best caliber for 2,000 yard competition

Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target Rifle 12. Heres his account of the achievement, which took place at the Spearpoint Ranch in Barnard, Kansas, on March 27. We all know that AR-10s of the past could never keep up in accuracy with a bolt gun. Both SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and the US Army have selected the .300 Norma Magnum as their hottest and newest sniper rifle cartridge. You will get more bang for your buck choosing the .308 Winchester as your next Long Range caliber. Not many production rifles exist in a budget option. Best Long-Range Cartridges 1. You dream it, and it can be done. Muzzle Velocity: Using the 143 grain ELD-X, 2950 fps. Overall Practicality: I love this caliber for AR-15 shooters who want to take their target shooting to the next level. are all capable of fine accuracy and game-killing power at these distances. The .300 WSM steals the performance of a .300 WM and transforms it down to a short-action rifle. Vaulted to discreet stardom when used to win a 1,000-yard open-class championship at the National Matches at Camp Perry several years ago, this cartridge is a proper short-action round that offers an edge when aggressive wind conditions plague a match. To salvage the project, the Navy switched to 185-grain Lapua FMJs, which went into production in 1990. Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 4,677 ft-lbs. With regard to time-of-flight and trajectory, out to 1,000 yards its right on the heels of the 6 mm ARC. Ammo Availability: The biggest drawback to this cartridge is that the rounds are very expensive if bought commercially. All 6mm projectiles are notorious for extremely fast throat erosion. It can make long cross-canyon shots when needed, yet you can bring it to action in a flash should a buck materialize in front of you in the dense timber. 80% more. That being said if you plan to take your Long Range game seriously, I would invest the time and money into reloading. My squad started on targets five and six (T5 and T6) at 2,073 and 2,203 yards. You may see something like this: 6.5mm 140-grain VLD G1 BC: 0.593 G7 BC: 0.304. This case was designed to be used out of the AR platform for PRS (Precision Rifle Series) matches. Slightly more than the .308 Winchester. For example, I know some people who shoot 1000 yards with 223. Incredible mid to long-range performance. I would argue, these are two of the most important questions to ask/answer when talking about the best Long Range roundwhat is the ammo availability like, and/or do you reload? It will tumble erratically and fall short of the intended target. Im referring to cartridges that have been custom designed by people in the industry who squeeze every drop of performance out of a round. Bergara B-14 HMR. Not many production rifles exist in a budget option. That being said, there are plenty of commercial options, but the price will be much higher than standard cartridges. are tough to beat. Federal was tapped to produce the ammo in 1992, and so the military had a sniper round that slotted between the .308 Win. Bolt gun fans are especially in luck because as of right now, the PRC is very limited in the gas-gun world. It wont keep up with the 6 mm ARC, but its still a great long-range performer in an AR-15, and there is a good selection of Grendel loads to choose from. The possibilities are endless with the .223. The two dominant calibers among Relay Winners are: 30 Caliber (.308) at 60%, and 6.5mm (.264) at 27%. Over the years the round has set numerous records in 600- and 1,000-yard benchrest competitions, so when the PRS started to catch on in 2012, it wasnt long before those shooters started looking at this stubby little round. Programs like Applied Ballistics (by far the best) can easily chart out in a spreadsheet-like format, all sorts of information important to long-range shooters. This cartridge can be found in semi-auto AR-style rifles. For example, when the inception of the M110 came to the Army sniper community some guys hated leaving behind their trusty M24s. Unless that backer has five distinct holes in itwhich Stinnetts didit doesnt count. Likewise, there are .338 projectiles available, even during the Great Shortage, that hit the .800 BC mark that should have the big .338s looking even better. Transonic speed is the point in a bullets trajectory where it slows down and transitions from supersonic to subsonic (Mach 1-Mach 0.7 or 1125-880 fps). Because this cartridge is so new, ammo prices are going to be high. I think this cartridge will prove useful to the long range community in the future. An MOA equals one inch per 1000 yards. After seeing such success with its flagship cartridge, Hornady wanted to take the Creedmoor to the next level. To date, the .300 NM will be a bolt action system only. The info on barrel life added a lot of depth. Unless you will be loading subsonic rounds, all standard Long Range rifle calibers maintain supersonic flight (Mach 1 or greater than 1125 fps). While the retained velocity and energy is 1937 fps / 1500 ft-lb and 1656 fps / 1096 ft-lb at 600 and 800 yards. The average cost per round of .260 Remington online will be around $1.70. Again for the best LR option, 140gr Hybrid Target MV: 2,780 fps, Using above projectile, G1: 0.607 G7: 0.311. Hornady has led the new millennium charge with regard to cartridges for long range shooting. A few specialty matches, such as the Farr trophy at Camp Perry, are fired at 1,000 yards. If you had the money to spend on it, and were not needing a semi-auto rifle for competitions, the .300 Norma Magnum is possibly the best performing round on this list. I was so familiar with how those rounds acted in high crosswinds and how they performed through Transonic. .308 Winchester. No. This is one of the most helpful and actionable articles I have seen. Certain accessories like muzzle brakes and suppressors drastically reduce recoil (up to 70% reduction). All in all, proven through years of ballistic testing, the 6.5 Creedmoor fills the gap between extended-Long Range performance and cost-effective and barrel-safe MVs. The key to the Dasher and these other rounds is their consistency. No. The Navy switched to 190-grain Sierra Matchking HPBTs. The top-end stuff certainly has its gatekeepers. I recall several savvy shooters proclaiming that Lapua would never produce 6.5 Creedmoor brass. Muzzle: 2670 ft-lbs 500m: 1439 ft-lbs 1,000m: 698 ft-lbs 1,500m: 335 ft-lbs. Introduced to us in 1955, the .243 was designed as a sporting and target rifle round. Shortly after leaving the Marine Corps, McMahon became a contractor for the US Army, testing small arms and large caliber weapons for potential military contracts. Overall Practicality: Unless you are a military sniper, this round has almost zero practicality. Christensen Arms Modern Precision Rifle 7. s. As said before, I come from a different world. And that my friend required outstanding composition and masterful communication skills, not to mention the aforementioned qualifications. Because the .224 is so new, the market is still catching on. In essence, the 6.5284 Norma equals the performance of the .270 Winchester with projectiles having much higher BC and consuming slightly less powder. Offering superb accuracy coupled with very light recoil, the 6mm Creedmoor is a favorite amongst PRS shooters needing to spot their own impacts at long range. The projectile designed specifically for Long Range shooting is the 90 grain Sierra Match King. This caliber was designed and intended strictly for the semi-auto AR-15 platforms. Ryan Cheney The Specs Rifle: GA Precision Custom Cartridge: 33XC Action: Defiance Deviant Tactical Stock: Manners F-Class Trigger: Triggertech Diamond Two-Stage Barrel: 35-inch Bartlein with a 9.5 twist Muzzle brake: Terminator T4 The jack-of-all-trades long-range caliber. Recoil is polite, making it easy to focus on correctly executing the shot instead of clenching your teeth in anticipation. Muzzle: 4,677 ft-lbs. The newest variants of all service sniper rifles have options chambered in the classic Long Range caliber. Budget speaking, the 6.5 Grendel is much more of a value in rifle and ammo costs than the AR-10 class of calibers. This cartridge is a beast, and while its a great long-range performer, it is on the large side for commonly sized bolt-action rifles. 500m: 1,866 ft-lbs. So, why do so many top PRS competitors choose to shoot the 6mm Creedmoor? Ammo Availability: Like the .308 Winchester, ammo availability and reloading components are everywhere. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, 7 Best New Cartridges for Long-Range Precision, First Look: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint. The .300 Win. Ive always liked the .260. The .243 WSSM was a freaky-accurate little cartridge with great muzzle velocity but could have been so much more with better brass. The first time I fired the .300NM I was blown away. Mag. Take the .308 Winchester at 500 for comparison, The level of confidence of a first-round hit at that range is extremely high. It is a wildcat custom-build-only proposition that has no ammo available and has to have brass formed unless you are lucky enough (and rich enough) to find some ADG made for this round and even then, variations will exist in reamer design to render the ADG brass only marginally more useful than formed 300 Ultra brass. To take the 6.5CM and add MV to the equation, pure joy happens. To take the 6.5CM and add MV to the equation, pure joy happens. Mag. Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Optic-Ready Autoloading Shotgun: First Look, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol, Most useful for: PRS & 1,000-yard slow-fire matches, Most useful for: Service rifle and .223-only PRS matches, Most useful for: Matches regulated to .308 only, Most useful for: 1,000-yard slow-fire matches, Most useful for: Cross-country long-range & 1,000-yard slow- fire matches. I was so familiar with how those rounds acted in high crosswinds and how they performed through Transonic. This upstart has been on a tear since its introduction in 2007 and evokes passionate responsesboth pro and conlike no other cartridge in recent memory. The shape of the football does not allow sustained flight if the ball is thrown end over end. It is indeed a gratifying experience to know you can direct a bullet to a beachball or even a smaller target at such an incredible distance. 80% more. Now by swapping a barrel, Long Action set-ups like the .300 Norma or Winchester magnums could not manage the overall cartridge length of the new .338 Norma. The recoil is almost non-existent. G7 is the most current and most accurate measurement of the predicted flight of a long-range projectile. From what can be expected, the .224 wears a little bit more than the .223, approx. The .308 Win. History: Introduced to us in 1955, the .243 was designed as a sporting and target rifle round. To explain Transonic Range, think about the physics of a football. 6.5 Creedmoor. Invest the money and invest the time in solid training from reputable sources. Reproduction of any part of this website without direct permission is prohibited. Again, as most wildcat rounds are concerned, barrel life will not be great. Picking six top long-range competition-cartridges was hard because various long-range disciplines apply a vast spread of demands, and many such as Palma and Service Rifle have cartridge-specific regulations. Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. 500m: 1,123 ft-lbs 1,000m: 394 ft-lbs. Since the most common .223 projectile for LR performance is the Sierra Match King 77gr OTM, we will use that; G7 BC ~ 0.202. The .224 Valkyrie was the child of an experiment by Federal in 2017 to reach into the 1,000-yard competition circuit (which was dominated by the .30 caliber class cartridges) with a small .22 caliber projectile. Vortex Strike Eagle 4-2450 Most Affordable Vortex Optics 4-24x50 Strike Eagle 330 at EuroOptic Prices accurate at time of writing 330 at EuroOptic EuroOptic (See Price) Amazon (See Price) My most affordable pick is the Strike Eagle 4-24x. That still is a general rule of thumb today, but they have come a long way. It will also get a bullet to 1,000 yards faster than the 6.5 Creedmoor. As a candidate for the best overall long-range caliber. hit its first major stumble. Mag., and the story of its adoption and evolution in that role is what really lands it on the list of best long-range calibers. Muzzle: 2402 ft-lbs. The cartridge Stinnett used is nearly as surprising as the group he shot. Ammo Availability: Due to the popularity of the cartridge, 6.5CM ammo can be found almost anywhere. Best 1,000-Yard Rifles For Under $1,000 Shooting Long Range 1. G1 BC: .563 G7 BC: .274. John B. Better, more expensive builds make this advantage a wash, but in my experience, it is fair to say the .30-06 is generally more forgiving. No other caliber on this list can perform more universally across multiple systems than the .308. Mag. The top-end stuff certainly has its gatekeepers. But the military also discovered the benefits of the .300 Win. A line can be drawn in the sand between the .30 cal class projectiles and the .338 and larger. With the right rifle, the .300WM can be a very smooth shooting set-up. Back in 2013, Mike Stinnett bested a benchrest record that stood for nearly 40 years when he shot a 5-shot group in competition at 100 yards that measured .0077 inches. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. MV values for the .224 vary from 2,700 fps (90 grain projectiles) to 3,400 fps (60 grain projectiles). We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. If, on the other hand, you like shooting a lot but dont want to replace your barrel frequently, or if you dont handload, the 6.5mm version is a more practical option. So for those of you seeking a bolt-gun build, keep in mind that your standard factory options will be very limited. A standard projectile weight for optimum performance out of the 6CM would be a 105 grain Berger Target VLD @ 3,100fps. Ballistic Co-Efficient: The 123 ELD Match will be used G1: 0.506 G7: 0.255, Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 2,065 ft-lbs 500m: 943 ft-lbs 1,000m: 357 ft-lbs 1,500m: 225 ft-lbs. So make your pick wisely, and then get to shooting, because a cartridge can only be as accurate as the one firing it. They considered the .338 Lapua as an option, but the .300 Win. With things like barrel life and ammo availability into consideration, the 6mm Creedmoor is a perfect option for the more seasoned and able LR shooter who doesnt mind reloading consistently and replacing barrels often. The overall intended target range for the 6.5 Grendel was between 200-800 yards. | Mag. Although tempted to focus on the top six winningest cartridges in the current hottest, fastest-growing long-range discipline Precision Rifle Series (PRS) I finally opted to cover an arbitrary spectrum (heaven help me) of match types and cartridge demands. Coming from my military background, I was always reluctant to stray from the 7.62x51mm or .300 Winchester Magnum. To put that in perspective, seven-thousands of an inch is the equivalent thickness of two sheets of paper. The only affordable model, the Winchester XPR, is neutered with a 24 barrel. One of the selling points of this round, when it was introduced, was its light recoil for a deer gun. Mag.s accuracy at these distances were changes to the chamber reamers used. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. That one-millimeter difference means a large increase in MV. Handloading ammunition can reap the reward of selecting the exact projectile with the exact desired BC. Cross-Platform Use: Another great benefit to the 6.5CM is that it still maintains an overall case length of a Short-Action cartridge. You have more knowledge in your non-dominant pinky than I have. Easy and fun to shoot. Also, experience firing large bore calibers is advised. Take the Lapua and shorten the case so it can be fired from a standard Long Action. For those lucky enough to be able to own and fire a .338 rifle, you know what I mean. So for those of you seeking a bolt-gun build, keep in mind that your standard factory options will be very limited. Factory ammunition can be found nearly anywhere for about 30 cents per round but as stated before, prices range greatly. This cartridge was designed to deliver devastating .30 cal Magnum performance. 500m: 1,212 ft-lbs. Your magazine length will help determine that: A longer-than-spec mag allows handloaders to seat those long bullets out farther than standard overall length (OAL) so they dont intrude into powder capacity. Different shooters will all have different calibers that are better suited for their specific goal or mission. Adding this .30-caliber to the family was a no-brainer and, in fact, wildcatters had done so from nearly the moment the .338 Win. Savage Model 10 BA Stealth 8. Most modern shooters are very familiar with the AR-15 design. Inside 1,000, shooters dont really need its horsepower. I also love that this cartridge can be fired from standard Long-Action receivers. It is meant for the traditional long-range projectile; featuring a long, slender ogive and a boat-tail rear end. I fear that is about all this round is targeted for. Muzzle Velocity: 168gr Berger Target Hybrid @ 3,200 fps, Ballistic Co-Efficient: G1: 0.515 G7: 0.264. If landing in the top 10 at a major PRS match is high on your bucket list, the 6mm Creedmoor is probably your best cartridge bet. 500m: 1,866 ft-lbs. So when I speak of overall practicality, I would steer people towards a round that is attainable in an easily bought rifle. At the same 2950 fps muzzle velocity, the drop of the bullet at 600 and 800 yards is 76 and 163 inches, respectively. The .243 was also a great option for those living in countries that banned the use of military countries (.308 Win/7.62x51mm NATO). Average price per round at $2.25. 1,500m: 264 ft-lbs. A 6BR or 6BR Improved can be very competitive at 1000 yards, despite its diminutive size and minimal recoil. | Hunters who just want more gun should look to the bigger .30s, like the .300 PRC and .300 Win Mag., especially if their adventures take them into territory where larger predators like bears prowl the landscape. The average life will be anywhere from 4,000-7,000 rounds. The Lightweight has a 16-inch match-grade barrel that gives shooters superior accuracy. 6.5 Creedmore is my long range favorite. In physics, gyroscopic stability explains that the rotational spin on a projectile will keep it on its initial course. As with most of the modern cartridges designed for distance, the cartridge case is short enough to allow for long, high BC bullets to still work with common magazine lengths. The big advantage and why the .260 became so popular was that it could easily be necked up or down by using other standard rifle cartridges, making reloading a breeze. But after finally diving into the 6.5, its clear why it has become so popular. what are the most popular rifle manufacturers, what is the most common caliber used in . I am stuck between 308 Win and 300 Win Mag or WSM. After digesting this lovely meal, I changed my mind about 6.5 PCR (or CM) and now favor the .308 for economy, availability, hunting flexibility, and barrel life. Some products out there exist for use in an AR-10 platform but the PRC is born within the bolt-gun family. Answer (1 of 8): It depends on a number of things. Ammo Availability: During its launch in 1997, the .260 was still on par with other wildcats. Stinnett stacked those bullets so perfectly that the shot-to-shot variance was only detectable by precision calipers. .300 Winchester Magnum. The components for reloading are also readily available. Over 100 ft-lbs difference! Most service rifle matches include stages at 200, 300 and 600 yards, from various positions, some timed, while others are slow-fire. Like many of the Volquartsen rimfires, it's good for hunting and precision shooting. A pencil barrel and light-weight wooden stock, the .308 can feel pretty sharp. With low case volume and slower MVs, the Grendel is an ideal cartridge for barrel life. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Lapua has offered cases off and on for several years, enabling accuracy-obsessed shooters to make the most of the 7mm SAUM. MSRP: $1,537; Check availability here. 1,500m: 295 ft-lbs. Rather than the 3,000 to 5,000 rounds a careful shooter gets out of a 6.5 Creedmoor, most 6mm Creedmoors are burned out by the 2,000-round mark, and many last fewer than 1,500 rounds. shooting a 180-grain Accubond, one of the finest hunting bullets around. Unfortunately being such an older caliber, new-age tactical guys will not see this cartridge on many platforms. Using the US Militarys XM1163, MV: 2,940 fps, 230gr Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical G1: 0.717 G7: 0.368, Muzzle: 4,414 ft-lbs. It offers exceptional accuracy and a decent range for shooters who do not have Long Range facilities available. A standard 6BR, after all, set the ten-shot 1000-yard world record. What is your goal? It hits hard and flies flat and straight. 6.5 PRC. During benchrest competition the targets have a paper backer that is moving placed behind them. Getting into the magnum calibers, recoil is going to be noticeably more than the .308 Winchester. Ideally, projectiles that have a higher BC, will retain their MV over a longer range. Take your time, watch some videos, and use the above parameters to make your decision. Its use today is limited to medium to big-game hunting; bolt action only. Mag. There are many different kinds of pistols out there, and whats right for one person might not be right for you. The 6.5 PRC joined an ever-expanding field of 6.5mm (.264 in.) The List: .223 Remington/5.56mm, .224 Valkyrie, .243 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5mm Grendel, 6.5mm Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge), 6.5x47mm Lapua, .260 Remington, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge), .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, and the .338 Norma Magnum. Better are the 175-, 178- and 180-grain bullets, if they can be pushed fast enough. Muzzle Velocity: Using the 225gr ELD-Match, MV: 2,840 fps, Ballistic Co-Efficient: 225gr ELDM G1: 0.712 G7: 0.365. He took that case and necked it down to load .243 (6mm) projectiles. To experiment with load developments to craft the ultimate 6.5 bolt gun cartridge. Military sniper rifles are still utilizing this classic cartridge. This round was developed in conjunction with the AR-15 rifle in the early 60s.

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