Best long range rifle caliber?

[BerksCountyDave]

My buddy just bought a place with a ton of land, and he's going to be building a firing range on his property with rifle ranges out to 800 yards. My only center fire rifle right now is an AR-15. Is the .223 a good choice for long distance shooting out past 500 yards, or is there something else more suited to it? .22-250 maybe?

Thanks
Dave

[Kaos]

For CMP people shoot the .223/5.56 out to 600, but in the 70+ gr variety.

If you want "sniper" like accuracy you're going to have to move up in caliber or set your AR up for that distance of shooting (new barrel likely)

[whoshisface]

.50 BMG

[BerksCountyDave]

For CMP people shoot the .223/5.56 out to 600, but in the 70+ gr variety.

If you want "sniper" like accuracy you're going to have to move up in caliber or set your AR up for that distance of shooting (new barrel likely)

Thanks for the tips. Maybe a complete .308 upper for the AR outfitted with a higher power scope?

[Koli01]

With the info you provided.
I would suggest a .243 or 6 mm.
They have very good ballistics. Shoot flat and have enough wt that they are less effected by wind.
They are a small enough round that you can shoot them all day without turning your shoulder purple.

[sutehk]

Thanks for the tips. Maybe a complete .308 upper for the AR outfitted with a higher power scope?

You will need a new lower as well. The mag well on the AR-10 (.308) is larger than that of the AR-15.

edit: The .260 Remington might be a good choice too. Similar to the 6.5-284. I have no personal experience with it, just things I've read.

[Koli01]

You will need a new lower as well. The mag well on the AR-10 (.308) is larger than that of the AR-15.

edit: The .260 Remington might be a good choice too. Similar to the 6.5-284. I have no personal experience with it, just things I've read.

I have heard good things about the .260 Rem also. Friend of mine just built one that he used on prairie dogs and I think took his antalolpe with it in WY.

[-JD-]

Thanks for the tips. Maybe a complete .308 upper for the AR outfitted with a higher power scope?

.308 "ARs" are a whole different game. Due to the longer cartridge length, the lowers and uppers do not mate with "standard" ARs. Some parts are interchangeable, some aren't and that depends somewhat on what pattern you decide to go with.

Lots of info here http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=62&t=378850 if you are think along those lines.

In the end, I decided to order and build a stripped DPMS lower (best prices I've seen @ http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=308-LR-05) and complete Fulton Armory upper.

[BerksCountyDave]

Wow thanks for all the quick replies guys! The range probably won't be ready until Spring, so I have plenty of time to tinker with the idea. It doesn't have to be an AR platform rifle. A bolt gun would be just fine. I'd just like something that:

1. Can hit accurately from 500-800 yards when I do my part
2. Has reloading components fairly readily available
3. Comes in under $1,000 for the base gun before scope.


Speaking of scopes, what's a good one for shooting at these kinds of distances?

[RedKnightt]

Mosin Nagant