Where does "Long Range" start?

[Calico1404]

I am getting into bolt actions a bit more, and I am loving it.

This weekend a few buddies and I are headed to the desert for a little equipment testing and plinking. This got us thinking on where to start?

Traditionally we always sit a steel plate at 100 and 200 with random targets between. Any suggestions on short, mid and long placement, with the mid being a likely zero? Google says 546 (550) what say you?


Rough specs

Mossberg flex 556 standard pmc Bronze 55g

Savage Axis .308 standard pmc Bronze 147g

Ruger American .308 standard pmc Bronze 147g

[five.five-six]

Many will say long range is 1,000, perhaps 800 yds.

[Calico1404]

Many will say long range is 1,000, perhaps 800 yds.

1,000 is the goal, however where is a good starting point to pace out to 1,000 is more of my question.

[five.five-six]

It's tough with .308. Once the projectile goes subsonic everything changes.

I don't long distance well, someone who does will come along soon.

[glockman19]

I'd say that anything over 600 yards would be long range.

[Calico1404]

So perhaps set one at 300 and 500 to get a good feel for bullet drop etc.

[secondwind]

A shooter app on your cell phone can work wonders, Most are free and take out out most of the guess work if you're consistent with your shots

[Calico1404]

A shooter app on your cell phone can work wonders, Most are free and take out out most of the guess work if you're consistent with your shots

I downloaded Strelok. It has very good info thus far.

[highpower790]

As far as NRA is concerned,for competition mid range goes out 600yds,with long range being 800-1000yds.

[Calico1404]

As far as NRA is concerned,for competition mid range goes out 600yds,with long range being 800-1000yds.

^^ this is good info

[NorCalFocus]

The general rule of thumb is 100-300 is short range, 300-600 is mid range, 600-1200 is long range, beyond that is getting into extreme long range.

The biggest issue your going to have hitting targets over 300 yards with those specs is the ammo. 55 grain .223 is good to about 300 maybe 400 on a good day. 69ish grain match grade ammo is good to about 600 yards. Most guys running the .223 that far will go to 75+ grain bullets.

Same with the .308's. The 147g mil spec bulk ammo you have is good for minute of man out to about 500 yards. But better match grade ammo will make the job much easier. Match grade 175 grain bullets will get you to 1000 yards without much trouble in the .308. I know it sounds backwards, but the heavier bullets will stay super sonic longer than the lighter bullets. Thats because they stay stable longer. The lighter bullets will get unstable and tumble much sooner, causing them to slow down.

Now on your zero, here's what I suggest, always zero for 100 yards. That way your always dialing up. Not oh I go up for this target, then down for this target. Even if your using hold overs, your always holding over.

[Calico1404]

The general rule of thumb is 100-300 is short range, 300-600 is mid range, 600-1200 is long range, beyond that is getting into extreme long range.

The biggest issue your going to have hitting targets over 300 yards with those specs is the ammo. 55 grain .223 is good to about 300 maybe 400 on a good day. 69ish grain match grade ammo is good to about 600 yards. Most guys running the .223 that far will go to 75+ grain bullets.

Same with the .308's. The 147g mil spec bulk ammo you have is good for minute of man out to about 500 yards. But better match grade ammo will make the job much easier. Match grade 175 grain bullets will get you to 1000 yards without much trouble in the .308. I know it sounds backwards, but the heavier bullets will stay super sonic longer than the lighter bullets. Thats because they stay stable longer. The lighter bullets will get unstable and tumble much sooner, causing them to slow down.

Now on your zero, here's what I suggest, always zero for 100 yards. That way your always dialing up. Not oh I go up for this target, then down for this target. Even if your using hold overs, your always holding over.

^^ I was going to take out some PU 180g as well, I am glad I know this now.

100 yard zero is set on my flex 223 however you suggest a 100 for the 308 as well? So expected hold over about 38" out to 500 etc I know my numbers are not accurate by I think I get what you are saying.

[NorCalFocus]

Yes 100 yard zero for everything. Again always dial up.

The 180's are slow, but they'll be stable. If there is any wind, you'll see how much less they get pushed around.

What scope do you have on the .308s? You should stop thinking in inches and start thinking in MOA/MIL.

[Calico1404]

Yes 100 yard zero for everything. Again always dial up.

The 180's are slow, but they'll be stable. If there is any wind, you'll see how much less they get pushed around.

What scope do you have on the .308s? You should stop thinking in inches and start thinking in MOA/MIL.

Vortex crossfire ii 4x16x50 1/4 MOA I think, so 4 clicks an inch at 100

[NorCalFocus]

Vortex crossfire ii 4x16x50 1/4 MOA I think, so 4 clicks an inch at 100

Is it the BDC reticle?

Prefect, thats 1/4 MOA per click. Now stop talking about inches. A MOA is a MOA no matter what distance your shooting. Don't do extra math to translate from MOA to inches. So your Sterlock app will say dial 10 MOA for 500 yards. Dial up to 100 on the scope and call it good.

Make sense? Hope I'm not confusing you. lol.