We like the 257 STW we're loading 115 gr bullets around 3600fps with 1/2" groups.We can run it hotter and a Berger vld would be pretty flat. Thank you. (This is essentially what Hornady did to the .260 Remington to make the 6.5 Creedmoor.) | The 243 Winchester and 6mm Remington have reputations for shooting flat, but the lesser known 240 Weatherby magnum fires the same bullets at higher velocities, so its the flattest of the 24-calibers. My grandkids have a poem for this photo: Cartridge cartridge on the table, choose the flattest if youre able. With todays ammunition, its even better. Hornady Precision Hunter 143-grain ELDX at 2,960 fps. Yeah, 6.5s are all the rage, and their blinding popularity has taken some shine off the old .270, but the latter is still one of the very best long-range hunting cartridges. The 220 Swift would be my pick for coyotes, rodents, and probably pronghorn if it werent for the wind deflection issue. So its not like the flattest shooting rifle gives you a lot more leeway on ranging errors for super long range shots. With the highest BC bullets, the 26 Nosler remains supersonic beyond 1,750 yards. Id consider a base of: Among these cartridges, the 25-06 offers the highest MPBR (Mean Point Blank Range) or the max distance that you can adjust a scope to and be +-3 with the most common bullet weights per caliber. Dear James Well placed shots seem to work and poorly placed shots tend to fail. However, I have a question to ask you. There are EXCEPTIONS to almost EVERYTHING with the huge wide range of ballistic specs due to EXCEPTIONAL things people/companies do with cartridge loads these days, but the article was referencing the NORMS for these rifles, not the EXCEPTIONS based on unusual or exotic cartridges a FEW people will use. Just curious have you ever looked at the 284 Winchester for flat shooting. The .308 Winchester round shoots pretty flat out to 200 yards when it starts to drop. Even the heaviest Weatherby factory load (120-grain Partition) leaves the muzzle at 3,305 feet per second and retains 1,221 foot-pounds of energy at 500 yards. At 600 yards, most common cartridges are running out of juice to take down larger game like Elk or Moose, though the 300 win mag/300 WSM still have a bit left in the tank. Just saying, excellent job to tell the nature of all calibers for hunting from 100 to 700 yards for medium game. (Essentially, you don't have to arc the 300 Win Mag's bullet trajectory in order to strike a target up . Its drop at 1,000 yards is 330.30 and at 500 yards its drop is 50.00. Even though high-BC .30-caliber bullets need to be heavy and pushed hard to shoot flat, many American hunters love them enough to tolerate the recoil. Based on the antique .404 Jeffery cartridge case, the 27 Nosler is the first new .277-caliber rifle cartridge since the .270 Winchester Short Magnum, which was introduced almost 20 years ago. These cartridges all drop less than 255 at 1,000 yards. Hey there from Melbourne, Australia. Still, a flat-shooting cartridge will often perform well with wind as well, because it is in the air for less time between the shot and hitting the target. Flattest Shooting Hunting Bullet 257 Weatherby Vanguard 26" pipe. This is one of the flattest shooting bullets available on the market, with a plethora of different size bullets available that range from 75 grains for small game, all the way up to 120 grains for deer. But it's still a better distance choice than the .270 Winchester past 400 yards (a great caliber as well). These cartridges all drop less than 255 at 1,000 yards. Therefore my velocity is up to around 3175fps, BC .434 G1 and the 500 yard drop is 23 with a 300 yard zero sight in. numbers are accurate. He is a well-known entrepreneur, having started many successful online brands, and lives in St George, Utah. This is more a theory question than anything. Also, same bullet, but a .257 Wby Mag will also work if you hit the same velocities. So, if you want to go long, there are some clear choices here. I understand this is an old thread, but want to reply anyway. Target Rifle- Caliber Question. I dont get it. I prefer larger calibers for elk, but the .270 is perfectly adequate for elk, and I have personally used it for elk all the way to 400 yards with no problems. Right now, shooters are obsessed with flat-shooting rifle cartridges. Recoil statistics are offered for reference. Thanks for your video and the information on your website. The rifle snobs might whine. The flattest-shooting cartridges usually have Nosler or Weatherby in their name, and the top three flat-shooting cartridges were created by those respected companies. Well, theres really only one option in .22-caliber and thats the .224 Valkyrie. Well, Im done Adulting for Today and Tomorrow. Also, youll find more ammo options for the .308 Winchester than any of the others. YMMV A Canadian sniper had a record kill at over 3500 yards last year in Afghanistan. Shooting a 180-grain bullet (.507 G1 BC) at 2,960 fps and sighted in 1.5 inches high at 100 yards, the .300 Win. Dear Adriel, please be so kind to provide statistics on the following calibers as well: You can compare these numbers with your favorite cartridge using Backfires own table of flat shooting cartridges and you will see that the numbers indicated are in the absolute upper tiers. p.s. Brownings 175-grain Sierra Tipped GameKing load has an advertised muzzle velocity of 2835 fps and a very high ballistic coefficient. Have fun hunting! 1.5" high at 100, would be dead-on at 250, and only drop 30" at 550. I just want to quickly thank you for the great videos and for producing this table of bullet drop data. I have used it also in a Ruger #1 with a 26 barrel and thoroughly enjoyed the distance it affords me. It outperforms the .280 Remington (also known as the 7mm-06 and the 7mm Express), and for years wildcatters and handloaders have been singing its praises. A long-time favorite of snipers, the .308 Winchester will remain supersonic out to around 1,200 yards. Both are of course bolt-action rifle cartridges. That's pretty dang flat. It is about the easiest caliber to hit with at that range you can imagine. Indeed, some deer also live in places where a 50-yard shot is much more likely than a 500-yard shot. Even at 500 yards the Hornady 225 SST is traveling over 2,000 fps and carrying over 2,000 ft/lbs of energy. I normally go for high BC and heavy for cal but one place I do run light is I'll shoot a Barnes 110 TTSX 3600 fps in my 270 WSM, for light game and coyotes it's very effective! That kind of long-range accuracy comes at a hefty price with this model starting at $11,700 from the manufacturer. Why? Mag. great to see bullet drops and equate them in inches of drop brings home the reality of how much impact good old gravity has on ballistics.even with the flattest cartridges still aiming the height of a house above the target @1000 yds flat-shooting, and light recoiling cartridge was extremely effective on deer-sized game. Wondering if anyone can find anything flatter within that range, suitable to kill a whitetail deer with? The 257 Weatherby Mag. Copyright Ron Spomer Outdoors document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) and .30 caliber bore . Don't want it too heavy. Sign up for Field & Streams newsletter to receive the latest and greatest gear reviews and expert hunting and fishing advice. I too am a huge fan of Ron Spomer. When you havent time to engage a laser rangefinder, knowing you can reach the kill zone with a dead-center hold at any distance out to 373 yards is pretty comforting. RELATED: How the Brand-New 27 Nosler Revives the .277. Its biggest disadvantage, in some people's opinion, is .25 caliber bullets have low BCs. If you use a very good long range 6mm bullet like the 115 DTAC with a BC of .585 and a velocity of 2950fps, which is easy to get, it wipes the floor with the .308 with a 175 at 2700fps. For example, the .50BMG and the 6.5 Creedmoor both launch bullets at approximately the same muzzle velocity of 2,700fps. Fast and flat shooting b#%ds. Modern high-ballistic-coefficient bullets is where the .375 H&H really steps out of its traditional box. The wise longer range shooter errs on the side of a higher B.C. The Barrett 416 or CheyTac exceeds this - I have witnessed it first hand - then you get into the wildcat cartridges. But, as an extreme range competition shooter recently told me, the number of cold barrel, first round hits he sees at 1,000 yards in competition is well below 50%. I am curious to see how it does for a 22 that can push any bullet weight made for it. Now I have some facts for my creedmoor pal to chew on. That, combined with their relatively small size, means that compared to cartridges of similar powder capacity, the 6.5s will almost always do more, in terms of external and terminal ballistics, with less recoil. What a gentleman. A bullet starts to drop as soon as it leaves the barrel. It's wide-open so anyone from beginners to pros, 25 caliber pocket guns through to race guns. Equally, cutting through the air slows the projectile down, eating away at its energy. For the Top 5 you have listed, what manufacturers offer a complete rifle in those calibers? This is the allure and benefit of a flat shooting bullet. I also appreciate the realistic exposition of the relevant comparison between effects of flat-shooting cartridge vs judging cross-wind! And is it fair to include Risky Ralphs overstuffed, compressed-powder loads that exceed the highest handloading guides top loads by 400 fps and leave primers looking as if theyd been squashed on a train track? Required fields are marked *. Omg I wish I seen this alot earlier than I did.. Ive literally spent hours on hours on ballistics calculators trying to figure out which new cartridge was the flattest shooting but also had enough energy for an ethical kill at long range and it took me countless hours to basically come up with what your chart told me in seconds grrr.. The 6.5 PRC can remain supersonic out beyond 1,600 yards or so, but ammunition options are limited. As much talk as there is about the .270 Winchesters ability to shoot flatly, it does not compare with these three flat-shooting options. And it gets there with a lot less powder the either of the two Weatherbys. How can I get all the data in a spread sheet form like you showed in your video? I would like to see a chart on down range energy. Based on the old .404 Jeffery case, its the same length as the .30/06, which means it works in standard-length actions. That's why the three best rifles we have sorted have a 500-yard impact range below 40''. He just never made it official. Outstanding job!! A flat shooting cartridge matters. that are blowing the ceiling off gun sales, instead of 6 5 CDM? These rifles can hardly be considered to be flat shooting. Death in the Long Grass: A Big Game Hunter's Adventures in the African Bush .by Peter H. Capstick, Dino Paravano, Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders (Volume 1) Paperback, The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Volume 1: Big Game, Horn of the Hunter: The Story of an African Safari Kindle Edition, Use Enough Gun: On Hunting Big Game Hardcover, Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail: Upland Birds and Small Game from Field to Feast Hardcover March 1, 2018, The Easy Venison Cookbook: 60 Simple Recipes for Deer, Elk, and Moose Kindle Edition. My name is Steve and I have just viewed your video on the Flattest Shooting Cartridges. the max load is the distance load. bullet faster than did the larger volume 30-378 Wby. Yes I know its a barrel burner but so is the 300RUM and others on the list. Great work here. Want to run your own ballistics numbers? A relatively flat-shooting cartridge, hunters with skill regular make shots out to 400 and 500 yards with the cartridge on small gamesome hunters even farther. Therefore the .17 Remington is the round for you. And for all of you whove just learned your flat shooting champion really isnt, sorry. Hunters and shooters should also know that wind deflection of bullets is a more challenging part of hitting what you shoot at than is drop. I see lots of Wildcats mentioned here. Why is the 7 MM Ultra Mag also called the 7RUM not on your lists? More hunters should get to know this fantastic round. I had to calculate this one out, as Weatherbys ballistics charts dont go past 500 yards. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 6.5 CM The 6.5 CM is a newcomer to the shooting world. The drops are listed in feet for the really long range shots, so theyre pretty close to your numbers. They have 1 particular cartridge thats something of a hot-shot for flat shooting, long distance devastation; the Weatherby .30-378. Flattest at 1,000 yards Heres where things start to change. But you wouldnt want to hunt with it. . I ran the numbers with the 180 grain Ballistic tip at 3420 fps. I work at a very large and popular firearms dealer, and I have sold dozens (if not hundreds) if the 6.5, but I havent sold 1, or had anyone even ask about the top 3 in this list. My father has been shooting a 6.5300 wby we had made for him in the early 80s and it was only limited by bullet construction. 28 Nosler cartridge For decades, the Nosler cartridge has ruled the world of a flat shooting range with complete dominance. Thats equal magnitude to 200fps less flatness! In fact, we may say that its the only thing that matters; however, factors that lead to time of flight changes are important to consider. For serious shooters, thats a non-starter. Here we go! Not sure if the OP is considering them or not. RELATED: The 10 Best Rifle Bullets for Long-Range Shooting. http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/ballistics-calculator, 338 Lapua with a 300 grain projectile (you can run 250s in the Lapua as well, but most run a 300). The spin rate helps to stabilize the projectile along its path, cut through drag and higher case capacities give the projectile more velocity thus delivering the bullet to the target more quickly. The best long-range cartridges are those that are flat shooting, feature aerodynamic projectiles and have enough power to go the distance. Ive updated the chart description so its more clear that it isnt in inches. Just curious if you included the 300 Norma or maybe I missed it. Top muzzle velocities with the same combination of powder, primer, and bullet can vary by 100 to 200 fps. Mag. Thanks Jim! The 6.5 Creedmoor will remain supersonic out to 1,400 yards and is quickly becoming the most popular long-range, big-game cartridge in the world. At 500 yards . The 50 BMG is still supersonic past 1200 yards. I was once hunting plains game in Africa when my PH told me, holding a rangefinder, that the wildebeest was 155 yards away. All in all, here are six bonus cartridge, all highly capable of reaching way out there. This is the darling diameter for American big-game hunters. The Liberty Ammunition .308 Win. A 10 mph right angle wind at 500 yards can divert even a fast, high B.C. The way in which cartridge manufacturers develop rounds to overcome these forces is the twist rates of the barrels in the rifles the cartridges are chambered in, developing longer, more aerodynamic bullets with narrower ogives and case capacity. Ive included different bullet weights/BCs for most rounds to illustrate how BC changes drop at longer ranges. 10 Things We All Hate About flattest shooting caliber to 500 yards Yash June 15, 2021 57 views 3 minute read This is the one in the middle, the flattest shooting caliber to 500 yards. Nice summary of the subject for those of us who do not understand things like Coreolis Force and aerodynamic jump. Nor are we maintaining that the flattest shooting cartridge/bullet is the ultimate determinant of a good hunting round. Be aware that many of these bullets could have been target bullets. Love it Jim ! Check out ShootersCalculator.com. There's currently no better option for the AR-15 when the range extends much past 500 yards. RELATED: 6.5 Creedmoor: The New King of Cartridges? With their Vanguard line you can do it for less than $900. For flat shooting over a relatively close range you need a lot of velocity, BC doesn't matter that much over shorter distances. cleric; Jan 28, 2023; Bolt Action Rifles ; Replies 13 Views 475. But truth be told, every Weatherby cartridge is a long-range cartridge. Good work mate. The 300 PRC in 225G exceeds this and the 338 Lapua Magnum by a noticeable difference. All Rights Reserved, My Group Therapy: Shooting Log Book | 100 pages (6"x9") | Record Target Shooting Data & Improve your Skills and Precision Paperback June 13, 2019. As soon as a projectile leaves the muzzle, the earths gravity instantly begins to affect the trajectory of the round. etc. The company set out to push the limits with this thing, designing it as a flat-shooting 6.5mm cartridge with performance capable of taking full advantage of the newest long-range shooting reticles used in today's scopes. inspired a lot of comments, dissent, and different candidates for the title, so lets take a more detailed look at the flattest of the flat. Does it matter if there are -30 of drop or -40 of drop if the answer is simply to spin the turret a few extra clicks? I have a 27 3/4" barrel 264 Win mag that shoots 130 Accubonds 3350 fps with Retumbo. Nevertheless, flat shooting cartridges have long fascinated hunters and driven cartridge development and sales. The flattest-shooting popular rifle cartridge at 1,000 yards is the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum, followed by the .26 Nosler, the .28 Nosler, the .22 Creedmoor, and the 6.5 Weatherby RPM. As with Hornadys two recent 6.5 caliber introductions, it has found favor with long-range competitors, but also with hunters who like to hit at distance with heavy bullets. Choosing the proper ammunition and knowing your own capabilities at those distances is most important. What caliber rifle shoots the farthest? And that light recoil not only makes you a better shot in the field; it also makes practicing more fun and productive. Thanks for the chart for bullet drop but for Big Game Hunting I would rather see the down range energy. unfair comparison, Hornady makes a 139 grain BTSP for the 7mm mag very flat shooter, Great info, thanks for your difficult work. of energy at that distance more than enough to drop a deer humanely. Its also based on the 220 Russian/7.62x39mm Russian cartridge, but unlike the Valkyriewhich uses a 0.223-caliber bulletthe Grendel is yet another 6.5. 500-yard drop: 45 inches (based on a 100-yard zero). ), Hornadys Precision Hunter 178-grain ELD-X at 2,600 fps is probably the best long-range option, but look also at the new 168-grain Berger Hybrid Hunter load from Federal, RELATED: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. .308 Winchester. When a bullet is fired, many forces are immediately working against it: gravity, wind, and atmospheric drag. inherent in 6.5mm (.264) caliber bullets. Federals EDGE TLR .270 Winchester is another outstanding option. I suspect Weatherby got wind of Noslers work on its superb 26 Nosler, so they released Roys old wildcat to steel some of Noslers thunder. Check out more F&S long-range shooting coverage, including advice for getting started in long-range shooting competitions, the reason why rifle groups keep shrinking, how Heavey did at Gunsite Academy, and what makes long-distance shooting so difficult. Often theyre inflated. It is flat shooting, powerful, has a manageable amount of recoil, and there are dozens of great hunting rifles chambered in this outstanding cartridge. The vast offerings of ammo and rifles on the market today is why the 338 Winchester Magnum is probably one of the best elk cartridges a hunter can carry. (A bullet far from optimum for shooting elk.) (For anyone who gets worked up about the fact that the .30/06 isnt on this list, feel free to swap it with this one, as long as you dont mind the extra kick. .25-06 AI with a Berger 115 VLD that's moving 3,600 fps. The Government .45-70 can give you the perfect hunting experience as it is one of the top calibers used by hunters. It is capable of sending a 55-grain bullet from the muzzle at 3,700 fps. lotsa guys on the internet claim 500 yards is no problem . Your email address will not be published. . But what are the flattest shooting rifle cartridges? A benefit of that, you can fing .308 ammo off-the-shelf for any practical application. Great information you have come up with. again. Great information! For some reason it pushed Noslers 125-gr. Lots of hunters consider the .270 Winchester one of the best all-purpose, short- and long-range cartridges of all time. Take a look at the MPBR column and note how close they all are. Noslers first proprietary cartridge is basically a steroid-monster 6.5 Creedmoor. No howitzers or tanks.). Just want to extend my sincere gratitude to you for all of the hard work, time, and incredible effort that you put into this, and so many other endeavors that you have undertaken to give us so much useful information and education, and doing so in a carefully detailed and professional manner! Different shooters will all have different calibers that are better suited for their specific goal or mission. I have neither the scientific knowledge nor mathematical skills to figure out the perfect blend of factors that produces the flattest trajectory winner. Please, keep up the great work! The 147-grain ELD-M bullet has a sectional density of .301 and a G1 Ballistic Coefficient of .697, which is arguably the highest ballistic coefficient of any 6.5 Creedmoor bullet. This is not just a product of the .27 caliber bullet and its ballistic coefficient numbers. I blog often and I truly appreciate your content. Heres a chart from my Popular Hunting Cartridges Compared article. The rifle would be used for game to 600 yards (self imposed limit) up to the occasional Elk. 6.5mm and 7mm projectiles offer very high ballistic coefficients, meaning they offer excellent ability to overcome drag and wind deflection over longer distances. Do we compare the fastest factory loads or top end handloads from select handloading manuals? Im not sure Im reading this right but there seems to be a decimal missing. Shots are usually quick. Think 30-30 necked down to a .25 cal. Its a top choice of military snipers and can launch heavy bullets with high speed and exceptional precision. MY 45 cal ball travels at 1633fps with a standard charge, and 74-5gr for a full charge (2040fps). Nosler Trophy Grade with a 150-grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range at 3300 fps. It combined flat-shooting ballistics with hard-hitting bullets in a package with lighter recoil than the .300 Weatherby Magnum, which debuted in 1944. The .277 bullet earns a lower B.C. Precision, varmint, big-game, and dirt cheap NATO surplus ammo for plenty of cheap shooting. I know its a great round, but its by a long shot the best selling rifle chambering of the last several years. In 2015, Mann began contributing to Field & Stream to cover guns, ammunition, ballistics, and hunting. How hard would it be to add a 223wssm to the mix. This is about an alternative to a .308 for those snipers who will likely never even see a 100-yard deployment and do not need the overpenetration or down range effect. However, I fully admit that that a flat shooting cartridge is not nearly as important as a cartridge which is resistant to wind deflection. Your email address will not be published. Barrel twist rates spin the bullet out of the muzzle in a spiral much akin to a quarterback throwing a football. Now, the .280 AI is finally a SAAMI-approved cartridge, and while ammunition options are sparse, its performance is right there with the 7mm Remington Magnum. If you like the idea of a six-five for going long, but hate the Creed and want something a bit different, the 6.5-284 Norma is the way to go. Second, we are not encouraging extreme-range shooting at game. Muzzle velocity certainly makes a difference in how fast the bullet reaches the target, but it is by no means the only factor to consider.
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