flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards


The deer wont know the difference. If you've only shot 150 yards in the woods, that shot may seem really tough. Introduced by Remington in 1962 along with their Model 700 bolt-action rifle, Remingtons Seven-Mag was the beginning of the end of Winchesters .264. 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. Everything on this list at the face value of the descriptor "long range" can be beaten out by better rounds, all of them. Whether you're shooting a break-action, pump-action, or semiautomatic, Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Just $1 per month , These rounds have the reach and the power to put down big-game animals way out there, By Steel placed at 500 yards are the bread-and-butter targets for PRS and NRL competition, so for these applications the pipsqueak 6mms are the best. 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. Oh, I also on a 300 Win Mag too, just in case I get lucky enough to go elk hunting. 500-yard drop: 45 inches (based on a 100-yard zero). To explain the nuances of rifle twist rates, you can read my previous article about AR-15 Twist Rates! The correct response is, for what? All the other factors combined still dont add up to that one huge deterrent. Surprisingly, even with all the extra recoil and muzzle blast, this cartridge will not shoot any flatter than most 6.5s. (I looked into it once but can't remember exactly.. I also encourage others to understand that their limits legitimately aren't limits for other people sometimes. There's plenty of people that are just fine a 500 yds. It's a quick and easy swap. There is no shortage of amazing cartridges that offer dazzling performance at extended ranges. Barrel life is longer, packs more energy at all distances too!!! 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). However, in the 1000-yard game, many different calibers can win. 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. Faster velocities mean flatter trajectories. Reloaders take notice don't give up on the .308 yet good things to come. Barnes and Remington also have loads for hunting and long-range precision shooting. A long-time favorite of snipers, the .308 Winchester will remain supersonic out to around 1,200 yards. are tough to beat. can handle any big-game animal on earth. It is the responsibility of any hunter to put down game as quickly and humanely as possible with a single shot. (7.62x51mm NATO) and the .50 BMG. If I reload then a wildcat cartridge like 6x47 Lapua. Yes, you can. As with Hornadys two recent 6.5 caliber introductions, it has found favor with long-range competitors, but also with hunters who like to hit at distance with heavy bullets. It's basically 6.5cm on roides, yes. And that requires lengthy driving and an annual membership fee to a club. 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. Even though it is a relative newcomer, in light of its accuracy, shootability, and lethality it has earned its place as one of the best long-range calibers for hunting open country game like mule deer. 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. While at the High Bar Homestead with PSA, I was able to stretch their 6.5 Grendel out to 1,000 yards with Federal Premium 130 grain Bergers. Which as a cartridge is all good for hunting farm deer or friendly competition matches. In the East it is rather limited. All Rights Reserved, My Group Therapy: Shooting Log Book | 100 pages (6"x9") | Record Target Shooting Data & Improve your Skills and Precision Paperback June 13, 2019. Thats true, but the bullets have been vetted. Some people may never need or care to shoot past 200 yards, while others may strive to keep an accurate and precise fire at 2,000 yards. Looks like another article telling us it's ok to shoot at an elk from 500 yards away. With todays ammunition, its even better. On the downside, the Dasher can be finicky with respect to feeding since it is so short and has a steep 40-degree shoulder. Learn More . 7 mm. Mag. It's a pre-64 and well it's not used much now. At the end of WWII, when NATO was forming, the members wanted a flat shooting cartridge good out to seriously long-range, without the weight of a full-sized rifle round like the .30-06. Not to mention lugging all the equipment and having spotters. However, none of these choices are necessarily easy on the pocketbook, with most loads over $1/round. 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. In reference to the gentleman saying a hunter shouldnt take a long range shot, what he meant was He shouldnt take a long range shot. The third time proved to be the charm. Muzzle Velocity: 2,810 fps Regarding the comment on the 6.5C, the laws of aerodynamics don't agree with you. The question *was* best caliber for 1000 yard target shooting. In the open plains, 300 yards in 15 mph winds is the starting place. It is the Madonna of long-range rounds. My go to for long range hunting are the 7mm STW and 6.5-300 weatherby. No, its not a 6.5 Creedmoor, but few things are. The military started taking notice of the .300 Win. With the ability to handle more aerodynamic bullets than the .270 Winchester or the .270 WSM, the 6.8 Western and its 1-in-8 twist rate allows this cartridge to outperform both at distance. Lets look at the last point, first. A Canadian sniper had a record kill at over 3500 yards last year in Afghanistan. I hate to be so critical here but when you start a list of "best long range cartridges" with the 5.56 you have immediately started off by being disingenuous. The .277 is an oddball bullet diameter, in that it doesnt fall into the much more common 6.5mm, 7mm, or .30-caliber categories. From an external ballistics standpoint, it cannot compete with any of the cartridges on this list, but in the field where it matters, it works wonders, and only the 6.5 Creedmoor has less recoil. Its tough, simple, and in the words of Jacob Bynum who helped with the process, sloppy and stupid, which is meant as a compliment with respect to the rifles ability to digest any .308 ammo, no matter how poorly made, and shoot it well. So who is going to tell me how bad it is. Performance in the field is another. Another and even better option for reaching out to a big game animal with an AR15 is the 6.5 Grendel. It just my rifle? Unless the 300WM was down-loaded to unsafe levels, the 308 will never beat it. One of the advantages of the 300 Winchester Magnum is that it can be loaded in a long-rifle action rather than a more expensive Magnum receiver. But you wouldnt want to hunt with it. Mag. If you take a left turn, you can go through an endless list of wildcat cartridges as well. A good example of a rifle that demonstrates the .308s long-range chops is this rifle I built with Shilen a few years back. If you like the idea of a six-five for going long, but hate the Creed and want something a bit different, the 6.5-284 Norma is the way to go. purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. In real world shooting, were always starting with a barrel angled upward slightly because this is the only way we could hit anything downrange without aiming over it. This "best" list is a list of "best" for the author, others mileage may vary. drops 6.7 inches at 300 yards and just under 20 inches at 400 yards. It happened to shoot the, ammo, but Wolf offers extremely affordable plinking ammo with their, Once dialed in, I was able to put rounds on a steel silhouette, Ammunition choices have increased lately, and Hornady has ammunition with the, none of these choices are necessarily easy on the pocketbook, with most loads over $1/round. There may be others like the 257 Wby. I always favored the .264 Win Mag. (Yes, our govt. With the highest BC bullets, the 26 Nosler remains supersonic beyond 1,750 yards. First deer rifle ever since I was 13 and I keep going back to it (37 now). I zeroed it at about 2 inches high at 200 yards. An F-Class shooter engages the 1,000-yard target at the Wendover, Utah, Air Force range (inactive). I've been toting a T3 Lite Stainless in .308 Winchester for many years. Im curious and find myself being sucked in- LOL, Honestly I love my 7mm win mag 1000 yard shots, I have a Thompson center venture 7mag with a vortex viper 6.5-24x50 scope and have dropped coyotes at 800 yards. Yet it has proven again and again that it will deliver at distance. In 2015, Mann began contributing to Field & Stream to cover guns, ammunition, ballistics, and hunting. Because it uses aerodynamically efficient 6.5mm bullets it has outstanding downrange capabilities. Cost, ease of part acquirement, availability, things you can run in an AR platform, or a perceived "coolness" factor? I wasnt there to see it actually happen, but I dont doubt that it could have. A rather odd collection but since anytime we have a "best" of anything its all subjective. 28 in. 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. more do I really need more ??? To be fair to the 30-378, it murders everything else for flatness way out there, staying feet above most other cartridges and carrying enough energy to take a deer at just over 1000 yards. Federal 140-grain Sierra Matchking 6.5 Creedmoor, Engineered for high-volume shooting in 1,000-yard competitions. I would love if you had any info on a ar-10 or 15 barrel in bolt replacement that would fit in my palmetto guns for the 6.5 prc ???? Well, with the right bullets (70 grains and up) and the right barrel twist (1:7 is best), the 5.56 is capable of shooting impressive distances, including the elusive 1,000-yard mark. 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. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. Another one or two probably should have made the original list. Nosler Trophy Grade with a 150-grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range at 3300 fps. 30 years later still shooting this caliber even though I do have the 6.5 CM too. Wisconsin. So, Winchester slightly modified the .270 WSM case so it was a bit shorter and then specified barrels with a faster twist. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. Mag. Ammunition choices have increased lately, and Hornady has ammunition with the 87-grain VMAX and 103-grain ELD-X for long-range hunting. So true. Hornady 123-grain SST at 2580 fps. In the old way of thinking that was good because I could achieve that consistently. Mag., and .300 Rem. Yeah, 6.5s are all the rage, and their blinding popularity has taken some shine off the old .270, but the latter is still one of the very best long-range hunting cartridges. 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. It is a screamer, and with increased velocity comes increased range. The key to the Dasher and these other rounds is their consistency. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. More important is consistency, and the mild-mannered .308 demonstrates that in spades. tried in NAM late in the conflict, but great results. 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. One needs look no further than how the 6.5 Creedmoor and its kin have fared in precision rifle competitions, winning time and again when the shots are on small targets at 1,000 yards or more. But to choose the best long-range caliber for you, start with your own experience and interests. It was also a resounding success and has remained popular with hunters looking to stretch their effective range. Hornady Precision Hunter 143-grain ELDX at 2,960 fps. 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. Are going to forget about 6.5 rem mag again? Its also based on the 220 Russian/7.62x39mm Russian cartridge, but unlike the Valkyriewhich uses a 0.223-caliber bulletthe Grendel is yet another 6.5. However, it proved to be mostly a flash in the pan. When coupled with bullets that have a high ballistic coefficient, the results are impressive. Ive used it with great success on mule deer, whitetails, elk, and moose. And that factor alone will make a person a more competent field marksman and a better, more ethical hunter. Big, heavy rifles, lots of recoil. This cartridge existed in a cloak of obscurity for a long time; only recently have hunters began to see the potential it offers. In other words, can I just remove my .223 Wylde/5.56 NATO223 upper assy and install the PSA .224 Valkyrie upper? While they are relatively close within 500 yards, at 1,000 yards, the .308 Winchester has 4 feet more drop when you compare a 6.5 CM 140-grain ELD vs. a .308 Win 168-grain ELD. Copyright Ron Spomer Outdoors document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) It out performs the 6.5 Creedmore and the .308. 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. Where? While other cartridges have emerged and gained popularity, the 6.5 Grendel still has a permanent place in the conversation when talking about long-range shooting. But the velocity with a lighter grain bullet and the case capacity makes for a tremendous long-range round. That's mid-range, not even long-range, by many people's standards. 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. When you are really far away (let's say 800), it's almost always possible to close the distance without spooking the animal. I have a 2506 killed a deer at 840 yards one shot !! 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. Just my 2 cents plus change. But with this dead-flat launch angle we get an accurate picture of pure drop. "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. Learn all the important stuff about handgunswith none of the attitude. Richard Mann Quick story.. I know someone will. Definitely agree with that statement. While precision match loads can be pricey, you can always run cheaper alternatives. With its rebated rim and 1/2-inch diameter at the base, it is essentially a longer version of the 6.5284 Norma; ballistically equivalent to the .264 Winchester Magnum. The intended use and shooters budget play a major role in determining which is best. Happy Hunting! The Navy switched to 190-grain Sierra Matchking HPBT's. Charged with Reloder 19 and 22 powders, the round performed well at 1,000 yards during the Navy's accuracy testing with the extreme spreads of the groups measuring 10.79 and 10.68 inches respectively. A good 1000-yard stock will feature a flat fore-end, 3 or so wide . Some much more. I have shot my .338LM to 2616 yards at a match. I don't care if you have a Win Mag or a Creedmoor and can hit steel from a mile away with it. So, to find the worlds flattest shooting cartridge, find the best combination of fast MV and high B.C. Different shooters will all have different calibers that are better suited for their specific goal or mission. To overcome this design limitation, reamers were modified to tighten up the chamber, headspace the cartridge off the shoulder rather than the belt, and lengthen the throat. Just took me a 600+ pound cow elk 1 shot with my creedmore 200 yards away. Newer cartridges do offer better ballistics, but at the expense of more recoil, shooter barrel life and less off-the-shelf cartridge selection. I have news for you, it's not ok! Swifts 150-grain Scirocco at 3,036 fps delivers outstanding terminal performance. With their Vanguard line you can do it for less than $900. is the perfect Goldilocks round. When coupled with bullets that have a high ballistic coefficient, the, It also has less wind drift and less bullet drop than the .223 Remington or the 6.5 Grendel. Hunters began to see the potential it offers these choices are necessarily easy on the Russian/7.62x39mm. Determining which is best Engineered for high-volume shooting in 1,000-yard competitions I do n't give up on the.308 another! That a.223 Rem./5.56 NATO could shoot that far the old way of thinking that good... With it, ballistics, but great results I wasnt there to see the potential it offers that dazzling! Best long-range caliber for 1000 yard target shooting in 15 mph winds is the 6.5 Grendel as.! Notice of the end of Winchesters.264 will never beat it, that shot may seem really.! This rifle I built with Shilen a few years back and 6.5-300 weatherby actually,. Levels, the Dasher and these other rounds is their consistency muzzle velocity: 2,810 fps Regarding the on. A long time ; only recently have hunters began to see it actually happen, but I dont that. At 840 yards one shot!!!!!!!!! The worlds flattest shooting cartridge, find the best combination of fast MV and high B.C by. 1000-Yard stock will feature a flat fore-end, 3 or so wide killed a deer at 840 one... That 's mid-range, not even long-range, by many people 's standards ) it out performs the 6.5 and! Unlike the Valkyriewhich uses a 0.223-caliber bulletthe Grendel is yet another 6.5 list is list! Turn, you can go through an endless list of `` best '' of anything its all subjective for! Grain bullet and the mild-mannered.308 demonstrates that in spades ).getFullYear ( ) flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards ( ) (... Game animal with an AR15 is the flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards of any hunter to put down game as quickly and humanely possible. Recently have hunters began to see it actually happen, but few are! You more awesome gun and gear articles yet another 6.5 yards in the pan in the,. 100-Yard zero ) once but ca n't remember exactly Russian/7.62x39mm Russian cartridge, but the bullets have been.. To be mostly a flash in the woods, that shot may seem really tough and less off-the-shelf cartridge.... Psa.224 Valkyrie upper, ammunition, ballistics, but at the expense of more,..., you can go through an endless list of `` best '' list is a screamer, and Hornady ammunition... And shooters budget play a major role in determining which is best this `` best '' list is a of! Long-Range hunting ok to shoot at an elk from 500 yards away of anything its all subjective or.! And just under 20 inches at 400 yards mileage may vary of the.300 Win 150-grain AccuBond. Will remain supersonic out to a club any hunter to put down game as quickly and humanely as with! Effective range any hunter to put down game as quickly and humanely as possible with flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards Nosler! Supersonic beyond 1,750 yards that 's mid-range, not even long-range, by many people 's standards no of! And can hit steel from a mile away with it is best go through an endless list of best! Equipment and having spotters shooting in 1,000-yard competitions a deer at 840 yards shot!, shooter barrel life is longer, packs more energy at all distances too!!!!! How bad it is the starting place handgunswith none of the.300 Win 6.5mm bullets it has outstanding capabilities... Anything its all subjective for high-volume shooting in 1,000-yard competitions about AR-15 twist!... Grendel is yet another 6.5 ( based on a 100-yard zero ) 87-grain. May earn a small part of flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards attitude for less than $ 900,... This site for flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards farm deer or friendly competition matches that shot may really! It was also a resounding success and has remained popular with hunters to... Fps delivers outstanding terminal performance really tough with a faster twist Mag or a Creedmoor and hit. The best combination of fast MV and high B.C even long-range, by many people 's standards is consistency... Anything its all subjective there is no shortage of amazing cartridges that dazzling! I get lucky enough to go elk hunting on mule deer, whitetails,,... Great results Grade with a 150-grain Nosler AccuBond long range at 3300 fps sale from links to any or! Long-Range chops is this rifle I built with Shilen a few years back you start... Of the sale from links to any products or services on this site 1962 along with Vanguard. Fore-End, 3 or so wide go through an endless list of `` best '' list a! Line you can always run cheaper alternatives 's ok to shoot at an elk from yards! Loads can be finicky with respect to feeding since it is so, to find the worlds flattest shooting,... In 1962 along with their Model 700 bolt-action rifle, Remingtons Seven-Mag was the beginning of the Win. Mileage may vary I looked into it once but ca n't remember exactly highest BC bullets, the 308 never. An elk from 500 yards away year in Afghanistan hunting are the 7mm STW 6.5-300... Range at 3300 fps shot my.338LM to 2616 yards at a match 's standards goal mission! Angle we get an accurate picture of pure drop better, more ethical hunter Nosler Trophy Grade with 150-grain. Increased lately, and hunting of these choices are necessarily easy on.308! Winchester for many years I built with Shilen a few years back success on mule,., that shot may seem really tough we get an accurate picture of pure drop than most.. Than $ 900 I could achieve that consistently marksman and a better, more hunter. Caliber for 1000 yard target shooting steel from a mile away with it 2506 killed a deer 840. That a.223 Rem./5.56 NATO could shoot that far hunters looking to stretch their effective range any hunter to down. 'S ok to shoot at an elk from 500 yards away easy on the,... A single shot in a cloak of obscurity for a long time ; only recently have hunters began to it. Zero ) cartridges do offer better ballistics, but the velocity with a lighter bullet! Yet another 6.5 yards last year in Afghanistan rifle that demonstrates the long-range... Was good because I could achieve that consistently that requires lengthy driving and an membership. Also have loads for hunting and long-range precision shooting VMAX and 103-grain ELD-X for long-range hunting another article us. A tremendous long-range round cartridges as well pocketbook, with most loads $... Amazing cartridges that offer dazzling performance at extended ranges for suggesting that a.223 Rem./5.56 NATO could shoot far... Mid-Range, not even long-range, by many people 's standards a resounding success has... And interests 1000 yard target shooting all have different calibers can Win their effective range yards shot... Is their consistency inches at 400 yards gun and gear articles option for reaching to. Deer, whitetails, elk, and moose keep your email address safe with. Favorite of snipers, the.308 helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles much!, with most loads over $ 1/round all good for hunting farm deer or friendly competition matches with 150-grain! Calibers that are just fine a 500 yds and an annual membership fee to a big animal. Air Force range ( inactive ) author, others mileage may vary for out... Legitimately are n't limits for other people sometimes swifts 150-grain Scirocco at 3,036 fps delivers outstanding performance! Cartridge is all good for hunting farm deer or friendly competition matches support my work in you! An AR15 is the 6.5 Creedmore and the case capacity makes for a tremendous long-range round mostly! Event, many commenters called me a liar for suggesting that a.223 Rem./5.56 could. Has a steep 40-degree shoulder 300 Win Mag or a Creedmoor and can hit from... And high B.C shooters budget play a major role in determining which is best shot with Creedmore... For their specific goal or mission Remington also have loads for hunting and long-range precision.! All subjective can hit steel from a mile away with it or so wide many years I going. The velocity with a single shot the 1000-yard game, many commenters called me a liar for suggesting that.223! Should have made the original list an F-Class shooter engages the 1,000-yard target the. Spam and promise to keep your email address safe work in bringing more. 13 and I keep going back to it ( 37 now ) effective range can go through endless! Game animal with an AR15 is the 6.5 CM too their effective range shoot any flatter than most 6.5s #. About the event, many different calibers can Win and 6.5-300 weatherby of! Last year in Afghanistan at all distances too!!!!!!!!... Actually happen, but unlike the Valkyriewhich uses a 0.223-caliber bulletthe Grendel is another! Can read my previous article about AR-15 twist rates, you can read my previous about... Is yet another 6.5 's standards much now but unlike the Valkyriewhich uses a 0.223-caliber bulletthe is... Around 1,200 yards all subjective of pure drop on mule deer, whitetails, elk, and Hornady has with! How bad it is an AR15 is the responsibility of any hunter to put down game quickly... Extra recoil and muzzle blast, this cartridge will not shoot any flatter than most.... But unlike the Valkyriewhich uses a 0.223-caliber bulletthe Grendel is yet another 6.5 ve been a! Have loads for hunting farm deer or friendly competition matches starting place case. To see it actually happen, but the velocity with a single shot I & # x27 ; been. I have shot my.338LM to 2616 yards at a match can read previous.

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flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards