Most people believe that the flattest shooting rifle caliber is the .22-250. For example, taking a load of the 308 that had the best ballistic results I could find at 1000 yards (it was 155gr BTHP), and taking a best load for the 25-06, the 25 had over 100 inches less drop, 15 inches less drift in a cross breeze, and only 41 pounds less retained energy! Second, we are not encouraging extreme-range shooting at game. I still like this cartridge for a bolt gun though. Hey there from Melbourne, Australia. Initial Thoughts: The first time I fired the .300NM I was blown away. Corporal McMahon is a former 0317 Scout Sniper with 1st BN 2nd Marines. Energy: 1234 ft-lbs. Also, experience firing large bore calibers is advised. Nice summary of the subject for those of us who do not understand things like Coreolis Force and aerodynamic jump. With low case volume and slower MVs, the Grendel is an ideal cartridge for barrel life. Recoil Condition: Like most calibers with projectiles lighter than 150 grains, the recoil can be considered light. To even things out, Ive zerod all cartridges at 100, drops are listed in feet and cartridges that fell below 1000 ft-lbs didnt get past the next 100 yard clip. Recoil Condition: Getting into the magnum calibers, recoil is going to be noticeably more than the .308 Winchester. I would argue, these are two of the most important questions to ask/answer when talking about the best Long Range roundwhat is the ammo availability like, and/or do you reload? You have more knowledge in your non-dominant pinky than I have. Ballistic Co-Efficient: As with MV, .223 projectiles vary greatly. And for all of you whove just learned your flat shooting champion really isnt, sorry. Either way it is flexible for your mission. With the right rifle, the .300WM can be a very smooth shooting set-up. 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. Gravity impacts all objects the same. The 7mag is one of the calibers he mentioned for the original 7 in the test. What Ive done with this deep dive review is use the highest Handloading Manual velocities Ive discovered, trusting that you, gentle reader, will understand that your mileage may vary. So what does that mean? Nosler's goal was to improve on the 7mm Rem Mag without creating a full magnum length cartridge. 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. and MV do. Im too old and worn out for the magnums. (Well that largely depends on the shooter). Trust but verify. 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. History: What a cool story herethe Norma Magnum comes to us as an improvement on the Lapua Magnum. I would expect to see 6,000-8,000+. Therefore the .17 Remington is the round for you. Slightly more than the .308 Winchester. Many hunters still use this cartridge for its hard-hitting terminal performance and flat flying exterior ballistics. I still like this cartridge for a bolt gun though. Ammo Availability: Like the .308 Winchester, ammo availability and reloading components are everywhere. Overall Practicality: If you are looking for exceptional, hard-hitting, flat performance, you might want to consider the .300 PRC. Getting into the magnum calibers, recoil is going to be noticeably more than the .308 Winchester. My grandkids have a poem for this photo: Cartridge cartridge on the table, choose the flattest if youre able. Based off of the .375 Ruger Compact Magnum, the PRC tries to deliver the best performance in its case range. Most shots are taken at short range, but some experienced marksmen with good rifles, known distances, and good conditions may need to make connections at longer distances. Projectiles will be available but brass might not be. Great chart, I appreciate all your work on this. 17 Best Long Range Calibers in 2023 (Ranked by a Marine Sniper), This topic may be daunting to some readers because the actual numerical values in which we represent a projectiles Ballistic Coefficient seem like arbitrary numbers. History: The 6.5 Grendel comes to us in 2003 from Alexander Arms. I have neither the scientific knowledge nor mathematical skills to figure out the perfect blend of factors that produces the flattest trajectory winner. Just curious if you included the 300 Norma or maybe I missed it. But if it isnt, go read the article again. Recoil Condition: For being a long and hard-hitting round, the 6.5 CM still maintains a lower felt recoil. Take the Lapua and shorten the case so it can be fired from a standard Long Action. Take the Lapua and shorten the case so it can be fired from a standard Long Action. A flat shooting cartridge matters. modifies results at some point. The overall purpose of the Grendel was to deliver extended accuracy and range of the .223/5.56 NATO in the same AR-15 platform. I personally find it MUCH easier to handload very accurate .30-06 loads than very accurate .308 loads in typical budget hunting rifles. Modified from a .30.03 cartridge, the .30-06 was developed for military purposes in 1906. originating from a desire to be shooting at 1000 yards. 300 win mag. Since its inception, the .308 has remained the most popular choice of Long Range shooters, snipers, and hunters. As for PRS shooters, with great flat trajectories and low-recoil, follow-up shots are a breeze. 500m: 1,866 ft-lbs. What a cool story herethe Norma Magnum comes to us as an improvement on the Lapua Magnum. This was not a significant problem at the time of introduction, as the .45-70 was a fairly flat-shooting cartridge for its time. History: One of the newer cartridges on the list, the .300 PRC comes to us from Hornady in 2018. 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. Expect to see 2,500-3,000 rounds out of your barrel. The final result was a flat shooting 6.5 projectile that flew like a .300 Winchester Magnum but with less recoil than a .308. For the average shooter looking to get into Long Range shooting, turn away and run to the smaller guys. A big selling point to the Grendel is its ease on barrels. Real-world shooting of this round is even more impressive. rating) driven more slowly. In 2008, the cartridge was introduced not to expand upon the capabilities of the .338, but the possibilities. As said before, I come from a different world. The .308 Winchester round shoots pretty flat out to 200 yards when it starts to drop. Digging Into the Numbers The two most common BCs used are G1 and G7 below: If you notice the G7 profile has a more streamlined design. The flattest-shooting cartridges usually have Nosler or Weatherby in their name, and the top three flat-shooting cartridges were created by those respected companies. the 270 Wby is tough to beat with a 130 gr bullet started at 3400-3500 fps. Initial Thoughts: Again, this round is such a classic. With less powder capacity than a .300 WM, the WSM is still manageable. It just murders your shoulder, ears, and pocketbook at the same time . They are great long-range guns, but not known by the our Armed Forces community. Still less than the classic .308 Winchester. That still is a general rule of thumb today, but they have come a long way. (Well that largely depends on the shooter). The history lesson was GREAT! Accuracy, knowledge of your rifle and its drops at different ranges, and knowledge of the conditions will dictate your very long range shots. Full Disclosure Here. The bench rest shooting community usually pushes the boundaries and concocts the. BUT, just keep in mind that sticking to one caliber, and being able to use that caliber in multiple systems does have advantages. Everyone knows that speed kills. Also know that not all manufacturer-claimed B.C. For the Top 5 you have listed, what manufacturers offer a complete rifle in those calibers? What advice would you add? At 1000 yards a .308 Winchester will have dropped around 400 inches (30 feet) where it has lost 55% of its velocity. Recoil Condition: One of the great things about a .223 rifle build is that the recoil is manageable for a shooter of any age. 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. As said before, each of the parameters will have to be thought about. With a suppressor on the .300 Norma Magnum, the recoil still isnt all that bad. Thank you. Hunters can take advantage of flat shooting rounds to extend maximum point blank range, the distance over which a center-of-target aim results in the bullet remaining within the kill zone, never climbing above it at mid-range and remaining in it until maximum point blank range is reached. They will also fit any .308 Winchester bolt face; meaning that to obtain a 6.5CM, all you need to do is swap a barrel, making this cartridge extremely modular across bolt and gas guns. This can get expensive so choosing my first is very important. Why not mention the 7mm Remington Mag? Prairie dogs?). This case was designed to be used out of the AR platform for PRS (Precision Rifle Series) matches. I ran the numbers with the 180 grain Ballistic tip at 3420 fps. Take a look at the MPBR column and note how close they all are. Is it the most accurate? Surprisingly due to the case volume to bore area ratio, barrel life is impressive for a cartridge of this size. The history and service-record behind the .308 goes all the way back to the 1950s. This is one of the most helpful and actionable articles I have seen. The .22-250 has a very high velocity and is very accurate. The biggest drawback to this cartridge is that the rounds are very expensive if bought commercially. Before its inception, the thought of pushing a 75-grain projectile past 1000 yards was uncommon. Another ballistic value that has importance is the Remaining Energy (RE) of the round at any given range. The OP asked for flattest shooting, I tried to help, If the Irish team shot accurately with muzzleloaders at 1000 yards using BP do you not think it could be done at 200? 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. Some states and cities outlaw the 50 BMG, as do a number of rifle ranges. Basically, whatever Gx model is used, will be the standard bullet profile shape to compare off of. Hello Jim, When thinking of muzzle velocity, a faster round is not always better. The 6.5 PRC was born at the 2018 SHOT Show. What is a flat gun? A line can be drawn in the sand between the .30 cal class projectiles and the .338 and larger. 300 WinMag, 338 Lapua Mag., etc.). This cartridge calls for a custom case. This caliber thrived in the late 20th Century and has since stayed for a reason. However, the majority of builds will be designed for the bolt action system. Without, this cartridge should be shot by older more experienced enthusiasts. Long Range Calibers Ballistics Comparison Chart, How to Unregister a Gun in your Name? This is with a 58gr charge of Hodgen 4831 powder. I work at a very large and popular firearms dealer, and I have sold dozens (if not hundreds) if the 6.5, but I havent sold 1, or had anyone even ask about the top 3 in this list. The ammo was considerably lighter, meaning the rifles could be lighter. It makes sense. via the Davenport formula. Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 2,158 ft-lbs 500m: 1,047 ft-lbs 1,000m: 436 ft-lbs 1,500m: 222 ft-lbs. Comfortable price point. As with other magnum cartridges, the average barrel life is expected at 1,500-2,000 rounds. What a gentleman. However, the .50BMG bullet will reach the target with 143 less drop than the 6.5 Creedmoor, because it has more mass which leads to a higher BC, and that higher BC given the same velocity, makes it slow down less during flight. Still less than the classic .308 Winchester. The .338 Lapua Magnum offers very impressive external and terminal ballistic performancebut at a steep cost. It would serve as the main infantry cartridge for over 60 years, before being replaced by the 7.62x51mm NATO. Both SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and the US Army have selected the .300 Norma Magnum as their hottest and newest sniper rifle cartridge. Additionally, it won't kick the snot of you when you touch one off. All in all, this cartridge changed the tactics of the US military, and later, NATO allies. For all-around optimal performance, the projectile weight needs to be in the 140gr+ range. I like the idea of taking the .223/5.56 concept and stretching its legs. Here we go! Currently, G1 through G8 and GL is the only mathematical models to express BCs. The only downside we found with this gun is the cartridge design. He is a well-known entrepreneur, having started many successful online brands, and lives in St George, Utah. I still think this cartridge might be a bit on the wildcat side of the market (expensive to shoot and a barrel burner). projectiles begins to add up and they shoot flatter at extreme range. And most of all, be safe and be fun. Its just physics. In fact, I argue that the effective range of .308 on deer is 300 yards. All in all, if you are new to the LR community and have an heirloom .243 in the family and that is it, re-barrel it and work on fundamentals. G1 BC: .563 G7 BC: .274. Cross-Platform Use: Unfortunately being such an older caliber, new-age tactical guys will not see this cartridge on many platforms. 1,000m: 786 ft-lbs. I do all my own reloading so don't mind something like the 6x6.8 but don't want to fuss with a ton of fireforming steps, cutting down, neck trimming etc of some wildcats. If buying online, you are looking to spend at least $2.20 per round. 30-06. Thats what happened with Norma. Thanks for the chart for bullet drop but for Big Game Hunting I would rather see the down range energy. Remaining Energy: Muzzle: 1316 ft-lbs 500m: 470 ft-lbs 1000m: 165 ft-lbs 1500m: 108 ft-lbs. The Long Range community has been pushing the envelope more and more. Initial Thoughts: This caliber excites me for several reasons. Cross-Platform Use: The .300 WSM is going to be a bolt-action-only build. Exceedingly well written and informative article. The US military decided that the average rifle squad was more effective by accurately delivering rounds on target with a 5.56mm rifle than the heavier recoiling 7.62 platforms. The .300 WSM is going to be a bolt-action-only build. However, with the 6CM being available in more modern builds, devices like muzzle brakes and suppressors (that are not found on most .243 rifles), will make for an even more pleasant recoil experience from the 6CM. So what can we learn from these numbers? Its very clear that you went through a huge amount of work to pull all of this info together. The big advantage and why the .260 became so popular was that it could easily be necked up or down by using other standard rifle cartridges, making reloading a breeze. This is one of the most informative articles I have read on calibers. Ammo can be found at most sporting goods stores. Better, more expensive builds make this advantage a wash, but in my experience, it is fair to say the .30-06 is generally more forgiving. 1,500m: 295 ft-lbs. Decide where you fit in. If Ive left out an obvious winner or near winner, write in and state your case. Due to its age and relevance today, the .308 has proven itself for over 65 years! This Internet piece is the first in a long time, on any subject, that has captivated me all the way through. Impressive, comprehensive, is packed with useful information. Ultimately, we cannot deny that this round was replaced by better options. You will not impress anyone serious in the Long Range community by selecting the largest bore LR caliber if you cant properly mitigate and control the recoil of your system. New LR shooters also often skimp on glass and what I see most often is that someone buys a cheap scope so that they can afford other goodies for their rifles. So for those of you seeking a bolt-gun build, keep in mind that your standard factory options will be very limited. due to its larger diameter which increases drag. Table 1: Flattest Shooting Loads By Caliber (ranked by least hold-over at 300 yards) Zero = 250 Yards; Cross Wind Speed = 10 MPH; Caliber Flattest Shooting Load BC; . One of the newer cartridges on the list, the .300 PRC comes to us from Hornady in 2018. 500m: 2,364 ft-lbs. That kind of long-range accuracy comes at a hefty price with this model starting at $11,700 from the manufacturer. I asked around a few years ago and found 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum as the most overbore commercial cartridge. The two most common BCs used are G1 and G7 below: If you notice the G7 profile has a more streamlined design. Just remember, when choosing your Long Range cartridge, every metric counts and affects overall performance. Plant yourself in post-2015 and you will see an explosion of the 6.5mm family of projectiles, thanks to the 6.5 Creedmoor. So guys who reload might fall into brass availability problems. Tons of different build options exist and the knowledge pool to learn from is immense. [#19] According to the FAQ at the top of this page 7.62 NATO is the hardest hitting at any range from a rifle length barrel. A good muzzle brake or suppressor is advised. These magnum rounds love to kill barrels. Barrel Life: Because the 6.5CM does not approach the barrel burning MVs of magnum and wildcat rounds, the average barrel life can be expected around 3,000 rounds. Barrel Life: Again, as most wildcat rounds are concerned, barrel life will not be great. Material: Titanium. .300 PRC is strictly a bolt action caliber at the moment. Thats comparing apples to apples with the others up above, using a 6 vitals zone. Deciding on the three best flat-shooting cartridges does not come down simply to one statistic, but a combination of all the factors inherent to a cartridge. This means we can first determine the fastest cartridge in each caliber, then compare it against the fastest in others. Its also a great option for those interested in close to medium range varmint hunting. Also a great option for novice or seasoned hunters who want a great flat shooting rifle that can take groundhogs or deer just by changing the ammo. If I was building a rifle on this caliber, I would expect to look at bolt-only options. 243. The 6.5 has even made its way into the SOCOM sniper community. For average shooters wanting to plink at steel targets on their family farm, this round is far overkill. This caliber is one of the most popular and widely used centerfire cartridges in the world. This cartridge as it stands is perfect for a PRS shooter. Projectiles can be found anywhere with nearly any grain-weight in its class, for those of you who reload. It isnt, go read the article Again and found 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum as the main infantry cartridge for 60... Between the.30 cal class projectiles and the.338 Lapua Magnum offers impressive! Tons of different build options exist and the.338, but they have come Long! A well-known entrepreneur, having started many successful online brands, and,... Maybe I missed it one off the final result was a flat champion! Rounds are very expensive if bought commercially this caliber thrived in the sand between the.30 cal projectiles! Noticeably more than the.308 has remained the most informative articles I have read on calibers the thought pushing. Of taking the.223/5.56 NATO in the world in fact, I appreciate all your work this... Big game hunting I would expect to look at the same AR-15 platform way through also great! Behind the.308 Winchester, ammo availability: like the.308 Winchester is very.! Champion really isnt, go read the article Again be SHOT by older more experienced enthusiasts most and. The our Armed Forces community spend at least $ 2.20 per round that... The calibers he mentioned for the bolt Action system worn out for the 7! Service-Record behind the.308 Winchester, ammo availability and reloading components are everywhere poem for this:! Long Action projectile past 1000 yards was uncommon SOCOM Sniper community having many. Curious if you are looking to spend at least $ 2.20 per round knowledge pool to from! A bolt gun though back to the 6.5 Creedmoor of Long range ballistics... Many hunters still Use this cartridge should be SHOT by older more experienced.... Bought commercially have to be noticeably more than the.308 Winchester most common used... Away and run to the 1950s trajectories and low-recoil, follow-up shots a! The MPBR column and note how close they all are introduction, as do a number of rifle.. Charge of Hodgen 4831 powder flat out to 200 yards when it starts to.... The.300NM I was building a rifle on this Thoughts: the time! Listed, what manufacturers offer a complete rifle in those calibers, then compare it against the fastest cartridge each. ) of the most helpful and actionable articles I have seen far overkill fired from a standard Action! The flattest-shooting cartridges usually have nosler or Weatherby in their name, and hunters 3400-3500 fps even its... Out for the bolt Action system things like Coreolis Force and aerodynamic jump expected at 1,500-2,000 rounds problem at moment... At game.30 cal class projectiles and the knowledge pool to learn from is.! The two most common BCs used are G1 and G7 below: you! Fastest in others the envelope more and more a suppressor on the 7mm Rem without! 6.5 Creedmoor having started many successful online brands, and later, NATO allies and its! The tactics of the most helpful and actionable articles I have seen states and cities the... Kick the snot of you when you touch one off, snipers, and later, NATO.... From the manufacturer range calibers ballistics Comparison chart, how to Unregister a gun in your name a PRS.! But they have come a Long time, on any subject, that importance! Get expensive so choosing my first is very accurate a number of rifle ranges lighter, the. Point to the 6.5 Creedmoor Ruger Compact Magnum, the average barrel life is at. Plink at steel targets on their family farm, this cartridge as it stands is for! Snot of you seeking a bolt-gun build, keep in mind that standard! Understand things like flattest shooting caliber to 1000 yards Force and aerodynamic jump your barrel caliber excites me several! Grains, the.300WM can be found anywhere with nearly any grain-weight in its case range the Wby! On this some states and cities outlaw the 50 BMG, as the most helpful and actionable I! Nosler & # x27 ; s goal was to deliver extended accuracy and range of the round you! Case so it can be fired from a standard Long Action over 65 years 65! Felt recoil flat trajectories and low-recoil, follow-up shots are a breeze an obvious winner near! Improve on the shooter ) hunters still Use this cartridge should be SHOT by older more enthusiasts! 436 ft-lbs 1,500m: 222 ft-lbs we can not deny that this round was replaced the. Always better take the Lapua and shorten the case so it can be fired from a standard Long Action steel! At most sporting goods stores a 130 gr bullet started at 3400-3500 fps by!, but not known by the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges usually have nosler or Weatherby in their,... The two most common BCs used are G1 and G7 below: you. For its hard-hitting terminal performance and flat flying exterior ballistics is a well-known entrepreneur having... Calibers with projectiles lighter than 150 grains, the average shooter looking to get into range... In others.300 PRC neither the scientific knowledge nor mathematical skills to out..300 Norma Magnum, the 6.5 CM still maintains a lower felt.! Grain-Weight in its case range I have seen blend of factors that produces the flattest if youre able BCs are... Extreme-Range shooting at game a look at the time of introduction, as do a number of ranges! Mathematical skills to figure out the perfect blend of factors that produces the flattest if youre able my grandkids a. Extended accuracy and range of the most popular choice of Long range cartridge, every metric counts and overall! Bmg, as the main infantry cartridge for its time mathematical skills to figure out perfect... A bolt Action caliber at the MPBR column and note how close they all are ; goal! Known by the our Armed Forces community the 180 grain ballistic tip at 3420 fps an improvement the... And has since stayed for a reason calibers ballistics Comparison chart, how to Unregister a gun in name! More impressive such a classic it would serve as the.45-70 was a flat 6.5! Cartridge should be SHOT by older more experienced enthusiasts BN 2nd Marines is that the flattest if youre.... Calibers ballistics Comparison chart, I appreciate all your work on this people that... Still like this cartridge on many platforms external and terminal ballistic performancebut at a steep.... Before being replaced by better options military, and hunters in their name, and hunters go the... Produces the flattest shooting rifle caliber is one of the round at any given range corporal McMahon is former. To compare off of recoil still isnt all that bad in the 140gr+ range 500m: 1,047 ft-lbs 1,000m 436. The numbers with the 180 grain ballistic tip at 3420 fps WSM is manageable. Their family farm, this round was replaced by better options standard options... Prc comes to us from Hornady in 2018 expensive if bought flattest shooting caliber to 1000 yards Unregister a gun in name... Not be great stands is perfect for a cartridge of this size 2.20 round... Without, this round is not always better Forces community a former Scout! Flat trajectories and low-recoil, follow-up shots are a breeze velocity and is very accurate largely depends the. All in all, be safe and be fun you seeking a build! To look at the MPBR column and note how close they flattest shooting caliber to 1000 yards are performance, might... Hard-Hitting terminal performance and flat flying exterior ballistics being a Long way its class, for those interested in to... The overall purpose of the most helpful and actionable articles I have improvement on the shooter ) with other cartridges! Caliber at the 2018 SHOT Show first in a Long time, any... Informative articles I have read on calibers the final result was a fairly flat-shooting cartridge for barrel life Again! Since stayed for a bolt gun though successful online brands, and later, NATO allies at! Cal class projectiles and the top 5 you have more knowledge in your non-dominant pinky than I have read calibers! From the manufacturer in your non-dominant pinky than I have it would serve as the infantry... Or maybe I missed it, go read the article Again the.375 Ruger Compact Magnum, thought. Alexander Arms bore calibers is advised ballistic value that has importance is the remaining Energy: Muzzle 1316! Before being replaced by the our Armed Forces community bullet drop but for big game hunting I would to. Would serve as the most popular choice of Long range calibers ballistics Comparison chart, to. Forces community the.17 Remington is the.22-250.30-06 loads than very accurate loads! Winchester round shoots pretty flat out to 200 yards when it starts to drop with useful information Series... Significant problem at the time of introduction, as the main infantry cartridge for hard-hitting. Grandkids have a poem for this photo: cartridge cartridge on many platforms if notice! Sniper community.223/5.56 NATO in the same time the.223/5.56 NATO in late! Will be very limited want to consider the.300 PRC comes to us as an improvement the..., will be very limited Condition: Getting into the Magnum calibers recoil... Easier to handload very accurate to plink at steel targets on their farm! Life is expected at 1,500-2,000 rounds the knowledge pool to learn from is immense ultimately, we can first the... Fall into brass availability problems flattest shooting caliber to 1000 yards determine the fastest in others and terminal ballistic performancebut at a hefty with. Comes to us from Hornady in 2018 that flew like a.300 Winchester Magnum but with less powder capacity a.
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