Help me pick a target catridge

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windy

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I'm in the market for a new target rifle. I'm a bit stuck on which cartridge to get it in. This is just for plinking with my buddies on days off, max range 1000 ish yards. My thoughts so far are either 6 cm, 6.5cm, 6.5 prc or 308 win. I do already have reloading stuff for 308 but it seems lots of online articles poo poo the 308 for the farther distances while the littler diameters seem to be much better reviewed for 1000yds.
Is it all the same in the end? Help me decide.
 
Given your goals (nothing formal, just plinking with the boys) they'll all do the job. I have no love for the 6.5s, but it's hard to argue against them for the purpose you're looking at.
 
308 can be a challenge. 6.5 PRC is unnecessary for your purposes. The 6 or 6.5 are great. I prefer the 6 creed but just keep barrel life in mind if that matters. Both hammer to 1000 and beyond
 
6.5CM is the most reasonable choice.
6CM doesn't have much going for it.
308Win is a bad choice.
6.5PRC is an expensive and high performance choice.
6.5x47L is a cool and exotic choice.
 
The World Long Range Rifle Championships and and Palma Match are starting this month in South Africa. Teams from Canada, UK, USA, SA, Aus, NZ etc. competing with .308, iron sighted rifles, shooting 155 gr bullets.
The Long range individual matches and the Palma Match is shot at 800, 900 and 1000 yards.

Is the .308 the best cartridge for this...probably not. However it is more than capable for the job if getting out to 1000 yards.

In the UK they also shoot Match Rifle with .308's at 1000, 1100 and 1200 yards.

A .308 barrel will last about 4500-5000 rounds (match accuracy, not hot rodded), can't say that about some of the above mentioned calibers.
 
Thanks for the inputs, I'm definitely leaning towards a 308, mostly because I have a good stock pile of bullets, brass, powder that will work and I have the dies so I would save a few bucks on start up costs. I do like the idea of long barrel life with the 308. I will do some googling on what bullet/load combo the are being used for the matches listed above.
 
windy said:
Thanks for the inputs, I'm definitely leaning towards a 308, mostly because I have a good stock pile of bullets, brass, powder that will work and I have the dies so I would save a few bucks on start up costs. I do like the idea of long barrel life with the 308. I will do some googling on what bullet/load combo the are being used for the matches listed above.
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I’m making the same decisions right now. Although I have lots of 308 components, I think I’ll go with 6.5CM. Less recoil, a bit cheaper to feed. Better in the wind too.
 
Research FTR and you will find that the 308win is extremely capable 1000yds (and beyond) option. Recoil is higher then the smaller cals, bore life is WAY higher. cost per bang will be a little bit more by virtue of using heavier bullets.

A competitive FTR set up will be sub 1/2 MOA at 1000yds with the 200gr options.... for very long strings of fire.

Next easy option would be the 6.5 CM.. except supplies are hard to find due to popularity. Same goes for the 6mm and the popular heavies

There is nothing wrong with the 223 Rem if you dont mind more drift. It is a ton of fun chasing bigger options like the 338LM out to 1400yds. Costs are way lower, bore life similar to the 308 and bullets are actually available.

If you want low recoil and a very capable LR chamber, the 22 Creedmoor is a gem. Load down for longer bore life. Use heavies up to 95gr and run with the magnums

Jerry
 
I have no problem shooting my 308's at 1,000 meters , they are easy to load for and last a long time.
I also shoot the .223 at 1,000 as well however , and it is an accurate round.
Cat
 
I have a target rifle in 223 already, shooting 75gn eld-m's, a little slow but I get ok accuracy. I also have a 300wm that I can play with at distance. I am looking for something kinda in the middle of those 2, lower recoil and cost than the 300 but more bullet splash than the 223 so I can see my misses and hits at further distances.
 
windy said:
I will do some googling on what bullet/load combo the are being used for the matches listed above.
Click to expand...

Bullets used for the Palma Match are limited to 156 gr. Most countries shooting this upcoming Palma Match will be shooting 155.5 Bergers.
 
So many cartridges can do what you are asking for here.

Center-fire .22's, 6mm's, 6.5mm's, 7/7.62mm.

It's pretty hard to narrow it down given the vague criteria.

My personal favorite cartridge for absolute precision is 6BRA. It's so precise, that it's incredibly fun to shoot. Very little recoil. Easy to reload for. Easy to fireform. Decent barrel life if you aren't hot rodding it.

6.5 Creedmoor and PRC are great. Lots of factory ammo and factory rifle options. A bit more recoil. A bit more energy (if that matters). Again, easy to reload for. Decent barrel life, though you need to be careful with the PRC if barrel life is a concern.

.308 is a lot of fun. Recoil is enough that it really starts to expose your flaws in your fundamentals - so a great trainer round. Ballistics are not amazing, the wind makes you work for it (also great for training). Plenty of ammo options, and everything seems to shoot FGMM well. Great barrel life.
 
windy said:
Thanks for the inputs, I'm definitely leaning towards a 308, mostly because I have a good stock pile of bullets, brass, powder that will work and I have the dies so I would save a few bucks on start up costs. I do like the idea of long barrel life with the 308. I will do some googling on what bullet/load combo the are being used for the matches listed above.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with a 308 with a 30-32 “ barrel ! As mentioned LONG BARREL life . My second choice would be the 6.5 Creed ! RJ
I use a 284 Win with 180-184 gr Bergers and H4831SC at 2825 or so Avg . My rifle weight is near 22 lbs .
 
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