vertical adj. range

[jr-abs]

I have a 6.5x55. 20moa base and a 20X SWFA scope.
With a 100 yard zero, at 1000 yards, I use 8.1 mills. From 100 yard zero to 2000 yards, I would need approx. 28 mills. I have 26 mils available from my 100 yard zero. Total vertical range is 30 mils. Are people successful using the reticle hash marks? I could easily make up the 2 mils using them. A mile (1760 yards) is easily attainable with my equipment. Still barely supersonic at 1760. Not sure about the 2000 yard target.
Thanks for your imput

[kcstott]

That's called hold over and it's done all the time.

you estimation of Easily making a mile may be off. the sound barrier is not the issue. it's the transonic zone. and for different projectiles it's a different range but typically 200-300 fps faster than your sound barrier for your air density is the beginning of the transonic and that's where you bullet my experience some issues. the only way to find out is to push you system in that zone 100 meters at a time, with not other changes including wind how bad does your accuracy drop off. If you were making solid hits at one range then pushed it out 100 meters more and can't connect that is your transonic limit.

[jr-abs]

Thanks for the reply. I am shooting the 147 Hornady and Berger 140 hybrids. I can hit a 6" plate at 450 yards consistently. This extra long range challenge is intriguing.

I'm concerned that my equipment is not up to the challenge. 28" Krieger, 14oz trigger and velocities of 2750-2800fps. 100 yard groups are nice and consistent.
25 shots, 5 different powder charges.

[kcstott]

My own personal preference of a bullet being able to carry momentum to target at distance requires requires a heavy bullet.
that said 2200 meters should not be an issue with the correct bullet. There's a lot of hype around the 121 gr 6.5 flatline, The 121 has a better BC than the 140 berger,

Beyond 1500 meters though you really are just lobing rounds in and should not expect solid consistent hits at that range. that's when it time to bump up in caliber. .300 win mag or ideally the .338 lapua will get you there and no for a huge amount of money. If you want to push further than that you're going to need to really step up to a .375 CT

[bsumoba]

To answer your original question, you absolutely can use "holdovers" to compensate for the additional elevation needed to get to the longer target.

If you are serious about long range, you should consider using the right cartridge for the 1,200+ shots. As kcstott mentions, you are just lobbing bullets and more than likely, using more ammo than needed to get shots on target. That being said, you should be able to get more than 2750-2800 fps in that 6.5x55, especially with the 140 gr class bullets. Unless, you are in a great accuracy node, which I always opt for accuracy over velocity.

[LynnJr]

[jr-abs]

Hello Lyn,
Thanks for the data. I was at the range this morning and my rounds were chronographed at 2811-2817 fps with the 147 gr. Hornady bullet. My scope is a mil-mil. If I understand this, I would have a vertical correction from my 100 yard zero of approx. 25.6 mils to 2000 yds. My scope turret has 26 mils to lock remaining from zero. I would be using the mil marks on the lower reticle only about 1, maybe 2 mil. Seems very doable on a calm day. 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100 using Rel 26. No high pressure signs. Now if I can cut back on the coffee!