Best Long Range Rifle Calibers

Long range accuracy is paramount for competitive shooters, hunters, law enforcement/military agencies and target shooters. With an array of suitable options, finding the best long range caliber to meet your needs can be a daunting task. There is no one best caliber for every application and there are many factors to consider.

Share this Image On Your Site

• 308 Winchester

1. 1. 1. Accuracy:
         1. Excellent terminal ballistics, behaves predictably in the wind and perhaps most important is that it is consistent. 
      2. Range:
         1. Effective Range: Up to 800 Yds
      3. Performance: 
         1. The .308 Winchester is not punishing to shoot and is capable of the mechanical accuracy, trajectory, and wind resistance in order to make hits on targets far beyond the ranges at which they intend on shooting them. While there are many cartridge choices that outperform the .308 ballistics, there are few that perform as consistently.

• 6mm Creedmor

1. 1. 1. Accuracy
         1. Fast, less time for bullet drop -High velocity
      2. Range
         1. Up to 1200 yards-1500 yards
      3. Performance
         1. Compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor: Flatter shooting-Less bullet drop / greater velocity / Less Recoil / 6mm has slightly less kinetic energy

• 6.5 Creedmoor

1. 1. 1. Accuracy:
         1. Fast, flat shooting with sub-moa accuracy. Cartridge stays supersonic and maintains accuracy past 1200 yds.
      2. Range
         1. Effective Range: Up to 1200-1500 Yards
      3. Performance:
         1. The 6.5 Creedmoor is the Long-Range King and currently the most popular rifle cartridge on the market. Excellent terminal ballistics with lower recoil, less bullet drop and wind drift compared to a .308 Winchester.

• 6.5 PRC

1. 1. 1. Accuracy:
         1. Outstanding ballistics, flat shooting with minimal wind drift and pinpoint sub-moa accuracy.
      2. Range
         1. Effective Range: Up to 1200-1500 yds
      3. Performance:
         1. Purpose built for long range shooting. The 6.5 PRC has a flatter trajectory, more retained energy, and less wind drift than the 6.5 Creedmoor at typical ranges.  Less recoil and improved down -range performance compared to the creedmoor.

• 300 Winchester Magnum

1. 1. 1. Accuracy:
         1. Effective long range ballistics but not as accurate as other cartridges. Sub-moa capability with a precision built rifle and match grade ammunition.
      2. Performance:
         1. The 300 Win Mag is a fast, hard hitting cartridge with significant kinetic energy. This energy also comes with significant recoil making it unpopular for target shooting. It’s long range, hard hitting terminal ballistics make the .300 very popular for big game hunters.
      3. Range
         1. Effective at up to 1200 yards

• 300 PRC

1. 1. 1. Accuracy:
         1. Superior long range ballistics, capable of hitting sub-moa targets at 1000 yds.
      2. Range
         1. Effective up to 2,000 yards
      3. Performance:
         1. The 300 PRC carries more energy with greater accuracy than a 300 Win Mag. At extended ranges past 1,000 yds the cartridges stay flat, with less drop compared to other .30 calibers.

• 338 Lapua

1. 1. 1. Accuracy:
         1. Extremely fast shooting – Achieves consistent accuracy up to 1800 yds.
      2. Range
         1. Effective up to 2,000 yards 
      3. Performance:
         1. Outstanding accuracy matched with significant kinetic energy. The 338 Lapua has dominated the long range shooting world for more than two decades used by militaries across the globe. The 338 Lapua does produce significant recoil but can push larger diameter bullets further and more accurately compared to other cartridges.

• 50 BMG

1. 1. Accuracy:
      1. Less accurate than other long range calibers but capable of sending a bigger, heavier bullet that consistently hits medium sized targets past 2000 yds.
   2. Range
      1. Effective up to 2,000 yards
   3. Performance: 
      1. The 50 BMG produces an extreme amount of kinetic energy and recoil. The cartridge is used as an anti-material round that is used by military snipers around the world. Capable of shooting a 750 grain bullet at 2300 fps at 500 yds.

Sources:

https://www.all4shooters.com/en/hunting/ammunition/308-winchester-cartridge/ 

https://www.eagleeyeammo.com/blog/6mm-creedmoor-vs-65-creedmoor-a-ballistic-comparison/ 

https://www.mcarbo.com/6-5-creedmoor-ballistics-chart.aspx 

https://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-gun-nuts/the-65-creedmoor/ 

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/6-5-prc/ 

https://backfire.tv/6-5-prc-cartridge-profile/ 

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.300+Winchester+Magnum.html 

https://gununiversity.com/300-prc-ballistics-and-comparisons/ 

http://gundata.org/cartridge/81/.338-lapua-magnum/ 

https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/338-lapua-vs-50-bmg/ 

https://www.sporting-rifle.com/features/338-lapua/ 

https://barrett.net/products/accessories/ammunition/50bmg/ 

https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/308-ballistics/