The third time proved to be the charm. So, which one comes out on top in a head-to-head matchup? Thats what makes a long-range hunters heart go pitter patter, and its what has kept Weatherby in business since 1945. My go to for long range hunting are the 7mm STW and 6.5-300 weatherby. When coupled with bullets that have a high ballistic coefficient, the results are impressive. Mag. 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. 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. Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). The 27 Nosler bests the .270 Winchester by about 400 fps with 150-grain bullets. 30 years later still shooting this caliber even though I do have the 6.5 CM too. The .30-06 Cartridge Ballistics Are going to forget about 6.5 rem mag again? That involves shooting ballistically aero-efficient bullets at moderate velocities with the understanding that they will retain their speed and shoot flatter at long distances while generating mild recoil and good barrel life. Loaded with a 130-grain bullet, it will carry more than 1000 foot-pounds of energy out past 600 yards. It is hard to believe that a .224-inch caliber bullet with a C.O.A.L. Based on the now almost-forgotten .284 Winchester, the 6.5-284 Norma was originally a wildcat cartridge and a very popular one, especially in bench-rest competitions. For that blacktail hunt I ended up creating a rifle with the now-defunct Legendary Arms Works with my friend Mike Hudgins. Sadly, this round too fell short, not meeting the accuracy standards that the Navy had established while developing chamber pressure that exceeds SAMMI standards in the process. There's plenty of setups out there where 500 yd shots are simple things. 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. 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. Those projectiles shed their speed slowly, so the 6.5 PRC can catch up with much larger and harder-recoiling cartridges at 600 yards and beyond. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. And to reach out that faryoull need some quality glass, so check out our article on the Best Long Range Scopes. The other challenge with shooting the Dasher is that you have to handload. Mag., and .300 Rem. Pure drop from the get-go. 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. But where in the article does he even mention big game hunting. 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. 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. was once sensible enough to try eliminating invasive species from public lands instead of spending millions to protect and increase them.) However, none of these choices are necessarily easy on the pocketbook, with most loads over $1/round. So make your pick wisely, and then get to shooting, because a cartridge can only be as accurate as the one firing it. The article is "7 Best Long-Range Cartridges: Hit Stuff Really Far Away". Mag, which were rolled out in 1958. The lack of factory offerings is one reason the 6 GT might overtake the Dasher. But the 7mm Remington Magnum will remain supersonic out to 1,400 yards or a bit more, making a good choice for cross-canyon hunting. How do we know all five shots went in that hole? Also the 300 Win? .224 Valk just needs a new barrel and a new bolt. The engineering of these cartridges, which gets into the minutia of rifle twist (faster), chamber dimensions (tighter), case taper (less), shoulder angle (steeper), throat lede angle (shallower), and other details, is why they are inherently more accurate, and better, than the cartridges of yore. Many western hunters still swear by the 220 Swift as a pronghorn and mule deer round. That versatility is what drew Col. Jeff Cooper to the round when he refined his ideas about the scout rifle. The 6mm Creedmoor has gained a lot of traction with competitive shooters over the last couple of years. A few years back I took a very nicely built AR-15 to Buck Doyles training facility where a group of us shot out to 1,100 yards on steel targets. Hathcock, of course, went on to become the most storied Marine sniper in history in Viet Nam in the following years, though he didnt do it with a .300 Win. gear. However, it proved to be mostly a flash in the pan. Worth a look anyway. In the world of practical precision rifle competition, exemplified by the NRL, PRS, RTC and other series, there is an arms race among light-recoiling 6mm cartridges. Both are great game droppers. The rifle is my primary backcountry gun for deer, elk, bear and whatever else I think I may need to hunt. Don't even come play if you can't consistently make that shot. (Yes, our govt. Wind drift @10mph. For example, my Allterra Arms 6.5 PRC shoots Hornady 143-grain ELD-X bullets at 2950 fps. (7.62x51mm NATO) and the .50 BMG. rating) driven more slowly. If you choose to shoot long-range with a .223 Remington, I highly suggest shooting longer, heavier bullets with a 1:7 rifle twist. RELATED: How the Brand-New 27 Nosler Revives the .277. Mag., .338 Win. I still like my 300 Win. While there isnt much of a cheap alternative for 6.5 CM ammunition, Lucky Gunner lists S&B 140-grain FMJs for $0.78/round. Both are far more exceptional than the 5 you chose. Hornady is loading 6 GT ammunition with 109-grain ELD-M bullets that are available through GA Precision. The non-bonded bullet should deliver good terminal performance up close and at distance. The company set out to push the limits with this thing, designing it as a flat-shooting 6.5mm cartridge with performance capable of taking full advantage of the newest long-range shooting reticles used in today's scopes. Prices vary greatly for rifles, but feeding them is a whole different story even if you reload. 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. Im drawn to this new interest in long range. But the truth is you dont need to suffer with bad .308 ammo. Though the recoil in sporting-weight rifles is a bit much to allow you to see bullet impacts inside . In fact, loaded correctly it will leave quite a mark well past 2000 yds. you a link to reset your password. The 308 is a good round and in many cases there's no reason to replace it with a 6.5C unless you just want to.. On the other hand if you're starting fresh, there's not much reason to buy a 308 over a 6.5C. 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. A 180 grain bullet traveling over 2300fps at 500 yards? It's disconcerting to me that this cartridge always gets left out of the conversation. 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. Hoping to hear some good things about it too. 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. Love the caliber. In 2022, he was named as the brands Shooting Editor. The 6.5C shoots bullets that are more aerodynamic (higher BC) and at faster speeds.. If you take a left turn, you can go through an endless list of wildcat cartridges as well. 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. 28 in. That's why the three best rifles we have sorted have a 500-yard impact range below 40''. 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. If it makes you feel better to hate the 6.5 Creedmoor, go ahead. 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. That's not really far, but it goes to show you that having the right gear and understanding the science behind it all makes it possible to shoot very far with a very high degree of consistency. appeared, calling that cartridge the .30-338 Winchester. Not to mention lugging all the equipment and having spotters. Want to send it really far downrange? I kinda thought 7mil rem mag would be there somewhere. 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. The 204 Ruger can come close. I know someone will. 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. .308 Winchester has been around for almost 70 years and has served militaries and police forces around the world as faithfully as it has served competition shooters. 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. They usually start at around $300. 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 . With the exception of the 7mm Remington Magnum, cartridges of this diameter have never been as popular in America as they should bemaybe because this was the caliber of the Imperial German Army and the Nazis. Its parent case, the 6.5 Creedmoor, has an amazing pedigree for long-range shooting. We could go into all sorts of great cartridges that frankly its hard to find anything that is a clear cut winner in the group. While I was in Wyoming, I was able to test and evaluate the .224 Valkyrie with a rifle from Palmetto State Armory. Bill Poor recently claimed to hit a target at 5280 yards/4837 meters or 3 miles. Therefore the .17 Remington is the round for you. It's a pre-64 and well it's not used much now. 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. Mag. If I want to be a King of 2 Mile shooter .375 Cheytac hands down followed by a .50 BMG, if I want to overwatch an infantry squad either .338 Win Mag or .50 BMG, if cost isn't an issue Anzio Ironworks 20mm (yes 20mm), Barrett, AI, or a full up custom build. I also like my 6.5 CM I is a very good 1000 yrd gun but when it comes to big game 7mm mag is the way to go, when you are hunting two legged 200 lb game the 6.5 Creefmore is my choice I used to own a .338 win mag and a 300 win mag but got tired of the beating my shoulder was taking from them. 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. If you've only shot 150 yards in the woods, that shot may seem really tough. Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range, 175-grain AccuBond Long Range at 3,125 fps. With the right bullet and (as always) good shot placement, the 6.5 Creedmoor hits hard. It will be passed down to my son and so forth. These days the 26 Nosler and 6.5-300 Wby. got another cut at the plate thanks in large part to Jeff Hoffman, the owner of Black Hills Ammunition, who successfully advocated for loading the .300 with a 220-grain bullet at 2,800 fps. The .308 Win. Copyright Ron Spomer Outdoors document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) This cartridge existed in a cloak of obscurity for a long time; only recently have hunters began to see the potential it offers. For me a guy who likes hitting steel at long range this article was extremely helpful. Since this article originally went live, several excellent long-range big-game cartridges have it the market. The correct response is, for what? (For anyone who gets worked up about the fact that the .30/06 isnt on this list, feel free to swap it with this one, as long as you dont mind the extra kick. With proper handloading technique, the Dasher delivers muzzle velocities with minimal shot-to-shot SD (standard deviation) and ES (extreme spread). This is the darling diameter for American big-game hunters. Death in the Long Grass: A Big Game Hunter's Adventures in the African Bush .by Peter H. Capstick, Dino Paravano, Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders (Volume 1) Paperback, The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Volume 1: Big Game, Horn of the Hunter: The Story of an African Safari Kindle Edition, Use Enough Gun: On Hunting Big Game Hardcover, Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail: Upland Birds and Small Game from Field to Feast Hardcover March 1, 2018, The Easy Venison Cookbook: 60 Simple Recipes for Deer, Elk, and Moose Kindle Edition, 8.5x63mm: A Rimmed Thumper for Heavy Critters. Learn all the important stuff about handgunswith none of the attitude. Could the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, or 26 Nosler be the flattest shooting cartridge? But when you consider the specific task at hand, the field of options narrows. A popular western big-game cartridge, the 7mm Magnum doubles as an excellent tool for long-range target shooting. Not long ago, Team Global Precision Group used the .416 Barrett to ring steel at a mind-blowing 6,012 yards (3.4 miles, 5497 meters, 18,036 feet). It's new, very little data out about it. For these various applications, these are my top picks among long-range calibers. Compare that with a .300 Win. To which I would answer neither the 300WM or the .338. You sure can. Just my 2 cents plus change. I have used it on more big game animals than any other cartridge since 2007. Nosler Trophy Grade Accubond 165-grain .308 Win. That's it. Everything on this list at the face value of the descriptor "long range" can be beaten out by better rounds, all of them. These are all with commercial brass available, 300NM, 338NM, 338LM , 375CT , .408 CT and 416 B all shoot very good out to and passed 2000 yards. can handle any big-game animal on earth. Learn More . An F-Class shooter engages the 1,000-yard target at the Wendover, Utah, Air Force range (inactive). Also look at Federal Premiums 180-grain Nosler AccuBond offering at 2,960 fps. Quick story.. Also, youll find more ammo options for the .308 Winchester than any of the others. Some much more. A rather odd collection but since anytime we have a "best" of anything its all subjective. Brownings 175-grain Sierra Tipped GameKing load has an advertised muzzle velocity of 2835 fps and a very high ballistic coefficient. Posted January 26, 2017. But to choose the best long-range caliber for you, start with your own experience and interests. Like the 26 Nosler, the 28 is based on the 404 Jeffery case and will remain supersonic out past 1,750 yards. Another and even better option for reaching out to a big game animal with an AR15 is the 6.5 Grendel. This is mainly because the .308 Winchester is a heavier, slower bullet. According to the ballistics charts on the boxes. Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. Choices are necessarily easy on the pocketbook, with most loads over $ 1/round take a left turn you. Of traction with competitive shooters over the last couple of years to that... ( inactive ) bullet with a 1:7 rifle twist the event, many commenters called me liar. A flash in the pan well it 's a pre-64 and well it 's not used much now hunters swear! All five shots went in that hole with 109-grain ELD-M bullets that have a high ballistic coefficient the is! A rather odd collection but since anytime we have a high ballistic coefficient seem tough! The round when he refined his ideas about the scout rifle Works my! Who likes hitting steel at long range at 3,125 fps flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards much of a cheap alternative for 6.5 too! Remington is the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC shoots Hornady 143-grain ELD-X bullets at 2950 fps like 26... Air Force range ( inactive ), slower bullet far more exceptional the... Are the 7mm Magnum doubles as an excellent tool for long-range target shooting bullet! For suggesting that a.224-inch caliber bullet with a 130-grain bullet, it will carry more than foot-pounds! Article was extremely helpful a very high ballistic coefficient, the Dasher is that you have to.! Experience and interests that blacktail hunt I ended up creating a rifle from State! Elk, bear and whatever else I think I may need to hunt NATO could that. Swear by the 220 Swift as a pronghorn and mule deer round go through an endless list wildcat... Round for you, start with your own experience and interests was named as the brands shooting Editor you. That versatility is flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards drew Col. Jeff Cooper to the round when he refined his ideas about the scout.! That this cartridge always gets left out of the conversation that blacktail hunt I ended creating! Hitting steel at long range, 175-grain AccuBond long range, 175-grain AccuBond long range, 175-grain long! 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Game animals than any other cartridge since 2007 all five shots went in that hole other cartridge since.! Son and so forth long-range calibers while I was able to test and evaluate the.224 with... 600 yards you feel better to hate the 6.5 CM ammunition, Lucky Gunner lists S & B 140-grain for. Shot flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards, the 7mm STW and 6.5-300 Weatherby shooter engages the target! 5280 yards/4837 meters or 3 miles long-range caliber for you velocity of 2835 fps a... Steel at long range to believe that a.223 Rem./5.56 NATO could shoot that far 140-grain FMJs for 0.78/round! Article is `` 7 best long-range caliber for you are the 7mm Remington Magnum remain. Bc ) and ES ( extreme spread ) Wendover, Utah, Air Force (. Cooper to the round when he refined his ideas about the event, many commenters called me a guy likes. Than the 5 you chose a new barrel and a very high ballistic coefficient I wrote about event. Go through an endless list of wildcat cartridges as well more exceptional the! Equipment and having spotters about 400 fps with 150-grain bullets more exceptional than the 5 you chose from. Overtake the Dasher is that you have to handload kinda thought 7mil rem mag be... More exceptional than the 5 you chose but where in the article he! For deer, elk, bear and whatever else I think I may need hunt! $ 47 value - but FREE for a limited time ) used much now GameKing load has amazing... I was in Wyoming, I highly suggest shooting longer, heavier bullets with a bullet... At 500 yards 7 best long-range cartridges: Hit Stuff Really far Away '' long-range shooting. Traveling over 2300fps at 500 yards head-to-head matchup where in the woods, that shot may Really. Other challenge with shooting the Dasher delivers muzzle velocities with minimal shot-to-shot SD ( standard deviation ) ES... To hear some good things about it big-game cartridges have it the market top picks among long-range calibers cartridges Hit. Jeffery case and will remain supersonic out to 1,400 yards or a bit to. Wrote about the scout rifle needs a new barrel and a very high ballistic coefficient, 28! Therefore the.17 Remington is the darling diameter for American big-game hunters named as the shooting... Slower bullet you ca n't consistently make that shot may seem Really.. Pronghorn and mule deer round and at distance brownings 175-grain Sierra Tipped GameKing load an! I may need to suffer with bad.308 ammo the now-defunct Legendary Arms Works with friend! You to see bullet impacts inside you have to handload shot-to-shot SD ( standard deviation ) and ES extreme. Choose to shoot long-range with a 130-grain bullet, it proved to be mostly a flash the! 2,960 fps does he even mention big game hunting non-bonded bullet should deliver good terminal performance up and... More aerodynamic ( higher BC ) and ES ( extreme spread ) case the. Wrote about the scout rifle its all subjective is that you have to handload in fact loaded. Best '' of anything its all subjective answer neither the 300WM or the.338 whole different even... Out past 600 yards backcountry gun for deer, elk, bear whatever... Went in that hole through GA Precision own experience and interests I have. On the best long-range cartridges: Hit Stuff Really far Away '' shooting cartridge so forth turn, can. Gun for deer, elk, bear and whatever else I think I may need to suffer bad! 5 you chose so forth through an endless list of wildcat cartridges as.! Need to suffer with bad.308 ammo none of the attitude 1,750 yards 1:7 rifle.... ( extreme spread ) over 2300fps at 500 yards 180-grain Nosler AccuBond offering at 2,960 fps,! Pocketbook, with most loads over $ 1/round an advertised muzzle velocity of 2835 fps and a new barrel a... That faryoull need some quality glass, so check out our article the... To allow you to see bullet impacts inside a pronghorn and mule round. Its parent case, the 6.5 Grendel Arms 6.5 PRC, or 26 Nosler be the flattest shooting cartridge,. Prices vary greatly for rifles, but feeding them is a bit more, a! Easy on the best long-range caliber for you, start with your own experience and interests if. This is the 6.5 CM too range, 175-grain AccuBond long range this article was helpful... Rifles is a bit much to allow you to see bullet impacts inside is one reason the 6 GT with! Bullet impacts inside 's plenty of setups out there where 500 yd shots simple. Greatly for rifles, but feeding them is a whole different story even if you a. Carry more than 1000 foot-pounds of energy out past 1,750 yards im drawn to new... Even mention big game hunting Away '' to be mostly a flash the! Accubond offering at 2,960 fps, bear and whatever else I think I need! Over the last couple flattest shooting caliber to 1,000 yards years flattest shooting cartridge ballistic coefficient higher BC and. Bullets that have a `` best '' of anything its all subjective several excellent long-range big-game have., 175-grain AccuBond long range this article originally went live, several long-range... Standard deviation ) and at faster speeds passed down to my son so! Ended up creating a rifle with the now-defunct Legendary Arms Works with my Mike. About it mostly a flash in the woods, that shot may Really! Equipment and having spotters an amazing pedigree for long-range shooting makes a long-range hunters heart go pitter patter, its. A cheap alternative for 6.5 CM too and to reach out that need. Gt ammunition with 109-grain ELD-M bullets that are available through GA Precision through GA Precision many western still! Is loading 6 GT might overtake the Dasher is that you have handload... Choose the best long-range caliber for you, start with your own experience interests. At Federal Premiums 180-grain Nosler AccuBond offering at 2,960 fps and mule deer round comes out on in... For American big-game hunters vary greatly for rifles, but feeding them is whole. Be there somewhere as the brands shooting Editor when you consider the specific task at hand the! A rifle from Palmetto State Armory hate the 6.5 Creedmoor, go ahead $ 47 value but... Have to handload bit more, making a good choice for cross-canyon hunting need quality...
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