1000 yard calibers.

Rotaxpower

Rotaxpower

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What caliber would you choose to be shooting in 1000yrd bench rest compition?

I am thinking about building something up, or buying a complete rifle to compete in the next year or so. Thanks!
 
Depends which discipline. Some are restricted to 223 or 308. Both will get out there, but both are eclipsed by the fast 6.5's and 7mm'w where permitted
 
Crashman, I am flattered!!!

Rotaxpower, first decide what class and sanctioning body you will be competing under. From there the choice will be very straightforward.

Also, decide if the components you want to shoot are readily available in Canada.

Jerry
 
With a 6.5 you want to be able to drive 140 grain bullets at 2750+fps. Both the standard 6.5x55 and the 260 Remington will do this handily while still providing good barrel life. I've seen no evidence that a 6.5/284 works any better although it is usually about 150fps faster. You can't outrun the wind.
The 6BR will work well but must be loaded pretty hot. Nonetheless, it might still be the best choice. They are so easy to shoot.
308's work too and are the best choice for F(f) IMO. Regards, Bill.
 
Tikkaman said:
I'd be looking at something 6.5, maybe an '06 case or a 284 or a blown '55. 6.5 WSM sounds kinda fun. Wonder if anyone's tried that yet?
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All overkill really. Yes, there's many 6.5 WSSM's stateside and a few here, throat erosion's a step up from a standard case, and blast and recoil is higher than necessary. A .260 is a great cartridge, same for 6.5x55 though I'd choose the .260 due to the short action and more rigidity.

No need to go more than .260. :)
 
Leeper said:
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The 6BR will work well but must be loaded pretty hot.
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I shoot 6Br at 1000 and I use the same load I use at 300. 105's on top of 30.2 gr of Varget for 2800 fps. Not hot at all really. I have afriend that shoots 6.5X55 Swede at 1000 and does extremely well too. Nothing wildacat about that cartridge.
 
1000 Meter match rifle

Caliber is only part of the equation. I would say a bullet in 6.5 leaving the muzzle at 2950 with a twist rate of 1in 8 will be tough to beat. The key to this is finding a gunsmith that builds 1000 meter competition rifles on a regular basis. It does depend on what classes you want to shoot in. So when you find THE gunsmith listen to his suggestions. Take care and enjoy.
 
Go to the range and talk to the winners. You'll find 6.5-.284 hard to beat, although most 6.5s will work well and 6mmBR is popular. Consider availability of quality brass and bulllets and as mentioned , a good gunsmith is required.
 
1000 yard calibers

I agree the 6.5-284s win most of the matches but you have to be prepared to spend a lot of money since barrel life is as low as 1200-1300. You will need a match grade barrel (300$ US) and an install job (min 200$ CDN) every time you change barrels. I suggest a compromise which is 260 rem. basicaly a .264 bullet (or 6.5mm) on a 308 win cartidge. I have a 28 in. Gaillard barrel installed on one of my Rem 700s (1-8 twist) and fire the 139 Lapuas, the 140 gr Amax or the 142 SMKs. they fly at 2900 fps with 44 grs of H4350 which is an excellent load. Barrel life is like for a 308 (5000+ rds) you may not win but you'll have a lot of fun. the 140 grainers in 6.5mm have a very good BC so are beyond speed of sound past 1000 yds. My rig does quite well. Don't forget gaging the wind is the key to winning and if you have money left to buy ammo and practice you can get very good at it. I think it's a good starting caliber.
Sniper767
 
A 7mm-08 with the 162 gr AMAX is a great round, but a tad slow, and recoils heavier. I built my own 7mm wildcat, launching 180gr Berger VLD's, BC of .684 at 2750fps on 47grs of H4350. This load is supersonic well past a mile, 1800-1900 yards to be precise. Extremely light barrel wear, low recoil, light on powder, and low SD's, I'm stoked. ;) Will try the 162gr AMAX next, it has a slightly lower BC but flies a faster as it's 18gr lighter.
 
1000 yds caliber

grain for grain and for same design (ex. SMKs or VLDs) a smaller caliber bullet always has a flatter trajectory !!! and will kick less.
Therefore the 6.5mm bullets in the 260 Rem will shoot flatter than the 7mm-08. If you use the same length barrels and get them at the same speed you'll need a heavier 7mm bullet to match the smaller 6.5mm traj which means more recoil. My vote still goes for the 260 Rem. All you need is the propper twist.
 
sniper767, good point about barrel life, which is why I have a new 6.5X47 Lapua reamer, barrel from Ted Gaillard and am trying to decide on using a PGW, RPA or trued Rem 700 action. On the latter, Sam Adams, Truro, does a great job of truing and Ted Gailard and his nephew do fine work, as do a very few others. Will always be a fan of 6.5X55SE, as well. Of course some aren't concerned with cost, just winning, so it's back to 6.5-.284, although Bob Pastor, USA, is succesful with 6.5-06. Did I mention 6.5?

Regards,

Peter
 
peterdobson said:
sniper767, good point about barrel life, which is why I have a new 6.5X47 Lapua reamer, barrel from Ted Gaillard and am trying to decide on using a PGW, RPA or trued Rem 700 action. On the latter, Sam Adams, Truro, does a great job of truing and Ted Gailard and his nephew do fine work, as do a very few others. Will always be a fan of 6.5X55SE, as well. Of course some aren't concerned with cost, just winning, so it's back to 6.5-.284, although Bob Pastor, USA, is succesful with 6.5-06. Did I mention 6.5?

Regards,

Peter
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What rate of twist are you using to shoot the heavy bullets from a 6.5mm
 
1000 yard calibers

I will back Peter Dobson 200% on that barrel twist rate.
BTW, I think I heard that name before ...:)

I don't believe my rem700 action was trued but I could be mistaken.
Ross at PGW installed the gaillard barrel on it and it shoots 1/3 MOA 3 shot groups at 100 yds. I did a 75V8 at 1000 yds with it a couple years ago althought it's not the gun I normaly use. There was a 3-4 MOA wind. I have a 308 TR rifle with a 30 inch Krieger (13 inch twist for palma 155s) and I noticed a big improvement with the .264 139 LP scenars in the Rem 700 in 260 Rem. Both for flatter trajectory and wind bucking abilities. The 142 SMKs and 140 Amax are very good too. I know some may say I'm comparing apples to oranges but really both bullets are about the same weight and same mvo. Wildcats are neat but I prefer to keep it simple. I use .243 Lapua brass, anneal the case mouth and open to 6.5mm.

by the way, a little trivia question: why are the Lapuas 139 grains and not 140? and for the same reason the 308 LPs are 154 not 155 grains?

Sniper 767
 
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