Long Range

Long-range precision shooting starts where most hunting and general shooting ends — engaging targets consistently beyond 500 yards, often out to 1,000 yards and beyond. It demands accurate rifles, quality glass, matched ammunition, and an understanding of ballistics that most shooting sports don’t require. Impact Guns carries the bolt-action rifles, AR-10 platforms, precision optics, bipods, and ammunition that long-range shooters depend on.

Read our full Long Range Shooting Buying Guide ↓

Choosing a Long Range Rifle Platform

The bolt-action rifle remains the gold standard for precision long-range work. Platforms like the Ruger Precision Rifle, Savage 110, Bergara B-14, Tikka T3x TAC A1, and Remington 700 offer sub-MOA accuracy out of the box in long-range calibers. Semi-automatic platforms like the AR-10 in .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor are increasingly popular for PRS competition where fast follow-up shots matter. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize absolute accuracy (bolt) or positional shooting speed (semi-auto).

Best Calibers for Long Range Shooting

The 6.5 Creedmoor has become the dominant long-range hunting and competition caliber for its combination of low recoil, high ballistic coefficient bullets, and wide availability. The .308 Winchester remains relevant for its military heritage and suppressor compatibility. For extended ranges beyond 1,000 yards, the .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, and 6.5 PRC offer the velocity and BC needed to stay supersonic at distance. The 7mm Rem Mag bridges the gap between the .308 and magnum calibers for hunters who also shoot long range.

Long Range Optics: What You Need

A quality scope is non-negotiable for long-range shooting. At minimum, you need a first focal plane (FFP) scope with exposed turrets that allow for precise elevation and windage adjustments, a minimum of 15–20x maximum magnification, and a reticle with subtension markings (MOA or MRAD) for holdover. Quality brands at Impact Guns include Leupold, Vortex, Burris, and Trijicon. Match your reticle units (MOA or MRAD) to your turret adjustments — mixing the two systems causes errors under pressure.

Bipods, Rests, and Positional Gear

A quality bipod is the foundation of a stable long-range position. Harris and Atlas bipods are the most common competition choices, offering cant and pan adjustment that allows the shooter to level the rifle without repositioning the bipod legs. Rear bags, shooting bags, and positional supports like the tripods and monopods in our accessories section allow stable shooting from field positions that don’t offer a bench. For PRS and field precision competition, the ability to build a solid position from any terrain feature is as important as the rifle itself.

Ammunition for Long Range

Consistency is the most important property in long-range ammunition — velocity variation (extreme spread) directly translates to vertical dispersion at distance. Match-grade factory loads from Federal Gold Medal, Hornady ELD Match, and Berger are the benchmark. For the 6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady 140gr ELD Match and Federal 130gr Berger Hybrid are proven performers. Handloaders working up precision loads can achieve tighter ES than any factory offering, but factory match ammo is competitive at most distances up to 1,000 yards for most shooters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered long range shooting?
Long range shooting generally starts at 500 yards and extends to 1,000 yards and beyond. “Extended long range” or ELR shooting pushes targets out to 1 mile or farther. In practical terms, most hunters consider anything beyond 400 yards to be long range, while PRS competition shooters regularly engage steel from 300 to 1,200 yards. The definition shifts by context — what matters is that the shooter must account for bullet drop, wind drift, and Coriolis effect to make accurate hits.

What is the best caliber for long range shooting under 1,000 yards?
The 6.5 Creedmoor is the most popular choice for shooting under 1,000 yards, offering low recoil, high BC bullets, and excellent factory ammo availability. The .308 Winchester is a close second for those who want military-surplus ammo compatibility or plan to suppress their rifle. For hunters who also shoot long range, the 6.5 PRC and 7mm Rem Mag offer more energy at distance for big game applications.

Do I need a special rifle for long range shooting?
You don’t need a custom rifle to start. Quality factory platforms like the Ruger Precision Rifle, Savage 110, and Bergara B-14 are capable of sub-MOA accuracy in factory trim and will outshoot most beginners. A good optic often matters more than the rifle at practical distances. Start with a quality factory bolt gun in 6.5 Creedmoor or .308, add a first focal plane scope with MRAD turrets, and invest time in fundamentals before upgrading the rifle.