Whats a better round?

[TRod1222]

whats a better round for targets shooting? not competition or anything just a nice round that will travel well for the best price? .223? .30-.06? 7mm? what do you guys think?

[krazek]

what kindof rifle were you planning to shoot?
ar... a bolt action... a fal....
i would say depending on the kind of rifle and the distance you plan on shooting it at is a big determinant in helping you choose your desired cartridge

[adamsreeftank]

In an AR, .223

In a bolt action, .308

There are better rounds for each platform, but you will pay a lot more for a small gain in performance.

[ZapThyCat]

30.06 is pretty much the most versatile round there is... you can use it for anything. If you want a specific round for a specific purpose... skip it. It's more an all-around round.

[TRod1222]

Mainly target shooting from a savage bolt action rifle at 100 plus yards.

[TRod1222]

And cost is an issue, thanks for your help.

[24_minutes_to_1000]

You mentioned "travelling well" which makes me think that you may want to shoot at longer distances. If you ever want to shoot at long distances I would suggest either the 6mm .243 Win. or the 7mm .284 Win.

With the .243 and a 1-9 twist you can push the 105 Amax to 3000 fps. This will give you a round that is ballistically superior to either the .223 and in particular the .308.

The guys I shoot with who shoot .308s need to dial in about 36-38 MOA come up to get to 1000 yards from a 100 yard zero in comparison to the 27 I dial in with the 105 AMAX. The .308 175 gr. SMK bullet shot at 2675 fps stays supersonic to 1100 yards or so, while the 105 Amax at 3K will stay SS to 1350 yards.

Better yet is the 7mm in .284 Win. You can get a magnum chambering in 7 mm, but the .284 Win. is very efficient, requiring only 5-9 more grains of powder than the .243 or .308 to push the 162 AMAX to 2900 fps.

At this velocity the 162 Amax needs only 25.5 MOA come up to 1K yards and stays supersonic to 1650 yards. In a crosswind it drifts half of what the .308 175 SMK will, and packs more energy at 1K.

I've left out the 6.5 mm chamberings like the .260 Rem and the 6.5X55 SE, both of which are far superior to the .308 which is, for strictly paper punching, a ballistically inferior round.

The very last chamberings I'd recommend for paper punching at long range would be the .223 and .308. I know I'll be flamed for this, but I'll take a ballistically superior round every time, and the 6, 6.5 and 7mm heavy-for-caiber bullets put the .223 and .308 to shame.

[24_minutes_to_1000]

And cost is an issue, thanks for your help.

Ok, cost is an issue. If you don't mind a sporter rifle, buy the Stevens 200 in .243 Winchester. $250 online at Budsgunshop.com.

Get a Mueller 8.5-25X44 tactical mildot scope, $159.95 at outdooropticsshop.com

Learn to reload, buy a Lee hand press and dies, a Lee scale, H-1000 powder and Hornady 105 Amax bullets, and for around $125 you'll be set to go.

Winchester cases, Remington 9 1/2 primer, 45.1 grains of H-1000 and you should get around 3000 fps.

Go shoot sub MOA groups and wonder why your buddies with really expensive rifles are annoyed with you when your "crappy" rifle outshoots theirs. This is especially true of Remington owners. Don't ask me how I know this.

[xenophobe]

.30-06? 7mm? Umm.... Cheap .30-06 is hard to find. There is no such thing as target grade 7mm unless you load it yourself. Expect to spend $16+/20 rounds for 7mm.

A nice round that will travel well?

Do you plan on hunting, or just target shooting?

Target and squirrel shooting to 200-300 yards with a bolt action .223 is just fine.

I'd avoid any hunting cartridges, like the .243, 7-08, .30-06, 7mm, etc... IF you just want to target shoot at the cheapest prices, find something in .223 or .308.

[C.G.]

I'd avoid any hunting cartridges, like the .243, 7-08, .30-06, 7mm, etc... IF you just want to target shoot at the cheapest prices, find something in .223 or .308.

Yup.

[James R.]

If you don't mind reloading 6mm BR is an awesome round that doesn't have you making your own wildcat brass like say 6PPC or the like.

I'm thinking my next bolt gun will be chambered in 6mm BR.

Regards,

James R.

[TRod1222]

yea i think i'm going to stay away from reloading for now. but I think I may get a .223 nice price on ammo and It can be a nice target round. Its all for fun.

[KIDRR]

.308 For the win

[proraptor]

I would also go .308......Get something that you can buy anywhere....

[30Cal]

The .223 is going to be cheaper to feed and easier to shoot.