a group of my friends and i shoot our deer rifles at a 3 foot steel plate at 1000 yrds for giggles with our hunting loads and scopes and it would take a man with a death wish to stand there very long. do we hit it every time? a big NO. but we get lucky more than you would think on a windless day. every thing from a 257 roberts to a 375 H&H and even a lowly 30-30. i have been trying to hit it with a original 98 german 8mm mauser with heavy bullets. i have gotten very close, but the open sights hinder me. try it as its alot of fun and may bruise your ego a little. eastbank.
Long range caliber
- Thread starter ESain
- Start date
At this point in time, everyone wants to shoot to 1,000, and then a mile. That is good and bad, but there is a lot of good budget gear out there.
With the right twist and bullets, .223 can go to 1K all day. My best 10 shot group at 1K is just over 8" for 10 rounds (the gun is not optimized for shooting LR), which is better than my best .308 group at 9.8".
The faster the bullet, the less wind, the easier it is. I shoot a lot of .243Win and .260Rem at the longer distances (600+). High BC 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges (there are at least 15 of them that work) are some of the easiest cartridges to get to 1000 with some being able to stretch out to maybe 1500. Of course we are talking about target shooting, not hunting. 6-8" 10 shot groups are certainly attainable with the right gear.
Some people like the Chassis systems (Ruger, Savage, Winchester, Tikka, SIG, etc. make factory ARish or chassis/modular systems) which I recommend for newer shooters. It is easier to adjust fit and such and if you do it wrong, a skilled shooter can help you get it fit. Some hate Chassis and want a more conventional stock. The new Rem MagPul, Savage, Tikka, etc. make target stocked rigs with adjustable cheek risers. Then you have the fixed stocks which some like and are more suited to hunting. Some guys like Howa actions to drop into a custom stock as well.
Lots of choices for sure, so get to a local LR match and check them out. There are differences in quality and accuracy for sure. Twist rate is huge...you want a twist rate that will stabilize the heavier bullets for the caliber so they are stable out at 1000 yards. There are barrels that will shoot lights out at 100 yards but fall apart mid-range (400-700) and that won't work.
Glass: SWFA SS series for budget (300-500) and Burris XTRII line to step up into the mid-range (800-1500). If you can go past 1600, there are a lot of good choices.
With the right twist and bullets, .223 can go to 1K all day. My best 10 shot group at 1K is just over 8" for 10 rounds (the gun is not optimized for shooting LR), which is better than my best .308 group at 9.8".
The faster the bullet, the less wind, the easier it is. I shoot a lot of .243Win and .260Rem at the longer distances (600+). High BC 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges (there are at least 15 of them that work) are some of the easiest cartridges to get to 1000 with some being able to stretch out to maybe 1500. Of course we are talking about target shooting, not hunting. 6-8" 10 shot groups are certainly attainable with the right gear.
Some people like the Chassis systems (Ruger, Savage, Winchester, Tikka, SIG, etc. make factory ARish or chassis/modular systems) which I recommend for newer shooters. It is easier to adjust fit and such and if you do it wrong, a skilled shooter can help you get it fit. Some hate Chassis and want a more conventional stock. The new Rem MagPul, Savage, Tikka, etc. make target stocked rigs with adjustable cheek risers. Then you have the fixed stocks which some like and are more suited to hunting. Some guys like Howa actions to drop into a custom stock as well.
Lots of choices for sure, so get to a local LR match and check them out. There are differences in quality and accuracy for sure. Twist rate is huge...you want a twist rate that will stabilize the heavier bullets for the caliber so they are stable out at 1000 yards. There are barrels that will shoot lights out at 100 yards but fall apart mid-range (400-700) and that won't work.
Glass: SWFA SS series for budget (300-500) and Burris XTRII line to step up into the mid-range (800-1500). If you can go past 1600, there are a lot of good choices.
ranger56528
New member
12 LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor with 140 AMAX is my rifle for 1000 yards.
Dearhunter61
New member
My choices would be:
1) 6.5 Creedmoor
2) 6.5 Creedmoor
3) 6mm Creedmoor
I personally have two 6.5 CMs...a semi custom and an AR-10. The semi custom I've taken out...hit metal...at 1200 yards and the AR-10 out to 800 yards. Believe me when I say I consider myself a pretty average shooter! I do load my own ammo which definitely helps but the 6.5 CM is inherently accurate. And I love both of my 6.5CM rifles!
1) 6.5 Creedmoor
2) 6.5 Creedmoor
3) 6mm Creedmoor
I personally have two 6.5 CMs...a semi custom and an AR-10. The semi custom I've taken out...hit metal...at 1200 yards and the AR-10 out to 800 yards. Believe me when I say I consider myself a pretty average shooter! I do load my own ammo which definitely helps but the 6.5 CM is inherently accurate. And I love both of my 6.5CM rifles!
you have seen the light!
a calibre so fearsome noone dare attack us in over a 100years!
(yes I know all the neutrallity cowtowing to nazis stuff)
but back on topic to the people saying 500yards isn't long range? anything over 300m is long range IMO(or yards that you stubbornly stick to like some nation version of hipsters)
Aussie Gun Lover
Inactive
For under $1300 you can get a dedicated LR rifle like the Ruger Precision Rifle in .308 or 6.5CM which is an awesome price for a rifle with those features. Top it with something like a Vortex HS 6-24x50 scope for around $600 and you will have a formidable LR combo that has no problem shooting accurately out to 1000 meters for under $2K http://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html
Don Fischer
New member
I can't imagine anything from 243 on up that wouldn't work! Jim Carmichael got credit for developing the 260 Rem, he developed his version just for shooting 1000 yard match'es. His idea was a cartridge with light enough recoil to shoot long strings without recoil bothering you. Long range to me seem's to be much more about shooting than ballistics. My understanding about competitive shooting is different cartridges become popular when someone wipes your eye with it theey it does a lot of winning because everyone has one. Not to discount ballistics but competative shooting is mostly about shooting!
handlerer2
New member
I own and reload for 340WBY, 300WBY 223, 44mag, and more recently 6.5-284. No one has mentioned it so I will.
Owning and shooting the WBY mags, I like to try 2-3 loads at a time, I started suffering after 9 rounds or so.
I had read a lot about the 6.5's and a lot about the 6.5-284. I was impressed that it is ballistically identical to my 300WBY. After shooting either of the WBY rifles my 6.5-284 feels like shooting a rimfire. Of coarse my rifle is not a sporter type rifle. My rifle, a cooper MDL 22 is a varmint rifle in a chambering that will kill a moose. It was a Valentine gift, how sweet!
I see that not many makers offer rifles in 6.5-284. I saw mine at Scheels in Billings, and said to my wife, " Isn't that sweet?"
I have nearly retired the WBY's. Shooting the Cooper is a honeymoon.
Owning and shooting the WBY mags, I like to try 2-3 loads at a time, I started suffering after 9 rounds or so.
I had read a lot about the 6.5's and a lot about the 6.5-284. I was impressed that it is ballistically identical to my 300WBY. After shooting either of the WBY rifles my 6.5-284 feels like shooting a rimfire. Of coarse my rifle is not a sporter type rifle. My rifle, a cooper MDL 22 is a varmint rifle in a chambering that will kill a moose. It was a Valentine gift, how sweet!
I see that not many makers offer rifles in 6.5-284. I saw mine at Scheels in Billings, and said to my wife, " Isn't that sweet?"
I have nearly retired the WBY's. Shooting the Cooper is a honeymoon.
For the "average" guy, it's hard to beat the .308. Plenty of OTC ammo choices and quite easy to handload. Wide variety of rifles for every budget/interest.
Get a rifle with a 24"(or longer) barrel and some weight to it. HOWA is at the top of my list for aesthetics and performance. Savage is a good starting point, BUT it may take quite a while to get the bore smoothed up to shoot well. Remington is a ?? in light of many current complaints. The rest are just "toss them in a sack and shake one out" IMHO.
$1500 is a decent budget if you don't waste too much on expensive "stuff" that really doesn't improve your package.
Get a rifle with a 24"(or longer) barrel and some weight to it. HOWA is at the top of my list for aesthetics and performance. Savage is a good starting point, BUT it may take quite a while to get the bore smoothed up to shoot well. Remington is a ?? in light of many current complaints. The rest are just "toss them in a sack and shake one out" IMHO.
$1500 is a decent budget if you don't waste too much on expensive "stuff" that really doesn't improve your package.
6mm BR ( Norma version) deserves a nomination if you're not going over 600 yds often on windy days. Easy to load and shoot. Extremely accurate and gentle on barrel. 6,5 x55 is superb as mentioned for truly long range and much better ballistics than 308. It pays to go AI. Brass stretches a lot less. You don't need the extra capacity at all. Which leads into 6.5 Lapua, the newest magic bullet that combines the best advantages of the 2. None of these burn through barrels like a 6.5-284, one of the most expensive to shoot.
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long range caliber
Mossberg makes a rifle in .300 winchster and maybe some other magnum calibers for under 500.00 list price, with walnut stocks.
The only reason magnum chamber length matters is high capacity high velocity cartridges use longer cases.
I would sell the 22 inch barrel which is redundant in a magnum caliber and have a 28 inch or even30 inch barrel installed.
The reason is as all long range match shooters use the longer barrels to burn hand fulls of very slow powder and get maximum velocity, flatter trajectory, and increased accuracy, from the higher velocity and somewhat heavier bullets they shoot. They all load their own rounds.
Don't expect 10,000 rounds from one the barrels under such demands.
Some shoot stainless barrels. Stainless moves with heat more than chrome moly though. there are things I don't know a bout it and perhaps heat treating stainless is now better. Almost all us cut rifling which enhances accuracy.
Hammer forging moves the metal around a lot and is softer steel.
Most barrels are soft though with sulfur and lead, in the mix, for easier machining and smother machining finish.
A cut rifle barrel of good chrome moly is perhaps the most accurate.
A custom barrel will cost you 500.00 -700.00, installed and finish reamad and gauged, with long throat, just based on my shopping for a replacement barrel for a Weatherby
That is the reason they make more barrels.
the idea that you can shoot a mild cartridge with a rainbow trajectory, at thousand yards won't win any matches. The big magnums with big bullets and high velocities, out of long barrels, with big charges ,of necessary powder, have enough arc as it is.
Barrel life I have my own idea of a 32 inch cut rifle barrel, with chrome bore and chamber.
Maybe Dura Bore Coat would signifigantly lengthen barrel, life as it is designated to do that. I haven't heard any reports on it
Mossberg makes a rifle in .300 winchster and maybe some other magnum calibers for under 500.00 list price, with walnut stocks.
The only reason magnum chamber length matters is high capacity high velocity cartridges use longer cases.
I would sell the 22 inch barrel which is redundant in a magnum caliber and have a 28 inch or even30 inch barrel installed.
The reason is as all long range match shooters use the longer barrels to burn hand fulls of very slow powder and get maximum velocity, flatter trajectory, and increased accuracy, from the higher velocity and somewhat heavier bullets they shoot. They all load their own rounds.
Don't expect 10,000 rounds from one the barrels under such demands.
Some shoot stainless barrels. Stainless moves with heat more than chrome moly though. there are things I don't know a bout it and perhaps heat treating stainless is now better. Almost all us cut rifling which enhances accuracy.
Hammer forging moves the metal around a lot and is softer steel.
Most barrels are soft though with sulfur and lead, in the mix, for easier machining and smother machining finish.
A cut rifle barrel of good chrome moly is perhaps the most accurate.
A custom barrel will cost you 500.00 -700.00, installed and finish reamad and gauged, with long throat, just based on my shopping for a replacement barrel for a Weatherby
That is the reason they make more barrels.
the idea that you can shoot a mild cartridge with a rainbow trajectory, at thousand yards won't win any matches. The big magnums with big bullets and high velocities, out of long barrels, with big charges ,of necessary powder, have enough arc as it is.
Barrel life I have my own idea of a 32 inch cut rifle barrel, with chrome bore and chamber.
Maybe Dura Bore Coat would signifigantly lengthen barrel, life as it is designated to do that. I haven't heard any reports on it
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Don Fischer
New member
Hate to say this but if you look on the flap of a 22 LR you'll see they carry over one mile! Are you a good enough shooter to use that? 
I shot service rifle at 1000 a few times. Not recommended. 80 grain Sierras look like mortar rounds dropping in. 308 is marginal itself at that range and only persists to mimic "sniper rifles", but there are lots of organized matches to keep it alive; Palma making the most of the challenge inherent with 308. If you can find a 223 in 7 - 8 twist, it will be fine for 600 with heavy bullets. It won't catch the 6BR's, but cheap and easy to shoot. Plenty of factory ammo too like 308. Reliable load data just as available. Much easier on your shoulder, and fun. Honestly, 200 yards is enough challenge at first. There aren't many places you can shoot farther and learn anything besides. You don't want magnum anything if you care to enjoy the sport.