Stock:Most long range capable?

[Gdbyrd]

Out of the stock calibers available from T/C, and out of a stock barrel..what are people finding to be one of the most long range capable pistol barrels?  I'm thinking some have to be better than others...I can't count the number of articles boasting on the accuracy of the .308 and 7mm/08, but I can't think of any for the .243 or 22-250...

It might just be that the other two are just more popular, so they're more tried.

[xphunter]

for hunting or for paper and steel?
Your 06 based cartridges and the belted magnum cartridges (factory TC rifle length barrels shortened) will be the best since they have more powder capacity.  This is assuming the barrel is accurate enough.
Could someone list all of the factory cartridges TC chambers in 308 win capacity and above?

[Gdbyrd]

Just strictly accuracy, only paper punching.  I tried looking around for a list of calibers but didn't have much luck : /

[SD Handgunner]

For T/C Encores

In Handgun Length Barrels:

.204 Ruger
.223 Remington
.243 Winchester
.25-06 Remington
6.8mm Remington SPC
.270 Winchester
7mm-08 Remington
.308 Winchester
.30-06 Springfield
.375 JDJ
.44 Remington Magnum
.45 Colt / .410 Shotshell
.45/70 Government
.460 S&W
.500 S&W Muzzle Tamer

In Rifle Length Barrels:

204 Ruger
22 Hornet
22-250 Rem
223 Rem
243 Win
25-06 Rem
6.8 Rem
270 Win
7mm-08 Rem
7mm Rem Mag
280 Rem
300 Win Mag
30-06 Sprgfld
308 Win
338 Win Mag
375 H&H Mag
375 JDJ
405 Win
416 Rigby Pro Hunter w/ muzzletamer
45/70 Gov't
460 S&W
500 S&W

This is what I had copied off of T/C's web site for Factory Available Chamberings a while back. Not sure if this is a complete list or not, but what I had.

Larry

[xphunter]

25-06 Remington
270 Winchester
30-06 Springfield
Depending on the twist of the 243 Win you may be able to use it, but I doubt if it has a 1-8 twist.

Then if you wanted to chop and recrown a factory rifle barrel:
7mm Rem Mag
280 Rem
300 Win Mag

My favorite in the group would be the 280 (chopped/recrowned) pushing 162 A-Max's or the 175-180 VLD's (for instance Berger 7mm 180 grain BC .698) depending on twist rate.
Out to 1k the 162 A-Max would be the better choice than the 180 Berger since wind defelction is all but the same, the 162 is flatter.  When you start getting beyond 1k it becomes all about BC as one MPH wind changes will move bullets 2.5 feet at the one mile mark.
25-06 could be real good to depending on twist rate.
The 270 Win & 7RM are surely up there, but there are not a lot of great high BC bullets in 270 but some (Horn 150 SST .525 BC , 150 NBT .496, 135 SMK .488)
I'm talking about ranges out to 1K or a little further.
The 7RM would be the king as long as you are content to not run it as hard and just look for the most accurate load.  You may not get that much better performance out of it for the extra powder and you cannot run a 7RM as hard as you can a 280 Rem in a Encore (been there and tried that ).

All listed will get to 1k.

[Redhawk1]

I can't count the number of articles boasting on the accuracy of the .308 and 7mm/08, but I can't think of any for the .243 or 22-250...

It might just be that the other two are just more popular, so they're more tried.

I have written several posts about the accuracy of my 22-250 Encore barrel. I shoot golf balls at 200 yards with it. It is a very accurate barrel.

[SD Handgunner]

For the last year or so I have been working with a buddies 15" .243 Encore Handgun. While I have not done any long range Target Shooting with it, I have been totally pleased with the 100 yard groups I have been getting with it and the performance of the loads I have tested. I did use this Handgun this past Deer Season to harvest 2 Whitetail Does in excess of 200 yards. One was a one shot kill with good bullet performance. The other one was a bit more complicated as just as I started squeezing the trigger the Doe started walking and as a result I hit her too far back. Even given the wrong shot placement she never ran, but rather walked and I was able to finish her off with the next shot.

55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip VARGET 3240 FPS            
70gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip / Federal Premium Factory Load 3074 FPS         
80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer H-4895 2920 FPS            
90gr. Swift Scirocco H-4350 2635 FPS            
95gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip H-4350 2717 FPS         
100gr. Federal HiShok Pointed Soft Point Factory Load 2536 FPS

Larry

[xphunter]

Larry
My guess is that it is a 1-10 twist.
If you could stabilize a 105/107 VLD (Usually a 1-8 twist) @ 2600 fps for a MV you would be above supersonic @ 1K.
Still that 95 NBT should do well out to 700 yards or so.
One goal is to stay above subsonic speeds while the next goal is to stay out of the transonic range (a couple of hundred feet per second above subsonic/supersonic mark).
elevation (or lower barometric pressure) can be a huge help here also.

This is going to be one of my biggest challenges for my 2k PD goal is I will be above subsonic speeds @ 2k with "Puf" but I will certainly be in the transonic range.  The experts say that some turbulence begins @ transonic speeds, but each bullet handles it differently.
Hopefully by PD time my 200 grain Wildcats will have poly tips which will bump the BC up

[SD Handgunner]

Ernie I have never tried to measure the twist rate in this barrel but I too am betting it is a 1 in 10". Although Ruger switched from 1 in 10" to 1 in 9" twist on their .243's.

I guess I never plan on shooting at anyhwere close to those ranges and I am sure the owner of the .243 won't either. However your remarks about the bullets staying above or below the speed of sound are quite valid and can easily be demonstrated with a .22 LR. Yes they indeed go throgh a turblance in the transition.

Currently I am totally pleased with 300 yards or a little more for most of my shooting with my centerfires.

Larry

PS I talked to Kim about the .284, and he had quite a few interesting things to say. I'll shoot you an e-mail when I get time.

[xphunter]

I love these kind of discussions because LR shooting and what goes with it is my hobby.
Here are some other things that can be vital to getting there:
Typically need 1/4 minute or better accuracy @ 100 to shoot sub 10" groups @ 1,000 yards.  So if you find a factory barrel that is chambered in one of the above cartridges and can stabilize some of the higher BC bullets-keep it
You will need a solid rest system that will help you be repeatable-My preference is the Bower Rest System.  The BRS all but takes away your vertical stringing.
Mounting system that will get you to 1k-Burris rings with inserts is the cheapest and best way to go.
Trigger job-light as possible and yet still safe.
Optics- you can shoot sub 10" groups with the Burris 3-12 LER.  My 11 year old (then) shot a couple of 10" groups at 1k with about 5 witnesses (one a 3-shot group the other a 4-shot group) using the BRS and the 3-13 Burris and he wasn't shooting an XP-100 either.  Of course good shooting form is needed, but the BRS even helps make up for some form issues.
Good loading practices are also important.