 yards. Seriously. Knowing where to aim it and knowing how to make it fly straight is the challenge.
I read these threads a lot. Just out of curiosity, out to what distance would the .308 be considered a good LR hunting round. I always read that the bigger rounds like the 338 are preferred for long range takedown power.
Not that I would have the confidence to shoot one at this range but lets say on a mid sized deer, are we good out to 600m 800m 1000m?
Not that I would have the confidence to shoot one at this range but lets say on a mid sized deer, are we good out to 600m 800m 1000m?
LongBomber
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fernie, bc
Disregarding any ethic questions, and just for rough numbers.
A 308 should be good out to roughly 500 yards, and likely a bit further. Several bullets will expand down into the 1800fps range, and a 308 will get a high bc bullet out to roughly 500-550 yards and stay above 1800fps.
The reason a larger caliber is talked about for long range hunting is just more down range energy. Just for reference my Edge AI pushes a 300gr Berger 2930fps, and at 1000 yards is running roughly 2000fps for 2685ft-lbs of energy. At 1500 its going 1615fps/1737ft-lbs. Just for reference a 308 pushes a 165gr bullet roughly 2700fps for 2719ft-lbs at the muzzle (Hornady A-max factory loads for reference). The edge/berger combo hits 2700ft-lbs at 975 yards.
Velocity and energy are not everything, but it gives you some numbers for reference.
A 308 should be good out to roughly 500 yards, and likely a bit further. Several bullets will expand down into the 1800fps range, and a 308 will get a high bc bullet out to roughly 500-550 yards and stay above 1800fps.
The reason a larger caliber is talked about for long range hunting is just more down range energy. Just for reference my Edge AI pushes a 300gr Berger 2930fps, and at 1000 yards is running roughly 2000fps for 2685ft-lbs of energy. At 1500 its going 1615fps/1737ft-lbs. Just for reference a 308 pushes a 165gr bullet roughly 2700fps for 2719ft-lbs at the muzzle (Hornady A-max factory loads for reference). The edge/berger combo hits 2700ft-lbs at 975 yards.
Velocity and energy are not everything, but it gives you some numbers for reference.
Last edited:
Thanks for the great info. It explains why .308 is so popular in tactical or police models due to the average close range of application (well under 500 yards).
If I could bother to ask you, IYO what would be the lowest cost to reload/vs/power to 800-1000yards/vs/accuracy caliber?
Thanks again,
If I could bother to ask you, IYO what would be the lowest cost to reload/vs/power to 800-1000yards/vs/accuracy caliber?
Thanks again,
Farlsincharge
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I would say 300 win mag, but those are vague criteria and open to interpretation.
Yes. 2950 fps.
As for the 308 as a long range hunting round, i saw a moose killed with two lung shots at 425 yards. It walked 25 yards, lay down and bled out.
BUT - when we recovered the bulllet (180 gr Norma SP) it was untouched. Could have shot it again. No expansion.
I would say 300 yards is plenty for that caliber.
As for the 308 as a long range hunting round, i saw a moose killed with two lung shots at 425 yards. It walked 25 yards, lay down and bled out.
BUT - when we recovered the bulllet (180 gr Norma SP) it was untouched. Could have shot it again. No expansion.
I would say 300 yards is plenty for that caliber.
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I've had my 308 and 338 out to 1,000 yards. If the wind stays consistant, you can adjust the 308 to hit your targets.
338 is easier in the same wind. But expensive.
I also have a 260 Remington and 2 x 223s. My 260 and one 223 need scopes. The other 223 has only been to 200 meters.
308 has good factory loads. If you reload, it gets better.
6.5mm (260) has lots of good bullets for reloading.
338 is easier in the same wind. But expensive.
I also have a 260 Remington and 2 x 223s. My 260 and one 223 need scopes. The other 223 has only been to 200 meters.
308 has good factory loads. If you reload, it gets better.
6.5mm (260) has lots of good bullets for reloading.
LongBomber
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fernie, bc
The bullet you choose becomes very important past 400-500 yards. A 308 pushing a 190gr Berger VLD will outrun a 300 win mag pushing a barnes TSX once you pass 500 yards, and have less wind drift.
I would say the plain old 7mm rem mag or the 7mm wsm class has a good cost vs downrange effectiveness ratio. For a pure accuracy vs cost I would say the 6mmBR would be impossible to beat. For stickly targets out to 1000yards 6BR all the way.
I have read a ton on the 6mm BR and I'm sold on the accuracy and ease of tuning loads, but correct me if I'm wrong It is a bit light for a hunting round (lets say deer sized). And if that's true I would guess also poor at long range energy delivery.
I know this is a loaded question but Out of the bigger higher powered rounds does any one have an edge on accuracy?
Thanks again for the feedback,
I know this is a loaded question but Out of the bigger higher powered rounds does any one have an edge on accuracy?
Thanks again for the feedback,
