Long range practice? Ammo suggestions

[swampy14]

I have a range at the ranch I work on that goes out to a mile. I’m putting together a 20” (w/ a can) 6.5cm who’s primary duty is shooting whitetail out to 300-350yds.

As far as hunting/practice ammo
I currently use a Barnes 127 lrx monos and for hunting it’s been great, but it’s not an ideal long range bullet. So I’m looking into trying factory 130 terminal ascent, Berger 135 hybrid or the Berger 156 eol.

I like the idea of practicing with hunting ammo to know exactly what my dope is at every distance. Or should I get “target” ammo like Hornady Match or federal gold metal match and practice with that?

 

[Matt5266]

Pick 1 ammo and stick with it. Learn your wind and drop. Out of the choices you gave and your given purpose my vote is for the 156 Berger

 

[Kurts86]

I rather like the 140 gr Hornady American gunner for less expensive 6.5 long range ammo since you can get it for just over $1/round with better accuracy and BC that the cost indicates.

 

[hereinaz]

I'd practice with the Hornady American Gunner, but switch to a different hunting bullet. You can have serious problems switching between copper and lead bullets. Best practice is to clean out the copper when switching between them.

 

[swampy14]

I'd practice with the Hornady American Gunner, but switch to a different hunting bullet. You can have serious problems switching between copper and lead bullets. Best practice is to clean out the copper when switching between them.

This I knew. I have one rifle that uses the monos. The ammo would be for a different rifle that’s in the works.

I like the penetration with monos but don’t like the lack of BC and SD for long range.

 

[swampy14]

Pick 1 ammo and stick with it. Learn your wind and drop. Out of the choices you gave and your given purpose my vote is for the 156 Berger

This is applied ballistics based on what I think MV and shooting conditions will be. But the Berger 156 starts slow but holds onto it like a s.o.b.

I will like to go out west but that’s way down the line. Focus right now is whitetail in Texas

 

[WoolyBugger]

I use the eldm for target and hunting and just stick with that. Another option is to practice with 223.

 

[JMundy84]

Id get the Hornady match with eld-m and just use it for everything

 

[swampy14]

I have a box of 140gr eldm that I haven’t used yet.

I do practice with a .22 and a 223. But it was more so geared to building confidence in a weapon system