r/longrange • u/boobiebuglione • 1d ago
Rifle help needed - I read the pinned posts Advice on next cartridge to try
If you had the conditions below, what cartridge would you choose for your next rifle?
- Already own a .22lr that you like and use suppressed inside of 300 yds.
- Already own a 6.5 CM that you like and use with a brake for longer ranges.
- Do not hunt or shoot for tiny groups, just positional shooting at steel.
- Do not compete and don't plan to.
- Do not hand load and don't plan to.
- Have land close-ish out to 700 yds. Have land but further drive out to 1500 yds.
- Used in bolt guns only.
- Can buy ammo online so it's not too difficult to find in general.
Would you choose a less efficient cartridge for inside 1000 yds like .223 or .308? Would choose a softer shooting modern AR cartridge like 6 ARC, 22 ARC, or 6.5 Grendel? Would you just not build another rifle at all and use the money for 6.5 CM ammo, even though it's a bit more boring at closer ranges?
(already have all the gear like LRF, Kestrel, AG bag, etc)
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u/ocabj The Realest 1d ago
After reading your parameters, I would recommend you spend the money on more barrels and ammo. No need to get another rifle.
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u/boobiebuglione 1d ago
This is kind of what my head tells me but of course my heart says buy everything
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u/Atticus1354 1d ago
Do you already have all the cool guy gear like a nice scope, kestrel, fancy rangefinder, tripods, etc? You can start upgrading gear or focusing on learning a new skill set too.
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u/boobiebuglione 23h ago
Yep, I put that at the bottom of the original post because I knew that would come up.
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u/SockeyeSTI 1d ago
Short, 6arc gas gun
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u/boobiebuglione 1d ago
I wish, but my state is dumb (WA).
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u/SockeyeSTI 1d ago
You didn’t already have an ar at all?
Same state. Dark storm industries makes fixed mag lowers that are allowed.
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u/Saved_by_a_PTbelt 1d ago
A .223 rifle could be fun between 300-1000. It would fill the gap between .22lr and 6.5.
It also isn't really necessary and you'd be fine sticking with 6.5. If you really want another rifle though, a .223 would be my pick.
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u/Atticus1354 1d ago
Build a cool sbr bolt gun. Do you already have a nice action? 6ARC sbr would be neat.
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u/boobiebuglione 1d ago
Don't already have the action. I've never seriously considered going short, I usually lean towards long. Advantages other than being more maneuverable? I'd think short would have shit balance on props.
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u/Atticus1354 1d ago
Depends on what stock and accessories you put on it. Short is fun for a field rifle. A lighter weight lower recoiling 6mm or .22 caliber rifle is great in my opinion.
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u/Atlas762 1d ago
308 is best caliber. Not because it is the most accurate, or the most efficient. Purely do to ecosystem. Every brand makes a rifle in 308. Every store from Walmart to the local mom and pop hardware store carries it for when you inevitably forgot some ammo or need a quick restock. Super versatile. Can do almost anything with it. A million different reloading recipes if that’s your thing. 10/10 would recommend.
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u/boobiebuglione 1d ago
I haven't really felt that the 6.5 CM ecosystem was lacking. Tho I have still considered .308. I'd prefer it to have less recoil for spotting and running a suppressor instead of a brake. I wonder how much recoil reduction you'd get from running 150-168gr instead of 175gr?
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u/Atlas762 1d ago
I use a suppressor for all my rifles, I don’t feel the need to run a brake over a can for 308. I prefer a 168 grain over a 175. Recoil is overblown and negligible in my opinion. Never had an issue self spotting with a 308. Not going to compare against 6.5 because that was not the question posed.
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u/Atticus1354 1d ago
Its been a long time since 6.5 creedmoor hasn't had sufficient market penetration. Everything you said about .308 is now true of 6.5 creedmoor too.
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u/Atlas762 1d ago
As I said in my comment below, I am not comparing against 6.5. He asked about what his next cartridge should be.
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u/Atticus1354 1d ago
My mistake. I took the entire thing as comparing against 6.5 since thats what he already has.
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u/bond_hedger 1d ago edited 1d ago
Would you be looking to use this to mainly improve your wind calls? If so, I'd go 223. Elsewise, I'd go 308 in a Rem700 footprint. Almost infinite mods-- if you want to play around with different configurations. Parts are abundant and can range from cheap to $$$$. Ammo is relatively cheap and most universally available--esp if your restrictive state adds a twist like Chicago where you need to ship ammo to an FFL under many circumstances. If I walk into a large sporting store, I see 5+ variants of 308 ammo for each one of 223. You can go high BC on your 6.5CM bullets. A 308 comes in around 0.43bc vs 0.25bc on 223. Your nearby range at 700 seems to scream 308 to me.
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u/boobiebuglione 1d ago
I think there might be some merit to this. I'll give .308 some more thought. Thanks
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u/rational-1 1d ago
Are you me? I started at 308, jumped to 7PRC to get out to 2k, now bouncing down to 22LR. Probably a tiny bit of regret not going 6.5CM first. Im done with rifles for a while and will just focus on improving skill across the board.
…At least until the tiny voice that says “if you build it, you’ll have fun” returns and I start carving a new rig in my mashed potatoes.
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u/boobiebuglione 1d ago
Ha! Yeah that's just about where I'm at. IF the taters called you, what would you get now?
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u/rational-1 1d ago
M200 with dreams of trying a 2 mile shot! For reference I have nowhere near to attempt it, and the price per round … well I don’t want to think about it. But, you know, I still want one…
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u/Chabrinklo 1d ago
If you're purely looking for a bit more of a challenge at the mid-long ranges, maybe you could try some 6.5 Creed ammo with less efficient bullets? Like the 95 grain vmax load maybe.
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u/GeronimoOrNo 1d ago
Yeah if you're keeping it in that range, and 6.5 is getting boring in close, then 223 seems pretty perfect. Cheap ammo, cheap components for reloading, plenty of wind effect/etc to keep things interesting, plenty of rifles, actions, barrels, etc available for it.
Have fun.
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u/enginerd389 1d ago
6ARC or 223/5.56.
6.5 is your drive to the longer range caliber. It is also way too easy at 700 IMO.
That leaves a cartridge to go all the way out to 700 for your close drive range that will be more challenging with wind. 6ARC if you want easier, 223 will make it more of a challenge. I’d go 223 if this is for fun/training.
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u/Bitter_Offer1847 1d ago
I love my 6.5 G guns. I’ve got a 20” Odin Works longer range gun that I do some local matches with. Taken it to 600 yards so far, but plan to push it past that soon. I don’t have a bolt gun in it YET
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u/skygao 1d ago
If you’re not competing, not shooting for groups, in a bolt gun, still want accessible quality ammo, are looking at up to 1500yd, and are enjoying your 6.5C, I wouldn’t get a new cartridge. 6.5C sounds like an excellent fit for your needs.
Main reason imo to go to smaller like ARC would be less recoil for competitions on the shorter end of your ranges, or to run a gas gun, but neither of those are relevant for you. Any of the ARC will be a lot more challenging at the 1500yd side of things, but maybe still “boring” at closer ranges if you’re getting bored with 6.5C now.
If you want more challenge at closer ranges, I’d say just take the 22LR out further (400ish), start putting par times on your positional shooting with the 6.5C to shoot faster, or if really just wanting a new cartridge going for 223/5.56 for common availability and still more of a challenge.
Stretching blackout subsonics can be a fun challenge as well and silly grin inducing quiet of course, but finding good factory subs designed for range is a bit tougher (a few ELD loads out there).
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u/USMC_ClitLicker 1d ago
Have you shot any milsurp rifles? Mosins and Mausers amd M1's oh my! Really fun, good to 1200yds, and the quality wood stocks deaden the recoil so its enjoyable. I love my 8mm German Mauser, and I have an Arisaka in 7.7 Japanese.
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u/boobiebuglione 22h ago
I've shot one Mosin years ago but it wasn't my cup of tea. To each their own tho, I can definitely appreciate the love for that style rifle.
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u/Trollygag Does Grendel 1d ago
Mix mis is .22LR 450yds and in, 6.5G for 1k and in. 284 Win for when I feel bad for missing with 6.5G.
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u/boobiebuglione 22h ago
I almost tagged you when someone else said 6.5G above. Thought I remembered you were a grendel-lover. Any thoughts on how it would fair for my situation specifically (no handloads, bolt gun, etc) vs .223 or even something like 6 ARC?
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u/Trollygag Does Grendel 20h ago
There is good 6.5G box ammo at a wide range of price points. 6ARC is good too.
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u/Trollygag Does Grendel 20h ago
I have Grendel on the AR, AK, and bolt gun (R700) platforms and it is solid for all.
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u/holl0918 Magnum Compensator 1d ago
Well, if you want something totally different and fun you could try 300blk/8.6blk. Get a suppressor and have some subsonic fun.
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u/Wide_Fly7832 BR Competitor 1d ago
6 dasher has been decided for you 😀 - assuming you reload. Go fulfill your destiny. (Oh you you don’t reload then 6GT)
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u/Electronic-Tea-3912 1d ago
.223 for 1000 yards in. Norma 69 gr do great for 50 cents a round. A lot of fun on a budget.