Best long range caliber?

jv101 · 03-01-2008, 10:41 PM

So ive been shooting for a while now, and have been around guns since i was 5years old! And i am thinking on getting into some long range shooting. Now im looking at both the .270 and the .308 as far as calibers. I really cant figure out which is the best for long ranges shooting! but i would like something to bable to shooting from 50yards to 500+ yards. and still pack a good punch on impact. I am also thinking on using this gun for some hunting but not much! From the research i have found so far the .270 has a higher velocity then the .308 but it a smaller bullet.

So from your experience/knowledge i come to you asking which is more suited for me/which really would be the most accurate?? or is there another caliber worth looking at?

Thanks in advance!

killer · 03-01-2008, 10:49 PM

Oh my..you've opened a can of worms now. This post will never die.

I will say this about the .308 the term inherent accuracy is thrown about by the gun community. It might be just a "buzz" word that has continued trough time but it was the standard caliber for snipers for many years.

I think if you got a .308 in a bull barrel and did your own hand loading to tweak the sweet spot with it you would be very entertained for the next decade.

bigbuddy21 · 03-01-2008, 10:49 PM

i would prefer the .308 at farther dist. it would have more knockdown power.

jv101 · 03-01-2008, 10:58 PM

ive pretty much been comparing the 150gr bullets for each rifle. The 270 is a tad bit faster and has a tad bit more engery. However i am not farmilar with all the grains of the .308...pretty much just looking for the most accuracy at the best price!

GlockMeister · 03-01-2008, 10:59 PM

Isn't this about the 3rd time this has been asked?

AKHunter · 03-01-2008, 11:06 PM

With the same weight bullet, say a 150 grn nosler ballistic tip, the .270 and .308 are not too far apart in trajectory and down range energy, the .270 having a slight edge, about 10% flatter and 15% more energy at 500yards. Both will take a deer at 500yards. I would normaly lean toward the greater diameter bullet when all else is equal. You may want to consider the 30-06 or .280 remington.

The .308, 30-06' and .270 are 3 VERY popular cartridges and I dont think you can go wrong with any of them really.

You will get a ton of response to this and likely many will suggest the .308 and 30-06.

jaeger · 03-02-2008, 12:09 AM

Even though the .308 has been used for many years and is my personal favorite, there are far better calibers out there. Dont get me wrong the .308 will do what you need it to do out to about 750 yds, but a .300 win mag with the same bullet will do it better. For long range shooting I have always used either the 168gr or 175gr hpbt all sierra match kings out to 1100 yds. As for the .270 I dont know, so I keep quiet. Good shooting. as already mentioned also look up 264WM, 30-06 even the 7mm-08.

toolman · 03-02-2008, 12:28 AM

The one question that hasn't been asked is what you're planning on shooting at?

jaeger · 03-02-2008, 12:33 AM

Well let me get this out of the way. More accurate than the .308 or .270

.338 Lapua, .50BMG, .416 barret, or .408 chey tac. Ok now its been said.......

GlockMeister · 03-02-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolman

The one question that hasn't been asked is what you're planning on shooting at?

That's right, that hasn't been asked and the others that were are "the best big game caliber" and "the worst caliber". lol

jaeger · 03-02-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

I am also thinking on using this gun for some hunting but not much!

Just guessing I would assume paper punching.

toolman · 03-02-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaeger

Just guessing I would assume paper punching.

It makes a big difference. Paper is easy, P-dogs are easy, predators get a bit harder, and deer+ sized game gets really hard to put down at those ranges. I personally would NEVER take a shot at a deer past 400 yds, no matter what cal. I was shooting.

jaeger · 03-02-2008, 12:56 AM

There is definately a differance. However if you are profficent with your rifle and load 500yds is do able, and either caliber will do that with extra to spare. I try to limit my shots to 200yds or less, because of a bad teenage experience. But to each his own. But for hunting ask the dead deer which is better.

GlockMeister · 03-02-2008, 12:57 AM

I still like the new Federal .338 cartidge they came out with. Only 2 inches shorter into the ballistic gel then the .300 Win mag? Or was it the 30-06? Well I know it was .308 case they used to get the .338 Federal. The Win mag went about 30 inches and the .338 shorter Federal went 28 inches. Check it out on Sighting in with Shooting USA. This link here.

27-09 FEDERAL

jaeger · 03-02-2008, 01:09 AM

Wish you wouldnt have shown me that. Now I have to buy a new rifle. Darn

he heh ehhehehehehhe

GlockMeister · 03-02-2008, 01:12 AM

Well there's the Armalite AR 10T or the Kimber 84M in this new .338 Federal. Not cheap though. The .338 round goes for the sameprice as .308 though.

jaeger · 03-02-2008, 01:33 AM

I think I found my new rifle...

GunBroker.com guns: Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye .338 FEDERAL SS/Syn. NEW (item: 93570613 ends: Mar-05-08 10:05:39 PM)

GlockMeister · 03-02-2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaeger

I think I found my new rifle...

GunBroker.com guns: Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye .338 FEDERAL SS/Syn. NEW (item: 93570613 ends: Mar-05-08 10:05:39 PM)

Check your private messages... lol sent one. about rifle and seller...

P.S. I bet the blued and walnut one is beautiful also? IMHO.

jv101 · 03-02-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolman

The one question that hasn't been asked is what you're planning on shooting at?

mainly paper punching and target shooting. But id like it to be an all around gun. Something for ground hogs and possibly larger game if need be (nothing bigger then a deer though)

and as for as the bigger calibers everyone is metioning i dont need/want something that can take down and a moose or bear from 500yards away and still keep going. and i dont want something with so much recoil/kick that its not enjoyable to shoot

win39 · 03-02-2008, 06:52 AM

Go with the 264 WM just because I want one. But to be serious about the two your considering. I would say there is not much difference and it would come down to preference. I know I'm going to pull some chains here, but you might even want to research the WSM.

03-01-2008, 10:41 PM	#1
jv101 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 144	Best long range caliber? So ive been shooting for a while now, and have been around guns since i was 5years old! And i am thinking on getting into some long range shooting. Now im looking at both the .270 and the .308 as far as calibers. I really cant figure out which is the best for long ranges shooting! but i would like something to bable to shooting from 50yards to 500+ yards. and still pack a good punch on impact. I am also thinking on using this gun for some hunting but not much! From the research i have found so far the .270 has a higher velocity then the .308 but it a smaller bullet. So from your experience/knowledge i come to you asking which is more suited for me/which really would be the most accurate?? or is there another caliber worth looking at? Thanks in advance!

03-01-2008, 10:49 PM	#2
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 905 Images: 6	Oh my..you've opened a can of worms now. This post will never die. I will say this about the .308 the term inherent accuracy is thrown about by the gun community. It might be just a "buzz" word that has continued trough time but it was the standard caliber for snipers for many years. I think if you got a .308 in a bull barrel and did your own hand loading to tweak the sweet spot with it you would be very entertained for the next decade. __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/

03-01-2008, 10:49 PM	#3
bigbuddy21 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: new albany in. Posts: 973 Images: 5	i would prefer the .308 at farther dist. it would have more knockdown power. __________________ LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!

03-01-2008, 10:59 PM	#5
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	Isn't this about the 3rd time this has been asked? __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

03-02-2008, 12:28 AM	#8
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,566 Blog Entries: 22	The one question that hasn't been asked is what you're planning on shooting at? __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

03-01-2008, 10:58 PM	#4
jv101 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 144	ive pretty much been comparing the 150gr bullets for each rifle. The 270 is a tad bit faster and has a tad bit more engery. However i am not farmilar with all the grains of the .308...pretty much just looking for the most accuracy at the best price!

03-01-2008, 11:06 PM	#6
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	With the same weight bullet, say a 150 grn nosler ballistic tip, the .270 and .308 are not too far apart in trajectory and down range energy, the .270 having a slight edge, about 10% flatter and 15% more energy at 500yards. Both will take a deer at 500yards. I would normaly lean toward the greater diameter bullet when all else is equal. You may want to consider the 30-06 or .280 remington. The .308, 30-06' and .270 are 3 VERY popular cartridges and I dont think you can go wrong with any of them really. You will get a ton of response to this and likely many will suggest the .308 and 30-06.

03-02-2008, 12:09 AM	#7
jaeger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 290 Images: 3	Even though the .308 has been used for many years and is my personal favorite, there are far better calibers out there. Dont get me wrong the .308 will do what you need it to do out to about 750 yds, but a .300 win mag with the same bullet will do it better. For long range shooting I have always used either the 168gr or 175gr hpbt all sierra match kings out to 1100 yds. As for the .270 I dont know, so I keep quiet. Good shooting. as already mentioned also look up 264WM, 30-06 even the 7mm-08.

03-02-2008, 12:33 AM	#9
jaeger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 290 Images: 3	Well let me get this out of the way. More accurate than the .308 or .270 .338 Lapua, .50BMG, .416 barret, or .408 chey tac. Ok now its been said.......

03-02-2008, 12:56 AM	#13
jaeger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 290 Images: 3	There is definately a differance. However if you are profficent with your rifle and load 500yds is do able, and either caliber will do that with extra to spare. I try to limit my shots to 200yds or less, because of a bad teenage experience. But to each his own. But for hunting ask the dead deer which is better.

03-02-2008, 12:57 AM	#14
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	I still like the new Federal .338 cartidge they came out with. Only 2 inches shorter into the ballistic gel then the .300 Win mag? Or was it the 30-06? Well I know it was .308 case they used to get the .338 Federal. The Win mag went about 30 inches and the .338 shorter Federal went 28 inches. Check it out on Sighting in with Shooting USA. This link here. 27-09 FEDERAL __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 03-02-2008 at 01:06 AM.

03-02-2008, 01:09 AM	#15
jaeger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 290 Images: 3	Wish you wouldnt have shown me that. Now I have to buy a new rifle. Darnhe heh ehhehehehehhe

03-02-2008, 01:12 AM	#16
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	Well there's the Armalite AR 10T or the Kimber 84M in this new .338 Federal. Not cheap though. The .338 round goes for the sameprice as .308 though. __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 03-02-2008 at 01:33 AM.

03-02-2008, 01:33 AM	#17
jaeger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 290 Images: 3	I think I found my new rifle... GunBroker.com guns: Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye .338 FEDERAL SS/Syn. NEW (item: 93570613 ends: Mar-05-08 10:05:39 PM)

03-02-2008, 06:52 AM	#20
win39 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 201	Go with the 264 WM just because I want one. But to be serious about the two your considering. I would say there is not much difference and it would come down to preference. I know I'm going to pull some chains here, but you might even want to research the WSM. __________________ Benny