Cartridge | Types, Calibers, Ballistics (2024)

FAQs

Cartridge | Types, Calibers, Ballistics? ›

Fastest equals flattest, and the . 220 Swift is STILL the fastest standard rifle cartridge. However, there is a real close second- the Remington Accelerator in 30–06.

Fastest equals flattest, and the . 220 Swift is STILL the fastest standard rifle cartridge. However, there is a real close second- the Remington Accelerator in 30–06.

Most military sniper school instructors would place the practical accuracy limit of the . 308 Winchester at around 700-800 yards, and it goes transonic at under 1,000 yards. But the 6.5 Creedmoor is an accurate 1000-yard-capable cartridge, remaining supersonic until 1,200+ yards.

Performance. The 6.5mm Creedmoor is a medium-power cartridge comparable to the .260 Remington and 6.5×47mm Lapua.

30-378 Weatherby Magnum is a long range cartridge. It is the most powerful - in terms of energy - . 30 caliber production cartridge available. It is also the flattest-shooting .

30-06 has been around for more than a century. To prove its popularity, just check out the Boone and Crockett Club's records. Based on their data, the . 30-06 has killed more record-book animals than any other single cartridge.

For shooting out to 1,000 yards, the 6mm Creedmoor is about ideal. There are plenty of factory guns and ammunition to choose from, and it is an easy cartridge to reload. For hunting at extended ranges, the 6.5 PRC and . 300 Win.

The most popular military sniper rifles (in terms of numbers in service) are chambered for 7.62 mm (0.30 inch) caliber ammunition, such as 7.62×51mm and 7.62×54mm R.

Kyle used this weapon for most of his sniping and stated he made most of his kills with it. He used the . 300 Winchester Magnum during a mission near the Euphrates River.

Is a 30-06 more powerful than a 6.5 Creedmoor? ›

The 6.5 Creedmoor launches a 120-grain bullet 2,875 feet-per-second (fps) at the muzzle for an energy output of 2,202 foot-pounds (ft. -lbs.). The . 30-06, on the other hand, launches a 165-grain bullet 2,800 fps at the muzzle for an energy output about 30% higher—2,872 ft.

U.S. Special Operations Command will wait for the Army's 6.8mm rifle and automatic rifle, but it's moving forward to adopt a new sniper support weapon chambered in the longer-range 6.5mm Creedmoor round.

A common criticism of the 6.5 Creedmoor is that it's not powerful enough to pass through big game animals. But all things being equal, says Outdoor Life Shooting Editor John B. Snow, a 6.5 bullet will out-penetrate many other bullets because of its sectional density.

At the top of our list, we have the . 50 Browning Machine Gun (. 50 BMG), powerful and long-range ammunition utilized in sniper rifles and various assault weapons. Originally designed for the Browning Machine Gun in the early 20th century, this ammunition has made its mark in military and civilian usage alike.

Consistent with other manufacturers, few projectiles of smaller caliber can compare. So if I wanted a cartridge for windy country and also wanted light recoil, I would choose a mild 6.5mm. It doesn't matter whether it's the 6.5mm Creedmoor, . 260 Rem., or the old 6.5x55.

308 Winchester, and . 358 Winchester. These are all high-velocity, flat-shooting cartridges suitable for long-range shooting. However, if you want the lowest recoil, your best choice is the 22-250 caliber Browning BLR Lever Action Rifle.

30-06 has earned its reputation for delivering a highly accurate shot. It shoots flat and often has less than one minute of angle. Even from a distance — up to 1,000 yards away — it's a reliable, long-range cartridge. It's ideal for targeting animals, like elk, that travel in tight groups.