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?  

prairie dogs, etc.

plus the competitions

1) AR is a relativley inexpensive and available semiauto

2) Accuracy with heavy rounds is acceptable

3) Light recoil lets you comfortably shoot all day

... IBTL

To covey rise in case you didnt know it rifle teams use the AR in the camp perry national matches and at distances of 1000 yds wich you can get excellent accuracy out of a 20"barrel with matchgrade ammo using heavier bullets.If you are talking about killing power out to those ranges of 600 yds and beyond then a .308 or 30.06 or what have you is more relevant.Remeber a 14.5" M4 barrel gives the same performance as the fullsize rifle out to 400 yds although its most effective under 100yds.

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.    

I have had a couple of small varmit kills at 400+ with my 20" barrel A2 using loads for the Hornady 60g V-max bullet.  Of course the laser range finder came in handy.  

In competition, I have been learning the 80g Sierra MK and have been impressed with its wind bucking ability at 600yds using my service match rifle.  Haven't had the nerve yet to try the 1,000yd target with it though.

Bullet fragmentation, 20" vs 14.5"?


Oops, is this about bullet trajectory?  [peep]

Why????? Why not!

in addition to the the excellent answers already posted, in reference to combat tactic capabilities, it allows you to lay down accurate suppressive fire, harrass, and cause considerable interference(casualities) to 'enemy' activities at much greater ranges. Even if the bullets aren't packing much of a punch, it can cause near paralysis to have rounds whizzing by ones' head.