Best caliber for shooting 500 to 2000 yds?

[Savage 22-243 AI]

I have a Baer .308 Magnum firing 230 gr. SMK bullets at 2900 to 3100 fps.
Bullet prices aren't bad, powder is kinda expensive along with primers.
The rifle was the killer expensive item. Rifle is a Bruce Baer 75 lb custom 2000 yds plus rifle, with one ounce trigger pull.


So the cheap parts are the reloading and shooting. Expensive part was rifle and scope.

 

[7070yshot]

I have a Baer .308 Magnum firing 230 gr. SMK bullets at 2900 to 3100 fps.
Bullet prices aren't bad, powder is kinda expensive along with primers.
The rifle was the killer expensive item. Rifle is a Bruce Baer 75 lb custom 2000 yds plus rifle, with one ounce trigger pull.


So the cheap parts are the reloading and shooting. Expensive part was rifle and scope.

75lb? Or 7.5lb?

 

[Calvin45]

From a pure hit probability standpoint the big 7mms make sense as the minimum for 2000 or even 1800. The bc of the heavy 7s is not matched by anything of smaller bore diameter, 6.5s very much included. The heavy high bc 7s driven over 3000 FPS get there without going subsonic.

whether handloading or not, a plain vanilla 7mm rem mag or 300 win mag will probably be the cheapest than can be made to do this consistently.


that being said they are hardly ideal. Not that I know anything about shooting these distances firsthand, full disclaimer there. But as others have mentioned, being able to see and hear (if
A gong is involved) your hits counts for a lot. The big 338s and 375s to my mind are perfect for this

 

[Savage 22-243 AI]

75lb? Or 7.5lb?

75 lbs. Stock alone weighs 54 lbs., then add scope.
Most of my Prairie dog rifles weigh 14 to 20 lbs.
The .223 might weigh 8 lbs.

 

[Savage 22-243 AI]

75 lbs. Stock alone weighs 54 lbs., then add scope.
Most of my Prairie dog rifles weigh 14 to 20 lbs.
The .223 might weigh 8 lbs.

Rifle to left is a custom Shilen 6mmbr bench rifle at 22 lbs.

 

[Chas1]

The big 338s and 375s to my mind are perfect for this

+1. Kirby Allen's 338 Allen Magnum comes to mind.

 

[capona]

T

75 lbs. Stock alone weighs 54 lbs., then add scope.
Most of my Prairie dog rifles weigh 14 to 20 lbs.
The .223 might weigh 8 lbs.

75lb sounds like a cannon, not a rifle. Post a picture of this beast. I'd like to see it if you can get a picture.

 

[Cowboyblaster]

Even what direction your shooting comes into play there .my 7mm ultra mag would do it i think but it would take me a long time and probably a couple of barrels to figure it out.

 

[Cowboyblaster]

Looks like after readind all the comments I had forgotten the original question so in my personal opinion im going with the 50 BMG

 

[jshepherd61]

I have a Baer .308 Magnum firing 230 gr. SMK bullets at 2900 to 3100 fps.
Bullet prices aren't bad, powder is kinda expensive along with primers.
The rifle was the killer expensive item. Rifle is a Bruce Baer 75 lb custom 2000 yds plus rifle, with one ounce trigger pull.


So the cheap parts are the reloading and shooting. Expensive part was rifle and scope.

7mm STW 168gr ABLR at 3,352 fps or my 300 PRC 225gr ELD-X at 3,047!fps

 

[7070yshot]

Assuming you mean the 308 Norma Mag based on the 375HH case. Rare round and not what I would call practical.
Again, the issue with shooting 1000y plus is seeing impacts. 30 cal just doesn't do much at 1500y and certainly not 2000y. You will find wind and mirage make seeing impacts even more difficult. Not having the best glass is also a handicap. Big bullets make bigger splash. Go with 338 and don't look back.

 

[jshepherd61]

Assuming you mean the 308 Norma Mag based on the 375HH case. Rare round and not what I would call practical.
Again, the issue with shooting 1000y plus is seeing impacts. 30 cal just doesn't do much at 1500y and certainly not 2000y. You will find wind and mirage make seeing impacts even more difficult. Not having the best glass is also a handicap. Big bullets make bigger splash. Go with 338 and don't look back.

Seeing that I have all three 50 cal, 338 Lapua and 300 PRC and shoot them regularly! I have found very little difference between trike sightings between the 338 and the 300 so that a mute point. Now if you want to spend $10.00 a round and go with the .50 cal or even the .416, just for a bigger splash your welcome to spend the money! But my choice between my .338 and 300 PRC, is the 300!

 

[Cowboyblaster]

Seeing that I have all three 50 cal, 338 Lapua and 300 PRC and shoot them regularly! I have found very little difference between trike sightings between the 338 and the 300 so that a mute point. Now if you want to spend $10.00 a round and go with the .50 cal or even the .416, just for a bigger splash your welcome to spend the money! But my choice between my .338 and 300 PRC, is the 300!

I watched a Canadian sniper team these guys were really good they were shooting a 338 lapua . They started at 500yrds and two shots on each target worked it out till shooting 1400yrds then 1600 they were doing good but 1700 to 1800 they were realy struggling to keep it on paper but i dont know any of the particulars about bullet type elevation or anything

 

[JBarton]

I watched a Canadian sniper team these guys were really good they were shooting a 338 lapua . They started at 500yrds and two shots on each target worked it out till shooting 1400yrds then 1600 they were doing good but 1700 to 1800 they were realy struggling to keep it on paper but i dont know any of the particulars about bullet type elevation or anything

I've been shooting my 300WM, 26" 9 twist bartlein, pushing 220gr ELDX at 2858fps out to a mile with great results. Shooting a 20"x20" target. Im in Wyoming so altitude helps a lot and have stayed supersonic to 1763 yards. Working on loads for my new 300PRC pushing 225gr ELDM's between 2938fps and 2968fps. Love me a heavy 30 caliber. My 300WM is my go to hunting rifle.