2 Mile cartridges

[wjplohman]

I'm looking at putting together a 2 Mile gun. Trying to budget build as likely only have 1 or 2 oppurtunities per year.
Been looking at 37xc so a whole bunch of retooling regarding presses ETEC would not be ness. But looking up numbers I don't see too much difference in elevation , speed at target ETEC compared to sending my 300 Norma mag improved with 230 atips downrange at 3195. Obviously impacts would be easier to spot but is there that much real-world difference in wind drift variance ?

 

[Mfitz717]

Budget build and 2 mile shooting don’t go together very well from what I’ve read. Then again you may be on a different budget than me. I would think 338 and larger would be the way to go.

 

[284winner]

You'd need to go beyond 338 cartridges IMO. I think starting with the 375, 408, 416 would be the right choice for beyond 2500 yards. Sure people use the 338 in various cartridges but a bigger cartridge and bigger, heavier higher BC bullet is truly the better choice and NO the work budget does not fit into this choice.

 

[Longrange57]

I would get in touch with Alex Wheeler or Tom. Two miles is a game for big cartridges. I built a 28 Nosler 31 inch barrel and used 190 gr bullets. Only got on at 2,000 yds a few times in windy conditions. You can't see bullet splash. A friend shooting same days with 338 Lapua was having same issues. The 2 mile game is in a league of its own. I have shot with Libert O'Sullivan a few times. He has his own .375 cartridge and you can get to his website at 375 Libert. I shot his rifle as well and shooting a 375 gr bullet was hard to see. My personal opinion is whatever you choose, something 400 gr or above would be the way to go!

 

[doctahjones]

375 cheytac. I have hit at 2 miles with a 408 cheytac, but the bullet choices with that caliber are very small. There are other options, but you can get everything you need off the shelf with the 375ct (sizing dies, seating dies, annealing pilots, good brass, vast selection of bullets, etc.)

 

[FeMan]

You'd need to go beyond 338 cartridges IMO. I think starting with the 375, 408, 416 would be the right choice

^^^ I couldn't agree more. In ELR Heavy Gun ( which goes beyond 1.5 miles), I have never seen anyone shoot a 300 anything. And the few I have seen shoot 338s didn't fare well. Wind drift matters, but two things matter more: 1) how far a bullet travels before it goes transonic, and 2) how visible the impact splash is. The 400+ grain bullets in the BIG heavy guns win on both accounts.

 

[ISS]

It seems most of the Ko2Ms are won or lost on the first day. With that in mind, I would think if you have an accurate 300NMI you could be competitive...?

Or not.

School me those of you who have competed, and thanks.

 

[Ranger188]

A 300 NMI will shoot that far, but as others have stated, do you
have a way to spot hits? Camera or just driving back and forth?
Really big piece of metal?
Your 37XC would be the smallest choice if you need to stay at a certain price.
You must have the money to build a complete ELR rifle and going to a bigger caliber ( 408, 416 )
won't cost you much more for the once or twice a year you might shoot it.
Have you shot your 300 NMI at 1 mile?

 

[davidjoe]

I started the December 600 yard club match with a jackpot of $10 a bullet to the person putting a .375 Cheytac solid closest to the middle.

One person, one bullet drawn from a bag with a number on it to determine shooting order, on a pre zeroed gun. 10 of 12 in the match participated, including a junior girl, watching the shots on a ShotMatker.

Anybody can shoot one with a brake. I have shot this rifle at steel in Montana in the wind and it scored hits beyond all rhe smaller guns that day.

 

[284winner]

One mile is Nothing. Going from one mile to 2K is a bigger jump than most would think. Every few hundred yards past a mile is huge for even a 338 Lapua improved even. I shoot mine at 2K and on the absolutely perfect day it's competitive without a doubt. Throw some Ma nature in the mix and it's ugly. Heavier Higher BC bullets moving as fast or faster than my 338 set up blows away my 338 LI easily at 2500 yards. I'd opt for the .400 caliber cartridges for sure. The 375 Cheytac or Hellfire are definitely pulling a bunch of first place finishes currently. The 408/416 will absolutely replace the 375 as the most popular rifles used for 2 mile competitions eventually. Longer heavier bullets with higher BC numbers will show up for the 408. The 375 is faster and offers higher BC bullets today than the 408 making it better beyond 1500 yards currently. That will change IMO before long. That said, I'm putting together a 375 CT. Look forward to the end result.

 

[SKWERLZ]

338 will do it but spotting is difficult at times, especially with solids.
I’m slowly putting together a 37XC, any of the .375 or bigger is a good option but the 37xc with its Lapua boltface keeps costs down.

If your conditions are good your 300NM will absolutely get there, my first try at 2 miles was with a 7mm.

 

[Desert Fox]

37 XC would do it but spotting your miss will be difficult. 375 Cheytac with 400 grain CE solid at over 3000 fps will be your minimum caliber if you want to shoot 2 miles. Most K2M shooter now shoots bigger caliber from 416 on up to 458.