22-250 For long range target shooting

coyote said:
Get a 6.5 Creemoor and put a brake on it and no one will get beatup
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A brake is a good way to scare the wife away from shooting though - recoil isn't that bad with a 6.5 (6cm is even lighter) but the bark from a brake can be.

OP, I would second the recommendation of either a 223 with a fast twist or a 6mm (CM or 243win, as long as the 243 has a fast enough twist). Jerry at Mystic Precision has taken the 223 out to a mile, so 1000yds is certainly doable...
 
I always find it funny when people suggest a .223 for "long range". I guess it depends on what your definition of long range is. I shoot 75gr BTHPs out of my trainer barrel and if you get winds that are at all switchy, once you're past 600-700 yards it's a struggle to stay on target. Sure, you can shoot heavier bullets with a better BC but the OP is going to be shooting factory ammo.

For factory ammo, your best bet for a low recoiling round that is very capable at distance and for which you can buy factory rifles with suitable twist rates is the 6mm Creedmoor. Throw a brake on it and there's barely any recoil at all and with factory ammo (Hornady) it's very capable inside say 1400 yards. I've made hits with one of mine (shooting handloads) out to 1600 yards.
 
rugbydave said:
I always find it funny when people suggest a .223 for "long range". I guess it depends on what your definition of long range is. I shoot 75gr BTHPs out of my trainer barrel and if you get winds that are at all switchy, once you're past 600-700 yards it's a struggle to stay on target. Sure, you can shoot heavier bullets with a better BC but the OP is going to be shooting factory ammo.

For factory ammo, your best bet for a low recoiling round that is very capable at distance and for which you can buy factory rifles with suitable twist rates is the 6mm Creedmoor. Throw a brake on it and there's barely any recoil at all and with factory ammo (Hornady) it's very capable inside say 1400 yards. I've made hits with one of mine (shooting handloads) out to 1600 yards.
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I missed the part where he said factory ammo.

In that case, 6mm creedmoor is likely the best option.

Can anyone comment on how available the ammo is though? I haven't seen it but I'm never looking for it either.
 
I think of long range as 800, 900 and 1000 yards. And yes I do shoot mine at that distance in competition. Being involved with long range shooting for a few years I can tell you this....there are not many long range competitive shooters that shoot factory ammo in competition. And for the price go about 200 rounds of match ammo, (10 boxes) you can get yourself set up with a nice reloading kit.
Also on another note the come-ups and wind drift is almost exactly the same between an 80 gr. .223 bullet and the 155 gr .308 bullet. With maybe a little advantage going to the .223. Don't believe me, check out the numbers with any ballistics program.
 
The op didn't exactly say what kind of target shooting so we are all a little grey here.

He's also not reloading so we can assume he knows he will not be competitive against those who do, so the assumption is the op whats to play, but not seriously.

Also not yet a reloader… so I assume it is an option in the future... if the op thinks he will reload, then I would suggest that you consider options based upon that point.

Yes the 6 Creed is a notable performer but it is not used in TR like Maynard does, so that is not an option if that is the type of shooting expected.

F Class or PRS maybe? Both have classes for 223/308 vs anything else...so if something better is out there... it does not matter to the 223 shooter, just compete in your 'humble' division. (no offense intended)

Key point here is the 223/308 has a class of it's own in all 3... PRS, F Class and TR.

All other calibers must be competitive against ANY OTHER CALIBER. That is a key point you need to consider.

So... exactly how serious is your wife?

Another key point... certain military bases only allow military cartridges... like Petawawa for example. Show up with anything not on the approved list and you wont shoot.

So in case you haven't figured it out by now... I say go with a 223... have fun.. learn... if you get serious, then hand load as Maynard suggested... until then party on with store bought 69-75 grainers.

Don't take ballistics tables too seriously because I've seen the 223 beat all other calibers at 300-600 meters on occasion. If you shoot well or not is not because of the cartridge, it's how well you steer what you have, and no cartridge is the best cartridge for all distances and all weather conditions. You always have to make a compromise.
 
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maynard said:
I think of long range as 800, 900 and 1000 yards. And yes I do shoot mine at that distance in competition. Being involved with long range shooting for a few years I can tell you this....there are not many long range competitive shooters that shoot factory ammo in competition. And for the price go about 200 rounds of match ammo, (10 boxes) you can get yourself set up with a nice reloading kit.
Also on another note the come-ups and wind drift is almost exactly the same between an 80 gr. .223 bullet and the 155 gr .308 bullet. With maybe a little advantage going to the .223. Don't believe me, check out the numbers with any ballistics program.
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Handloads and factory ammo are really 2 different things altogether. I was just staying within the parameters the OP put forward. Note he said "target shoot" and not "compete". I'm well aware that reloading is the way to go, I reload all my ammo (upwards of 10K last year) and always suggest hand loading but we also really have no idea how much ammo he plans to burn through in a year.

I can also tell you that if I compare my 75gr .223 load (75 gr bthps going 2930fps) to my .308 load (175 RDFs going 2750) they are nowhere near the same for drop and drift and even farther removed from the Hornady factory 6mm Creedmoor load (108s going 2960ish). In any case, for a guy who seems intent on target shooting occasionally, I maintain that he'll get way more hits and enjoyment from shooting a 6 Creed out to 1000m than a .223. I also know guys who will finish in the top 10 at national level PRS/NRL matches shooting factory 6 Creed ammo, so there's that too.
 
Maple57 said:
The op didn't exactly say what kind of target shooting so we are all a little grey here.

- Looking at up to 1000 m.

He's also not reloading so we can assume he knows he will not be competitive against those who do, so the assumption is the op whats to play, but not seriously.

- Nope not reloading yet, just want to give long range a try

Also not yet a reloader… so I assume it is an option in the future... if the op thinks he will reload, then I would suggest that you consider options based upon that point.

Yes the 6 Creed is a notable performer but it is not used in TR like Maynard does, so that is not an option if that is the type of shooting expected.

F Class or PRS maybe? Both have classes for 223/308 vs anything else...so if something better is out there... it does not matter to the 223 shooter, just compete in your 'humble' division. (no offense intended)

-Am open to the 223

Key point here is the 223/308 has a class of it's own in all 3... PRS, F Class and TR.

All other calibers must be competitive against ANY OTHER CALIBER. That is a key point you need to consider.

So... exactly how serious is your wife?

- My wife is not serious at all. Just want her to participate in some of my hobbies.

Another key point... certain military bases only allow military cartridges... like Petawawa for example. Show up with anything not on the approved list and you wont shoot.

So in case you haven't figured it out by now... I say go with a 223... have fun.. learn... if you get serious, then hand load as Maynard suggested... until then party on with store bought 69-75 grainers.

- 223 factory rifles are in the budget right now, no custom barrels for the fast twist rates.

Don't take ballistics tables too seriously because I've seen the 223 beat all other calibers at 300-600 meters on occasion. If you shoot well or not is not because of the cartridge, it's how well you steer what you have, and no cartridge is the best cartridge for all distances and all weather conditions. You always have to make a compromise.
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Thx guys, seriously looking at a 6.5CM with heavy barrel.. Might do it but also need an optic suitable for that distancegas well now... never ends!
 
rascal1 said:
Thx guys, seriously looking at a 6.5CM with heavy barrel.. Might do it but also need an optic suitable for that distancegas well now... never ends!
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6.5 CM is a nice choice, components are reasonably priced, and a decent selection of projectiles available. You can start reloading on the cheap with a Lee kit, but I'd be getting a better scale than what comes with it. I have a Cabela's Covenant 4-16 on my 223, you'll get a lot of buy once cry once over cheap glass, and I agree with the sentiment, but it works. $226 to my door (on sale and free shipping). If my life depended on it I'd have something else, but it isn't, and at this point I have no reason to change it.
 
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Hey guys for an update: I just picked up a Remington 783 Heavy barrel in 6.5 CM off the EE. It has a 16in barrel, a bit shorter than I would have liked but it will be a good start, $400 with a Boyds Pro Varmint stock, bipod and muzzle brake. It will be a chance to try out the cartridge for not much money. Next is to hunt down a scope, thinking of getting into PRS in the future so I can always upgrade the barrel. Should also be easy enough for my wife to shoot off a bench. Will keep this thread updated from time to time. Cheers
 
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