why .308 for long range?
i have noticed that alot of sniper and long range rifles are chambered in .308 i was planning on building a long range target/hunting rifle. planning on hunting anything from coyote to deer with it. i was thinking a .243 would do it, but i like using a heavier bullet since it isnt affected by windage as much and im jus getting into windage and tragectory factors. i will be reloading ammo for this rifle. i like the .308 but i figured it would be a little over-kill on coyotes and just right for deer. prolly be shooting a 168-175 grain bullet is i choose a .308 and a 90 grain is a .243. any suggestions??
Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. - Don Corleone
Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. - Don Corleone
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I use a 7mm Mag. 139 grain, plenty for deer. Absolute poison on coy's
Shoots flat too.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun.0 -
quote:why .308 for long range?
Because 6mm ammo is so expensive[:p]
The .308 isn't all that powerful for long range shooting, but it has very consistent ballistics. I've had best luck with 168gr pills. Really depends on the gun and the twist rate though. 300WinMag is moving up the ranks for sniping too. Same bullet with higher velocities and more terminal energy
Love them Beavers
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Take a good long hard look at the 25-06. Then go buy one with a twenty six inch barrel. Life will be good. 0 -
In terms of absolute accuracy the 308 and variants are probably the most accurate cartridges available- considering components available; however that is for matches where the distance is known and spotter rounds are used, wind indicators are set at intervals, etc. For being able to hit a target of unknown distance, with conditions known only by observation from the firing point, to put the first shot on a target I'd give serious consideration to my custom barreled 257 Wby, heavy taper, 28", min spec barrel. 0 -
Hmmm...sounds like a spot for my 1900 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. If only my eyes could see that far! 0 -
Speed, accuracy and energy come together into a coefficient (producing a long, flat trajectory) unequalled by any other calibers, in the .270 to .280 caliber range. This conclusion has come up in some pretty conspicuous places in history. John Garand came up with it in the 1920s, and designed his rifle in .276 caliber with a 125gr bullet.
The British experimented, and came up with a .280 caliber in 1945. They introduced a .280 (7mm) for a NATO light rifle using a 130 or 140 grain bullet, but, unfortunately, it was turned down. Now, the experts have come right back to the same conclusion again, and the very latest and best performance in the 300 to 800 yard/meter battle range, is coming on as the 6.8mm (.270) SPC, with the pill a 115gr boattail HP, polymer tipped, you can purchase from Remington. It has you covered on all your points better than any other offering anywhere.
Frog.
RiBBButt...You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to. -Roger Miller0 -
the 308 has tons of proven reload data as well as many, many components for it. It is also a proven performer at long range. There is no reason to use it however, if all you want are deer and coyote. A 243win will do just fine. Now,..ifin you push your distance out past 300-400yds, then maybe a heavier caliber is in order?? A 168-178gr 30cal pill will hold a bunch of energy for the power a 308 can provide at 500yds.
Now if yotes and dogs and the whitetail/mulie at 300yds are your game, then a 243 on up will do just fine. Don't underestimate a properly tuned rifle in ANY caliber.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
I would listen to JustC on this one. He gave you some great information. I prefer the .243 and .308 calibers because you are getting excellent accuracy, a short action rifle, and a huge variety of bullets and abilities. I own a gun in each caliber for these very reasons. Sounds like a .243 should fit your needs, but as far as the .308 being over-kill on coyotes, thats not true at all. Just use a solid bullet(FMJ) and you will have great results with little pelt damage!!
"The man who can hunt with 1 gun is the most dangerous, but that doesn't mean you can't have a lot of guns"
http://www.geocities.com/jonnya0322/0 -
Remember that "Snipers" (military or police) only need to wound, not kill, and that target shooters only need to put a hole in the paper.
Other reason's that the military like the 308 (and the 30-06 before that) have nothing to do with it's proformance, but to do with logistics (run out of xxx ammo and your done, run out of 308 ammo and you can borrow some from your M-60 gunner).
Most police "snipers" consider 150yd to be "long range", and IIRC the military considers the effective range of there 308 rifles to be somewhere in the 800yd range. What do you consider "long range" to be?
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Andy,
The military uses .308 for it's consistency out to 800M(880 yds.) But, there are other calibers that shoot better for long range. 6mm, 6.5mm, and 7mm bullets all have better ballistics than does the 168 gr. for 1000 yd. shooting.
The .243 is plenty of rifle for deer out to 300 yds. Therefore, good on coyote out to as far as you can see and know the ballistics. I recommend you 'get good on paper' before pursuing any animal though.
Were I you and wanted a dual purpose rifle such as you describe, I would go with a heavy sporter weight barrel and a tight twist for the heavier bullets. Any of the calibers above in a .308 or Mauser case, even a 30-06 based case would do. .25 cal is a good choice also. Put that on a trued Rem 700 or Mauser '98 action and you have what you want...or close to it. Have one stock for varmint target and one for hunting, change out as needed. You then need some really good glass on it. -Good luck
We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>0 -
The main reasons the military hangs onto the .308 Winchester(7.62x51mm) is that it is a great cartridge, and the fact of logistics. As already pointed out, you can't always control the environment around you (supply wise) and it is handy to have a more available source of supply in the field and not back at the rear area somewhere. It does the job and does it pretty well out to 600 to 800 yards and then the lack of case capacity becomes an issue as well as the lack of neck to handle heavier weight bullets. I am not a big fan of magnums but at extremely long ranges is where the big magnum cases come into their own. They will accept large doses of slow burning powder and thus will handle the heavier bullets which translates into flat shooting and retained energy at 800 + yards. I personally think the .264 Winchester magnum and the 7mm Remington magnum would be about ideal for long range sniping--be it man or animal. But the .300 Win. mag. would probably be the top choice simply because of the wide range of heavier bullets available. At 800 yards and more the bullets of 190 grain weight or better should be the ticket. They have good b.c. which translates to retained energy and flat shooting. My opinion and not written in stone. Jim 0
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