Good 1000 yard caliber, just for fun.

[TomReloaded]

I got the itch for a new fun rifle. No competition, nothing serious, but I want to try shooting out to 1k and getting some hits now and then.

Also, i reload and like to shoot. A lot. Reloading costs are a big factor. Id prefer the lowest recoil round thats reasonable to shoot out to 1k.

I dont mind buying a few boxes of good bullets for those long shots, but ill do a lot of shooting at 100 to 200, so good enough bullets will be shot too. Looking for about 1 moa, nothing crazy.

Im thinking of one of the necked down 308 rounds, but could use some guidance.

Any suggestions? I might rebarrel an existing gun, so i just need caliber tips. Currently shooting 223.

[bsumoba]

You cannot go wrong with 308 WITH a brake. It is probably the most economical round and cheapest route. Don't be fulled by the 308. With 175s, 185s or 200 grain bullets the 308 can push to 1K easy. I stress the need for a brake though if you want lighter recoiling characteristics. You can reload for this in the 20-30 cent range per round. You will also have a long barrel life at probably up to 10K rounds and most don't start considering barrel replacing until after 5-6K.

The next one I would go with is 7mm-08 or 6.5 creedmoor.

7mm-08 is a good factory round that should have no problem getting to 1K. May companies make factory rifles with this caliber. You will probably still want a brake though. Barrel life will be a little less than the 308, but the 7mm bullet is just so good ballistically. Them 168 or 180 gr bullets are killer for out to 1K shooting in the 7mm-08.

And my favorite choice if I was in your position, is the 6.5 creedmoor. Reloading for it is not too bad @ about $0.60 more or less per round for EXCELLENT handloads using 140gr berger hybrid bullets. You can switch to the 140gr A-Max bullet and get it even cheaper. This round will easily get to 1K and will be ballistically MUCH better than the 308. Barrel life will be in the 2-4K range depending on how you run it. No brake needed on this, but if you want it to feel like your .223, then get the brake

[silvertriple]

I rebarreled my Savage 30-06 to a 6.5x55 last year. Nothing expensive or fancy...just screwed on a Criterion barrel with upgraded recoil lug and barrel nut. Shoots less than .5 moa when I do my part. Easily hits steel at 550 yards. Haven't taken it beyond that, but I'm sure it'll do fine at 1000.

I also got a 284 win barrel on order. That should be a shooter too.

[NapalmCheese]

"hits now and then"
"one of the necked down 308 rounds"
"lowest recoil"

.243 Win

[NOMADCHRIS]

300win mag

[bsumoba]

"hits now and then"
"one of the necked down 308 rounds"
"lowest recoil"

.243 Win

he likes to shoot and the .243 will be a barrel burner.

[PC9111]

6.5 creedmoor

[silvertriple]

he likes to shoot and the .243 will be a barrel burner.

I agree.

260 rem or 7mm-08 gets my vote for a necked down 308 case.

[laurelpark]

I think most people would recommend .308 as one of the best all-around calibers. Readily available, you can get some very accurate factory ammo for decent prices, and your options for reloading are endless. Plenty of great platforms for it if you really get into it - so you can build a collection of rifles (and even pistols) around the caliber as easily as you can with 5.56.

The hardcore guys will say that a good 5.56 marksman rifle will give you the distance out to 1000 yards, but the kind of ammo you need to use to get out there accurately is almost as expensive as mid-grade .308 so may as well just go with .308.

[Switchbarrel]

I got the itch for a new fun rifle. No competition, nothing serious, but I want to try shooting out to 1k and getting some hits now and then.

Also, i reload and like to shoot. A lot. Reloading costs are a big factor. Id prefer the lowest recoil round thats reasonable to shoot out to 1k.


Im thinking of one of the necked down 308 rounds, but could use some guidance.

Any suggestions? I might rebarrel an existing gun, so i just need caliber tips. Currently shooting 223.

This is screaming 6 BR.
Great to 1K if not ridiculously windy. Accurate from
100-1000 yards. Low recoil. 6mm bullets-a-plenty & they're
cheaper than 6.5, 7mm & .30 match bullets. Long barrel life. Shortened, necked down .308 case, etc, etc. Meets all of the above criteria. Check it out.

-Rick

[bsumoba]

This is screaming 6 BR.
Great to 1K if not ridiculously windy. Accurate from
100-1000 yards. Low recoil. 6mm bullets-a-plenty & they're
cheaper than 6.5, 7mm & .30 match bullets. Long barrel life. Shortened, necked down .308 case, etc, etc. Meets all of the above criteria. Check it out.

-Rick

Funny you mentioned this because I almost said 6 BR or 6 Dasher as well. Lol.

But, 6 BR is better so you don't have to worry about fireforming.

[CK_32]

30mm

/thread

[Switchbarrel]

30mm

/thread

???

30mm what? Scope?

[ducky_0811]

I'm also building a rifle wanting these same characteristics, my vote went to .260 rem. Brass can be formed from "almost" any of the .308 family of cartridges, bullets will cost you roughly the same as a .30 Cal match bullet, low recoil and decent barrel life depending on the load (just don't go pushing them retardedly fast in search of the highest velocities). Almost went with .243 but like stated above, the barrel life will be a major factor.

[HK Dave]

If 1000 yards is "once in a while", go 308win.

If you plan to play at 1K often, go 6.5 cm... but since you are an avid reloader, look at 6.5x47 lapua or 260rem.