Best caliber for shooting 500 to 2000 yds?

[Rum Man]

Hands down the 338's is my choice !
But I have only been out to 3027 yards so far . Yes I do hand load and you will need to also , no question in that ..
I have 8.5 pound 338's up to 19.6 pound 338's . If your banging steel at 2000 yards you need a heavy bullet to see misses /impact ect.
I have had great success with a 300 Rum and 230 bergers on milk jugs at a mile (1760 yards ) Its going to cost you get considerably good at long range . This isn't a cheap passion for sure .
Target at 3027 yards ! Red arrow is my shooting position.
338 Edge , 300 gr bergers @ 2849 ft.per.sec

 

[FEENIX]

Cheap and 2k just don't go together. The practice alone means burning some powder.

Do you reload? If not a 300wm loaded with a heavy high bc bullet or a 300 prc would get you close.

If you reload which you should to expect to reliably hit targets at 2k then anything which will sling the largest 30 or 33 cal bullets at 2950 fps or better will get the job done. Factor in recoil, action type required for some, brass and die availability to name a few considerations.

There are many cartridges that will attain the goal in a big 30 but IMO the nosler case really hits the sweet spot for 30s.

Were it me, id build a 30-28 nosler at 26-30 inches in a 1:8.5 twist running the 245 bergers or any of the other ICBM type bullets of 230 grains or more.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Beyond 2200-2300 yards, my choice would easily be 375s and up. The 338s work out to 2500 but it's getting iffy in wind and seeing hits. Besides seeing your hits/misses, beyond 2300 +/- yards, you'll need a heavier bullet. Pushing the .375s as fast as the 338 LM improved pushes the 300s really helps when you get past 1.5 miles. I'm happy with 2K being my maximum range. I'd be building a 375 if I shot much further. That's a rifle I just can't justify for how much I'd shoot it.

 

[jimbires]

in my 338 Lapua , I'm shooting 300 grain Bergers at 2939 FPS . we shoot 800 - 1600 from one position , then we move back and shoot the 1600 target from 2375 yards . I'm trying for 2 miles this year . I bought an adjustable mount for more elevation , I haven't shot it yet . I think it's the same mount @Rum Man is using .

 

[Mackinaw BOB]

Good luck

 

[VLD Pilot]

in my 338 Lapua , I'm shooting 300 grain Bergers at 2939 FPS . we shoot 800 - 1600 from one position , then we move back and shoot the 1600 target from 2375 yards . I'm trying for 2 miles this year . I bought an adjustable mount for more elevation , I haven't shot it yet . I think it's the same mount @Rum Man is using .

Who makes that mount ? I have a Field & Cave 50MOA. Gets my 338 improved out beyond 2000 yards at 1000' asl. Guessing it'll make 2500 with my scope and 20moa Stiller rail. Haven't shot quite that far yet.

 

[Gater]

What caliber is going to be the most consistent, easiest, cheapest to target shoot (not hunting) in the 500 to 2000 yds. Range?
Thanks!

There's nothing cheap about loading for long range especially 2000 yds

 

[Mike300wby]

What if we reduce to 700 to1800 yards max ?

 

[Longrangers]

Hands down the 338's is my choice !
But I have only been out to 3027 yards so far . Yes I do hand load and you will need to also , no question in that ..
I have 8.5 pound 338's up to 19.6 pound 338's . If your banging steel at 2000 yards you need a heavy bullet to see misses /impact ect.
I have had great success with a 300 Rum and 230 bergers on milk jugs at a mile (1760 yards ) Its going to cost you get considerably good at long range . This isn't a cheap passion for sure .
Target at 3027 yards ! Red arrow is my shooting position.
338 Edge , 300 gr bergers @ 2849 ft.per.sec

What load do you run in your edge?

 

[VLD Pilot]

What if we reduce to 700 to1800 yards max ?

300 PRC, 300 NM are two excellent options to 1800. 700-1200 most 6.5s-7mms work great.

 

[misterc01]

The old saying "Your options are: Good, fast, cheap - you get to pick two" fits very well here.

 

[Canhunter35]

I've used my 7rem mag with an 8twist and 180hybrids and 197smk out to a mile. The 197 has a g7 of .4. It would be the smallest bullet I would do for what you're wanting. 30cal, 338 have lots of good options. 30nos, 300prc, 300norma, and the biggest 30cal bullet
My rem mag is slinging the 197 at 2825fps, in warm weather at my altitude it's super sonic to 2000yds. About 2800density altitude anyways.

 

[PAGSDIII701]

Perhaps a Sherman Cartridge of the 300 Variety(?)

 

[Jeff Heeg osoh]

Another thing to consider is the round of choice you end up with is capable of preforming well in most conditions. Many folks claim they have shot at extended distances but fail to mentioned they waited until they had perfect conditions as far as wind. Finding a happy medium for a build that doesn't get to out of hand as performs well in most conditions and then find a twist that still allows a lead core bullet but still has enough to stabilize some of the solids that are available.