What’s your go-to 7.62 or .308 cartridge for long range shooting?

[DadSmith]

I'm not a sniper nor killer distance shooter.This is from a twenty inch barrel SFAR at 350 yards with pmc bronze. View attachment 297282

That's not bad for cheap ammo.

 

[spencer rifle]

I hope to do more long distance shooting in the future, since I have Savage and Howa target rifles, but haven't been to a 300+ yard range yet.
The .308 round I use for hunting will put 4 shots in a quarter-sized space at 100 yards.
168 grain HPBT Sierra Match Kings (or SPBT) over 42.5 grains H4895 with a CCI #200 LR primer, 2.86" OAL

 

[DocIndy]

I hope to do more long distance shooting in the future, since I have Savage and Howa target rifles, but haven't been to a 300+ yard range yet.
The .308 round I use for hunting will put 4 shots in a quarter-sized space at 100 yards.
168 grain HPBT Sierra Match Kings (or SPBT) over 42.5 grains H4895 with a CCI #200 LR primer, 2.86" OAL

I have a 20” Howa 1500 HB 308 that is a laser. 5 shot group at 100 that is one ragged hole. Hornady 168 AMAX over 44gr. Varget in Winchester brass with CCI BR primers.

 

[NyleRN]

OP really needs to reload if you're going to shoot longer range. Factory loads will only take you so far along on the ride. Now, having said that I've seen a couple 6.5 Creedmoor rifles shoot factory Hornaday 140g match that would rival some of the best handloads. But I wouldn't bet on most factory spun barrels to do that. That was just kinda dumb luck

 

[Basher]

OP really needs to reload if you're going to shoot longer range. Factory loads will only take you so far along on the ride. Now, having said that I've seen a couple 6.5 Creedmoor rifles shoot factory Hornaday 140g match that would rival some of the best handloads. But I wouldn't bet on most factory spun barrels to do that. That was just kinda dumb luck

Honestly, I think that will depend on a dew factors:

1) The distance being shot at.
2) Is the OP shooting specifically for the smallest groups (benchrest).
3) What level of accuracy the OP expects/desires.

If he’s only hitting 300 and is happy with 1/2MOA or so, a quality, modern factory load (FGMM, Hornady Match,Berger Match, etc.) should pretty much do it. Same for smacking steel out to 1000 (done it numerous times w/ FGMM 175SMK and 185 Juggernauts), especially if he’s just doing it casually on his own or at local club matches.

If we’re talking benchrest (the 20S is the wrong rifle there for sure lol), smallest group on paper, or PRS type matches at higher levels, then I 100% agree. But until then, good factory loads will do 95%+ of what the OP needs, it sounds like. That didn’t used to be the case, but it now is.

 

[55fairlane]

The original poster has not checked in, I wonder if he is hiding in the corner crying.....our enthusiasm might have pushed him away

 

[SSE]

You shot 3 rounds into .3 @ 100 with match ammo. If you can keep your groups under 1 inch you know there is nothing wrong with you, your rifle, or your ammo. You might be lucky and find a cheap factory round that shoots well in your rifle but don't count on it. Sell the ball ammo and load up on match ammo that shoots the best. Ammo prices seem to be coming down.

 

[BigMoose]

M118LR or commercial equivalent.
175 Grain match.

it's been my avatar since I started here.

Surplus M118LR


Lake City Overrun M118LR


Commerical M118

 

[DadSmith]

M118LR or commercial equivalent.
175 Grain match.

it's been my avatar since I started here.

Surplus M118LR
View attachment 298036

Lake City Overrun M118LR
View attachment 298038

Commerical M118
View attachment 298039
View attachment 298040

I've got a lot of M118 Surplus I bought loose packed for 0.45 cents a round delivered just before covid hit.
It's good stuff.
I was expecting a bunch of dented brass and no one was. It was packaged good.