which caliber would you choose for long range?

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champ198

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Minuteman
Aug 5, 2010
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#1
looking at starting my first build here soon. im planning on a build off of a Savage Stevens action due to ease of assembly. this is going to be jsut a bench/target gun. the thing i am still up in the air on is the caliber. have heard a lot of great things aboutthe 6mmBR but have also heard it lacks a little punch down range, i have also heard quite a bit about the 6x47 Lapua but that caliber seems like it could get very costly very quick. i have however been thinking of something in the 300 Mag caliber.
i have never shot a 300 but recoil really dosent bother me and i know the addition of a break on the barrel which i do want to have will make a huge diffrence in the recoil.
i wanted to ask your guys opinions on if you were in my shoes building my first gun and wanting to stay around $1k or a tad more on just the gun olny what caliber would you chose.
 
#3
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

You didn't mention what distance you're planning to be shooting but we just finished a Savage Mod 11 in 260 for my son for our 1000 yard steel plate matches. It's performing so well that I'm putting together another for myself. There might be bigger that are as good but it's really hard to beat the 260 for most matches. Some do require certain calibers such as 223 or 308 but since you're looking at other rounds it appears that isn't a problem.

Just my opinion but we have four 260 guns, two 15" bolt action pistols and these two Savage rifles and would do it again. A buddy just bought a Savage LRP in 260 and nearly doubled his previous high score at last weeks 1000 yards plate match.

Good luck in your choice

Topstrap
 
#4
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

If it is just a paper gun it won't matter how much energy it has. 6.5 cred, 6 mm cred 223,222,260, 308,
 
#5
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

Worried about cost of a X47 but consider a 300 mag? I can help you hammer out these details being a cheapskate muself.

It sounds like you could use a good 6.5 or 7mm, the .308 is an obviously cheap, plentiful, and capable cartridge for what you need, but it's too boring. The X47 is a great one, but yes brass dies and such will cost a bit more. Creedmoore is another great one, a little less expensive, the .260 is probably the easiest to come by and most plentiful 6.5 if you consider making your own brass if needs be. The 7mm family is a great selection as well, the 7-08 would serve you perfectly and share the cheap and available feature with the .260 and .308.

ETA: I have a .223 that I shoot to 1000 and beyond all the time, you may consider something similar.
 
#6
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

+1 on 260 - easy to shoot, accurate as hell (well under 1/2 MOA) and easy to reload - which you'll need to do as there isn't much factory ammo.

Here's video of hitting 6 inch reactive targets at 700 yards with a 260.

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#8
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

D300 I asked myself the same question recently and the clear choice on the wind drift numbers are the 7mms. I decided to go with the straight 284 for barrel life. The 7mms are tough to beat without going up to the real heavies in .30 or something really expensive like the .338s
 
#9
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Force_Multiplier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5 Creedmoor </div></div>

Big plus one here. The 264/6.5 bore has a really nice bullet selection and quality brass available for it. 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Remington, and 6.5x47 all are great cartridges. My preference in 6.5 Creedmoor but any of the above mentioned will treat you well.
 
#12
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

Another vote fire the 243. Get an 8.5 twist barrel and you can shoot the 105s and lighter. The 105 bthp hornadys are great shooters and cheaper than the vlds our dtacs.
 
#13
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 105amatt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another vote fire the 243. Get an 8.5 twist barrel and you can shoot the 105s and lighter. The 105 bthp hornadys are great shooters and cheaper than the vlds our dtacs.</div></div>

NO, get a 7.5 so you can shoot the 115's. That is where the true advantage lies with the 243.
 
#14
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

FWIW, if you ever plan to shoot beyond 1000-1200yd something like the 300WM might fit the bill a little better.
 
#15
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

.260 is great for long range. If you are going to shoot over 1000 on a regular basis a magnum round would be my choice (i.e. 7 WSM or 7 SAUM).
 
#16
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Force_Multiplier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5 Creedmoor </div></div>
+1.. In the middle of putting one together now
 
#17
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Derrick300</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just for paper, I would just go 223. No recoil, cheap and ammo is available everywhere.

Just my .02

Derrick </div></div>

He hasn't given us a distance yet. Which unfortunately can rule out the 223 really quickly.
 
#18
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Luke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FWIW, if you ever plan to shoot beyond 1000-1200yd something like the 300WM might fit the bill a little better. </div></div>


Not necessarily true, I have heard of people hitting targets that far with a 260 Rem with ease. I have even heard of some hitting a Mile (might not be practical but non of the less). I heard it going on at TVP.
 
#19
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

I want a 260 Rem, and even had a chance to rechamber mine (since I am having my rifle re-barreled) but I have a soft spot for the .308 Win. I mainly wanted the 260 for comp. out to 1000yds.

What distance are you wanting to shoot?
 
#20
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

sorry guys i should have put a distance in there.
looking for something that eventually can go to a grand. i want to stay away from the 22 caliber rounds i have a 22-250 now but want something a little bigger now
 
#23
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

I'm really sold on my .260 Improved. Very similar velocities to the 6.5-284 with less powder. Easy to load...plenty of brass around and those 140 VLD's really buck the wind.
 
#24
Re: which caliber would you choose for long range?

You have not stated if you reload or not, nor what kind of barrel life you want. I know you'll be able to change barrels yourself with that action, but I'm going to say just go .308.
 
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