I'm not quite sure where to post this, but being that I'm assuming these calibers in question will be being fired from a bolt action gun I've decided to put it here. I've been searching the internet to try to find what the effective range of the .308 and .300 Win Mag are. I'll start off by saying that I'm a beginner and I already know that it depends on the rifle and the shooter and that I know I'm not capable of using either caliber at there full extent at this time. I'm just want to know because with the .308 I'm seeing differences from 800 yards to 1200 yards which seems to be a big difference. I found a lot of places that said the .300 Win Mag has a 1000 yard range, but that can't be true because I know the .308 get's shot out to 1000 all the time and that the Win Mag is supposed to have greater distance. Another thing that threw me off was that the 7mm was being suggested in the Beyond 1000 section of the forum. I don't know much about this round but I thought it would have less range then the .308? Anyway, you guys are the experts so if you guys could give me your thoughts I would appreciate it.
Effective Ranges
- Thread starter tanda10506
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Re: Effective Ranges
"Effective" range is subjective is what it is effective in accomplishing down-range. For example; poking a hole in paper or taking large game at range.
The main factors are muzzle velocity, the ballistic coefficient of the bullet, bullet mass, enviromental conditions.... All of which can vary greatly given a specific chambering.
The best thing to do is play with a online ballistic calc and see what it takes for a load in a particular cartidge to be effective per your use.
http://www.jbmballistics.com/calculations/calculations.shtml
"Effective" range is subjective is what it is effective in accomplishing down-range. For example; poking a hole in paper or taking large game at range.
The main factors are muzzle velocity, the ballistic coefficient of the bullet, bullet mass, enviromental conditions.... All of which can vary greatly given a specific chambering.
The best thing to do is play with a online ballistic calc and see what it takes for a load in a particular cartidge to be effective per your use.
http://www.jbmballistics.com/calculations/calculations.shtml
Re: Effective Ranges
The key word is "effective". What is your purpose and at what range?
Effective to punch paper, or splash on a steel target is very different from "effective" to take down/neutralized a live/living target.
The key word is "effective". What is your purpose and at what range?
Effective to punch paper, or splash on a steel target is very different from "effective" to take down/neutralized a live/living target.
Re: Effective Ranges
The 7-08 is nothing but the .308 necked down to 7mm. 7mm bullets have a much higher ballistic co-efficient.
For example, the berger 7mm 140 grain VLD has a higher ballistic co-efficient than the 30 cal 168 grain match bullet (not much, but slightly higher). The important thing it, it can be launched about 200 fps faster than the 168. So, for a B.C. that is more or less equal, you have a higher initial velocity, which means less time in flight and less drop with less recoil.
Then you move up to the 7mm 168 grain VLD, it hs a better B.C. than the .30 175 grain match bullet.
You can do more with less with the 7mm.
However, there are very few factory loads suitable for competition (I believe HSM loads the berger 140) in the 7mm, so it is a handloading affair, and it really shines wth the proper handloads.
Now, the .308, on the other hand, MOST ammo companies make at least 2 match loads, one with the 168 grain bullet and one with the 175 grain bullet. Some also catalog a 155 grain Palma load.
You can buy a case of Prvi-Partizan (500 rounds) 168 grain HPBT match for about 400 bucks. It is not the best match ammo, but by the time you can outshoot the ammo, you will know what you are doing and the next steps you are going to take.
Besides, the .300 WM is not something a novice should learn on. It is expensive to shoot, it eats barrels (something the 7-08 and .308 do not do), it is loud, it recoils alot and it is more difficult to master.
The 7-08 is nothing but the .308 necked down to 7mm. 7mm bullets have a much higher ballistic co-efficient.
For example, the berger 7mm 140 grain VLD has a higher ballistic co-efficient than the 30 cal 168 grain match bullet (not much, but slightly higher). The important thing it, it can be launched about 200 fps faster than the 168. So, for a B.C. that is more or less equal, you have a higher initial velocity, which means less time in flight and less drop with less recoil.
Then you move up to the 7mm 168 grain VLD, it hs a better B.C. than the .30 175 grain match bullet.
You can do more with less with the 7mm.
However, there are very few factory loads suitable for competition (I believe HSM loads the berger 140) in the 7mm, so it is a handloading affair, and it really shines wth the proper handloads.
Now, the .308, on the other hand, MOST ammo companies make at least 2 match loads, one with the 168 grain bullet and one with the 175 grain bullet. Some also catalog a 155 grain Palma load.
You can buy a case of Prvi-Partizan (500 rounds) 168 grain HPBT match for about 400 bucks. It is not the best match ammo, but by the time you can outshoot the ammo, you will know what you are doing and the next steps you are going to take.
Besides, the .300 WM is not something a novice should learn on. It is expensive to shoot, it eats barrels (something the 7-08 and .308 do not do), it is loud, it recoils alot and it is more difficult to master.
Re: Effective Ranges
Sorry, I never do give enough info lol. I was talking more about sniping, so neutralizing a living enemy target would be what I was asking about. I guess I've been watching to much "Modern Sniper". I was using that calculator but I don't really understand the terminology even after reading it a few times. I guess what I am looking for is the amount of FPS and Energy at a certain distance right? I'm new to all this so I'd like to learn as much as possible.
Sorry, I never do give enough info lol. I was talking more about sniping, so neutralizing a living enemy target would be what I was asking about. I guess I've been watching to much "Modern Sniper". I was using that calculator but I don't really understand the terminology even after reading it a few times. I guess what I am looking for is the amount of FPS and Energy at a certain distance right? I'm new to all this so I'd like to learn as much as possible.
Re: Effective Ranges
I believe the military uses an 800 or 900 meter designation for effective distance with a .308, depending on the branch. I could be wrong.
I believe the military uses an 800 or 900 meter designation for effective distance with a .308, depending on the branch. I could be wrong.
Re: Effective Ranges
It doesn't matter if you have a 22 or a 50 bmg if you can't hit the target at the distance you're trying at.
Once that is realized, the application is back to paper, steel plates, or clean kills on living targets.
A 6BR will kill a p-dog at 1200 yd if you can hit it, but in no way would I recommend the 6BR for shooting deer outside of even 300y, it just makes me uncomfortable not having the bullet mass on tap when the distances stretch out.
It doesn't matter if you have a 22 or a 50 bmg if you can't hit the target at the distance you're trying at.
Once that is realized, the application is back to paper, steel plates, or clean kills on living targets.
A 6BR will kill a p-dog at 1200 yd if you can hit it, but in no way would I recommend the 6BR for shooting deer outside of even 300y, it just makes me uncomfortable not having the bullet mass on tap when the distances stretch out.
Re: Effective Ranges
The range at which the bullet goes from super sonic to sub sonic may figure in to some degree.
The bullet gets a little freaky at that point.
Personally, I wouldn't like to get hit with even a bird shit at super sonic speeds.
The range at which the bullet goes from super sonic to sub sonic may figure in to some degree.
The bullet gets a little freaky at that point.
Personally, I wouldn't like to get hit with even a bird shit at super sonic speeds.
Re: Effective Ranges
Depends on the bullet. Sierra 168 SMKs often fly sideways when they go transonic because the angle on the boattail is too steep, but the Sierra 175 SMK stays reasonably predictable.
Depends on the bullet. Sierra 168 SMKs often fly sideways when they go transonic because the angle on the boattail is too steep, but the Sierra 175 SMK stays reasonably predictable.
Re: Effective Ranges
I recently purchased a copy of "Applied Ballistics For Long Range Shooting". I am still reading but it has a lot of good information about effective ranges for different size animals and different ranges for particulary bullets. You should get a copy.
I recently purchased a copy of "Applied Ballistics For Long Range Shooting". I am still reading but it has a lot of good information about effective ranges for different size animals and different ranges for particulary bullets. You should get a copy.
Re: Effective Ranges
Alot will depend on which weapon system is being used in the 7.62 application. A longer barrel and faster twist will increase velocity and stabilize heavy bullets. The heavier bullets buck the wind better and usually are more accurate at the upper end of the ammo ranges.
Alot will depend on which weapon system is being used in the 7.62 application. A longer barrel and faster twist will increase velocity and stabilize heavy bullets. The heavier bullets buck the wind better and usually are more accurate at the upper end of the ammo ranges.
