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5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem)The .223 is used for law enforcement applications, largely because some agencies fear the over penetration of the .308 round in hostage type situations. The .223 generally splinters on impact, allowing almost no excess penetration that could possibly hit innocents, such as hostages. But with this fragmentation and lack of penetration comes a necessity for more precise shot placement, leaving almost no room for error. The .223 has a small temporary wound channel (Stretch cavity), requiring almost a direct hit on the spinal stem in order to get "lights out" on a target. The lighter .223 bullet is very susceptible to the effects of wind, which really limits its long range potential. While it is possible to achieve acceptable accuracy at 600 meters on a calm day, it is to risky on the windy days to really consider this round for military sniping purposes. Due to the lack of penetration and lack of energy, the .223 should only be used in very rare circumstances and only on head shots. There is more then one instance when a target has been shot with a perfectly placed center mass shot, and it failed to incapacitate him. Note: In order to stabilize the 69-gr. Bullets and heavier, the twist on the rifle barrel needs to be at least 1:8" Recommendation: only use the .223 within 100 meters and only take head shots if at all possible. If the .223 is all that your unit has in the way of a sniper rifle, be sure to keep in mind the limitations of the round.
Ballistics: Some possible rounds and their ballistics have been listed below. Military Applications Federal Gold Medal match - 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) 69gr 3000fps Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy - (Muzzle: 1380 ft-lbs.)
Wind Drift (Inches) - 10mph Crosswind
Law Enforcement Applications Federal Premium - 55gr Sierra Gameking BTHP 3240fps Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy - (Muzzle: 1280 ft-lbs.)
Wind Drift (Inches) - 10mph Crosswind
Return to Top The .243 falls right in-between the .223 and the .308. The .243 has less recoil then the .308, and yet it sends bullets down range at near .223 speeds, with twice the bullet weight. This flat shooting cartridge Doesn't suffer from some of the over penetration problems of the .308 and it doesn't suffer from some of the under penetration problems of the .223. In reality, this round is very suitable for the Law Enforcement arena. While there is no match grade ammo for the .243, there is quite a few premium quality loads out there. The .243 has never been used in any military rifle, but it would lend itself well to the 500-meter sniping role. Recommendation: The .243 would be an excellent Law Enforcement sharpshooter caliber. It provides good energy and good trajectory with some mid weight bullets. There is no over penetration concerns in the military (At least not generally) so really there isn't any Military use for the .243, anything the .243 can do, the .308 can do also, and at greater ranges. Ballistics: Military Applications Note: There really is no Military application for the .243 since there is no military rifles chambered for the .243. I'll provide a suitable longer ranged round that would make a nice 500 meter sniping round. The selected bullet is a Soft Point, which is illegal to use in combat (Both The Hague and Geneva Convention) Federal Premium - .243 100gr Sierra Gameking BTSP, at 2960fps Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy (Muzzle - 1950 Ft-Lbs.)
Wind Drift (Inches) 10mph Crosswind
Law Enforcement Applications Note: I have chosen the 70gr ballistic tip round for my Law Enforcement round. I chose this round for its high speed, which equates to lower flight time, which is highly desirable when dealing with a Hostage type situation, there is less time for a target to move, and a victim to get in the way. Another reason for the ballistic tip is that they rapidly expand upon impact, allowing for less penetration, reducing the possibility of over-penetration casualties. Federal Premium - .243 70gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, at 3400fps Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy (Muzzle - 1795 Ft-Lbs.)
Wind Drift (Inches) 10 mph Crosswind
The 6.5 is somewhat of a new possibility to the sniping arena. Until recently the 6.5 has never really been considered, although to serious long range shooters its no real surprise. The 6.5 has long been know for its excellent accuracy. And especially now with the introduction of Federal's Gold Medal Match load, the 6.5 should be seriously considered for sniping. I can really see the benefits in Law Enforcement applications, as it generally shoots a lighter bullet then the .308, but heavier then the .243, falling nicely right in between. The only problem I can foresee is the lack of sniper grade weapons chambered for the 6.5. But most of the custom sniper rifle manufacturers will chamber their rifles in any caliber the purchaser wants (Sometimes for a small additional fee). Hopefully rifle manufacturers will realize the great potential of the 6.5 and start to produce their sniper rifles in 6.5. Recommendation: The 6.5x55m makes a great Law Enforcement round, and the Federal Match load matches the .308 Fed Match (168gr) exactly but with a 120gr bullet. This shows just how efficient the round is, usually heavier bullets retain velocity better, and are less susceptible to wind, but the 6.5 load performs equally to the .308. But because the 6.5 is a lighter bullet, it produces a chunk less energy at long ranges, probably reducing its effective range to about 650 - 700 meters. The .308 gets the edge for military applications, but I believe the 6.5 has got an edge in a Law Enforcement situation. Ballistics: Military Applications Note: Included is two match loads, the Sierra with 120gr Sierra Match King and the PMC with a 140gr Sierra Match king. Both rounds perform well in military applications out to about 700 meters.
Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy (Muzzle: Fed -1800 Ft-Lbs., PMC - 2037)
Wind Drift (Inches) 10mph Crosswind
Law Enforcement Applications Note: Once again I have chosen the Sierra Game King bullet, this time loaded by PMC. It’s a 140gr version this time. This should be another outstanding round for the 6.5x55mm. Another very good choice would be the Federal Match 120gr listed above. While the Match King's don't expand as well, it is 20gr lighter, and should fragment on impact, reducing the penetration. PMC Silver Line 6.5x55mm Swedish - 140gr Sierra Game King (SPBT) at 2560fps Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy (Muzzle - 2037 Ft-Lbs.)
Wind Drift (Inches) 10 mph Crosswind
Return to Top The inclusion of the .303 British in my list of sniping calibers is based solely on its historical significance. As far as I can tell, there is no current sniper rifles chambered in the legendary .303. The reason is simply because the .308 (7.62x51 NATO) out performs the .303 in every aspect. The .303 saw extensive action in WWI and WWII as a sniping round, especially in the No 4 Mk1 (T). This rifle/ammo combination was an exceptional performer, and served the British troops until well after WWII, when the L42A1 was adopted (The L42A1 was a modified No4 Mk1 (T) with a shorter fore-end, and chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO) Recommendations: This round is used primarily in the 'Historic' sniper rifles, but in reality, it would serve just fine in both a limited military role and in a Law Enforcement situation. It doesn't penetrate as much as the .308 but still yields good energy. The only problem is finding rifles in this caliber. Military Applications Note: The only match ammo loaded for the .303, which I know of, is made by PMC. PMC Silver Line Match .303, 174gr Sierra Match King - 2425fps Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy (Muzzle - 2272 Ft.-Lbs.)
Law Enforcement Applications Note: I chose the PMC Silver Line 180gr Sierra Game King (SPBT) round due to the fact that most other manufacture's .303 loads are designed for hunting that requires deep penetration, something you try to avoid in Law Enforcement Sharpshooting. The SPBT should be a acceptable combination, but the above Match Ammo might also be considered for Law Enforcement applications. PMC Silver Line .303, 180gr Sierra Game King (SPBT) - 2450fps Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy (Muzzle - 2399 Ft.-Lbs.)
Return to Top I initially did not include the 7mm Rem Mag in my ammo section because it really does not serve in the sniping community very often. But I have recieved so many questions concerning the 7mm for sniping applications that I decided to go ahead and add it. Like I said, the 7mm has not gained wide acceptance as a sniping round, and the primary reason is because anything the 7mm can do, the .300 Win Mag does better. The 7mm doesn't kick as much but it shoots lighter bullets then the .300, which allows for quicker bleed off of energy, and greater suseptability to wind drift at longer ranges. With the right ammo, the 0-600 meter ballistics are VERY impressive. The 7mm is easily capable of 1000 meter shooting, but it falls short of the .300, while steadily outpacing the .308 (Which really shouldn't surprise anyone). Recommendation:The 7mm is recommended for military applications out to 1000 meters. But keep in mind, she sure kicks a bunch more then the .308, so be careful your team(s) doesn't develope a flinch. Because the 7mm shoots the lighter bullets at higher velocities, it is better suited to the law enforcment arena then the .300. But there is still a lot of power there, and you'll NEED to watch the over penetration issue. Military Applications Note: The Federal Premium 165gr GameKing was choosen for my military application round because it offers really nice downrange ballistics. It was the best available considering no Match ammo is readily available. Federal Premium 7mm Remington Magnum 165gr Sierra Game King SPBT at 2950fps Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy (Muzzle - 3190Ft.-Lbs)
Wind Drift (Inches) 10mph Crosswind
Law Enforcement Applications Note: I have chosen another ballitic tip round, rapid expansion, minimal penetration. Federal Premium 7mm Rem Mag - 150 Nosler Ballistictip at 3110fps
Bullet Drop (Inches)
Energy (Muzzle : 3220 Ft.-Lbs.)
Wind Drift (Inches) 10mph Crosswind
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Common
Sniping Calibers