Choosing the right equipment for long-range explosive targets
The ability to detonate the targets isn’t an energy issue as commonly thought. It’s mostly velocity with some contribution from bullet shape. Successful Boomershooting is all about delivering a bullet accurately and with sufficient velocity.
In general terms you need to be able to deliver a bullet into a one minute of angle (MOA) target. If you, your gun, and your ammo have difficulty hitting a one-inch circle at 100 yards at least once every three or four shots, you will be very frustrated trying to hit 4”×4” boomers at 375 yards even with only a light breeze working against you.
.223 / AR-15
With the right AR-15, ammo, and optics a .223 will work fairly well out to about 500 or 550 yards as long as the wind isn’t too bad. A heavy, 20” (or longer), match grade barrel is required for good results. This is probably the most economical option, but don’t expect to detonate anything at 700 yards even if you do manage to hit something.
22-250 & Varmint Guns
Accurate 22-250s and other varmint guns do well out to 550 or 600 yards if there isn’t much wind.
.308 Winchester
The most common Boomershoot rifle is probably a heavy-barreled .308. But this round is starting to run out of velocity by the time it gets to the 700-yard boomers. People use it successfully and it provides a good tradeoff between economy, comfort, and accuracy. Don’t be surprised if the wind causes more trouble than it does with bigger guns pushing heavier bullets, and that the 700-yard boomers sometimes don’t go boom even with a solid hit.
.300 Win Mag
A .300 Win Mag will give you ample velocity at the 700-yard targets and good wind-bucking ability. You may pay for this with your pocketbook and your shoulder.
6.5 Creedmoor
A heavy-barrel gun chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor offers moderate recoil and can shoot bullets with high ballistic coefficients for high velocity retention and low wind drift. Match grade factory loads are also available.
.50 BMG
An accurate .50 BMG will reach out and connect with the 700-yard targets without difficulty. Its drawback is the price, and our range cannot tolerate these cartridges except at 500 yards and beyond.
Whichever rifle you choose, you will need quality optics. 10× or greater is recommended. Target turrets are essential. Mil-dots are a nice addition but not required.
Ammo selection is as important as rifle selection. Black Hills and Federal both make excellent match-grade ammo. If you are buying loaded ammo, buy match grade. If you handload, use only match-grade bullets. Berger long-range bullets deliver the desired performance. Hornady V-MAX and A-MAX bullets work well. Sierra MatchKings and Varminter bullets deliver great results too.
If you are in the process of selecting a rifle, download Modern Ballistics or another exterior ballistics program to help you select your cartridge. Talk to your gunsmith or gun dealer about “target quality” rifles and optics.
See also: Bullets and Boomers — how bullet shape and velocity affect target detonation.