Medium/Long Range Rifle - Page 2

reynolds357 · November 28, 2017, 08:28 PM

Target shooting only, out to 600? 6BR Norma.

Nunya53 · November 28, 2017, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkCO

.260, 6.5CM, 7mm-08, .308 would be my suggestions. Not a huge difference in performance on game animals, but the first two will be less recoil than the .308 for target shooting.

I have to agree with the nod towards the 6.5...I have a couple of 6.5x55 Swedes but have also discovered the joy of the 264 Win Mag. There are rumors of the 264 being a "barrel burner" but I'm not convinced of the validity of that argument in a modern production rifle.

For your stated distances and purposes, I'm not sure a 30 caliber is necessary. In the end, it will come down to your personal preferences.

Jerry

drbill · December 10, 2017, 11:01 AM

The .308 is the only cartridge allowed in Palma Cup. 800, 900 and 1000yds.
The 6.5’s are used by many in long range competition for their accuracy.
The US Marine Corp briefly used the .300WM for long range competition. A gunnery sgt at Camp Perry said the recoil was an issue.
I use a .308 for long range.
I personally like the .338WM for elk and moose. Jack O’conner used the .270Win for non dangerous NA game successfully and wrote many pages on it.
If I had to buy one rifle for target and non dangerous big game I suspect it would be the .308Win. You can find ammo almost anywhere for it and you’ll have many bullet choices for reloading.

Tallest · December 11, 2017, 11:49 AM

I would say go with the .308. I had a 300 WM and sold it because it was too much recoil, even on a heavy Rem700 build, to be any fun for more than 5-10 shots target shooting.

And if you reload, all the better. The .308 is the parent case to the 7mm-08, my favorite round by far, as well as the .260 rem, the .243 Win, and the .358 Win. If you ever want to switch to something else, or add to the collection, you'll be nicely set up with brass.

john in jax · December 11, 2017, 08:42 PM

Lots of .308 rifles available out there in all kinds of configurations. For what you describe I would choose a 20" - 24" bull barrel. But that is just me.

Same with .308 (7.62x51) ammo, just tons of choices out there to help keep those range trips affordable.

hseII · December 11, 2017, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john in jax

Lots of .308 rifles available out there in all kinds of configurations. For what you describe I would choose a 20" - 24" bull barrel. But that is just me.

Same with .308 (7.62x51) ammo, just tons of choices out there to help keep those range trips affordable.

With a Remington Sendero Fluted contour, 20-22” throated for the 168-175 grain bullets. 1:10 twist.

Road_Clam · December 12, 2017, 06:47 AM

I've shot severall rifles between 600 and 1000 yds. Here's my quick overview based upon myself being an average recreational enthusiast.

223/556 AR15 20" match service rifle. outstanding and economical at 600 yds when loaded with a 80 gr match bullet , zero recoil

R700 Varmint 26" .308 1-12" bbl, outstanding midrange caliber, plentiful reloading components best using 155-168 match bullets, mild recoil, awesome barrel longevity . (Not a good choice for a 1000 yd rifle from the slow barrel twist and length)

Savage 12 FT-R .308, 30" bbl 1-10 twist. This is hands down the best out of the box rifle you can use an midrange. My rifle has shown me .75 MOA at 600 yds (only if I had the skill to call "sub moa all day long", but I don't) . Unfortunately have not yet had a chance to try this rifle at 1K , but it certainly is capable by the numbers.

R700 Varmint 26" 243 Win, outstanding midrange , uses 6mm bullets , zero recoil , shorter barrel life. Excellent at 1000 yds, but the lightweight smaller bullet will be tough to spot at 1K if you are shooting steel.

R700 300WM 26" Sondero. Outstanding ballistics at 600-1000 yds, flat and fast. 180+ gr bullets will be expensive, basic sporter rifle will hammer you hard with recoil. Also shorter barrel life. I have Bell and Carelson T5 stocks on all my precision rifles and they add much weight, and tame recoil. My 300WM is fitted with a brake which also tames recoil quite a bit. I also wear a recoil pad and that allows me to shoot all day with my 300WM.

Wrought · December 14, 2017, 04:17 PM

Theres nothing wrong with a .30-06 ,get a .24 or 26 inch tube and it will suprise you.

NMC_EXP · December 14, 2017, 04:28 PM

For what it's worth, the NRA highpower rifle rules for known distance competition define short range as out to and including 300 yards. Mid range is 500 and 600 yards. Long range is 800, 900 and 1000 yards.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · December 14, 2017, 04:53 PM

Why not go with the Boss cartridge >300 Mag. Who says it can't be down loaded into a easy shooting bench rest'er with decent accuracy. If you were to reside in say lower Manhattan or Washington DC places where those fellows are known to wear lifts in their boots. I would agree the 6.5 Creedmoor or the 308 would be right up your alley. But for someone who resides in the far West up against those fresh air handsome Rockies. Only a manly caliber would do. Hands down the venerable 300 Winchester Magnum.

stagpanther · December 14, 2017, 06:40 PM

I have a 300 win mag--the only thing I don't like about it is that I never could come up with a good excuse to buy a 30-06 because of it.

And it's not near the thumper I had heard it would be--I thought my arm was supposed to be blown off from all the legendary recoil.

December 11, 2017, 11:49 AM	#29
Tallest Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2016 Location: West of the Atlantic Posts: 418	I would say go with the .308. I had a 300 WM and sold it because it was too much recoil, even on a heavy Rem700 build, to be any fun for more than 5-10 shots target shooting. And if you reload, all the better. The .308 is the parent case to the 7mm-08, my favorite round by far, as well as the .260 rem, the .243 Win, and the .358 Win. If you ever want to switch to something else, or add to the collection, you'll be nicely set up with brass. __________________ Matthew "All men are ignorant. The topics of our ignorance may vary, but the nature of the world is that no man may know everything." ~ R Jordan

December 11, 2017, 08:42 PM	#30
john in jax Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 1,177	Lots of .308 rifles available out there in all kinds of configurations. For what you describe I would choose a 20" - 24" bull barrel. But that is just me. Same with .308 (7.62x51) ammo, just tons of choices out there to help keep those range trips affordable. __________________ America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. Claire Wolfe

December 12, 2017, 06:47 AM	#32
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	I've shot severall rifles between 600 and 1000 yds. Here's my quick overview based upon myself being an average recreational enthusiast. 223/556 AR15 20" match service rifle. outstanding and economical at 600 yds when loaded with a 80 gr match bullet , zero recoil R700 Varmint 26" .308 1-12" bbl, outstanding midrange caliber, plentiful reloading components best using 155-168 match bullets, mild recoil, awesome barrel longevity . (Not a good choice for a 1000 yd rifle from the slow barrel twist and length) Savage 12 FT-R .308, 30" bbl 1-10 twist. This is hands down the best out of the box rifle you can use an midrange. My rifle has shown me .75 MOA at 600 yds (only if I had the skill to call "sub moa all day long", but I don't) . Unfortunately have not yet had a chance to try this rifle at 1K , but it certainly is capable by the numbers. R700 Varmint 26" 243 Win, outstanding midrange , uses 6mm bullets , zero recoil , shorter barrel life. Excellent at 1000 yds, but the lightweight smaller bullet will be tough to spot at 1K if you are shooting steel. R700 300WM 26" Sondero. Outstanding ballistics at 600-1000 yds, flat and fast. 180+ gr bullets will be expensive, basic sporter rifle will hammer you hard with recoil. Also shorter barrel life. I have Bell and Carelson T5 stocks on all my precision rifles and they add much weight, and tame recoil. My 300WM is fitted with a brake which also tames recoil quite a bit. I also wear a recoil pad and that allows me to shoot all day with my 300WM. __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid" Last edited by Road_Clam; December 13, 2017 at 06:25 AM.

December 14, 2017, 06:40 PM	#36
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,784	I have a 300 win mag--the only thing I don't like about it is that I never could come up with a good excuse to buy a 30-06 because of it. And it's not near the thumper I had heard it would be--I thought my arm was supposed to be blown off from all the legendary recoil. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

November 28, 2017, 08:28 PM	#26
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Target shooting only, out to 600? 6BR Norma.

December 10, 2017, 11:01 AM	#28
drbill Member Join Date: November 28, 2017 Posts: 19	The .308 is the only cartridge allowed in Palma Cup. 800, 900 and 1000yds. The 6.5’s are used by many in long range competition for their accuracy. The US Marine Corp briefly used the .300WM for long range competition. A gunnery sgt at Camp Perry said the recoil was an issue. I use a .308 for long range. I personally like the .338WM for elk and moose. Jack O’conner used the .270Win for non dangerous NA game successfully and wrote many pages on it. If I had to buy one rifle for target and non dangerous big game I suspect it would be the .308Win. You can find ammo almost anywhere for it and you’ll have many bullet choices for reloading.

December 14, 2017, 04:17 PM	#33
Wrought Member Join Date: February 11, 2016 Posts: 96	Theres nothing wrong with a .30-06 ,get a .24 or 26 inch tube and it will suprise you.

December 14, 2017, 04:28 PM	#34
NMC_EXP Member Join Date: July 25, 2014 Location: Raton NM Posts: 19	For what it's worth, the NRA highpower rifle rules for known distance competition define short range as out to and including 300 yards. Mid range is 500 and 600 yards. Long range is 800, 900 and 1000 yards.

December 14, 2017, 04:53 PM	#35
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Why not go with the Boss cartridge >300 Mag. Who says it can't be down loaded into a easy shooting bench rest'er with decent accuracy. If you were to reside in say lower Manhattan or Washington DC places where those fellows are known to wear lifts in their boots. I would agree the 6.5 Creedmoor or the 308 would be right up your alley. But for someone who resides in the far West up against those fresh air handsome Rockies. Only a manly caliber would do. Hands down the venerable 300 Winchester Magnum.