Alright guys, so I'm looking to do some long range shooting at about a thousand yards. I'm wondering what would be the best rifle to make that shot would be and in what caliber, guessing maybe .300 win mag or .338? Also, if you could only tell me guns about $2000 and under.
Best thousand yard capable rifle?
- Thread starter oneshotOG
- Start date
Well the best rifle would be a 50 BMG, but not in your price range. I would have to say a 338 would be the next best, but you have to take into count any cross winds with a reletively lite bullet in the 30 caliber family. More reasonable would be a rifle for the 600 meter range. Your stepping into a whole different world with 1,000 yard shots. And how much did you figure to spend on glass for this rifle, $2,500?
Jim
Jim
For 1000yds .243, .260, 7mm-08, .308 will work. Then mostly the continuation of those calibers or better but in a step up cartridge will do great.
I like the 6.5-.284 but .284 winchester over it all day. Can't really beat that 180gr Berger VLD. Then there is also the 7 WSM. Honestly the medium-magnum cartridges of the 7mm class are the real sweet spot IMO. Both the .284 and the 7wsm are just truly amazing for the size of the cartridge as compared to the range it can put out. Don't get me wrong i'm a 6.5 nut. I don't own a 7mm cartridge but a little push behind the heavier pills and their insane.
Gap 7wsm @ 2000yds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5G13N3Yd3w
Gap 7wsm 1380yd Elk kill.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2908618&gonew=1#UNREAD
I like the 6.5-.284 but .284 winchester over it all day. Can't really beat that 180gr Berger VLD. Then there is also the 7 WSM. Honestly the medium-magnum cartridges of the 7mm class are the real sweet spot IMO. Both the .284 and the 7wsm are just truly amazing for the size of the cartridge as compared to the range it can put out. Don't get me wrong i'm a 6.5 nut. I don't own a 7mm cartridge but a little push behind the heavier pills and their insane.
Gap 7wsm @ 2000yds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5G13N3Yd3w
Gap 7wsm 1380yd Elk kill.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2908618&gonew=1#UNREAD
Last edited:
Out to 1000, something in a 6.5mm or 7mm caliber would be a reasonable choice. The F-Class shooters seem to like that bullet diameter range. Good performance and minimal recoil.
http://demigodllc.com/articles/introduction-to-f-class-1000-yard-competition/
http://demigodllc.com/articles/introduction-to-f-class-1000-yard-competition/
Jim Watson
New member
How nearly about?
What target?
How will you know when you hit it?
6.5x284 (readily available from Savage for less than $2000)
7mm WSM
.300 Win Mag.
There are others but these have been widely used and it is well known what it takes to make them shoot well.
You ARE a skilled handloader, aren't you?
Depends on what type of 1000 yard shooting. F-Class, Palma, Service Rifle, etc.
Some limit what you can shoot. An example is NRA Service Rifle. You are limited to Service Rifles that shoot service rifle rounds, such as 223, 308, '06. In that case the 223s (ARs) are beating the M1s & M14s.
We all know that the the bigger bullet will buck the wind better (assuming proper bullets) then lighter bullets. That advantage is often offset by the recoil that comes with it. That is why there is the lighter bullets John mentioned. Great BC, little recoil.
I have two bolt guns I use in 1000 yards (non service rifle) matches. Both are Model 70 Winchesters, one in 300 WM and one in '06. As a general rule I do better with the '06 unless the wind is rally nasty, then the 300 works.
Just about any given 1000 yard match consist of 3 matches, (4 if you shoot the team match). Thats 3 X 20 rounds plus sighter's. I don't care how big and tough you are, the recoil will get to you. I would not even consider any thing about the 300 WM.
I like the military rounds, but there are many rounds out there that are much better, both in accuracy and recoil.
Some limit what you can shoot. An example is NRA Service Rifle. You are limited to Service Rifles that shoot service rifle rounds, such as 223, 308, '06. In that case the 223s (ARs) are beating the M1s & M14s.
We all know that the the bigger bullet will buck the wind better (assuming proper bullets) then lighter bullets. That advantage is often offset by the recoil that comes with it. That is why there is the lighter bullets John mentioned. Great BC, little recoil.
I have two bolt guns I use in 1000 yards (non service rifle) matches. Both are Model 70 Winchesters, one in 300 WM and one in '06. As a general rule I do better with the '06 unless the wind is rally nasty, then the 300 works.
Just about any given 1000 yard match consist of 3 matches, (4 if you shoot the team match). Thats 3 X 20 rounds plus sighter's. I don't care how big and tough you are, the recoil will get to you. I would not even consider any thing about the 300 WM.
I like the military rounds, but there are many rounds out there that are much better, both in accuracy and recoil.
All the above is good...
Ammo... do you handload? If not, plan/ budget for it as long range practically demands it. Trigger time is essential, so if there is a "budget" for ammo, you need to consider that cost as well.
Also do your research...some of the wildcats, like the 6.5x 284 Lapua, have very limited barrel life due to throat erosion. IMO, the .260 and 7-.08 , as well as the 6.5 Creedmore are good compromises.
Savage and Remington 700 are your players...
Ammo... do you handload? If not, plan/ budget for it as long range practically demands it. Trigger time is essential, so if there is a "budget" for ammo, you need to consider that cost as well.
Also do your research...some of the wildcats, like the 6.5x 284 Lapua, have very limited barrel life due to throat erosion. IMO, the .260 and 7-.08 , as well as the 6.5 Creedmore are good compromises.
Savage and Remington 700 are your players...
kraigwy said:
Agreed. My gunsmith always states after a match using his .284 the recoil gets to him. Shooting 25-30rds of my .308 takes it's toll on me if i'm shooting them in a time frame. I'm bit of a smaller person though so it makes sense
He also hasn't stated his class of 1000yd shooting. Recreational, practical, Comp?
I myself just want to hear "ting" of that AR500 plate at 1000yds and beyond. Finally got one on the way
can't wait.I just picked up a used 300 Super made by Palma armorer JK Cloward. It is a 30 cal made from 8mm Rem Mag cases.
Not only is is a piece of art, but it should push a .308 bullet mighty fast.
Waiting for the dies......ouch....they are expensive.
Not only is is a piece of art, but it should push a .308 bullet mighty fast.
Waiting for the dies......ouch....they are expensive.
Last edited:
black mamba
New member
So will be the 80+ grains of powder with every pull of the trigger!
The reason the 30 caliber magnums have fallen by the wayside in prone 999.99 yard matches is recoil. Not the big stuff that your whole body wriggles from as the bullet exits the muzzle but the lesser stuff while the bullet goes down the barrel. As the recoil force axis isn't aligned perfectly with our body center of mass, our body moves from barrel time recoil. And nobody holds a rifle exactly the same for each shot, especially after reloading it each time then going back into position. This is why a rifle/ammo combo that shoots 3/4 MOA from a bench is hard to shoot 2 MOA off the shoulder with a 1 MOA holding area on the target.
These days, the 6.5x.284 is the favorite of belly gunners on the 1K yard line. 30 caliber mag's are still popular in benchrest at that range 'cause they're fired in free recoil; they don't touch anybody anywhere except the tip of the trigger finger while the bullet goes down the barrel.
Go figure this one out.
These days, the 6.5x.284 is the favorite of belly gunners on the 1K yard line. 30 caliber mag's are still popular in benchrest at that range 'cause they're fired in free recoil; they don't touch anybody anywhere except the tip of the trigger finger while the bullet goes down the barrel.
Go figure this one out.
M1 Garand in .308 worked for me, I know an old guy who did pretty good with a home built 300 H&H Magnum and a young man who I shot with in Phoenix and El Paso used a 6MM and shot the pants off both of us. My buddy in Norway uses a 6.5x55. Caliber isn't your problem what are you shooting for and have you ever shot there. Are you a recoil junky who loves a big boom, bench rest shooter, looking to be a sniper or just interested in making holes in paper from field positions. Just between you me and the neighbors dog if I was to get back into 1000 yard shooting I'd just use 6MM Improved and a Remington Model 700 SPS Varmint rifle with the best glass you can afford to top it. Unless you need a fancier stock or a custom barrel you will be well under your $2000 limit and you will need the rest for your scope, spotting scope, ammo, range time, and coaching if you never shot long range before. Books and videos are good but they don't replace a hands on coach who can spot for you and give you instant feedback on what you just did wrong and how to fix it.
hydroholic
New member
I like the .300 WM for that distance but not saying it the best for that task. Gun matters at that distance but shooting skills and input along with conditions REALLY matter!
Barrel life's been mentioned in this thread. The 30 caliber magnums get about 900 to 1200 rounds of 3/4 moa accuracy at 1000 yards. I've worn out three barrels chambered for the 30-338 Win. getting about 1200 rounds. Folks shooting the .300 Weatherby get about 900.
Along came the 6.5x284 and almost doubled barrel life.
Along came the 6.5x284 and almost doubled barrel life.
When push comes to shove, its not really the rifle but the shooter. If you know your rifle, know the ammunition, and can read wind, mirage, and other conditions you can pretty much shoot anything at the longer ranges.
I've seen some dern good scores with a 243, and some dern good scores with a 300 WM.
I've shot some good scores with a 300 WM, but the best 1000 yard match I shot was using 308s out of my M1A.
As I've mentioned before, I shot at 29 Palms in a team match next to the AMU. They were using M14s and shot a 799 out of 800.
It's the shooter, not the gun or ammo.
I've seen some dern good scores with a 243, and some dern good scores with a 300 WM.
I've shot some good scores with a 300 WM, but the best 1000 yard match I shot was using 308s out of my M1A.
As I've mentioned before, I shot at 29 Palms in a team match next to the AMU. They were using M14s and shot a 799 out of 800.
It's the shooter, not the gun or ammo.