Straightest shooting most powerful Rifle rounds Review Comparison Shootout

Codert · February 20, 2013, 10:13 PM

Corrected Feb 22. 2013 Thanks Eldermike for the error info.

Straightest shooting round at 500 yards (Lowest bullet drop)

1. 204 Ruger......................... -28.0 ..... Ammo - Varmint Express
2. 22-250 Remington..............-29.1 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
3. 243 Winchester..................-29.6 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
4. 7mm Weatherby Magnum......-30.7 ..... Ammo - Custom (Superformance® performed worse)
5. 300 Weatherby Magnum.......-30.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
6. 220 Swift ..........................-31.8 ..... Ammo - Varmint Express
7. 257 Weatherby...................-33.0 ..... Ammo - Custom
8. 270 Winchester...................-33.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
9. 223 Remington....................-35.6 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
10. 50 BMG............................-35.6 ..... Ammo - Match
11. 6.5 Creedmoor..................-36.9 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
12. 338 Lapua........................-37.1 ..... Ammo - Match (Superformance® performed worse)
13. 30-06 Springfield...............-38.3 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
14. 25-06 Remington...............-38.5 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
15. 308 Winchester.................-40.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
16. 7.62x39mm.......................-95.6 ..... Ammo - Custom (Other Brands performed worse)

Highest energy round at 500 yards

1. 50 BMG.............................12386 ft/lb
2. 338 Lapua...........................2796 ft/lb
3. 300 Weatherby Magnum.........1725 ft/lb
4. 7mm Weatherby Magnum........1695 ft/lb
5. 270 Winchester.....................1417 ft/lb
6. 30-06 Springfield...................1370 ft/lb
7. 308 Winchester.....................1287 ft/lb
8. 6.5 Creedmoor......................1211 ft/lb
9. 257 Weatherby.....................1139 ft/lb
10. 25-06 Remington...................674 ft/lb
11. 243 Winchester.....................663 ft/lb
12. 22-250 Remington..................447 ft/lb
13. 223 Remington.......................432 ft/lb
14. 220 Swift..............................406 ft/lb
15. 204 Ruger.............................405 ft/lb
16. 7.62x39mm............................350 ft/lb

(Handgun 40 S&W 180gr at 25 yards 350 ft/lb)

Winners of the straightest shooting score averaged with the most powerful energy round (lowest score wins) is as follows:

1. 7mm Weatherby Magnum.................-30.7/1695-ft/lb score ave 8
2. 300 Weatherby Magnum..................-31.2/1696-ft/lb score ave 8
3. 50 BMG........................................-35.6/12386-ft/lb score ave 11
4. 270 Winchester.............................-33.7/1417-ft/lb score ave 13
5. 243 Winchester.............................-29.6/663-ft/lb score ave 14
6. 22-250 Remington..........................-29.1/447-ft/lb score ave 14
7. 338 Lapua....................................-37.1 /2796-ft/lb score ave 14
8. 220 Swift....................................-31.8/406-ft/lb score ave 15
9. 204 Ruger....................................-28.0/405-ft/lb score ave 16
10. 257 Weatherby.............................-33.0/1139-ft/lb score ave 16
11. 6.5 Creedmoor.............................-36.9/1211-ft/lb score ave 19
12. 30-06 Springfield..........................-38.3/1370-ft/lb score ave 19
13. 223 Remington.............................-35.6/432-ft/lb score ave 22
14. 308 Winchester............................-40.7/1287-ft/lb score ave 22
15. 25-06 Remington...........................-38.5/674-ft/lb score ave 24
16. 7.62x39mm...................................-95.6/350-ft/lb score ave 32

Data collected was based on the best performing round from each caliber cartridge.
Data Ref: http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/...Ballistics.pdf

Bart B. · February 21, 2013, 08:55 AM

Codert, how 'bout adding a third set called "Most Accurate" and a fourth one titled "Easiest to Shoot Accurately" then see what happens by responders?

eldermike · February 21, 2013, 09:16 AM

The 243 Win. seems to be 5'th and 14'th in one of the charts.

Brian Pfleuger · February 21, 2013, 09:23 AM

The qualifier being "Hornady factory ammo".
The ranks could change considerably with other brands and especially handloads.

spacecoast · February 21, 2013, 10:48 AM

Also, did you take an average across all bullets or just pick one?

allaroundhunter · February 21, 2013, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Also, did you take an average across all bullets or just pick one?

He just picked random bullets (and didn't pay much attention as he did), that's why there are 2 .243 rounds in each category.

This post really has no value, IMO.

emcon5 · February 21, 2013, 11:11 AM

Is the first table drop? If so, "straightest" doesn't really apply. You want straightest, you need to look at wind.

Grizz12 · February 21, 2013, 11:16 AM

I would like to see a 45/70 on the list

Bart B. · February 21, 2013, 04:31 PM

emcon5, I think he's referring to the flattest trajectory 'cause their listed in order of bullet drop; least first.

Others refer to one with best accuracy as the "straightest shooter" 'cause it hits were you aim it, or somethng like that.

steveNChunter · February 21, 2013, 05:58 PM

Just judging by "straightest shooting" (whatever thats supposed to mean, I assume flattest trajectory) and energy at 500 yards to rank calibers is ignorant.

Also Hornady's chart is a bad one to use for something like this since not all calibers are offered in their 'superformance' ammo.

jmr40 · February 21, 2013, 06:06 PM

Pretty useless without more info.

I can only speak for the rounds I shoot, but my 308 and 30-06 loads are still delivering 150- 200 ft/lbs more energy than listed @ 500 yards when using 180 gr bullets.

Even with a 200 yard zero my flattest shooting loads with 130gr/308 and 150gr/30-06 loads, both at a quite hot 3050 fps don't shoot as flat as the data listed. He must be using a 300+ yard zero and some pretty light loads for this comparison.

But to be fair, the overall rankings don't look too far off if you were to select the best load for each chambering. There might be a few that would move up or down the rankings slightly if the "best" loads for each are chosen.

Codert · February 21, 2013, 09:22 PM

jmr40
steveNChunter
emcon5
allaroundhunter
spacecoast

Again, Data collected was based on the best performing round from each caliber cartridge.

Data Ref: http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/...Ballistics.pdf

This was not in bias, meant to hurt feelings of prejudice against any favorite rifle. This is merely data that was calculated from cartridge manufacture. So take a deep breath…

Grizz12 - 45-70 Govt only shows data at 300 yard or less. At 300 yards the energy is 1035 ft/lbs and gravities effect on bullet drop transition was -23.0 inches from target. Not that good compaired to others. Most gravities tolls are at 400 + yards.

steveNChunter - I guess Hornady's not as knowledgeable. Maybe you can make a chart? Read this "let's dispel some myths surrounding it. Whatever you may have heard before, these are the facts:

•There is no such thing as an absolute and invariable ballistic coefficient (B. C.)
•Ballistic coefficients are only one factor in bullet selection for different kinds of shooting.
•A ballistic coefficient can change with reference to (1) altitude, (2) temperature, (3) atmospheric pressure, and (4) relative humidity.
•Ballistic coefficients are measures of a bullet's relative efficiency.
•Ballistic coefficients are not measures of a bullet's "goodness."
•Higher B.C.s do not necessarily make a bullet "better."
•Lower B.C.s do not necessarily make a bullet "worse."

Ref: http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/external

Thanks!

BartB - You can in a lab setting with all factors being equal.

steveNChunter · February 21, 2013, 10:19 PM

I don't claim to know more or even anywhere near as much as Hornady, but you cant base a comparison on some calibers that offer superformance ammo to others that dont. Its apples and oranges. There's nothing wrong with Hornadys ballistics, I'm sure they are very accurate.

Whats wrong is ranking calibers off just "straight shooting" and "power." There's so much more to it than that. I see the 22-250 and .338 Lapua both have an average score of 15, this must certainly mean they are very similar and could be used interchangeably for either 1000+ yard shots or varmint hunting

spacecoast · February 22, 2013, 02:22 PM

What formula was used to come up with a "score"? It's not obvious from the numbers.

Ahh... never mind, it's the sum of the rankings on each chart.

Codert · February 23, 2013, 12:29 AM

steveNChunter

Superformance® is not always the best performer in bullet drop accuracy or energy as seen above. For the majority of data illustrated, it’s as close as Apples to Apples as you can get.

22-250 Remington..............-29.1 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
243 Winchester..................-29.6 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
300 Weatherby Magnum.......-30.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
270 Winchester...................-33.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
223 Remington....................-35.6 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
6.5 Creedmoor..................-36.9 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
30-06 Springfield...............-38.3 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
25-06 Remington...............-38.5 ..... Ammo - Superformance®
308 Winchester.................-40.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance®

338 Lapua........................-37.1 ..... Ammo - Match (Superformance® performed worse)
7mm Weatherby Magnum......-30.7 ..... Ammo - Custom (Superformance® performed worse)

204 Ruger......................... -28.0 ..... Ammo - Varmint Express
220 Swift ..........................-31.8 ..... Ammo - Varmint Express
50 BMG............................-35.6 ..... Ammo - Match
257 Weatherby...................-33.0 ..... Ammo - Custom
7.62x39mm.......................-95.6 ..... Ammo - Custom (Other Brands performed worse)

allaroundhunter · February 23, 2013, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Superformance® is not always the best performer in bullet drop accuracy or energy as seen above. For the majority of data illustrated, it’s as close as Apples to Apples as you can get.

As far as comparing Hornady's ammo, it is as close as you can get I guess.... But each gun does not shoot Hornady ammo the best so your list is flawed. Trying to make a list of the flattest shooting calibers/heaviest hitting bullets is not possible solely by analyzing the factory offerings from a single company.

JD0x0 · February 23, 2013, 01:15 AM

The .270 win performed impressively. Outperforming the 30-06 and trailing right behind the weatherby magnums, in energy @ 500yrds. I always thought that an 06 would generally have more energy at long range.

trg42wraglefragle · February 23, 2013, 02:21 AM

What about most Tacticool, and most likely to be brought by mall ninjas?
That list really doesn't tell you much information to be entirely useful.

steveNChunter · February 23, 2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

As far as comparing Hornady's ammo, it is as close as you can get I guess.... But each gun does not shoot Hornady ammo the best so your list is flawed. Trying to make a list of the flattest shooting calibers/heaviest hitting bullets is not possible solely by analyzing the factory offerings from a single company.

Thank you allaroundhunter

And as for superformance ammo, sure it's faster most of the time but I've tried it in several of my rifles and accuracy suffered in each one. Also the peak pressure and duration of pressure that the superformance powder generates is questionable IMO over an extended amount of shooting. I believe (don't know this for a fact) it will wear a barrel out faster, and may not be a healthy load for the gun over a duration of several hundred rounds. So Ill stick with my "old fashioned" powders.

February 20, 2013, 10:13 PM	#1
Codert Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 3	Straightest shooting most powerful Rifle rounds Review Comparison Shootout Corrected Feb 22. 2013 Thanks Eldermike for the error info. Straightest shooting round at 500 yards (Lowest bullet drop) 1. 204 Ruger......................... -28.0 ..... Ammo - Varmint Express 2. 22-250 Remington..............-29.1 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 3. 243 Winchester..................-29.6 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 4. 7mm Weatherby Magnum......-30.7 ..... Ammo - Custom (Superformance® performed worse) 5. 300 Weatherby Magnum.......-30.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 6. 220 Swift ..........................-31.8 ..... Ammo - Varmint Express 7. 257 Weatherby...................-33.0 ..... Ammo - Custom 8. 270 Winchester...................-33.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 9. 223 Remington....................-35.6 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 10. 50 BMG............................-35.6 ..... Ammo - Match 11. 6.5 Creedmoor..................-36.9 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 12. 338 Lapua........................-37.1 ..... Ammo - Match (Superformance® performed worse) 13. 30-06 Springfield...............-38.3 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 14. 25-06 Remington...............-38.5 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 15. 308 Winchester.................-40.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 16. 7.62x39mm.......................-95.6 ..... Ammo - Custom (Other Brands performed worse) Highest energy round at 500 yards 1. 50 BMG.............................12386 ft/lb 2. 338 Lapua...........................2796 ft/lb 3. 300 Weatherby Magnum.........1725 ft/lb 4. 7mm Weatherby Magnum........1695 ft/lb 5. 270 Winchester.....................1417 ft/lb 6. 30-06 Springfield...................1370 ft/lb 7. 308 Winchester.....................1287 ft/lb 8. 6.5 Creedmoor......................1211 ft/lb 9. 257 Weatherby.....................1139 ft/lb 10. 25-06 Remington...................674 ft/lb 11. 243 Winchester.....................663 ft/lb 12. 22-250 Remington..................447 ft/lb 13. 223 Remington.......................432 ft/lb 14. 220 Swift..............................406 ft/lb 15. 204 Ruger.............................405 ft/lb 16. 7.62x39mm............................350 ft/lb (Handgun 40 S&W 180gr at 25 yards 350 ft/lb) Winners of the straightest shooting score averaged with the most powerful energy round (lowest score wins) is as follows: 1. 7mm Weatherby Magnum.................-30.7/1695-ft/lb score ave 8 2. 300 Weatherby Magnum..................-31.2/1696-ft/lb score ave 8 3. 50 BMG........................................-35.6/12386-ft/lb score ave 11 4. 270 Winchester.............................-33.7/1417-ft/lb score ave 13 5. 243 Winchester.............................-29.6/663-ft/lb score ave 14 6. 22-250 Remington..........................-29.1/447-ft/lb score ave 14 7. 338 Lapua....................................-37.1 /2796-ft/lb score ave 14 8. 220 Swift....................................-31.8/406-ft/lb score ave 15 9. 204 Ruger....................................-28.0/405-ft/lb score ave 16 10. 257 Weatherby.............................-33.0/1139-ft/lb score ave 16 11. 6.5 Creedmoor.............................-36.9/1211-ft/lb score ave 19 12. 30-06 Springfield..........................-38.3/1370-ft/lb score ave 19 13. 223 Remington.............................-35.6/432-ft/lb score ave 22 14. 308 Winchester............................-40.7/1287-ft/lb score ave 22 15. 25-06 Remington...........................-38.5/674-ft/lb score ave 24 16. 7.62x39mm...................................-95.6/350-ft/lb score ave 32 Data collected was based on the best performing round from each caliber cartridge. Data Ref: http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/...Ballistics.pdf Last edited by Codert; February 23, 2013 at 12:34 AM.

February 21, 2013, 09:23 AM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	The qualifier being "Hornady factory ammo". The ranks could change considerably with other brands and especially handloads. Last edited by Brian Pfleuger; February 22, 2013 at 04:41 PM.

February 21, 2013, 05:58 PM	#10
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	Just judging by "straightest shooting" (whatever thats supposed to mean, I assume flattest trajectory) and energy at 500 yards to rank calibers is ignorant. Also Hornady's chart is a bad one to use for something like this since not all calibers are offered in their 'superformance' ammo. __________________ DEO VINDICE

February 21, 2013, 09:22 PM	#12
Codert Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 3	jmr40 steveNChunter emcon5 allaroundhunter spacecoast Again, Data collected was based on the best performing round from each caliber cartridge. Data Ref: http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/...Ballistics.pdf This was not in bias, meant to hurt feelings of prejudice against any favorite rifle. This is merely data that was calculated from cartridge manufacture. So take a deep breath… Grizz12 - 45-70 Govt only shows data at 300 yard or less. At 300 yards the energy is 1035 ft/lbs and gravities effect on bullet drop transition was -23.0 inches from target. Not that good compaired to others. Most gravities tolls are at 400 + yards. steveNChunter - I guess Hornady's not as knowledgeable. Maybe you can make a chart? Read this "let's dispel some myths surrounding it. Whatever you may have heard before, these are the facts: •There is no such thing as an absolute and invariable ballistic coefficient (B. C.) •Ballistic coefficients are only one factor in bullet selection for different kinds of shooting. •A ballistic coefficient can change with reference to (1) altitude, (2) temperature, (3) atmospheric pressure, and (4) relative humidity. •Ballistic coefficients are measures of a bullet's relative efficiency. •Ballistic coefficients are not measures of a bullet's "goodness." •Higher B.C.s do not necessarily make a bullet "better." •Lower B.C.s do not necessarily make a bullet "worse." Ref: http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/external Thanks! BartB - You can in a lab setting with all factors being equal. Last edited by Codert; February 21, 2013 at 09:57 PM.

February 21, 2013, 10:19 PM	#13
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	I don't claim to know more or even anywhere near as much as Hornady, but you cant base a comparison on some calibers that offer superformance ammo to others that dont. Its apples and oranges. There's nothing wrong with Hornadys ballistics, I'm sure they are very accurate. Whats wrong is ranking calibers off just "straight shooting" and "power." There's so much more to it than that. I see the 22-250 and .338 Lapua both have an average score of 15, this must certainly mean they are very similar and could be used interchangeably for either 1000+ yard shots or varmint hunting __________________ DEO VINDICE

February 21, 2013, 08:55 AM	#2
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Codert, how 'bout adding a third set called "Most Accurate" and a fourth one titled "Easiest to Shoot Accurately" then see what happens by responders?

February 21, 2013, 09:16 AM	#3
eldermike Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 545	The 243 Win. seems to be 5'th and 14'th in one of the charts.

February 21, 2013, 10:48 AM	#5
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Also, did you take an average across all bullets or just pick one?

February 21, 2013, 11:11 AM	#7
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Is the first table drop? If so, "straightest" doesn't really apply. You want straightest, you need to look at wind.

February 21, 2013, 11:16 AM	#8
Grizz12 Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2012 Posts: 527	I would like to see a 45/70 on the list

February 21, 2013, 04:31 PM	#9
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	emcon5, I think he's referring to the flattest trajectory 'cause their listed in order of bullet drop; least first. Others refer to one with best accuracy as the "straightest shooter" 'cause it hits were you aim it, or somethng like that.

February 21, 2013, 06:06 PM	#11
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	Pretty useless without more info. I can only speak for the rounds I shoot, but my 308 and 30-06 loads are still delivering 150- 200 ft/lbs more energy than listed @ 500 yards when using 180 gr bullets. Even with a 200 yard zero my flattest shooting loads with 130gr/308 and 150gr/30-06 loads, both at a quite hot 3050 fps don't shoot as flat as the data listed. He must be using a 300+ yard zero and some pretty light loads for this comparison. But to be fair, the overall rankings don't look too far off if you were to select the best load for each chambering. There might be a few that would move up or down the rankings slightly if the "best" loads for each are chosen.

February 22, 2013, 02:22 PM	#14
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	What formula was used to come up with a "score"? It's not obvious from the numbers. Ahh... never mind, it's the sum of the rankings on each chart.

February 23, 2013, 12:29 AM	#15
Codert Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 3	steveNChunter Superformance® is not always the best performer in bullet drop accuracy or energy as seen above. For the majority of data illustrated, it’s as close as Apples to Apples as you can get. 22-250 Remington..............-29.1 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 243 Winchester..................-29.6 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 300 Weatherby Magnum.......-30.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 270 Winchester...................-33.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 223 Remington....................-35.6 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 6.5 Creedmoor..................-36.9 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 30-06 Springfield...............-38.3 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 25-06 Remington...............-38.5 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 308 Winchester.................-40.7 ..... Ammo - Superformance® 338 Lapua........................-37.1 ..... Ammo - Match (Superformance® performed worse) 7mm Weatherby Magnum......-30.7 ..... Ammo - Custom (Superformance® performed worse) 204 Ruger......................... -28.0 ..... Ammo - Varmint Express 220 Swift ..........................-31.8 ..... Ammo - Varmint Express 50 BMG............................-35.6 ..... Ammo - Match 257 Weatherby...................-33.0 ..... Ammo - Custom 7.62x39mm.......................-95.6 ..... Ammo - Custom (Other Brands performed worse)

February 23, 2013, 01:15 AM	#17
JD0x0 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 1,037	The .270 win performed impressively. Outperforming the 30-06 and trailing right behind the weatherby magnums, in energy @ 500yrds. I always thought that an 06 would generally have more energy at long range.

February 23, 2013, 02:21 AM	#18
trg42wraglefragle Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 856	What about most Tacticool, and most likely to be brought by mall ninjas? That list really doesn't tell you much information to be entirely useful.

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