The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Looking for good advice on 800 yard shooting

TXAZ · September 21, 2017, 01:14 PM

The .50 BMG guy has a distinct advantage at 800 yards, particularly if he's using AMax or 822 gr solid (turned) bullets.
If your son won at 600 he has something going for him. Practicing at 800 with what he has is a good start.

But for comparison and to your questions, the .50 cal shooters often use Nikon or Nightforce high end scopes. I have a Steiner T5xi and believe it's as good as any. If funding is not an issue, look at the Steiner M5xi.

You'll need to use match ammo or handloads tuned to your rifle. Note the Ballistic Coefficient of the best .308 is ~ .55, about 1/2 that of and AMax or solid .50BMG round. That's a really big difference to overcome, as minor differences in your .308 loads will translated to inches more than the larger round. About 125" drop for the .50, about 190" for a high end match .308(Berger 200 gr).

Most of the .50 guys (shooting at 600, 1000 or 1 mile) don't seem to do a whole lot of barrel break-in, but spend more time on categorizing loads and performance.

Hope that helps.

September 21, 2017, 01:14 PM	#2
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	The .50 BMG guy has a distinct advantage at 800 yards, particularly if he's using AMax or 822 gr solid (turned) bullets. If your son won at 600 he has something going for him. Practicing at 800 with what he has is a good start. But for comparison and to your questions, the .50 cal shooters often use Nikon or Nightforce high end scopes. I have a Steiner T5xi and believe it's as good as any. If funding is not an issue, look at the Steiner M5xi. You'll need to use match ammo or handloads tuned to your rifle. Note the Ballistic Coefficient of the best .308 is ~ .55, about 1/2 that of and AMax or solid .50BMG round. That's a really big difference to overcome, as minor differences in your .308 loads will translated to inches more than the larger round. About 125" drop for the .50, about 190" for a high end match .308(Berger 200 gr). Most of the .50 guys (shooting at 600, 1000 or 1 mile) don't seem to do a whole lot of barrel break-in, but spend more time on categorizing loads and performance. Hope that helps. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes Last edited by TXAZ; September 21, 2017 at 01:28 PM.