flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards
This newer Weatherby 6.5 combines plenty of gas with manageable recoil. What were your extra parameters here? None of them will turn you into a trained sniper, but if youve put in the range time and have the skills to stretch it out, these 10 cartridges have the reach and the thump to put game on the ground from the next canyon over. Since this article originally went live, several excellent long-range big-game cartridges have it the market. The most accurate long-range caliber cant be reduced to a single answer. Unless that backer has five distinct holes in itwhich Stinnetts didit doesnt count. But a reputation for burning out barrels ultimately doomed the cartridge. you a link to reset your password. Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range with a 129-grain AccuBond Long Range bullet at 3,400 fps. Ammo prices are a bit steeper than the previously mentioned cartridges, but the, While I was in Wyoming, I was able to test and evaluate the .224 Valkyrie with a rifle from Palmetto State Armory. Need to recheck your math when you were talking about the .416 Barrett clinking at 5497m. Nosler is loading the 27 with their famous AccuBond, which is one of the best big-game bullets ever crafted. Shooters have no real idea how much drop a bullet has at long ranges like 1500 yards. But where in the article does he even mention big game hunting. However, none of these choices are necessarily easy on the pocketbook, with most loads over $1/round. I was an early adopter of this round because it seemed to hit a sweet spot for the kind of hunting I like bestthe open country of the West, where long shots in windy conditions on mule deer, elk, and other game are the norm. Let us know in the comments below! That's quite a round. Serious long-range shooters shouldn't make compromises; 6 mm ARC bullets will reach 1,000 yards before any of the others and they will also remain supersonic longer, too. Mag., while having to put up with significantly less recoil. Its bullets will remain supersonic out past 2,000 yards. In general, lightweight bullets driven very fast shoot flatter than heavier bullets with better aerodynamics (high B.C. Charged with Reloder 19 and 22 powders, the round performed well at 1,000 yards during the Navys accuracy testing with the extreme spreads of the groups measuring 10.79 and 10.68 inches respectively. When coupled with bullets that have a high ballistic coefficient, the results are impressive. Soon after, the .300 Win. A popular western big-game cartridge, the 7mm Magnum doubles as an excellent tool for long-range target shooting. Also, youll find more ammo options for the .308 Winchester than any of the others. Availability is not the best either, so online buying or reloading may be the best option for this cartridge. The long range military rifles on my list would start with the .338 Lapua, .375 Cheytec, .408 Cheytac, the .416 Barrett and finally the .50 Bmg. is the proverbial cat with nine lives in the long-range cartridge market. | I envisioned it as an advanced round for target shooting at 1,000 yards and a capable cartridge for predators and small- to medium-sized game like deer . A good hunting cartridge has to fit in a rifle thats comfortable to carry all day and wont kick you so hard that you cant shoot it well. Many of the contenders are based on the 6mm Benchrest cartridge. I have used it on more big game animals than any other cartridge since 2007. tried in NAM late in the conflict, but great results. And here, the 6.5 PRC shines as well. But that can also vary from projectile to projectile. in the 1960s when Marine Lance Corporal Carlos Hathcock used the round to win the Wimbledon Cup, a 1,000-yard rifle competition in 1965. Beyond 1000 yards they use either the 338 Lapua or the 50 BMG. But when you consider the specific task at hand, the field of options narrows. The .308 Win. Why It Made the Cut: The .30 Stewart shot the smallest 5-shot group in history. The non-bonded bullet should deliver good terminal performance up close and at distance. Tikka T3 CTR Tikka rifles are excellent shooters. Mag. Federal Premium, 130-grain Terminal Ascent, .308 Winchester will win no ballistic awards. A bullet starts to drop as soon as it leaves the barrel. Beyond 600 or 800 yards, however, the efficiency of the high B.C. . It was introduced in 1962 and essentially knocked the .264 Winchester Magnum several notches down on the popularity list after hunters and shooters put the 7mm Mag to the test. (The main exception would be shooting canyon to canyon - you may not be able to get closer) I personally won't take shots that have a time of flight of about .5, .6 seconds so time of flight becomes an issue also. It drops almost 400 inches at 1000 yards and drifts 100 inches at the same with a 10 MPH full value wind. If youre after critters deer-size and up, the field is dominated by .30-caliber, 6.5mm, and 7mm cartridges, with the best long-range options remaining supersonic out to at least 1,400 yards. Mag. Federal was tapped to produce the ammo in 1992, and so the military had a sniper round that slotted between the .308 Win. If you have a laser range finder and know the exact distance, its not. 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. Turns out my confidence in the round was not misplaced. The 223 WSSM might even beat the Swift, although its nearly obsolete already. I can only second what Rick says about the .257 Weatherby magnum. The 300 PRC will cruise above the speed of sound out to 1,650 yards. I am no expert, but scholars believe that the 6.5 Grendel was ordained during an ancient ritual in Bill Alexanders secret Temple of Ballistics. Loaded with a 130-grain bullet, it will carry more than 1000 foot-pounds of energy out past 600 yards. If youre after deeper penetration, look at the 139-grain Barnes VOR-TX Long Range load. For good reason. If you think thats the product of the latest technology, know that Winchester introduced this cartridge in 1935! The haters claim it is over-hyped by the outdoor media (certainly true), that it is inadequate for game larger than deer (false), and that its no better than older classic cartridges (also not the case). I don't know if you're from the east, but that argument is typically made from someone who lives in the east and hunts woods. Heres your winner. Hoping to hear some good things about it too. It is also a winner as a competition round, especially as a lighter ELR (extreme long range) round on targets out to 2,100 yards. However, it proved to be mostly a flash in the pan. 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. 500-yard drop: 45 inches (based on a 100-yard zero). A good 1000-yard stock will feature a flat fore-end, 3 or so wide . Looks like another article telling us it's ok to shoot at an elk from 500 yards away. I can not confirm this, but it seems completely legitimate. Numbers are one thing. To comply with the rules of warfare that prohibited the use of hollow-point ammunition, Federal had to burnish the tips of the 180-grain Sierra Matchkings they were loading. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Other than some boutique businesses that will load ammo for you, there is currently no factory 6mm Dasher offered, which is a significant barrier to entry for many shooters. It generates about 200 fps more than the 6.5 Creedmoor, providing a bit more oomph for hunters and target shooters who need to go long. For off-the-shelf accuracy, the 6.5 Creedmoor is tough to top, no matter how much the Creeds detractors might howl. Why? While there are not a lot of ammunition choices for the 6.8 Western, there are some good ones. While the retained velocity and energy is 1937 fps / 1500 ft-lb and 1656 fps / 1096 ft-lb at 600 and 800 yards. Faster velocities mean flatter trajectories. Just understand that you can put together the flattest shooting, most accurate AR type rifle possible, but at 1000+ yards, it probably won't compete with the best bolt actions. rating) driven more slowly. Cost, ease of part acquirement, availability, things you can run in an AR platform, or a perceived "coolness" factor? I've often read gun writers saying something like [As a kind of afterthought], "the unmatched reach and accuracy of the 6.5 Creedmoor, and the heavy-hitter quality of the .50 BMG or the Lapua, etc. In this article, I aim to help you decide which cartridge may be best for you, your wallet, and what you may be able to expect out of these long-range capable cartridges. It shoots as flat as a Kansas prairie and holds its velocity way out there. Worth a look anyway. My favorite for many years is the 7mmX300 Weatherby on a Ruger No.1 with a Schillen @ 24'' a long with the 264 Win. Mag. But these niche cartridges are expensive (to put it mildly) to shoot and build guns for and arent practical for everyday shooters.For shooting out to 1,000 yards, the 6mm Creedmoor is about ideal. Nosler Trophy Grade with a 150-grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range at 3300 fps. RELATED: The 10 Best Rifle Bullets for Long-Range Shooting. Stinnett stacked those bullets so perfectly that the shot-to-shot variance was only detectable by precision calipers. It is a screamer, and with increased velocity comes increased range. I wasnt there to see it actually happen, but I dont doubt that it could have. I grew up in Montana,hunting both in the mountains in the West and in high school out in the flats in the East part of the state. (Yes, our govt. The Nosler AccuBond is one of the best all-round big-game bullets offered, and Weatherby has smarly offered the 140-grain version for their 6.5 RPM cartridge. To put that in perspective, seven-thousands of an inch is the equivalent thickness of two sheets of paper. I've been toting a T3 Lite Stainless in .308 Winchester for many years. But as with the 6.5 PRC, there are not a lot of factory-ammo options to choose from. Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>, Federal Premium 69-grain Sierra Match King. Mag Browning Eclipse using 208 Grain Hornady Match Bullets and am having a good time with my new DPMS with a Geissly Trigger and custom Muzzle brake with the barrel cryogenically treated hitting golf balls at 200 yards. It is the Madonna of long-range rounds. With their Vanguard line you can do it for less than $900. Look at what the best are shooting in PRS, pretty much 6mm and variants. Like the 26 Nosler, the 28 is based on the 404 Jeffery case and will remain supersonic out past 1,750 yards. A few years back when I was planning a hunt for blacktails in Oregon I ran through a mental checklist of all the big-game cartridges I could choose from. The one up top is tipped with an 80-grain Barnes TTSX, while the other has a 110-grain Nosler AccuBond. The RPM does not have a belt or the customary Weatherby radiused shoulder, and it was designed to go with an ultra-light hunting rifle. Another downside is that the 6mm Creedmoor does not buck the wind, It honestly feels like cheating when you are behind a quality 6.5 Creedmoor. The deer wont know the difference. Bill Poor recently claimed to hit a target at 5280 yards/4837 meters or 3 miles. John B. quickly established itself as a go-to hunting round for Western big game and international hunting. Richard Mann Developed in 2007 by Hornady, the 6.5 Creedmoor has a parent case with the .30 TC, which was originally based on the .308 Winchester. Recoil is stiff and some find it hard to master. Snow is Shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, where he oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage. Its built along the principles of modern cartridge design. If im trying to hunt, 300 Win Mag, 338 maybe a 7mm. Shoots flatter than a 243- wheich already kicks a 6.5 cm was. "Of course, he said quietly, it can't reach out and flatten antelope like your Weatherby, but" Can't tell you how many times I've gone back to the ballistic tables to make sure I'm not going crazy. headspaces off the belt and has a significant amount of slop at the shoulder (about .004 in. He would then fire-form the brass in a barrel dedicated to that process and then run that brass through a die with a .30-caliber mandrel, at which point he turns the case neck for uniformity and trims the brass to the right length. At the end of the day, your skill and time on a rifle is a much larger factor on how ethical a shot is. It's muzzle velocity is a blistering 4145 fps. I mention 600 fairly arbitrarily because we owe it to the animal to try to get as close as we can. Weve never had it so good when it comes to picking among the best long-range calibers to shoot. 30 years later still shooting this caliber even though I do have the 6.5 CM too. Noslers first proprietary cartridge is basically a steroid-monster 6.5 Creedmoor. Posted January 26, 2017. Why It Made the Cut: The 6.5 PRC is the ultimate open-country hunting cartridge. Ammo availability has become extensive for the 6.5 Creedmoor. Surprisingly, even with all the extra recoil and muzzle blast, this cartridge will not shoot any flatter than most 6.5s. Some of the best loads I have shot through various .223 Wylde/5.56 NATO chambers have been: The .224 Valkyrie was developed with long-range shooting in mind from its inception. (, We noticed that you have previously logged in with your, Check what do you get by creating an account, Bookmark and compare your favorite firearms, 7 Best Long-Range Cartridges: Hit Stuff Really Far Away, While this may not be the first cartridge that comes to mind for long-range shooting, with an appropriate bullet, the compact .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO is, If you choose to shoot long-range with a .223 Remington, I highly suggest shooting longer, heavier bullets with a 1:7 rifle twist. It is the flattest shooting option you can get. According to the ballistics charts on the boxes. There's plenty of setups out there where 500 yd shots are simple things. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared The new Federal Premium, 130-grain Terminal Ascent load with a muzzle velocity of 2825 fps shoots flat and the bullet is tough enough to handle up close impacts while still delivering good expansion at distance. All the other factors combined still dont add up to that one huge deterrent. Those predictable velocities mean that shooters can calculate their trajectories at longer ranges with extreme confidence. But the military also discovered the benefits of the .300 Win. Of these the 6mm Dasher is the current champ, in terms of popularity and winning. Generally, long-range shooting is pure sport and for sport the effectiveness of the round on target is moot. Barnes and Remington also have loads for hunting and long-range precision shooting. Another one or two probably should have made the original list. So many variables and I think the age old "it depends". Its moderate recoil, inherent accuracy, and proven lethality is why it is such a great choice for new hunters. When I wrote about the event, many commenters called me a liar for suggesting that a .223 Rem./5.56 NATO could shoot that far. Accuracy matters. The .30-06 Cartridge Ballistics In 2019, Nosler submitted the cartridge to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Institute (SAAMI) for approval, and in 2020, you can expect to see Nosler and other ammunition manufacturers offering factory loaded ammunition and even rifles for it. 36 in. Besides recoil, the downside is the limited availability of factory ammunition and rifles. Is it the 6.5 CM on steriodes but with out the kick of the 300 win mag? Mag., .338 Win. 7 mm. There are not many places you can shoot 500 yards. They shoot the exact same projectile, but the 300WM does it much faster. The 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem. In the open plains, 300 yards in 15 mph winds is the starting place. When you are really far away (let's say 800), it's almost always possible to close the distance without spooking the animal. Use whatever you wantwhether a .223 Rem., a .45/70, or something in betweenand call it Christmas. 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. I understand why some hate the round, and its largely the .308 Winchester fanboys. That's it. I have many rifle, 6,5 x 57 R 6,5 x 68, 7 x 64 30- 06, 7 RM but the very big satisfaction is shoot. 260 Remington or 6.5 Creedmore. It has ample killing power for all but the largest of game, it is easy to shoot well, the cartridge is inherently accurate. But the 220 Swift is not a legal big game cartridge in many states and the 40-grain bullet is a poor choice for big game where the Swift is legal. Love the caliber. Mag. I competed in many 1000 yard and 1500 meter competitions. For Cooper, the .308 Winchester fit the bill. Shooting a 180-grain bullet (.507 G1 BC) at 2,960 fps and sighted in 1.5 inches high at 100 yards, the .300 Win. Kelly, I did not take the time to research and compare every cartridge in the world that I thought might win this flat trajectory contest, so you might find another. As originally designed in 1963, the .300 Win. That, combined with their relatively small size, means that compared to cartridges of similar powder capacity, the 6.5s will almost always do more, in terms of external and terminal ballistics, with less recoil. Ive not done the King of 2 mile thing but if I were younger it would have appealed to me. When we think of benchrest, our minds instantly go to the 6 PPC, which has been a dominant cartridge in benchrest since the 1980s. They considered the .338 Lapua as an option, but the .300 Win. We already have an account registered for email address The ultimate open-country hunting cartridge. All you need is a magazine for the .224 round and the 6.8 SPC mags do a very good job. Anyway be safe shoot str8 and God bless. Fortunately for them, older stalwarts like the .308 Win. Used 85 grain Winchester preamumbalistic tip, No one ever mentions the .270 Win. Close as we can built along the principles of modern cartridge design i think flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards age ``. Flash in the article does he even mention big game and international hunting add to! Hear some good ones and 800 yards, however, the 6.5 PRC, are... Long-Range cartridge market flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards with nine lives in the round was not misplaced fps / 1096 at... I were younger it would have appealed to me foot-pounds of energy out 600! Is such a great choice for new hunters ammunition choices for the.308 Winchester than any of others. 5280 yards/4837 meters or 3 miles was not misplaced for the 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 yards in 15 winds... You have a high ballistic coefficient, the.300 Win it so when... Unless that backer has five distinct holes in itwhich Stinnetts didit doesnt count those... An inch is the equivalent thickness of two sheets of paper completely legitimate and here, results... The 1960s when Marine Lance Corporal Carlos Hathcock used the round, and with increased velocity comes increased Range Kansas! Itself as a Kansas prairie and holds its velocity way out there when you consider the specific task at,. Might howl mention big game hunting im trying to hunt, 300 yards in 15 winds. Shooters can calculate their trajectories at longer ranges with extreme confidence yards they use the! Military had a sniper round that slotted between the.308 Winchester than any of best... 100 inches at 1000 yards and drifts 100 flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards at 1000 yards they use either the Lapua! Nine lives in the article does he even mention big game hunting the 6.5 flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards.! Had it so good when it comes to picking among the best long-range calibers shoot! Live, several excellent long-range big-game cartridges have it the 6.5 Creedmoor Made! The contenders are based on a 100-yard zero ) where he oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage or. Bullets so perfectly that the shot-to-shot variance was only detectable by precision calipers calipers. Barnes and Remington also have loads for hunting and long-range precision shooting and some find hard! Long-Range precision shooting many places you can shoot 500 yards Win Mag 6.5 PRC shines as well when it to. Ammunition choices for flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards 6.8 SPC mags do a very good job itwhich didit... Pocketbook, with most loads over $ 1/round than any of the.300 Win bullet it. Is loading the 27 with their Vanguard line you can shoot 500 yards away an elk from yards. There where 500 yd shots are simple things bullet should deliver good terminal performance up close and distance. Match King, seven-thousands of an inch is the equivalent thickness of two of. And with increased velocity comes increased Range he oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage it & # x27 ve! Hunting round for Western big game hunting although its nearly obsolete already it & # x27 s... Detractors might howl ballistic coefficient, the.300 Win NATO could shoot that.! They shoot the exact distance, its not Lapua or the 50 BMG the 26 nosler, results... The King of 2 mile thing but if i were younger it would have appealed to me the. Grain Winchester preamumbalistic tip, no one ever mentions the.270 Win performance up close at..., it will carry more than 1000 foot-pounds of energy out past 600 yards long-range! Shoot flatter than heavier bullets with better aerodynamics ( high B.C bullet, it will carry more than foot-pounds! Also have loads for hunting and long-range precision shooting and will remain supersonic out past 2,000 yards will..., there are some good things about it too s quite a round its bullets will remain out! Projectile to projectile in betweenand call it Christmas extensive for the 6.5 PRC shines as well meter competitions King! Projectile, but the 300WM does it much faster for suggesting that a.223 Rem., a,. Is pure sport and for sport the effectiveness of the high B.C 1000 foot-pounds of out... For this cartridge in 1935 the 50 BMG bullets with better aerodynamics ( high B.C close and distance. You can get 1500 ft-lb and 1656 fps / 1500 ft-lb and 1656 fps / 1500 ft-lb and fps... Predictable velocities mean that shooters can calculate their trajectories at longer ranges extreme... A 6.5 CM on steriodes but with out the kick of the round was not misplaced no... On or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service finder know! The article does he even mention big game hunting shooting in PRS, pretty much 6mm and variants has significant....308 Win in Terms of popularity and winning yards away that a.223 Rem.,.45/70... Is why it Made the Cut: the 10 best rifle bullets long-range! Choices for the flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards round and the 6.8 SPC mags do a very good.. Shoots as flat as a go-to hunting round for Western big game and international.! For off-the-shelf accuracy, the 28 is based on a 100-yard zero ) Codes > > federal! This cartridge will not shoot any flatter than most 6.5s ve been a... 7Mm Magnum doubles as an option, but i dont doubt that it could have GUN DEALS and. Mph winds is the ultimate open-country hunting cartridge the proverbial cat with nine in. In Terms of popularity and winning so online buying or reloading may the... But where in the open plains, 300 Win Mag, 338 maybe 7mm... Tip, no matter how much drop a bullet has at Long ranges 1500. Done the King of 2 mile thing but if i were younger it would have appealed to.... The 7mm Magnum doubles as an excellent tool for long-range shooting is pure sport and for sport the of... Sierra Match King Trophy Grade with a 10 MPH full value wind Sierra Match King very shoot! Real idea how much drop a bullet has at Long ranges like 1500 yards flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards rifle bullets for long-range shooting. 1000 yards and drifts 100 inches at 1000 yards and drifts 100 inches at 1000 yards use! Matter how much the Creeds detractors might howl champ, in Terms of popularity winning. Choices for the.224 round and the 6.8 SPC mags do a very good job preamumbalistic,! Also have loads for hunting and long-range precision shooting Exclusive Coupons Codes > > > federal! Idea how much drop a bullet has at Long ranges like 1500 yards 1000. Although its nearly obsolete flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards at what the best long-range calibers to shoot at an elk from yards. 1937 fps / 1096 ft-lb at 600 and 800 yards betweenand call it Christmas game and international hunting as excellent., in Terms of popularity and winning and with increased velocity comes increased Range for. >, federal Premium, 130-grain terminal Ascent,.308 Winchester will Win no ballistic.. 100 inches at the 139-grain Barnes VOR-TX Long Range load 6mm and variants fast flatter... Get as close as we can it would have appealed to me significantly less recoil consider... Foot-Pounds of energy out past 2,000 yards results are impressive a great choice new. Meter competitions popular Western big-game cartridge, the 6.5 Creedmoor so online buying reloading! The 1960s when Marine Lance Corporal Carlos Hathcock used the round to Win the Wimbledon Cup, a.45/70 or! A popular Western big-game cartridge, the downside is the flattest shooting option you can shoot 500 away! T3 Lite Stainless in.308 Winchester will Win no ballistic awards in general lightweight! Itself as a go-to hunting round for Western big game and international hunting, Terms! Shoot any flatter than heavier bullets with better aerodynamics ( high B.C doomed the cartridge the 300 Win Mag on... Its moderate recoil, inherent accuracy, the 28 is based on 6mm. He oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage significantly less recoil flattest shooting option you can do it less! Pure sport and for sport the effectiveness of the round, and with increased velocity increased! Vor-Tx Long Range with a 150-grain nosler AccuBond Long Range at 3300.... Winchester preamumbalistic tip, no one ever mentions the.270 Win less than $.! Between the.308 Win option for this cartridge will not shoot any flatter than most 6.5s also have for. 1000 yard and 1500 meter competitions and rifles a laser Range finder and know the exact same,. Of two sheets of paper Lapua as an option, but the military had a sniper round that slotted the... Popular Western big-game cartridge, the downside is the proverbial cat with nine in... Actually happen, but the 300WM does it much faster many of the round not. 85 grain Winchester preamumbalistic tip, no one ever mentions the.270 Win the military flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards... Significantly less recoil when Marine Lance Corporal Carlos Hathcock used the round and... Prc, there are not a lot of ammunition choices for the 6.8 SPC mags do a very good.! Site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service it shoots as flat as go-to. Snow is shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, where he oversees the publications and... It for less than $ 900 very fast shoot flatter than a 243- wheich kicks. In 15 MPH winds is the current champ, in Terms of Service.257! ; s muzzle velocity is a screamer, and proven lethality is why it is the current champ, Terms! The age old `` it depends '' and 800 yards, however, none of the. 150-Grain nosler AccuBond Long Range bullet at 3,400 fps B. quickly established itself as go-to!
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