Posted on 09/14/2016 12:05:34 PM PDT by w1n1
Currently, the majority of rifles designed for long range hunting these days appear similar to that of military grade weapons in size, weight, and their configuration. These large rifles tend to feature tactical stocks, bipods, larger scopes, and tapered barrels. The majority of these rifles seem to have been configured directly from the factory to utilize .308 Winchester, a powerful round, but one that makes the hunter question whether or not such a cartridge is useful when it comes to tackling big game at long ranges.
Long Range
Believe it or not, the term "long range" actually means many different things to hunters across the world, depending on where in the country you may find yourself. One of the big problems most hunters have with long range hunting is the ability to simply wound an animal instead of taking down your game with a single well placed shot.
Capabilities
In terms of capabilities, the .308 is truly effective within its intended range and parameters. For example, one can tackle numerous game when within 250 yards or less. In this range, the rifle and round will shoot accurately and remains within the ethical limits most hunters tend to carry. Read the rest of the story here.
Was thinking the Brits shot .308’s out of their planes. Maybe they used the .303 (standard Lee-Enfield round) instead.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.308_Winchester
The .308 Winchester (pronounced: “three-oh-eight” or “three-aught-eight”) is a rimless, bottlenecked rifle cartridge and is the commercial cartridge from which the 7.62×51mm NATO round was derived. The .308 Winchester was introduced in 1952, two years prior to the NATO adoption of the 7.62×51mm NATO T65. Winchester branded the cartridge and introduced it to the commercial hunting market as the .308 Winchester. Winchester’s Model 70 and Model 88 rifles were subsequently chambered for the new cartridge. Since then, the .308 Winchester has become the most popular short-action, big-game hunting cartridge worldwide.[1] It is also commonly used for civilian target shooting, military sniping, and police sharpshooting. The relatively short case makes the .308 Winchester especially well-adapted for short-action rifles. When loaded with a bullet that expands, tumbles, or fragments in tissue, this cartridge is capable of high terminal performance.[2][3][4]
As I recall, the .308 was the 7.62 NATO developed for the M-14 by necking down the .30-06.
While I understand the rationale for necking it down, I always wished the M-14 had been essentially a detachable-magazine M-1 Garand, retaining the .30-06: basically, a sleek, light successor to the BAR.
As I recall, the .308 was the 7.62 NATO developed for the M-14 by necking down the .30-06.
While I understand the rationale for necking it down, I always wished the M-14 had been essentially a detachable-magazine M-1 Garand, retaining the .30-06: basically, a sleek, light successor to the BAR.
The problem is that the longer 30-06 cartridge did not cycle well in fully automatic rifles.
The .308 is essentially a 30-06 with a shorter case that works reliably in full-auto firearms.
I must be missing something. I like my .380, but at 1000 meters, I probably couldn't hit a drive-in movie screen, lol.
OKIE
My most accurate rifle is my Mossberg 100ATR 30-06. It is also my cheapest long rifle. I went for the 30-06 because of the cost of the ammo. I also like the Rem 700 in the 7mm mag caliber because of it’s power. The 100ATR is available in many different calibers. So if you are in the market for long rifle I would take a look at them.
My most accurate rifle is my Mossberg 100ATR 30-06. It is also my cheapest long rifle. I went for the 30-06 because of the cost of the ammo. I also like the Rem 700 in the 7mm mag caliber because of it’s power. The 100ATR is available in many different calibers. So if you are in the market for long rifle I would take a look at them.
Long Range Elk with .308 Winchester:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrQqPdRgw_w
My first hunting rifle was a .308 and I recently got a new Savage .308 with bull barrel and scope to shoot out to 1,000 years.
That range was used for massed area volley fire. It doesn’t mean that it was intended to engage a man-sized target at that range. More likely, the shooter was ‘aiming’ at a formation of moving troops.
Troops used to do a lot of things we don’t really do any more; not because we can’t, but because we are not present with those type of targets any more.
What weapons are enemy snipers in Afghanistan using to outgun ours?
No doubt there is a huge int’l sniper weapons market out there. Nothing but the best from Russia and other arms producers, for ready cash.
Wonder what the Taleban’s favorite sniper rifle is?
Most standard Rifles above a .223/5.56 are plenty to hunt Big game with Out to 3-4 hundred yards.
Myself, I prefer a belted Magnum cartridge when going for big game for both leakage and distance. Know your Rifle, the trajectory and the Energy at longer distances of target. I handload my cartidges so that the FPS of the Bullet leaving the Rifle is around 3200 fps. A 30 cal. 180 gr. bullet under those conditions is gonna leave a mark.
I have carried a .300 Win. Mag for 25 years for Elk, Whitetail, Mulies. Never left a bullet in any of them out to 375 yards. A .30 cal. entry hole/ 50 cent hole leaving. Easy to track. But they don’t go far anyhow. :)
Pick up a handloading manual or visit one of the Bullet Manufacturers websites. A lot of very interesting information can be gleened from reading thru them.
“.....to shoot out to 1,000 years.”
That’s a loooong bullet flight!
Reminds of moose hunting with my dad and brother in the 70s on Kenai peninsula in Alaska. Dad shot a moose about mile in from our starting point around 6 or 7 a.m. Had to first get it out of watery muck, then we spent until about the same time that evening packing it out. No fun.
That bullet looks more like a 30-06 vs .308.
Time traveling.
For pig hunting up in on Kauai long range is the tip of your knife. You can’t see those buggers until you’re right on them so you spear them or stab them. Pretty brutal
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