Opinions on a long range caliber

I am thinking of getting a rifle for just long range target/steel shooting. Something for a mile and further. I was thinking 300 PRC because I already have a 300 PRC in a light weight hunting rig. The long range rifle would be a heavy barreled gun so it will on a bench or in the prone position. Other than the 300 PRC, I was also thinking 7 PRC or 6.5 PRC. What ever I get will be suppressed.

What are your thoughts?

Jason

If it was me, I'd standardize around the 300, seeing as though you already have one. Just my .02.

cornchuck said:

I am thinking of getting a rifle for just long range target/steel shooting. Something for a mile and further. I was thinking 300 PRC because I already have a 300 PRC in a light weight hunting rig. The long range rifle would be a heavy barreled gun so it will on a bench or in the prone position. Other than the 300 PRC, I was also thinking 7 PRC or 6.5 PRC. What ever I get will be suppressed.

What are your thoughts?

Jason

Click to expand...

.300 NM or .338 NM!!!!

cornchuck said:

I am thinking of getting a rifle for just long range target/steel shooting. Something for a mile and further. I was thinking 300 PRC because I already have a 300 PRC in a light weight hunting rig. The long range rifle would be a heavy barreled gun so it will on a bench or in the prone position. Other than the 300 PRC, I was also thinking 7 PRC or 6.5 PRC. What ever I get will be suppressed.

What are your thoughts?

Jason

Click to expand...

338LM though there are several mentioned and other that will clang steel at a mile. Heck, I've shot 1 mile with a 22/250AI with 80-88gr. If it is just a fun gun and you have no plans to enter formal target matches, any of those you have listed will suffice.

I went through a similar process on my last build, trying to build a 2000 yard fun gun that wasn't obnoxiously heavy and could potentially be taken to a hunter type match. I was going back and forth between 300PRC and 7PRC and ultimately went with the latter due to recoil and the pretty impressive ballistic numbers being circulated when that cartridge was first coming out. I really like it, but haven't gotten to stretch its legs out much past 1400 yards.

If you look at the long range competitions like NF steel challenge, it seems like 300 Norma is a big winner and the 300PRC is quite popular as well. 7PRC offers a lot, but if you already have the 300PRC I would probably stick with that. I think 6.5PRC will get you there but won't have the same amount of power at those extended ranges as the other cartridges mentioned.

Thank you for the replies. I am leaning towards the 300 PRC. I thought that with the 7 PRC it would be less powder and less recoil. And I am not afraid of recoil.

Jason

I would match cartridges to the distance you plan on shooting. If it's 2 miles, that limits your cartrige choices significantly.

I would consider what's easily available ammunitionwise. Factory ammo or ability to handload, if that's something you do.

Lastly, it probably doesn't matter. Most guys that make these post already made up their mind when they make the post, but want that confirmation to their bias. So, get what ever makes you happy.

dfanonymous said:

I would match cartridges to the distance you plan on shooting. If it's 2 miles, that limits your cartrige choices significantly.

I would consider what's easily available ammunitionwise . Factory ammo or ability to handload, if that's something you do.

Lastly, it probably doesn't matter. Most guys that make these post already made up their mind when they make the post, but want that confirmation to their bias. So, get what ever makes you happy.

Click to expand...

Thank you

Jason

Big Red Machine probably best if you don't hand load.

100 % go with 300 PRC.
I've taken mine to 2000 yards with incredible accuracy. Get a 8 twist and shoot something like the 245 Berger. 300 prc is relatively cheap to shoot and good brass is easy to find.
After having the 7 prc and 300 prc and shooting both at to 1480 yards I would choose a larger 30 cal shooting heavies every time over a 7 mm.
I shoot 245 elites in my 300 prc at 2808 fps and 2000 yards was simple but if 2 miles might be an option you would want to be running a 30 cal with more HP but for 2000 yards and in 300 prc would be my pick.

Just remember shooting suppressed isn't the same as shooting braked in terms of spotting impacts. If it's something I plan on running suppresssed 100% I'd be leaning the smallest cartridge that does what I want. And it wouldn't be a 300

300 PRC, 300 NM, 300NMI are good options. Depends on how serious you want to be. 338 will probably shine a little more. But 30's with new bullet configurations and a good smith is definitely no slouch.