need advise on target\sniping rifle

[fleury]

Well it's make a while that I want to start doing some accurate long shoot. I am looking at 500-600M to start whit. I am also looking for a calibre hat I could use for hunting medium game like a deer. I do not have too much money to put on that project so I plan in upgrading a gun when I have the money. I basically need pointers to help me chose the right gun. I was looking at a .243 or .308, this might change after some advise that you would give me.

I did shoot in the past a 500M whit my C7 at a tournament, that the only time I shoot at that distance.

I am not currently reloading but it's only a question of time and $$

You might also correct me if I am wrong but my first step would be
1 buy the rifle (use average scope that I have)
2 add a Bipod
3 add a real scope
4 bed the action
5 and well the rest would be suggestion from you guys I presume.

So far the Remington 700 SPS varmint look interesting, the savage 10 FP

I might also look at the wrong place let me know
Thank

 

[MagnumPeanut]

What is your budget?

A good long range, tactical rifle can be inexpensive, or get ridiculous.

Both rifles mentioned are a good starter rifle and could be upgraded later if you want to get more serious. The pro and cons of either rifle comes down to personal preference, not one is really better than the other. I like them both. The only reason why I'd say the savage is because you mentioned hunting and it has a shorter barrel. The length of the barrel will not affect accuracy, a longer barrel will increase speed. Again with handloading speed can be adjusted with the right handload.

I would stick with 308, again if you want to hunt its a better all around hunting round and if you are not handloading there are lots of factory match ammo. Plus there are lots of surplus ammo that makes good practice rounds and could be pushed pretty far too.

Start out with a good scope with target turrets. I always recommend the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x as it is very dependable and clear. It also has a mil-dot reticule which is great for long distance. You can usually find them used for around or under $200. If you are hunting in the bush with that scope its a fixed 10 power so it may be difficult. You could dish out the extra $150 for the variable power elite 5-15x40.

I like shooting off a bipod and rear bag. Look into the Harris bi-pods. They are fairly inexpensive for the base models.

As far as bedding the rifle, you will get a performance increase. I would just shoot the gun for a bit and see how it does, and then once you want to tune things get it professionally bedded. Action pillars are good too. I think the Savage 10fp is already pillared though.

The next step will be to start handloading. Once you start rolling your own you will see all the performance difference in the world.

 

[Obtunded]

This topic has been addressed hundreds of times... Hunting rifles and long range target riles are completely different critters. Hunting rifles are not designed to prop up on the shooting bench and shoot 20 rounds in 15 minutes. They are mean to shoot one or two rounds before they should cool. They are desinged to have field-grade tolerances, light construction and hit a generous lethal kill zone fired from a shoulder.

Varmint and target rifles have heavy barrel to resist the heat from shooting several extremely accurate rounds in quick succession, their barrel contours resist heat and pressure and their stock designs are adapted for prone or bench style shooting. In short, a good target rifle is too darned heavy to take in the weeds.

Put your money into a purpose-built target(or varmint) rifle that is cheap to feed and easy to make work very well (.223 for instance) at short and long distance, and then buy a cheap hunting rifle that you can beat the schitt out off in the bush and kill deer.

It will take you thousands of rounds to become a competent long range shooter and using a cartridge that will perform for that learning period is important. Cartidges good for long distance shooting are often very poor choices for hunting (ie:the 223)

So someone develops the ultimate gopher/moose/benchrest gun that weighs 5 pounds with a 15000 round barrel life, we are stuck with using hammers to drive nails and wrenches to turn nuts.

 

[fleury]

I do not intend to bring a target rifle for typical hunting, you rarely hit something in the wood of Quebec over 75-100M. The only time it could be used would be in a tree stand

Since I am working on a budget I will probably end up buying one on the EE forum, would be the best way to have a good deal. I just need to be patient enough

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

Yup, sounds good.

Also, I'd stop thinking of what you are looking for as a "sniping" rifle. Hollywood aside, is a snipers rifle, not merely a very good, very expensive, rugged hunting rifle, with a camo paint job? Do snipers shoot long strings of fire, or is that not the job of the squad designated marksman?

Target rifles are way cooler than knockabout old military junk.

 

[CyaN1de]

Target rifles are way cooler than knockabout old military junk.

I think I'll use that quote as my sig

 

[fleury]

Don’t tell a army guy that his equipment his junk... ho wait it is Well like the army laws of Murphy say: weapon are made by the cheapest bidder.....