Campfire Discussions

What Is The Best Caliber for Long Range Shooting?

by Outdoor Hub on August 16, 2011

What Is The Best Caliber for Long Range Shooting?

In your opinion, what is the best caliber for long range shooting?

Strike up a campfire, and share your thoughts.

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  • Matt

    Since I’ve always been a budget shooter, I’ve rarely had the chance to shoot any of the expensive hunting calibers that a lot of the pros use. Nevertheless, two of my favorite cartridges are 7.62x54R and .308 Winchester.

    7.62x54R is great because the round itself is cheap, the guns that shoot it are cheap and it’s pretty darn accurate. Surplus Mosins shoot 7.62x54R and certain variations of that gun make great long range plinking and hunting rifles, if you can find one in good condition. There are even some unique, accurized AKs you can get in the US in this caliber.

    .308 Win is probably a better choice for the more modern hunter. Many more weapons are available in this caliber to the American shooter and the 308 ammo you can easily buy on the market is usually easier to reload, too.

    Both cartridges pack a serious wollop and will down most big game at long ranges (~200yards+), especially so with specialty bullets.

    • Colin Anthony

      What’s wrong with 7mm Rem Mag… Flat, Fast and Killer knock down power. I guess you could also say that about the 50BMG

  • Rob

    Great topic.

     

    First things first.
     I believe there are 2 rounds that compete for this title.
     The 30-06 and the .308.  The .308 round is a shortened version of
    the 30-06 which allows it to shoot flat over long distances.
     However, with less mass comes less power…especially when shooting at a
    distance.

     

    The prominence of the
    .308 goes hand in hand with the rise of the AR-15.  So long for the days
    of the basic hunting rifle.  Everyone now a day has to looks like Rambo
    when they hunt!

     

    Call me
    old fashion, but I prefer the good ole’ 30-06 round.  When
    hunting larger animals it is nice to have the security of more “knock down
    power”.

  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous

    For the sake of long range hunting I guess the .308 is really hard to beat.  I personally like the .270 around the 140 grain size.  Fast, mobile and the cartridge can take down a lot of game no matter the terrain.

  • MP

    More info needs provided on this question. What is your definition of long range? Whats your budget? It this paper punching or hunting? Based on the answers so far, I would say not many people here are “long” range shooters. Now to answer the question -  The one that hits your target with the results youre looking for.