Quoted:
After 300 yards isn't time to go to the .308 or 06 or any of the popular caliber bolt/sniper guns. Under 300 I can see the point of a 5.56mm and 150 and under I can really see the advantages of it. I think the AR or AK-74 to be the best for CQB out too 150 yards.
What I'm trying to get too is why have a 5.56 long range 24 inch barrel set up gun, when you can have a bolt gun in .308+, or that 6.5mm thingy that all the guys use in the 1000 yard matches?
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While your are correct that the 6.5-08, 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 (IIRC, think that's the new hot caliber, gunsmith friend is shooting) are real group compressing rounds at the 1000 yard line, it is nice to have an AR that can get there fairly consistently too. I like slinging the mag-length 77 SMKs that far and on occasion can catch a "good-air day" when MOA 10 shot groups are possible, although their rare. While the heavier 80s and 90s do get there more consistently "tight", sometimes it's nice not having to single load rounds, at least I enjoy shooting them.[sniper2]
While I have no idea of how much damage the 77 or even the 80 or 90 grain rounds would actually do at that range, I dang sure wouldn't volunteer to find out, and have to believe it might "atleast" mess up a good day.[frag]
So while you see "no point" in having them, there are some of us enjoy tossing a few downrange, if for no other reason than to ride down on the 4 wheeler to find I put 10 in a tighter group than my dad, uncle or gunsmith friend. Braggin rights, don't cha know! Not to mention just the pure FUN of it.[banana]
Mike
PS - BTW, there's always time later to pull out my Rem 700 27+" Krieger barreled "custom" in 30-06 that'll come alot closer to 6.5mm calibers (listed above), which dominate the long range line, any of which will "out-shoot" the standard 308 NATO at that distance, IMO.