Why the .308 Winchester is an Excellent Sniper Rifle Cartridge
The .308 Winchester is arguably the best overall sniper rifle cartridge due to its proven accuracy, manageable recoil, excellent external ballistics, significant terminal performance, and readily available components. It offers an ideal balance of precision, power, shootability, and logistics.
Extreme Long Range Accuracy
With match grade ammunition, .308 Winchester is capable of 0.5 MOA or better accuracy to 800+ yards in quality sniper rifles. This enables consistent hits on torso sized targets at long range. Top long range competitive shooters rely on the .308 Winchester to make 1,000 yard shots in competition. The US military uses .308 sniper rifles as standard for engagements out to 800 yards. The .308 excels because quality ammunition delivers very consistent muzzle velocities. Small variations in muzzle velocity negatively impact downrange precision.
Mild Perceived Recoil
In a heavy sniper rifle platform like the M24 or M40, .308 Winchester has mild perceived recoil. Lighter weight semi-autos can have slightly more recoil. Manageable recoil facilitates rapid follow up shots. Being able to spot bullet impacts and quickly adjust point of aim is critical for snipers. Lower recoil also helps snipers maintain sight picture after firing, allowing them to see bullet impacts through their optic.
Excellent External Ballistics
The .308 Winchester maintains supersonic velocity past 1,000 yards (depending on specific load). Subsonic transition causes significant bullet drop and drift. Ballistic coefficient and sectional density contribute to .308 bullets resisting wind drift extremely well in heavier 175gr and 190gr loads. Inside 600 yards, the .308 demonstrates less than 60 inches of bullet drop (depending on load and scope height). This simplifies ranging and holdover compared to flatter shooting rounds.
Maximized Terminal Performance
The .308 Winchester delivers over 50% more energy at 500 yards compared to the 5.56 NATO. At 800 yards it still carries over 800 ft-lbs of energy. This energy on target translates to significant tissue and bone damage, fast incapacitation, and a higher likelihood of lethal hits at extended ranges. Premium expanding bullets provide 1.5-2x permanent cavity stretching for maximized energy transfer and hemorrhaging.
Logistically Flexible Components
As one of the most popular centerfire rifle cartridges for over 60 years, .308 Winchester benefits from abundant component availability for reloaders. This includes a wide selection of quality bullets, brass, powder, and other reloading supplies. Likewise, a huge variety of high end precision .308 ammunition is manufactured by major companies making it easy to procure excellent match grade loads. The logistical flexibility of the .308 components cannot be overstated for militaries and police agencies. Parts and ammo are far more available than other specialty sniper cartridges.
In summary, the .308 Winchester hits the absolute sweet spot balancing accuracy, power, shootability, logistics, and cost. It may lack the extremes of other sniper rounds in some areas but it also avoids any crippling weaknesses. This combination of well rounded capabilities makes the .308 arguably the single best all-purpose sniper rifle cartridge. No wonder it dominates as the defacto NATO standard and continues serving around the world in active duty.
