Best long range calibre...

[TikkaT3.223]

Hey guys.

I'm working on the plans for building my next rifle. I really want a rifle that will accurately and effectively shoot 1000+ yards without having to adjust elevation too much. Another major thing is affordability. I'd love to get a .338 Lapua, but running that masterpiece costs a fortune.

I was thinking along the lines of the 7mm-08 or the 7mm Rem Mag. Any ideas?

[brett1868]

Probably easier if you work out your budget first and build to that. I personally like the .375 Cheytac or 338 lap for extended range and hopefully soon will try out the .416 Barrett round. Apollo is having success with his 6.5mm (I think it's a 6.5) at long range bench rest shooting. Much will also depend on what your intending to shoot, if targets then go down the path of what the bench rest guys shoot as they are the best source of knowledge in that field. I on the other hand want to vaporise large hairy mammals at 1000+ which is why I use 50BMG / 416 Barrett & 375 Cheytac and trying to get my hands on the Anzio 50/20 .

[TikkaT3.223]

We can get 50BMG in Australia..? Really..? Sick xD

Yeah I was looking at a .416 Chey Tac the other day online. They look pretty mint.

Would you use any of the 7mm calibres or would they have too much drop?

[Chronos]

There's no such thing as the best, only compromise. More power, more recoil, shorter barrel life and more expense. I think you'd do well to choose a 6.5 or 7 mm cartridge.

6mm cartridges like 6BR, 6 BRX, 6mm Dasher or 6x47 are near unbeatable out to 600m and their low recoil keeps you shooting consistently longer.

Beyond 600 a 7mm or .30 cal magnum seems to be the choice of 1000y benchrest shooters (bare in mind their light guns weigh max 17lbs but heavy guns weigh well more than this with no weight limit) plus almost all ranges will accept them, not necessarily the case with anything above 338wm

I chose the .284winchested for its ability to launch 180gr high BC bullets that will stay supersonic beyond a mile


Chronos

[Seconds]

We can get 50BMG in Australia..? Really..? Sick xD

Yeah.

The chambering isn't the problem (in most cases), it's the action.

You can more or less have a bolt-action any-calibre.

[MeccaOz]

Probably easier if you work out your budget first and build to that. I personally like the .375 Cheytac or 338 lap for extended range and hopefully soon will try out the .416 Barrett round. Apollo is having success with his 6.5mm (I think it's a 6.5) at long range bench rest shooting. Much will also depend on what your intending to shoot, if targets then go down the path of what the bench rest guys shoot as they are the best source of knowledge in that field. I on the other hand want to vaporise large hairy mammals at 1000+ which is why I use 50BMG / 416 Barrett & 375 Cheytac and trying to get my hands on the Anzio 50/20 .

brett1868 Gets all the best toys

[brett1868]

We can get 50BMG in Australia..? Really..? Sick xD

Yeah I was looking at a .416 Chey Tac the other day online. They look pretty mint.

Would you use any of the 7mm calibres or would they have too much drop?

50BMG and most of the other fun calibres are banned in Queensland, at the current pace of legislation you'll be back to rubber bands and spitwads in next to no time.

Also I think you either meant 416 Barrett or the 408 Cheytac cause I'm not aware of a 416 Cheytac cartridge. If it's the M99 Barrett in 416 then I've a thread on here with some pictures of the one I've got and will hopefully shoot this weekend.

[Ken]

brett1868 Gets all the best toys

Check out dem toys! 416 Barrett Model 99.

Love em.

[Seconds]

50BMG and most of the other fun calibres are banned in Queensland, at the current pace of legislation you'll be back to rubber bands and spitwads in next to no time.

There are houses for rent in NSW and VIC

[Lorgar]

There's no such thing as the best, only compromise. More power, more recoil, shorter barrel life and more expense. I think you'd do well to choose a 6.5 or 7 mm cartridge.

...

I chose the .284 Winchester for its ability to launch 180gr high BC bullets that will stay supersonic beyond a mile

I'm a fan of the 7mm family too.

Getting slightly off-topic but you can load up heavy high BC bullets for long range shooting or lighter ones for shorter ranges, hunting and less recoil with a little more versatility than the 30 cal options IMO.

[Tiiger]

Recoil in the .30 range neighbourhood shouldn't really matter for hunting though. It's not that heavy...

[Lorgar]

No, the recoil isn't devastating but there's no point in me lobbing out heavy pills just for the sake of it.

I use 120gr loads or varmints, small game and target shooting (fun, 500m) which are very recoil friendly.
140gr for larger game.
If I wanted to I could load up some 175gr pills for more serious long range work.

To tick the same boxes with my .308 I was shooting 150gr - 190gr loads. They didn't do anything more for me and I enjoyed shooting the .308 less. I probably shot it worse as well... Can't remember now.

Anyway, I don't want to derail the thread with a 30cal vs 7mm argument. That my vote and the experience it's based on.

[deye243]

There's no such thing as the best, only compromise. More power, more recoil, shorter barrel life and more expense. I think you'd do well to choose a 6.5 or 7 mm cartridge.

6mm cartridges like 6BR, 6 BRX, 6mm Dasher or 6x47 are near unbeatable out to 600m and their low recoil keeps you shooting consistently longer.

Beyond 600 a 7mm or .30 cal magnum seems to be the choice of 1000y benchrest shooters (bare in mind their light guns weigh max 17lbs but heavy guns weigh well more than this with no weight limit) plus almost all ranges will accept them, not necessarily the case with anything above 338wm

I chose the .284winchested for its ability to launch 180gr high BC bullets that will stay supersonic beyond a mile


Chronos

Chronos that would be a hot load for a 284win or is it improved.

[Chronos]

Yeah you're correct, I mispoke. I just looked at the balistics, with my mild load it goes transonic at around 1,100m not a mile.

Chronos

[RDobber]

I enjoyed shooting the .308 less. I probably shot it worse as well...

Lots do. Took me a while to get 100% comfortable behind the 300WM I'll say.