Thread: calibre for short barrel(18-20")longer range(-600m) rifle

You’re working against the laws if physics of course.
If you want “grunt” at 600m you need grunt at the muzzle (KE in ft.lb or joules). Preferablly also with both high BC for wind plus high retained velocity so the bullet will open up. You see, the best solution is a long barrel.

Barrel length being equal, a bigger displacement cartridge is better, like the ‘06 caberslash recommended, the WSMs and of course 338LM. Same as you would choose for a long barrel tool for that range.

Or are you ringing gongs not shooting deer ? In that case something gruntier than the 223 is the main thing. A smaller F class cartridge like the 6.5x47 could be the story. Might be just fine for hunting smaller animals like chamois or fallow too.