... or where ethics is not a factor.

We need a bullet to reach a certain distance, usually to punch paper or to hit steel. Faster, more aerodynamic bullets are less affected by wind, but in the end all bullets are affected by wind, and there is no such thing as a caliber that is not affected by wind, so for the purposes of this discussion, no furtner reference to wind will be made.

If we shoot at distance, we want the trajectory to be as flat as possible, specifically to keep bullet drop within the adjustment capability of the scope. This is a conbination of bullet BC and velocity. The highest BC bullet is not always the best. A bullet of slightly lower BC, at higher velocity, will usually drop less. You can prove this later for yourself with the ballistic calculator.

We want the sport shooting rifle to be easy on the shoulder, so we can engage several courses of fire over during the match without discomfort. A popular misconception is that some calibers don't recoil. This is inaccurate - all rifles have recoil, some more than others, but in all cases, recoil can be cancelled out by the weight of the rifle. If the recoil from your rifle is a bit much for you, make the rifle heavier. Some sports have a weight limit on the rifle, precisely for this reason, rifle weight mitigates recoil, and if there was no weight limit, a shooter might bring his barrelled action bolted to an anvil.

Some sports require precision. For precision rifle shooting, most people reload their own ammo. You will most likely be one of them, so you need to consider the availability of components for the rifle you choose. Avoid choosing a caliber for which bullets, brass or powder is hard to find. Avoid choosing a rifle to shoot just one particular bullet, in case that bullet is ever discontinued.

Sport shooters must be able to predict trajectory. This means becoming familiar with ballistic calculators. When you use a ballistic calculator, you must provide the correct shooting altitude. Bullet drop is greatest at sea level, and decreases with altitude.

A number of public, internet-based calculators are avilalable :

Berger Ballistic Calculator

JBM Ballistic Calculator

Depending on the distance you shoot for your sport, the ballistic calculator may be of interest only, or vitally important.

You can determine the suitablility of a particular caliber for purpose, without touching the rifle. I will show you how in the next section.