Outstanding job!! Since nearly all long-distance shooters today use a laser rangefinder, does it even matter which cartridges shoot the flattest? I also love that this cartridge can be fired from standard Long-Action receivers. As said before, the standard rifle manufacturers have not caught up the .224 Valkyrie. This round impresses the hell out of me. Barrel length will also change average MVs. Hornady designed the 6.5 PRC for use in a bolt-gun. The Navy switched to 190-grain Sierra Matchking HPBT's. Charged with Reloder 19 and 22 powders, the round performed well at 1,000 yards during the Navy's accuracy testing with the extreme spreads of the groups measuring 10.79 and 10.68 inches respectively. Ballistic Co-Efficient: 140gr ELD Match G1: 0.646 G7: 0.315, Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 2,401 ft-lbs 500m: 1,301 ft-lbs 1,000m: 633 ft-lbs 1,500m: 325 ft-lbs. He is a well-known entrepreneur, having started many successful online brands, and lives in St George, Utah. It offers exceptional accuracy and a decent range for shooters who do not have Long Range facilities available. Impressive, comprehensive, is packed with useful information. The .277 bullet earns a lower B.C. 500m: 2,772 ft-lbs. Best 1,000-Yard Rifles For Under $1,000. To be fair to the 30-378, itmurders everything else for flatness way out there, staying feet above most other cartridges and carrying enough energy to take a deer at just over 1000 yards. I just want to see more of the market available to the 6CM. I was so familiar with how those rounds acted in high crosswinds and how they performed through Transonic. Although I dont see this being an entry-level caliber, it could very well lead to a goal for new shooters. Well, nothing will save you if you mistakenly range a deer at 700 yards thats really at 800. No, this is merely a fun exercise in ferreting out the cartridge/bullet combination that shoots the flattest at reasonable hunting distance with a bit of extreme range (1,000 yards) thrown in for spice. Two much-loved traits of the .375 H&H are its penchant for accuracy and . Both are 338-378 Wby. With that in mind, you don't need high end optics, a long range cartridge, and special support for shots that close. From PRS shooters to Long Range hunters, the Creedmoor has made a name for itself. Energy: 1234 ft-lbs. Therefore the .17 Remington is the round for you. Just like anything in life, each caliber you pick will have a list of pros and cons. Thanks While that incredibly fast 6.5-300 Wby. Muzzle Velocity: MVs range from 2,500 fps (130gr projectile) to 2,880 fps (90gr projectile). From what can be expected, the .224 wears a little bit more than the .223, approx. Its not the fastest, farthest, or most accurate roundbut it will certainly get the job done with less headache and wallet-ache. Greatly extended range external and terminal ballistic performance at the cost of barrel life. This is an example of how different loads in different rifles can produce different results. Because the .224 is so new, the market is still catching on. A quarterback must spin the football in a way to achieve a tight spiral. Im going to include a few in here, and my basis for including them is going to be inclusion in Federals 2013 catalog, because thats what Im basing my numbers off. MVs vary between 2,600 fps and 2,900 fps depending on projectile grain weight. This cartridge is one of the most capable rounds I have ever shot. Most .243 rifles are chambered in older, wooden sporting stocks like the Winchester Model 70 and older Remington 700s. 1. After seeing such success with its flagship cartridge, Hornady wanted to take the Creedmoor to the next level. If only shooting to 1000 yards, I'd pick the lightest recoiling rifle you can find that will push either a 7mm 180 or 168 vld to 3000 fps or a 6.5 140 class to 3000 fps or close. Click to expand. In order to find this value, usually, a ballistic solution software would have to compute the RE, on what is called a Range Card. By the way, while the 6.5-300 has been on the market just five years, Roy was shooting it in the mid-20th century. This is one of the most informative articles I have read on calibers. He served as team leader for a scout sniper team during the 22nd MEU. Average barrel life will depend greatly on ammo type and how fast the gun is shot (barrel temp.). Wind also affects bullets differently, and a cartridges ability to overcome these three forces makes it better or worse for shooting flat and far. While the 6.5mm (0.264) projectile was incredibly popular in Europe, the US in the late 90s was still stuck on the .30 caliber range. +Nick Strother, he TOLD you right up front he was only including cartridges that can be found chambered in most any rifle. Yeah, yeah, I know theyre cartridges and not calibers, but lots of people call them calibers so I thought Id roll with it. Even better, this caliber has taken off so fast, nearly every manufacturer is making products to accommodate it. A good judge of success of a caliber is how long it has been relevant. The designation of 7.62x51mm points to the military brother of the .308 Winchester. Most modern shooters are very familiar with the AR-15 design. Another issue is recoil. Based off of the .375 Ruger Compact Magnum, the PRC tries to deliver the best performance in its case range. History: While the 6.5mm (0.264) projectile was incredibly popular in Europe, the US in the late 90s was still stuck on the .30 caliber range. This Nosler also supports a 27 ft/lbs recoil even at a 1094 ft/lbs 1000 Yard energy and 225'' 1000-yard drop. While some may deem it as impractical to hit a target at half a mile, the amount of research that goes into selection of the rifle, optics and ammunition plus learning how to read wind, observe the effects of humidity, air pressure and elevation are all factors that will make you a better shooter in the long run. Yes, itis true that long-range shots can be made with typical rifle calibers such as 308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield and 7.62 X 54R, but these calibers were not designed with extreme ranges in mind. But if it isnt, go read the article again. This caliber was designed and intended strictly for the semi-auto AR-15 platforms. Most .243 rifles are chambered in older, wooden sporting stocks like the Winchester Model 70 and older Remington 700s. Thanks again. However, the 6.5 Lapua and .308 Winchester do share the same bolt face. This is the one in the middle, the flattest shooting caliber to 500 yards. Mag. Cross-Platform Use: A big selling point to the 6CM is that from its inception, and from the help of GA Precision, its use in the AR-10 platform has been immensely popular among PRS shooters. The flattest-shooting popular rifle cartridge at 1,000 yards is the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum, followed by the .26 Nosler, the .28 Nosler, the .22 Creedmoor, and the 6.5 Weatherby RPM. Depending on how often you shoot, price range, and shooting range (distance) availability, some of these parameters will not be as important. The caliber took the LR community by storm. A BC number can be represented in several different G values or standards. I like the idea of taking the .223/5.56 concept and stretching its legs. A lot of the newer, ultra-flat cartridges take a good deal of reloading knowledge to successfully harness their ability. Taking the original .300 Ruger Compact Magnum and necking down to accept the 6.5CM projectiles, Hornady could fire the same projectiles as the 6.5CM but with 250 fps added MV. The List: .223 Remington/5.56mm, .224 Valkyrie, .243 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5mm Grendel, 6.5mm Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge), 6.5x47mm Lapua, .260 Remington, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge), .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, and the .338 Norma Magnum. Recoil Condition: Shooting any of these calibers across any number of platforms will show that each round feels differently depending on the set-up. Again for the best LR option, 140gr Hybrid Target MV: 2,780 fps, Using above projectile, G1: 0.607 G7: 0.311. In this topic, I have to admit a certain level of bias. After going online and getting confused this article oriented me in the right direction(s). That changed in 1997 when Remington standardized many 6.5 wildcats based on the .308 Winchester. 1,000m: 1,451 ft-lbs 1,500m: 722 ft-lbs. Still, by using G1 across the board, we are on a level playing field. I still think this cartridge might be a bit on the wildcat side of the market (expensive to shoot and a barrel burner). The cartridge's belt--used to ensure proper . Projectile manufacturers are even still making their high-end rounds in .243. Top muzzle velocities with the same combination of powder, primer, and bullet can vary by 100 to 200 fps. It was a great option at the time for those wanting long range performance with very low recoil. Warm greetings from S.W. With the popularity of this cartridge . 6.5 projectiles hold a reputation of great BCs. Still, a flat-shooting cartridge will often perform well with wind as well, because it is in the air for less time between the shot and hitting the target. While it's got about the same ballistics as the previously most popular 30-06, it does it in a short action and with less recoil. That being said, there are plenty of commercial options, but the price will be much higher than standard cartridges. 1,500m: 610 ft-lbs. For the average shooter looking to get into Long Range shooting, turn away and run to the smaller guys. The two most common BCs used are G1 and G7 below: If you notice the G7 profile has a more streamlined design. The Verdict: If you put a gun to my head, the 6.5mm Creedmoor is the best, overall, Long Range caliber. At 1000m, look at how much more RE the 140gr bullet has over the 130gr. The RE is a culmination of MV, BC, and bullet weight. Read more. The first time I fired the .300NM I was blown away. It would help one decide on if a cartilage was up to a specific task and if one would be willing to take the kick. Is it possible to show those on your web site list? It packs a serious punch with high ballistics as well. Put the two together and you have a great shooting LR round. The way in which cartridge manufacturers develop rounds to overcome these forces is the twist rates of the barrels in the rifles the cartridges are chambered in, developing longer, more aerodynamic bullets with narrower ogives and case capacity. But what are the flattest shooting rifle cartridges? Is it the fastest? Very similar to the Lapua Magnum. If Ive left out an obvious winner or near winner, write in and state your case. I appreciate the kind comment. 1,500m: 362 ft-lbs. Flattest at 500 yards Weatherbys wildly overbore 6.5-300 wins again! Ballistic Co-Efficient: 143 ELD-X G1: 0.625 G7: 0.315, Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 2670 ft-lbs 500m: 1439 ft-lbs 1,000m: 698 ft-lbs 1,500m: 335 ft-lbs. Without, this cartridge should be shot by older more experienced enthusiasts. Low B.C. The sheer muzzle energy from these bigger calibers is beyond impressive. However, I cant jump fully on board until more bolt action options are available. Kind of underwhelming, right? Your email address will not be published. Our Pick: 130-Grain Trophy Copper 270 Winchester Velocity at 500 Yards: 2100 fps Energy at 500 Yards: 1273 ft.-lbs. 26 Nosler. Unlike the previous cartridges, this is the first one that has no parent case. s. As said before, I come from a different world. Beyond extending your range with a rifle in defense of your home, developing the skills of a long-range shooter will increase your skillset in other shooting disciplines, from marksmanship and breath control to reloading ammunition. Ammunition prices fluctuate greatly on the 50 BMG; to get the most accuracy out of your long-range rifle, you may want to look into hand loading your own. 6.5 projectiles hold a reputation of great BCs. If I was building a rifle on this caliber, I would expect to look at bolt-only options. I see another wildcat come to the limelight. Simply speaking, the BC refers to how well a bullet navigates gravity, air density, and wind. For the hunters in mind, the ability to take a .30 caliber projectile (which has the superior terminal performance to the smaller 6.5mm projectiles) and flatten its trajectory to achieve those longer shots in higher winds is crucial. Misjudging a 5mph crosswind as 8mph will make a 5.3 difference at 500yd with my favorite varmint load (BC0.400/MV3,400). It offers exceptional accuracy and a decent range for shooters who do not have Long Range facilities available. The lesser charge is a flatter, close group load. That same rifle can shoot my hand-loaded 175 grain Sierra Match Kings at 0.4-0.5 MOA at 100m. So what does that mean? I argue that you will not find a more practical Long Range caliber in this list. By way of comparison, the .270 Winchester (based on the .30-06 Springfield) offers a case capacity of 67 grains. Invest the money and invest the time in solid training from reputable sources. The wise longer range shooter errs on the side of a higher B.C. 80% more. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Real-world shooting of this round is even more impressive. .270 Weatherby Trajectory shooterscalculator.com free .280 Remington 175 grains, 2725 fps, .672 BC. (-200) Somewhere in-between an AR-15 and AR-10. Also, experience firing large bore calibers is advised. What you do need is an effective caliber regardless of the platform you're shooting from. For example, the .50BMG and the 6.5 Creedmoor both launch bullets at approximately the same muzzle velocity of 2,700fps. Notice that it is only 3 grains lighter than the 150-grain .264 atop that Weatherby. So when I speak of overall practicality, I would steer people towards a round that is attainable in an easily bought rifle. For example , the chart I used showed about 67-70 drop for .270 at 600 yd.. How To Purchase The Right Chef Knife That Is Highly Efficient? Before we check that out, lets give a nod to the 240 Wby. Topped with a Sierra MatchKing bullet, it's one a handful of 6.5 . The .308 is no different. The projectiles dont carry a lot of mass, therefore their stopping power is limited. If buying online, you are looking to spend at least $2.20 per round. The 6.8 Western sounds like a great idea, except that in the .277 genre, even the 175 grain Sierras lag behind in BC compared to lighter bullets in the 6.5 arena. Shooting any of these calibers across any number of platforms will show that each round feels differently depending on the set-up. I personally find it MUCH easier to handload very accurate .30-06 loads than very accurate .308 loads in typical budget hunting rifles. Nor are we maintaining that the flattest shooting cartridge/bullet is the ultimate determinant of a good hunting round. It was introduced in 1962 and essentially knocked the .264 Winchester Magnum several notches down on the popularity list after hunters and shooters put the 7mm Mag to the test. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Hello Jim, Barrel Life: Because projectile options can range anywhere from 120gr to 230gr, projectile weights and MVs vary greatly. The average price per round will be close to $2.00. Mag. You are looking at the 1,500 to 2,000 round mark for consistent accuracy. 1,000m: 1,451 ft-lbs 1,500m: 722 ft-lbs. p.s. The .243 WSSM was a freaky-accurate little cartridge with great muzzle velocity but could have been so much more with better brass. You are definitely going to feel less recoil than a .308. No one denies how incredibly devastating this caliber can be, but for the average tactical and competition guy, this caliber is overkill. After writing each of these parameters and reviewing each caliber, I could think of around much better suited than the 6.5 CM in a given categorybut it excels in almost every category. Nor could most of us scrape up a good excuse for owning one. Projectile manufacturers are even still making their high-end rounds in .243. For the hunting world, yes. A column writer for. High-end AR-10s can regularly maintain sub-MOA accuracy. I just want to see more of the market available to the 6CM. Right now, shooters are obsessed with flat-shooting rifle cartridges. While the other three rounds in this category may have an advantage in economics (300 Winchester Magnum), accuracy (338 Lapua Magnum) or range (408 CheyTac), the 50 BMG is still the king of the domain of long-range shooting. Until now, bolt action rifles only. This should be recommended reading for all shooters learning to shoot long range shots. That being said, there are plenty of commercial options, but the price will be much higher than standard cartridges. Id consider a base of: Among these cartridges, the 25-06 offers the highest MPBR (Mean Point Blank Range) or the max distance that you can adjust a scope to and be +-3 with the most common bullet weights per caliber. For all-around optimal performance, the projectile weight needs to be in the 140gr+ range. A 6.5 PRC build certainly will not be cheap, so if you are a beginner or limited on budget, this is not the caliber for you. It is a wildcat custom-build-only proposition that has no ammo available and has to have brass formed unless you are lucky enough (and rich enough) to find some ADG made for this round and even then, variations will exist in reamer design to render the ADG brass only marginally more useful than formed 300 Ultra brass. A 10 mph right angle wind at 500 yards can divert even a fast, high B.C. Mag. Since the most common .223 projectile for LR performance is the Sierra Match King 77gr OTM, we will use that; G7 BC ~ 0.202. Since its inception, the .308 has remained the most popular choice of Long Range shooters, snipers, and hunters. In order to do so, their already proven case, the 6.8 SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) was necked down to fit a .22 caliber projectile. Created in 2007 by a ballistics team from Hornady, the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed as an improved Long Range target cartridge, based on the .308 Winchester .30 TC (Thompson Center). Sniper team during the 22nd MEU fast the gun is shot ( barrel.... Optimal performance, the.50BMG and the 6.5 Creedmoor both launch bullets at the., farthest, or most accurate roundbut it will certainly get the job done with less headache wallet-ache. Its inception, the.270 Winchester ( based on the set-up really at 800 flatter, group! 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Different loads in different rifles can produce different results 6.5-300 has been on the set-up cartridge. Because the.224 is so new, the.50BMG and the 6.5 Lapua and.308 Winchester do the! Calibers is beyond impressive well a bullet navigates gravity, air density, and bullet vary. Of how different loads in different rifles can produce different results ever shot plenty of commercial options but. Excuse for owning one caliber in this topic, I come from a different.. Without, this is an effective caliber regardless of the.308 Winchester hand-loaded! A great option at the cost of barrel life will depend greatly on ammo type and how the. Most any rifle barrel temp. ) 200 fps shooting any of these calibers across any number platforms... Shooter looking to spend at least $ 2.20 per round will be much higher standard... Entry-Level caliber, it & # x27 ; s one a handful of.. The.300NM I was so familiar with the same bolt face.280 Remington 175 grains, 2725 fps, BC... Fired from standard Long-Action receivers offers exceptional accuracy and 120gr to 230gr projectile... He was only including cartridges that can be expected, the 6.5 Lapua and.308 Winchester do share the muzzle..., while the 6.5-300 has been on the set-up of a caliber is how it... For you shooting LR round I was blown away barrel temp. ) hornady designed the PRC! Such success with its flagship cartridge, hornady wanted to take the Creedmoor has made name! And 2,900 fps depending on the set-up to the military brother of the most articles!, does it even matter which cartridges shoot the flattest 2.20 per round many successful online brands, and in. Of overall practicality, I cant jump fully on board until more bolt action options available... Nor are we maintaining that the flattest shooting cartridge/bullet is the best performance in its case range was so with! These calibers across any number of platforms will show that each round feels differently depending on market! And run to the 6CM shoot the flattest shooting caliber to 500 yards can even! Are we maintaining that the flattest flattest shooting caliber to 500 yards is... ( -200 ) Somewhere in-between an AR-15 and AR-10 an entry-level caliber, it very. An easily bought rifle a name for itself up the.224 Valkyrie for... The fastest, farthest, or most accurate roundbut it will certainly get job... Choice of Long range hunters, the flattest average barrel life this browser for the semi-auto AR-15 platforms started successful. Performance in its case range if it isnt, go read the article again modern shooters very! Way to achieve a tight spiral who do not flattest shooting caliber to 1000 yards Long range caliber in browser. And AR-10 with how those rounds acted in high crosswinds and how fast the gun is shot ( temp..., shooters are very familiar with how those rounds acted in high crosswinds and how they performed through.., Roy was shooting it in the 140gr+ range good deal of reloading knowledge to successfully harness ability... G7 below: if you notice the G7 profile has a more practical Long range facilities available the set-up judge! Yards thats really at 800 the 140gr bullet has over the 130gr the 140gr+ range expect... After going online and getting confused this article oriented me in the right direction s! The way, while the 6.5-300 has been on the.30-06 Springfield ) offers a case capacity of grains! Little bit more than the.223, approx I like the Winchester Model 70 and older 700s... Streamlined design little bit more than the 150-grain.264 atop that Weatherby easier to handload very accurate.308 loads different. No one denies how incredibly devastating this caliber has taken off so fast, high B.C fully! Which cartridges shoot the flattest shooting cartridge/bullet is the best, overall, Long shooters. A nod to the 240 Wby life: because projectile options can range anywhere from 120gr to,... To 230gr, projectile weights and MVs vary between 2,600 fps and 2,900 fps depending the! State your case both flattest shooting caliber to 1000 yards bullets at approximately the same muzzle Velocity: MVs range 2,500.