Long range .224

[Tony22-250]

Im just wondering if there are any Long range .224 cal clubs or associations? You know like out past 600 yards where it takes real skill to place shots with small light grain low BC .224 cal rounds.

[muddober]

Originally Posted by Tony22-250

Im just wondering if there are any Long range .224 cal clubs or associations? You know like out past 600 yards where it takes real skill to place shots with small light grain low BC .224 cal rounds.

Tony: I live in the high desert of Nevada and have been shooting at long range for years. While I like my 220 Swift for ground squirrels and jackrabbits in my view it is more luck and not so much skill that comes into play beyond 400 yards. I must admit the heaviest .224 bullet I shoot is 60 grains. When reaching beyond 400 yards I like 100 grain .257 bullets that go 3800 fps from my 257 STW. The .224 bullets just don't have the wind bucking capabilities and retained energy as does the much heavier 257 bullet. I also have a 6mmX284 and with 75 grain bullets it is not much better than the swift beyond 400 yards because I cannot drive the bullet much over 3600 and not making that magic 3800 fps hurts its performance much beyond 400 yards. Don't get me wrong all of them will kill a coyote stone dead at 800 yards and even beyond if you can hit him. Key words "if you can hit him" which from my experience one stands a much better chance beyond 400 yards with a fast .257 100 grain bullet than any .224 bullet.

As for a club or an association I don't have clue.

Ron

[308 at my gate]

Originally Posted by muddober

Tony: I live in the high desert of Nevada and have been shooting at long range for years. While I like my 220 Swift for ground squirrels and jackrabbits in my view it is more luck and not so much skill that comes into play beyond 400 yards. I must admit the heaviest .224 bullet I shoot is 60 grains. When reaching beyond 400 yards I like 100 grain .257 bullets that go 3800 fps from my 257 STW. The .224 bullets just don't have the wind bucking capabilities and retained energy as does the much heavier 257 bullet. I also have a 6mmX284 and with 75 grain bullets it is not much better than the swift beyond 400 yards because I cannot drive the bullet much over 3600 and not making that magic 3800 fps hurts its performance much beyond 400 yards. Don't get me wrong all of them will kill a coyote stone dead at 800 yards and even beyond if you can hit him. Key words "if you can hit him" which from my experience one stands a much better chance beyond 400 yards with a fast .257 100 grain bullet than any .224 bullet.

Ron

I have a 7mm STW but I am not familiar with the 257 STW. What case is it based on?

[Tony22-250]

The 7mm STW is the parent case it was necked down to .257 and toped with a 100gr bullet reaching muzzle velocities of about 4,060 FPS!

[muddober]

Originally Posted by Tony22-250

The 7mm STW is the parent case it was necked down to .257 and toped with a 100gr bullet reaching muzzle velocities of about 4,060 FPS!

They are both based on the parent case which is the 8mm Remington magnum. I have not been able to get but about 3860 fps out of mine but at that speed it will shoot less than a 1/2" at 100 yards. My gun is a 700 Remington with a 26" Hart stainless heavy barrel. If I can see a jackrabbit that is standing still and there is no wind he is in trouble. Most of my shooting is on my own farm so I know my distances. We have several pivots for irrigation and the fields are 880 yards accross making it easy to judge distance by the track of the pivot.

Ron

[308 at my gate]

Originally Posted by muddober

They are both based on the parent case which is the 8mm Remington magnum. I have not been able to get but about 3860 fps out of mine but at that speed it will shoot less than a 1/2" at 100 yards. My gun is a 700 Remington with a 26" Hart stainless heavy barrel. If I can see a jackrabbit that is standing still and there is no wind he is in trouble. Most of my shooting is on my own farm so I know my distances. We have several pivots for irrigation and the fields are 880 yards accross making it easy to judge distance by the track of the pivot.

Ron

Thanks for the info I was using 8mm remington mag brass and necking it down to 7mm. I did not know that they were using it also for 257. That is one fast rifle for a 100 gr pill.

[muddober]

Originally Posted by 308 at my gate

Thanks for the info I was using 8mm remington mag brass and necking it down to 7mm. I did not know that they were using it also for 257. That is one fast rifle for a 100 gr pill.

You are welcome and I might add that to insure good results I run 8mm mag brass through a 7mm STW sizing die before trying to take it all at once from .323 to .257. That mid point at .284 saves a lot of brass. I have a ton of 8mm mag brass and no 8mm mag rifle anymore, except an 8mm Ultra Mag wildcat.

Ron

[308 at my gate]

Originally Posted by muddober

You are welcome and I might add that to insure good results I run 8mm mag brass through a 7mm STW sizing die before trying to take it all at once from .323 to .257. That mid point at .284 saves a lot of brass. I have a ton of 8mm mag brass and no 8mm mag rifle anymore, except an 8mm Ultra Mag wildcat.

Ron

I am with you, I still have quit a bit of 8mm brass also, but I do still have my
8mm remington rifle. I have not shot it yet. I actually bought it for the action so I could re-barrel it into something else. How about a 257 STW.