Ron - long distance shooting

[Dr Ray]

Ron and I went to Mareeba rifle range a little while ago.
Mainly for me to check my 416.
Anyway Ron has a great set up in 308.
He tried my 300 Winchester magnum but refrained from using my 4-6.who could blame him?
Anyway he’s asking about what caliber/cartridge for long, long distance shooting (target)???
He’s now asking about the 338. Hopefully next Saturday if it’s not raining!!!, we’ll go for a shoot.
I suggested that for 2.5km that the 338 will have the trajectory of a rainbow.
What would would suggest?
Cartridge, rifle, scope, and bullet

 

[CBH Australia]

Is he talking .338wm or .338 Lapua?
I always thought the .50BMG sniper rifles were considered accurate for a 2km range.

I consider 2.5km a long way. For shooting at least.

Sako make a TRG that might be found in suitable chambering for long range hunting.

I think even .338wm and .375H&H shoot flatter than we expect for large diameter heavy bullets.

Any reason Ron won't try the 416? I would like too.

I had a .458 that wasn't that bad really.

 

[Dr Ray]

338 Winchester

 

[Dr Ray]

I’m thinking Sako though and members would know I’m impressed w Sako (have 4)
I was just searching on Sako site actually
Scope??
I’m think Swarovski
I’ll let Ron shoot my 338 next trip

 

[Dr Ray]

Big concern - getting bullets and cases etc for 50 caliber
But like my meat shopping today - no t-Bone steaks

 

[BourbonTrail]

2.5km?

375 CheyTac, 408 CheyTac, 416 Barrett, 50 BMG, 50 AI

You can rainbow a 338 Lap, 338-378 Wby, 338 RUM that far, but I would stick with bigger.

Scope: NightForce
Rifle: One of the few made in those calibers (Cheyenne Tactical, Barrett, I’m forgetting some others)
Bullet: Bore rider with BC around 1.

Edit: At 2.5km you need a bullet that is stable through transonic region into subsonic, unless (like 416 Barrett) you can stay supersonic that long.

 

[Dr Ray]

2.5km?

375 CheyTac, 408 CheyTac, 416 Barrett, 50 BMG, 50 AI

You can rainbow a 338 Lap, 338-378 Wby, 338 RUM that far, but I would stick with bigger.

Scope: NightForce
Rifle: One of the few made in those calibers (Cheyenne Tactical, Barrett, I’m forgetting some others)
Bullet: Bore rider with BC around 1.

Thank you I’ll pass on to Ron

 

[flatwater bill]

I have two friends who are avid LR shooters. Both upgraded from 300 Wins.....one to a 300NM and the other to the 338 Lap................they are shooting a mile....but your 2.5 km is 1.55 miles so I thing Bourbon has the right advice for that distance. What little LR shooting I have done with transonic bullets/loads has given poor results.......................good luck....................FWB

 

[BRICKBURN]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longest_recorded_sniper_kills

Have a look here.

 

[AustinM]

If it's long range you're looking for Bourbon Trail suggested some great ones above. If you're looking for something that's not as hard on the wallet, but still gives you the range you're looking for, I'd look at Mr. Tubb's array of XC (Xtra Capacity) cartridges.

Ranging from 6XC to 41XC, with many opting for the 33XC, 37XC, and 41XC. The case looks a lot like a lengthen 338 lapua, so it can be used on any bolt action that has a bolt face for the Lapua. There is alot of information out there for them, so the scope is what you can afford, but most glass will exceed the price of the rifle. Best piece of advice I can give is that a scope is either failing or failed, so buy the best you can to prolong it!

As for bullets, I would give a long look to cutting edge bullets and others using copper/brass based bullets.

Also, is this gun meant for hunting, plinking, competition, etc. This is very important, as most competition shooters are far heavier than a hunter would want to carry, or most plinkers!

 

[CBH Australia]

I think .300Norma is gaining popularity and has an advantage over .300wm.

I still have a .300wm for hunting.

I will. Use a .308 for honing my skills before I spend on a long range setup.

Scopes, Swarovski or Kahles will get you great glass. Nightforce are considered to be very tough and durable. Reliable repeatable dial function.

Schmidt and Bender might be a compromise of both.

March scopes are highly regarded. BRT Shooters in QLD

 

[Dr Ray]

I think .300Norma is gaining popularity and has an advantage over .300wm.

I still have a .300wm for hunting.

I will. Use a .308 for honing my skills before I spend on a long range setup.

Scopes, Swarovski or Kahles will get you great glass. Nightforce are considered to be very tough and durable. Reliable repeatable dial function.

Schmidt and Bender might be a compromise of both.

March scopes are highly regarded. BRT Shooters in QLD

I think S &B have a fairly limited eye relief ??
Did ask about the 300 norma
I think Ron’s got to be more realistic about distance
He’s shot to 1 lmso far
I drive Ray Jones drive at cairns and measure out 2.5 k - a long stretch that straight
Yikes that’s a mighty long way

 

[YancyW]

2.5km?

375 CheyTac, 408 CheyTac, 416 Barrett, 50 BMG, 50 AI

You can rainbow a 338 Lap, 338-378 Wby, 338 RUM that far, but I would stick with bigger.

Scope: NightForce
Rifle: One of the few made in those calibers (Cheyenne Tactical, Barrett, I’m forgetting some others)
Bullet: Bore rider with BC around 1.

Edit: At 2.5km you need a bullet that is stable through transonic region into subsonic, unless (like 416 Barrett) you can stay supersonic that long.

This is really good advice, but grab your ass when you start buildup out those rig. Extreme range shooting is almost as expensive as getting addicted to hunting in Africa.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’m thinking Sako though and members would know I’m impressed w Sako (have 4)
I was just searching on Sako site actually
Scope??
I’m think Swarovski
I’ll let Ron shoot my 338 next trip

@Dr Ray
Forget Swaro glass for target work go for the top end nightforce they are supposed to be the ducks guts.
For the ranges he wants to shoot the 338 lapua or 375 chytec with heavy high bc target bullets. Problem is finding ranges you can use them.
Bob

 

[WAB]

A friend of mine is heavily into this and quite good at it. Check out his blog: precision rifle blog. There is a lot of good info there.

 

[BourbonTrail]

A friend of mine is heavily into this and quite good at it. Check out his blog: precision rifle blog. There is a lot of good info there.

+1

That’s one of my favorite sites (other than this one). Applied Ballistics is another great resource.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I can't believe no one has suggested a 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Shootist43]

Dr Ray, your buddy Ron has a lot of work to do as well as a significant expense in front of him if he expects to make shots at that kind of distance. I am assuming he doesn't want to "lob" bullets at a target till he accidently hits it. I strongly suggest he get the Practical Guide to Long Range Hunting series of books (I think there are five in all) by Nathan Foster, a Kiwi with a lot of long-distance shooting credentials, and read each of them a couple of times. It takes proper equipment and years of training to reliably make the seriously long-distance shots he is contemplating.