Long-range precision shooting, also known as sniping, is a complex art that requires years of practice, professional instruction, and meticulous attention to detail. While the marksman’s shooting ability is crucial to making an accurate shot, picking the right cartridge is just as important.
The right cartridge can help a marksman extend their effective range, enhance accuracy, or deliver the necessary stopping power to take down their target. This article will provide an in-depth overview of the 10 best sniper cartridges available on the market today so you can make the best decision when purchasing your next long-range shooting rifle.
If you simply cannot wait, the best overall sniper rifle cartridge is the 300 Winchester Magnum.
Ranking Procedure
We spent hours researching the top sniper rifle cartridges used for decades by militaries worldwide and the best long-distance cartridges used by skilled civilians for shooting competitions. We’ve fired many of these cartridges, plus spoken with experts to get their take on these rounds.
Top 10 Best Sniper Rifle Cartridges
| 300 Winchester Magnum | Best Overall |
|---|---|
| 6.5 Creedmoor | Best 6.5mm |
| 308 Winchester | Best Inexpensive Mid-Range |
| 300 PRC | Honorable Mention |
| 7.62x54R | Honorable Mention |
| 224 Valkyrie | Best Long-Range .22 Caliber |
| 338 Lapua Magnum | Best for 1,000 Yard Shots |
| 408 CheyTac | Honorable Mention |
| 416 Barrett | Honorable Mention |
| 50 BMG | Best for 2,000 Yard Shots |
.300 Winchester Magnum (300 Win Mag) - Best Overall
The .300 Winchester Magnum, also known as the 300 Win Mag, was released in 1963 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company initially as a big game hunting cartridge. Although not an immediate commercial success due to staunch competition from the 7mm Remington Magnum, the 300 Win Mag steadily grew in popularity and has become the most popular 30-caliber magnum cartridge on the planet.
Winchester developed the 300 Win Mag using the venerable 375 H&H Magnum as a parent case. Capable of firing bullets between 110 and 220 grains, the 300 Win Mag offers shooters unparalleled levels of versatility when it comes to bullet selection to take on big game from whitetail to moose.
In terms of performance, the 300 Win Mag is widely accepted to have a 1,200-yard effective range on two-legged varmints. However, when using extremely low-drag bullets like the 220 grain Sierra Matchking, military snipers have extended their range out to nearly 1,500 yards.
Offering a nearly 20% increase in muzzle energy over the 30-06 Springfield, the 300 Win Mag can take down any big game animal in North America and all but the largest game animals in Africa.
Although the 300 Win Mag is known for its flat trajectory and amazing terminal ballistics, shooters pay for this performance in terms of recoil. Capable of generating nearly 35 ft-lbs of free recoil or more depending on the load, the 300 Win Mag can be difficult for new or inexperienced shooters to handle.
However, compared to some of the heavy hitters we have on our top ten list (I’m looking at you, 50 BMG!), the 300 Win Mag has relatively mild recoil, especially when tamed with a muzzle brake or suppressor.
Given the popularity of the round, 300 Win Mag ammo is easy to find, and match-grade custom loads are readily available. Furthermore, 300 Win Mag ammo won’t break the bank if you’re looking to buy factory loads while reloading components are readily available.
When you add it all up, it should be no surprise that the 300 Winchester Magnum is our top choice for the best sniper rifle cartridge. It offers precision rifle shooters and military snipers exceptional downrange performance, stopping power, and effective range at a price point that can’t be beaten.
Recommended rounds: Federal 190 grain HPBT (Target Shooting) and Federal 180 grain TSX (Hunting).
6.5 Creedmoor (6.5 CM) - Best 6.5mm
The 6.5 Creedmoor is the cartridge that single-handedly started the 6.5mm cartridge love fest in North America. Introduced in 2007 by Hornady Ammunition, the 6.5 Creedmoor was the product of a gripe session between legendary shooter Dennis DeMille and Dave Emary, the senior ballistician of Hornady at the time.
What they produced was a cartridge that was low recoil, had a flatter trajectory than a 308 Winchester, and was capable of making 1,000-yard shots with relative ease. Extremely tight tolerances in the chamber throat design make the Creedmoor one of the most inherently accurate out of the box rounds available in the market today.
Although the 6.5 Creedmoor began its life as a competitive long-range shooting round, it found itself pushed into service as a hunting cartridge as well. It is extremely effective against whitetail, mule deer, and antelope with impressive terminal ballistics on these medium-sized game animals at longer ranges.
The 6.5 CM can be utilized against elk with proper shot placement and a proper hunting bullet. The Creedmoor’s long, aerodynamic projectiles have incredibly high ballistic coefficients and are typically found inside the 135 to 150 grain weight range.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has also received some attention by the U.S. military, as tests of the round by USSOCOM discovered that military snipers doubled their hit percentages at 1,000 yards when switching to the 6.5. Since the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to fit into a short-action rifle, it is suitable for use in the semi-automatic AR-10 as well as the Springfield M1A and the FN SCAR 20S.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the 6.5 CM is its low recoil impulse, making it easier for new or recoil-sensitive shooters to handle. Low recoil also aids in downrange accuracy, as shooters are less likely to develop a recoil-anticipation flinch.
Ammo for the 6.5 Creedmoor is easy to find and inexpensive, as it has quickly become the most popular 6.5mm cartridge in North America. Match-grade ammo is also readily available from multiple manufacturers and virtually every rifle company has multiple precision rifle options available chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Low recoil, inexpensive ammo, and an effective range of 1,000+ yards solidify the 6.5 Creedmoor into our #2 spot for the best sniper rifle cartridge available on the market today.
Recommended rounds: Hornady V-Match 100 grain ELD-VT (Target Shooting) and Winchester Expedition Big Game Long Range 142 grain AccuBond LR (Hunting).
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