best long range calibre

42769vette · February 3, 2009, 07:32 PM

so i was curious as to you folks opinion outside the 50 bmg what is the best long range calibre out there i have a 300 wby now

cgaengineer · February 3, 2009, 08:41 PM

.308 is tried and true.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · February 3, 2009, 08:42 PM

.408 Chey-Tac. Hands Down.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · February 3, 2009, 08:43 PM

Are you trying to start WWIII??????

kraigwy · February 3, 2009, 08:46 PM

There is no BEST caliber for long range, there are only differant calibers for long range. I use .223, 308, 30-06 and 300 WM for 1000 yard shooting.

Depends on what you mean by long range and what are you doing (targets, hunting, etc)

Why dont you try your 300 wby and see what happens. Figure the twist, then pick a good target bullet that fits your twist, then go from there.

JMHO

42769vette · February 3, 2009, 10:21 PM

im thinking of doing some small competioions in the 600-1000 yd area ive posted this a couple places and im getting alot of 6.5x284 answers as well as "there is no such answer" im just trying to do some background research before i drop that much money into a gun i would hate to buy a gun and get into the sport and find out i bought the wrong one

ive also got alot of advise to see how my wby and 243 do and go from there "wich is probably what ill do

amamnn · February 3, 2009, 10:26 PM

It depends on the application. World records have been set by 6.5 and 6mm dashers in BR competition. The 6.5 x 284 also looks good in BR. There are world class shooters who would not give spit for those in Hi-power.

1911 Shooter · February 3, 2009, 10:44 PM

300 Weatherby Mangum is a great big game hunting rifle, however it will punish your shoulder. lighter calibers do better.

aerod1 · February 3, 2009, 11:10 PM

I would at least try the 300 WM before buying something else. It will certainly reach out there.

totalloser · February 3, 2009, 11:17 PM

.338 Lapua? .50bmg is pretty hard to beat for LOOONG range. It's a giant 30-06.

**Unclenick** · February 4, 2009, 12:10 AM

If your definition of long range ends at 1000 yards, your WM will be very satisfactory if it is a shooter? I shot my .308 with 175 grain Sierra MatchKing's next to a fellow with a 300 Win mag running 220 grain SMK's at the Long Range Firing school at Camp Perry one year. When the wind kicked up it moved his bullets a good third less than it did mine (assuming we were shooting about equally well). It doesn't take a much wind to get noticed at that distance, and learning to dope the wind is a primary fundamental when you shoot at distance. (Jim Owens's books, Sight Alignment, Trigger Control & "The Big Lie" and Reading the Wind are well worth your time, even though they are more service rifle match oriented.) The same year (2001) the 6.5-284's were just starting to show up on the line. They kick like a .308, but the high BC bullets, like the 142 grain Sierra MatchKing will buck wind like the .300 Win mag with 220 grain bullets. As I get older I have more appreciation for mild recoil for longer shooting sessions. The main drawback to the 6.5-284 is that it has also developed a reputation for barrel life being less than terrific. But that's true of the big magnums, too.

One thing Middleton Tompkins told us at the school that is counter-intuitive is that there is no point in having sight adjustments finer than 1/2 moa at 1000 yards. The wind at Camp Perry and in most locations can move the bullets a quarter moa and back again before you can finish fiddling with the adjustment knob. He believes you do better to stay on the target, reading the wind and watching where it pushes your competition's bullets, and then hold off slightly to make up the quarter moa. I went to the class with a mil-dot scope with eighth moa clicks. It was not of any use for the reason Tompkins cited. In fact, between lugging that same scope through Gunsite's PR1 class and also the school, I am convinced the eighth moa clicks are a handicap. It's too easy to loose count of all the clicks. I won't buy another.

42769vette · February 4, 2009, 12:18 AM

thanks folks i think i will try the wby as long as my sholder can take it (wich may not be real long) ive only put mabye 50 or so rounds through it since new and it shot factory wby ammo sub moa but i recently discorverd handloading and cant wait to try and make up a load for it and long range shooting gives me a good excuse

thanks again

noyes · February 4, 2009, 12:30 AM

.416 Barrett 2500 yards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No1jdfkzM0w

**Unclenick** · February 4, 2009, 12:36 AM

Yeah. Saw the Future Weapons guy demonstrate hitting a 2500 yard target with it, outperforming the .50 BMG for accuracy at that range. Too cool. The bullet shown looked like one of the Lapua designs.

Oops. That's what you linked to. I saw the TV show. Very impressive development. I understand they got a proprietary propellant developed for it. Perhaps something along the lines of the Hornady Light Magnum powder?

Shoney · February 4, 2009, 04:10 AM

The old world record
4.2 inches for TEN shot group with a 6mm BR at 1000 yards.
http://www.6mmbr.com/page/page/1309618.htm

The new world record
1.403 inch, 5-shot group at 1000 yards.
http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com...at-1000-yards/
“300 Hulk”, a shortened 338 Lapua Magnum necked down to 30 caliber, pushing 240gr Sierra MatchKings (0.711 BC) at close to 3000 fps.

Stealff · February 4, 2009, 07:08 PM

my opinion is that the best long range caliber, is the one that you as a shooter can shoot well and comfortably out to whatever distance you are shooting. for me its my 30-06 out to 400 yds and my 300 RUM beyond that.

VaFisher · February 5, 2009, 07:57 AM

I would have to offer the WBY 30-378 as one of the best calipers for long range hunting. It will shoot a 210 grain bullet pretty darn flat, fast and end results plenty of foot pounds left to go around at extream ranges.

jsflagstad · July 23, 2009, 01:04 PM

I had my first taste of shooting 1000 yards this past weekend. I took a course at the gun club. It is not easy, and having a good spotter is 1/2 of the battle. My choices I had in the safe were a 7mm rem mag and a 7mm-08. Wanting less recoil in the 50+ rounds I would be shooting, I chose the 7mm-08. Mine in particular is a Tikka T3 lite in Stainless topped with a Nikon 3-9x Prostaff scope. I reload for all of my rifles, so I mixed up an accurate load spitting out a Sierra Game King 140 Grain boat tail at about 2650 fps.

I was ecstatic when I posted a 10" group with this rifle at 1000 yards. I was just hoping to be able to shoot a decent group and this was better than I expected. My bullets were going subsonic when they were going through the target at 1000 yards according to the spotter that was down there. I was told that you want to have a MV of at least 2850 fps when shooting 1000 yards and they really didn't think caliber as far as 6mm on up to 30 cal really made that much difference.

Personally, I like 27-28 caliber for its ability to retain energy down range. My next trip to the 1000 yard range will be with ammo in the 3000 fps range and a target scope.

JSF

February 3, 2009, 07:32 PM	#1
42769vette Member Join Date: January 11, 2009 Posts: 86	best long range calibre so i was curious as to you folks opinion outside the 50 bmg what is the best long range calibre out there i have a 300 wby now

February 3, 2009, 08:42 PM	#3
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	.408 Chey-Tac. Hands Down. __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

February 3, 2009, 08:43 PM	#4
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	Are you trying to start WWIII?????? __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

February 3, 2009, 08:46 PM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	There is no BEST caliber for long range, there are only differant calibers for long range. I use .223, 308, 30-06 and 300 WM for 1000 yard shooting. Depends on what you mean by long range and what are you doing (targets, hunting, etc) Why dont you try your 300 wby and see what happens. Figure the twist, then pick a good target bullet that fits your twist, then go from there. JMHO __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 3, 2009, 10:26 PM	#7
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	It depends on the application. World records have been set by 6.5 and 6mm dashers in BR competition. The 6.5 x 284 also looks good in BR. There are world class shooters who would not give spit for those in Hi-power. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 3, 2009, 08:41 PM	#2
cgaengineer Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Posts: 264	.308 is tried and true.

February 3, 2009, 10:21 PM	#6
42769vette Member Join Date: January 11, 2009 Posts: 86	im thinking of doing some small competioions in the 600-1000 yd area ive posted this a couple places and im getting alot of 6.5x284 answers as well as "there is no such answer" im just trying to do some background research before i drop that much money into a gun i would hate to buy a gun and get into the sport and find out i bought the wrong one ive also got alot of advise to see how my wby and 243 do and go from there "wich is probably what ill do

February 3, 2009, 10:44 PM	#8
1911 Shooter Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Posts: 124	300 Weatherby Mangum is a great big game hunting rifle, however it will punish your shoulder. lighter calibers do better.

February 3, 2009, 11:10 PM	#9
aerod1 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Garland Texas U.S.A. Posts: 734	I would at least try the 300 WM before buying something else. It will certainly reach out there. __________________ NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, C&R 03 FFL, Texas LTC Recreational Reloader U.S. Navy Veteran (USS Midway V-1 Division)

February 3, 2009, 11:17 PM	#10
totalloser Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, CA Posts: 679	.338 Lapua? .50bmg is pretty hard to beat for LOOONG range. It's a giant 30-06. __________________ You only truly believe in freedom if you believe in the freedom of those you disagree.

February 4, 2009, 12:10 AM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	If your definition of long range ends at 1000 yards, your WM will be very satisfactory if it is a shooter? I shot my .308 with 175 grain Sierra MatchKing's next to a fellow with a 300 Win mag running 220 grain SMK's at the Long Range Firing school at Camp Perry one year. When the wind kicked up it moved his bullets a good third less than it did mine (assuming we were shooting about equally well). It doesn't take a much wind to get noticed at that distance, and learning to dope the wind is a primary fundamental when you shoot at distance. (Jim Owens's books, Sight Alignment, Trigger Control & "The Big Lie" and Reading the Wind are well worth your time, even though they are more service rifle match oriented.) The same year (2001) the 6.5-284's were just starting to show up on the line. They kick like a .308, but the high BC bullets, like the 142 grain Sierra MatchKing will buck wind like the .300 Win mag with 220 grain bullets. As I get older I have more appreciation for mild recoil for longer shooting sessions. The main drawback to the 6.5-284 is that it has also developed a reputation for barrel life being less than terrific. But that's true of the big magnums, too. One thing Middleton Tompkins told us at the school that is counter-intuitive is that there is no point in having sight adjustments finer than 1/2 moa at 1000 yards. The wind at Camp Perry and in most locations can move the bullets a quarter moa and back again before you can finish fiddling with the adjustment knob. He believes you do better to stay on the target, reading the wind and watching where it pushes your competition's bullets, and then hold off slightly to make up the quarter moa. I went to the class with a mil-dot scope with eighth moa clicks. It was not of any use for the reason Tompkins cited. In fact, between lugging that same scope through Gunsite's PR1 class and also the school, I am convinced the eighth moa clicks are a handicap. It's too easy to loose count of all the clicks. I won't buy another. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 4, 2009, 12:18 AM	#12
42769vette Member Join Date: January 11, 2009 Posts: 86	thanks folks i think i will try the wby as long as my sholder can take it (wich may not be real long) ive only put mabye 50 or so rounds through it since new and it shot factory wby ammo sub moa but i recently discorverd handloading and cant wait to try and make up a load for it and long range shooting gives me a good excuse thanks again

February 4, 2009, 12:30 AM	#13
noyes Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 1,032	.416 Barrett 2500 yards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No1jdfkzM0w

February 4, 2009, 12:36 AM	#14
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Yeah. Saw the Future Weapons guy demonstrate hitting a 2500 yard target with it, outperforming the .50 BMG for accuracy at that range. Too cool. The bullet shown looked like one of the Lapua designs. Oops. That's what you linked to. I saw the TV show. Very impressive development. I understand they got a proprietary propellant developed for it. Perhaps something along the lines of the Hornady Light Magnum powder? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 4, 2009, 04:10 AM	#15
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	The old world record 4.2 inches for TEN shot group with a 6mm BR at 1000 yards. http://www.6mmbr.com/page/page/1309618.htm The new world record 1.403 inch, 5-shot group at 1000 yards. http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com...at-1000-yards/ “300 Hulk”, a shortened 338 Lapua Magnum necked down to 30 caliber, pushing 240gr Sierra MatchKings (0.711 BC) at close to 3000 fps. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

February 4, 2009, 07:08 PM	#16
Stealff Member Join Date: October 16, 2008 Location: Port Angeles, WA Posts: 36	my opinion is that the best long range caliber, is the one that you as a shooter can shoot well and comfortably out to whatever distance you are shooting. for me its my 30-06 out to 400 yds and my 300 RUM beyond that.

February 5, 2009, 07:57 AM	#17
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	I would have to offer the WBY 30-378 as one of the best calipers for long range hunting. It will shoot a 210 grain bullet pretty darn flat, fast and end results plenty of foot pounds left to go around at extream ranges.

July 23, 2009, 01:04 PM	#18
jsflagstad Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Up Nort Posts: 419	I had my first taste of shooting 1000 yards this past weekend. I took a course at the gun club. It is not easy, and having a good spotter is 1/2 of the battle. My choices I had in the safe were a 7mm rem mag and a 7mm-08. Wanting less recoil in the 50+ rounds I would be shooting, I chose the 7mm-08. Mine in particular is a Tikka T3 lite in Stainless topped with a Nikon 3-9x Prostaff scope. I reload for all of my rifles, so I mixed up an accurate load spitting out a Sierra Game King 140 Grain boat tail at about 2650 fps. I was ecstatic when I posted a 10" group with this rifle at 1000 yards. I was just hoping to be able to shoot a decent group and this was better than I expected. My bullets were going subsonic when they were going through the target at 1000 yards according to the spotter that was down there. I was told that you want to have a MV of at least 2850 fps when shooting 1000 yards and they really didn't think caliber as far as 6mm on up to 30 cal really made that much difference. Personally, I like 27-28 caliber for its ability to retain energy down range. My next trip to the 1000 yard range will be with ammo in the 3000 fps range and a target scope. JSF __________________ JSF "Is your rifle interesting? -Larry Potterfield