How Far Does a.308 Bullet Travel?
The.308 Winchester caliber is a popular choice for many rifle enthusiasts, shooters, and hunters. When it comes to understanding the trajectory and range of the.308 bullet, it is essential to understand the technical aspects of ballistics.
Theoretical Range: 4,000 yards
Theoretical range refers to the maximum distance a projectile can travel under ideal conditions. Theoretical range does not take into account any obstacles, such as vegetation, terrain, or even atmospheric conditions.
- Based on the International Metric Tonnage System (METRIC) for ballistic calibrations, the muzzle energy of a.308 Winchester cartridge can reach around 3,300 J (2,500 ft-lbs) [Source: Wikipedia:.308 Winchester].
- According to this data, a.308 bullet traveling at 800 m/s (2,625 fps) with an initial vertical angle of 1 mrad (3.56 minutes of arc) theoretically should travel approximately 4,000 yards (3.657 miles) [Source: Applied Ballistics Calculator].
Practical Range: 1,000 to 1,500 yards
Practical range refers to the real-world range at which the bullet can maintain a viable trajectory and remain accurate and reliable. Factors such as atmospheric conditions, wind direction and speed, and initial rifle setup all contribute to the practical range of a.308 bullet.
| Range | Maximum Effective Downrange |
|---|---|
| 100 | 200-300 ft (61-91.44 m) |
| 200 | 350-500 ft (107-152.4 m) |
| 400 | 650-1,000 ft (199.01-304.8 m) |
| 600 | 1,050-1,250 ft (320.07-381 m) |
| 800 | 1,350-1,550 ft (411.48-472 m) |
| 1,000 | 1,700-2,000 ft (518.39-609.06 m) |
As highlighted in the table above, a.308 bullet generally remains accurate and reliable practically between 1,000 and 1,500 yards (914.4 meters to 1,371.6 meters).
Wind and Coriolis Effect
The Coriolis effect and wind drift both significantly impact the range and trajectory of a bullet. These effects are highly dependent on atmospheric conditions.
- The Coriolis effect causes a bullet fired from the north to initially deflect to the right on a global scale and for bullets fired from the south to initially deflect to the left [Source: Scientific American: How Winds and the Coriolis Effect Affect Rifle and Shotgun Shots].
- According to data provided by Norma, the wind shift can range from 25.4 inches (641 mm) per second of wind speed for a.308 bullet fired at an angle of 10 meters per second [Source: Norma: Hunting: Wind Resistance].
| Wind Speed | Coriolis Effect |
|---|---|
| 0-5 mph | ±1 MOA (0.03 radian) |
| 6-10 mph | ±2-3 MOA (0.06-0.09 radian) |
| 11-15 mph | ±4-5 MOA (0.12-0.14 radian) |
| 16-20 mph | ±6-7 MOA (0.18-0.21 radian) |
In summary:
- Theoretical range for a.308 bullet is approximately 4,000 yards (3,657 miles) when assuming ideal conditions.
- Practical range for a.308 bullet typically ranges between 1,000 and 1,500 yards (914.4-1,371.6 meters).
- Coriolis effect and wind drift both significantly affect the trajectory of a.308 bullet and must be considered when making shots with any level of precision or accuracy.
Keep in mind that the ranges provided here are based on ideal, wind-free, and thermally neutral conditions. However, when factoring in wind and other environmental effects, actual range can drop significantly. For precise measurements, it is crucial to use accurate wind speed measurements, a precise ballistic program, and expert guidance [Source: Applied Ballistics Calculator].
