I am going to buy a weatherby vanguard with a Barska? 8 - 32x50 mm Illuminated Long - range Excavator Scope. I have not decided whether to get a .308 or a .223 i can get both round for 15 cents a round. I will be doing nothing but target shooting at 500 yards + so knock down power has no effect on my decision .I am deciding on the pure fact of accuracy.any advice appreciated thank you.
if you are used to shooting(can handle the recoil) at long range then I would opt for the 308, for the simple reason it would be less likely to be affected by wind, if you have access to a range that goes out to 500 yards then you will need to practice reading the wind,weather,mirage, ammunition(you should sight in with one load that is accurate and do not deviate from it)
If you're shooting for accuracy at 500 yards or more, you aren't getting ammo in either caliber for 15 cents a round, not even if you handload it yourself. The .308 will be less effected by wind at those distances, and a good round (not a 15 cent round) will be more consistent, if not necessarily more accurate.
I would recommend the .308 and realistic expectations. The current lowest prices for .223 and .308 are about 20 cents and 35 cents. And that is for inaccurate, junk, surplus with corrosive primers. You cannot make good handloads for either caliber for 15 cents per round. Then you are using a budget rifle and a cheap scope. You are going to have poor accuracy with whichever caliber you choose. Taking all that into consideration with your lack of knowledge and experience, you are going to need a target somewhat larger than the average barn to shoot at 500 yards and beyond.
The Weatherby Vanguard is generally a hunting rifle, not a benchrest rifle. Weatherby offers a Varmint and a TR model with heavier barrels and larger stocks. Would you be purchasing one of these? To get the best accuracy from the rifle, you'll need to use match grade ammunition. It is usually more expensive to purchase. Do you plan to keep your costs lower by handloading your own ammunition? For versatility, the .308 Winchester is capable of harvesting a wider variety of game, but that won't matter much if you only shoot at paper targets. The .223 Remington cartridge will be more pleasant to shoot over a longer period of time and is generally cheaper to purchase. Both cartridges can hit a paper target 500 yards away. But for really precise shooting, expensive match grade ammunition, or ammunition custom loaded for your rifle, will be necessary. From a cost and ergonomics perspective, the .223 Remington chambering offers some advantages.
i guess the .308 because it would have the longer range... whichever fits you best because the gun that fits best is more accurate.
