What Makes a Long-Range Cartridge?
Long-range cartridges typically employ heavy-for-caliber bullets. An easy example would be a .223 Remington with a 75-grain or heavier bullet. Most .223 ammunition uses bullets in the 55-grain class. The .308 Winchester typically uses 150 to 180-grain bullets, but both these cartridges do much better at farther distances when they are loaded on the heavier side.
Heavier bullets typically have better ballistic coefficients, which makes them more efficient – meaning they retain their velocity and energy for less drop and wind deflection.
Good long-range cartridges are often magnum cartridges. A .308 might do well at 500 yards, but a .300 Winchester Magnum will do much better with the same bullet, especially when loaded heavy. The large capacity of magnum cartridges gives them the horsepower to push bullets faster.
Retaining speed and energy are key to long-range hunting. Even a good hit on an animal might not be sufficient if the bullet has slowed down enough to be ineffective.
Big Game Cartridges
There is no lack of options for big game cartridges suitable for long-range hunting, though it might be just as important to ensure the barrel twist is adequate for the bullet you’d like to shoot. A .300 Winchester Magnum with a 1:10 twist is common and will likely do what you need for taking down deer and elk-sized animals at longer ranges.
Some of the more recent cartridges already account for this trend in long-range shooting. The PRC family from Hornady specifies fast twist rates for high-BC bullets. Whether you choose the 6.5mm, the 7mm, or .300 PRC, they can be used successfully for long-range big-game hunting.
The farther out you want to push, the bigger the cartridge you’ll want to use. We have used the .338 Lapua Magnum and the .300 Norma Magnum effectively on the largest of the deer family out to ranges like 700-800 yards.
Small Game Cartridges
Selecting an effective long-range cartridge for hunting smaller animals can be much easier. Often, it can be the same rifle and cartridge as your big game rifle, but there are many good options, especially if they are set up to shoot high-BC bullets.
One of the first to mind is a fast-twist .220 Swift like the one I built for my father. It pushes 75-grain ELDM bullets over 3,300 fps and will split a groundhog in twain from half a mile away.
Another option is the 6mm Creedmoor. Hornady’s 108-grain ELDM match ammunition carries over 1,000 pounds of energy beyond 500 yards – more than enough to take down a coyote or other pests.
There are other fantastic choices, typically in the .224 and .243 bore sizes. The .22 ARC is another good option with the horsepower to keep high-BC bullets like the 88-grain ELDM above 2,000 fps even at 500 yards.
Picking a Long-Range Rifle
Since most manufacturers offer short and long-action rifles in the same series, it’s easy to recommend one. For example, I like the Ruger American Gen II as an entry-level rifle that most folks can justify. The rifle offers good accuracy and customization, which long-range shooters love. It can be had in most any popular caliber from .22 ARC up to 7 PRC.
A step up in both quality and price would be the Tikka CTR. It’s also available in a variety of good long-range calibers like the .243 Winchester and with an upgraded 1:8 barrel twist. Or, you could go with the 6.5 PRC option for more range and power. Tikkas have excellent aftermarket support for those looking to customize their long-range hunting rifle.
Another step toward the pinnacle would be the Seekins Havak PH3 series of rifles. With exceptional quality and guaranteed accuracy, as well as long-range heritage, these rifles offer a great value. They’re built by folks who know what long-range hunters are after. You can select from any number of great long-range calibers and different barrel lengths to optimize your experience.
One Rifle to Rule Them All?
Like a diamond among turds, so many shooters are looking for the do-it-all rifle – the rifle that can do everything we’ve mentioned so far. By this point, many hunters are looking at custom rifles or high-end production options. Years ago, I too found myself looking for a gun that could cover all my bases.
Eventually, I found it in the Desert Tech SRS M2. This bolt-action precision rifle can change from one caliber to another in under a minute. If that isn’t enough, the rifle doesn't require re-zeroing after changes.
To be fair, this option is a bit spendier than most shooters would like, and it’s heavier than most hunting rifle options. But its impressive accuracy and modularity make it worth it, in my opinion.
I have hauled the rifle all over the mountains hunting deer, elk, prairie dogs, coyotes, and groundhogs. The ability to swap it from something like a 6 Creedmoor up to a 7 PRC or .300 Norma makes it exceptional, and the tiny groups it shoots make hitting your target much more consistent.
Final thoughts
Whatever you end up choosing, let me make a few suggestions. Long-range hunting requires diligence and practice, so use something that is pleasant for you to use often. You won’t practice with something you don’t enjoy.
Don’t expect a magnum super-cartridge to make up for your lack of practice. Find something that works for you and is affordable enough to allow you to become skilled at hitting your point of aim. I’d rather be a crack-shot with a $500 Ruger than a questionable shooter with a $5,000 custom rig. Let us know what you chose for your long-range hunting setup.
