Very long range shooting. How do I?

tigrr

tigrr

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My question is, what do I have to do, to shoot 1200 - 1500 yards. The ballistics of the load I’m shooting right now shows that the bullet is below mach at 1300 yards. How do I keep them faster than the speed of sound, out to the target?
I have enough up elevation to reach 1400 without shimming, and then there are the marks in the Night Force NP/R1 reticle. Combining all that should reach out to 1500 yards.
There were signs of pressure, sticky bolt at 46 grains - .3 grains higher than the load I’m using. Do I look for a different powder?
I’m using Berger 155grain LBT. Savage 12F/TR 308, CCI BR primers, Win Brass, Varget powder. Present velocity is 2960 avg.

This load hits inside 10 inches at 1000 yards, all things considered. I have the room to reach out to a mile and the targets.

Any suggestions?
Can it be done with a 308?
 
You need 90 some MOA to get to 1500 yards with your load. Almost 400 clicks.:eek:

I do not think its possible to get there without tumblimg the 155s, I also do not think you can keep them subsonic unless you shove them into a 300 case, and than use 200 gr match bullets.

I tried out to 1800 one took 12 shots and failed terrible, I stll have no Idea how for out I was. Never found the hits was prob short

I do not think the 308 is the solution to your desire.;) But maybe possible to get there just not sure how accurate!!! I would suggest a 6.5x284 with a high B.C bullet in the .6s
 
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In the UK they shoot Match Rifle at 1000, 1100, and 1200 yards, that is the max range at Bisley. I do know they have a "RG Agg" which is shot with issued 155 gr Radway-Green ammo. I have never shot Match Rifle in the UK however I think GANDERITE has a few times.
 
There is an article in "Precision Shooting at 1000 Yards" where a fellow hit a 16" gong at 3120 yards. He used the Ackley Improved version of the .308, and got 2400 fps with 220 gr MK's. I don't think the choice of cartridge mattered much as there is little practical difference between the .308 and the .308 AI, but what I got from the article is that some bullets withstand the drop to subsonic better than others. The MK's heavier than 175 grs seem to all do quite well in this respect. The logic seems to have something to do with how quickly the bullets drops through the trans-sonic range, the slower it does so, the less the impact on stability.

I've had good luck in this respect with 200 gr MK's in my .308. When I had this rifle built I had the chamber cut so that a 200 gr MK would not extend into the powder capacity of the case, thus I can get 2700 fps from a 28" barrel.

At extended ranges like those in the article I referred to, the scope's elevation adjustments become an issue, and in the case of the 3000 yard shot, custom mounts held the scope and a steep angle high above the bore so as not to have the barrel in the field of view. My solution is the same one I used when shooting long range with a hunting rifle, that is I put a sighting target on the top of the berm above the impact target.
 
try some lapua brass. you should be able to increase powder. pretty wierd you're getting a sticky bolt at 46gr. 47gr is max by Hodgdon. and i know others who use 48grs of varget which is giving them 3006fps with a 25" barrel. try the lapua brass.
 
crout said:
try some lapua brass. you should be able to increase powder. pretty wierd you're getting a sticky bolt at 46gr. 47gr is max by Hodgdon. and i know others who use 48grs of varget which is giving them 3006fps with a 25" barrel. try the lapua brass.
Click to expand...

There are many variables that can result in high chamber pressures. Brass volume is only one. Free bore, bore diameter, chamber dimensions, the bearing surface and composition of the bullet all come into play. The correct course of action is to load within the limitations of the specific rifle.
 
"How do I keep them faster than the speed of sound, out to the target?"


Rocket assisted bullets?:D
 
Well it is possible, but the stars need to be in alignment and such. Last year at summer land I made three confiremd hits in a row on a 1 moa target at 1500 yards. it took a while to figure how many MOA to come up, but it was seriously like all the wind died and nothing was wrong in the world for a few minutes. I think I was at 76 MOA with 175 SMK's running at about 2800fps out of my gun. I ran out of internal adjustments and was holding over in the reticle.(have a 20 moa base) Blackcloud then proceeded to make three hits at 1800 with his 300wm and 210 bergers. Not saying that I could do it again, but every now and then the stars align and the lawn darts fall in the right place. I stopped shooting after three, didn't want to have a crappy record....haha. As for keeping them supersonic, bigger gun. 308's just weren't designed for that type of shooting, but it sure is fun trying.
 
C4Pyro What caliber were you using to hit 1500?
Asking because I have found a Savage 6.5X284 Norma.
I want to go get some 308 trigger time, but at -30C with a 20 km wind, this boy is staying inside. I need to build a heated shooting shed. As soon as it warms up a bit I'll lob some out to the 1200 yard target, then if successful on to the 1500 yarder. Dreaming of warm days!
If I could get another 20 MOA cant 1500 yard targets would be a doable, sight wise. I will look into getting new .020" inserts for my Burris Zee rings. That will give me 70 MOA up, plus another 10 MOA up in the reticle. 80 MOA up from a 300 yard zero, should be lots to play with.
I want November back, so I can go out shooting!
 
The Palma shooters were slowing the twist in there barrels for more accuracy to 1000yds 1 in 12 to 1 in 15 with the 155 grain but there weren't trying to go beyond 1000yds. Ackley improving will give 200 fps + or - longer barrel up to 34" will give you more zip. try a heavier bullet and the wind behind your back. You are pushing .308 it to it's limits at 1200yds plus. Where are people going way out there with the .308's but there scopes are a foot off the rifle at a 45 and they lock them into vices and use them as bullet lobers.
try the .338 Lapua problem solved.
 
There is nothing you can do to stop a bullet from going subsonic and really it doesn't matter.

Some bullets will make the transistion. Others will not.

Only way to find out is to launch them and see. If the bullet goes subsonic at say 1200yds, work out in 50yd increments until you reach your target distance.

A bullet usually tumbles within 100 to 200yds of going subsonic and it is VERY obvious when it does so. Kind of fun to see actually.

I have seen a 175gr MK tumble at 1400+ yds. Then I have seen them go further. All shot from 308's of similar twists and velocities. You just cannot predict.

I have personally shot 155gr Amax to 1450yds without an issue out of a 308 and 1800yds from a 300Wby.

Bergers are also doing very well for some shooters. Just point it up and pull the trigger. You will know very quickly if the combo is going to work.

I can help you with bases, inserts, etc.

There is/was a club in the US that shot 308's to 3000m. The only limit to extreme distance shooting is the bullet, mechanics to adjust your scope and the wind. Bullets can travel a very long ways.

Jerry

PS do a search for my post on taking a 223 to a mile.
 
What about trying 210 Grain VLD? The BC is quite abit higher then the 155's.
I am no long range expert like mystic...your probally need to change the twist of the barrel but what is the possiblity of that heavy bullet at these long ranges?
 
The heavy VLD's perform admirably in a 1-8 twist barrel. To go to a 210 grain VLD I would need a faster twist in my barrel than I have, to stabilize the long heavy bullet.

So you know what I did I bought a Savage 12F Class 6.5X284 Norma, it will be delivered in a week! After I max out the range in the 308 I'll switch to the 6.5X284!
 
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The 210s or 208 would be the ticket. Use Hornady brass, it has the highest internal volume for 308 cases. Higher volume means higher maximum velocity.

With N550 and that long factory throat, you should be able to push them to 2600 fps (more with moly).

Do a search on snipershide.com for posts by MontanaMarine. He shoots the 208 AMAX out of his 1-12 twist 308 Win. to those distances. Seems to work fine for him, in warm weather at least.
 
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