What caliber for the most effective long range rifle?

[bearpaw]

I have been told 338 edge would be the best option, good energy and accuracy at over 1000 yards, what do you guys think and why?

[Nape.257]

There are a lot of options for the MOST effective long range cartridge.

That being sead I bilt a 338Edge for my first long range rifle.

Because
1. Better barrel life than the 7Rum and 300RUM.
2. Bullets have a better BC .818 G1 300gr
3.  300RUM brass is affordable and can be found. Well you could find it back when I bilt mine.

[Dan-o]

Tagging.

[jasnt]

I'd say the 338 edge is a great lr cal.   personally I love 30 caliber cartage's,personal prejudice I guess. That said I've always wanted a 30-378. Currently shooting a 300wm but my skills are a bit lower than 1000 yards.

[high country]

375/50bmg. 375gr bronze solid at 5grand. Make every shot count......cause barrel life is short. Chey-tac,  big lazz, there's a bunch of big swingers.

In all seriousness,  you gotta give more adjectives than just best. A weight and range requirement as a minimum.

[PolarBear]

I know several military snipers who swear by their .338 Lapua.   One of them showed me a video of him picking off Foster's beer cans at 1,800+ meters with his.  I haven't shot long range in many years but my next "reach out and touch em'" gun will probably be a .338 Lapua put together by one of those guys.

[Stein]

Most effective?  Probably 50 BMG.  Most effective at making you poor as well.

[carpsniperg2]

338 lapua is a great choice. Brass and ammo isn't to crazy $ wise. The 338's are hard to beat at the extended ranges. I just got my 30-378 build done and it will be a 1k gun.

[ghosthunter]

I am in the process of thinking about a long range rifle for next year.

Looking at Remington model 700 LR

But can't decide on caliber . Would like 30.06 but have no idea about the best one.
I am not into much more recoil than .06. Not into muzzle brakes either.
Not planing on 1000+

Maybe 600 or less.

Missed out on a buck this year at about 450 up hill because I just did not feel good about the shot.
I will be following along.

[KFhunter]

I'd look pretty hard at a tikka in 30.06 for a 500 yard gun


It's my everyday bread-n-butter gun.  Topped with decent glass it'll do you good out to 500 and even push that a little on a calm day.

Don't really need that extra weight and cost for a 600 yard gun. 

[PolarBear]

For a less than 600 yard shooter. I would go with a Remington 700 sps in 30-06

[PolarBear]

KF,  I bought a 700 SPS in .243 for my (then 12 year old) daughter and she can put 5 shots in a nickel at 100 yards with it.  I can do the same at 250 yards.  You must have gotten a lemon.   

[RadSav]

Anyone here get a chance to shoot the Model 99 416 Barrett?  I just remember the "Future Weapons" episode peaking my interest.


BP never mentioned it had to be a hunting cartridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfM5TjvtvD8#t=50

416 Ultimate Weapons

[Biggerhammer]

The .338 Edge does just fine. Everyone has a different perspective of "Effective".

The .300 Win Mag with a Berger 230 OTM is no slouch either.

.338 Edge / 300 grain Berger Hybrid. For size reference, MagPul 20 round AR mag.

[bearpaw]

I had a couple hunters with a nice long range 338 edge that let me shoot, there was a 6 mph cross wind.

First shot at a 36 inch rock at 1130 yards I hit 6 inches below center.
Second shot at 10 inch rock at 1118 yards I hit again.
Third shot at 1790 yards I missed an 11 inch rock.  (this was 1 mile and 30 yards)
Fourth shot at 1790 yards I hit the 11 inch rock.

I'm still amazed I could hit anything at that distance not to mention the first time I ever shot the gun. It seems like something I want to get involved in, was a lot of fun to say the least.

I know there are several long range shooters on the forum so I thought I would ask around about caliber before deciding what I should get. You never can hear too many opinions!

I do want good effectiveness at 1000+ yard shots on big game. It seems the .338 caliber 300 grain berger is a pretty good bullet for the task, that is what the guys were using and what I shot at the rocks.

Which is the better case 338 edge or 338/378?
Is there a better caliber than 338?