High end rifles purchased by newbie shooters.....good idea or bad?

Maybe I will go out on a limb here and say no......

Like other I started with a lower end setup. In doing so I learned what I liked about my tools and what I would change next time around. This was the case for my fixed 10X Bushnell Mildot (now a NXS 5.5-22) and stock HS precision (now AICS with Viper skins). I don't think I would have been able to guess my current setup 5 years ago...

my first precision setup ran me about 900$ all in, I am now pushing 8K with the latest goodies and optics.
 
SLVDOUT

Hi. In answer to your question. I suggest that we are discussing two different games here on this thread. I shoot only F-Class and found that although my scopes goes to 60 power I only shoot them at 40 power almost all the time. In the very odd time, when the mirage is really bad during the summer on the grass ranges, you need to dial down into the teens to shoot. However, I can only remember during that about 2-3 times in the past couple of years. The rest of the time I spend at 40 power due to the reticle I use. In this game it is advantages to have the higher power scopes. Sightrons in the lower pricing level work extremely well. You don't really need a higher quality scope in F-Class shooting (don't tell my wife that).

However, precision shooting is a different game and the max scope power peaks about 24 power. This is why there are more options in this power range. I don't know much about precision shooting but I do know that the accuracy required from your rifle/scope combo is a lot less than F-Class shooting.

I think you need to look at the game you want to play. F-Class or Precision. The rifle you chose indicates you are shooting in f-Class. An 8 x 32 or a 10 x 50 Sightron would be an excellent choice and many a top shooter use them.

Steve

Steve
 
I have breezed through most of the posts and it was interesting to me how shooters I know SHOOT and compete suggest any newbie consider ALL the parts of the shooting process which include rifle, optics, and feeding it.

If the goal is to be good at any form of precision shooting, SHOOTING will be necessary. That means reloading and burning up lots of components including barrels.

As shooters, we have such a huge range of great rifles that can produce sub MOA with little work. In fact, we now have factory rifles that can approach 1/2 min AVERAGE even at longer distances. These can cost as little as $1K.

So the biggest question is what is the ENTIRE budget including the rifle, optics AND shooting.

At $1.00 to 1.50 per bang for F class competitive 308 ammo and the need to shoot a few thousand rds a season to get proficient, running costs approaching $4K per season is not out of the question these days. And that doesn't include travel, matches, cleaning and support supplies, replacing worn parts.

If the newbie can afford a $5K rig, $2.5K optic and then afford the $2 to 5K it takes to feed it, AWESOME. But most of the shooters I have met and helped run out of gas after buying the rig. Some even complain about the costs in reloading gear which is peanuts over the lifespan of the shooter.

a 1/2 min rifle whether it costs $700 or $7000 is still a 1/2 min rifle. Way too many shooters forget that the target doesn't care how much it costs to launch that bullet.

My recommendation to ANY new shooter is to work back from how proficient they want to be, to what they can afford to shoot over the year(s) it will take to get proficient, THEN to the platform(s) that can help them on their progress.

Chat with top competitive precision shooters and they likely will focus on needs to improve consistency and wind reading. The highest dollar whatever only enters the mix if it will actually do something to help their end result.

Also, many top dollar custom actions require MORE skill to maintain then those "lesser" actions suited to the average user.

Any shooter that wants to get good at this sport will be spending ALOT of money. The smart move is to spend it on things that help improve skill.

YMMV
Jerry
 
If you have the $$$$ buy equipment that you won't doubt. If your guessing that it may be you/may be the equipment then things will always suck. I am happy when I don't doubt the equipment and I know it was me that failed the shot. If you own the best then its up to you to make it shine. Cost to feed these animals suck too, I am just getting into match grade 22lr stuff and even that has a few $$$$ attached to it.($250 per 500rds vs $45 per 500rds) That last .1moa cost!

PS: Love the PGW Coyote I have because I know its me if I miss :D
 
smellofspentcasings said:
The best thing about owning top of the line firearms and optics is you can't blame poor shooting on them. If you have the money buy the best .
Click to expand...

And that's the truth. I tried the 1/2 moa challenge for the second time today and got 3 out of 5 groups same as before. I know the equipment is solid and that I need to keep practicing.
 
What is this cleaning and maintaining you talk about???

bolbmw said:
Nobody has touched on the learning factor of owning and maintaining a rifle. I'm talking cleaning, mounting scopes, etc. It is very easy for the inexperienced to cause damage with improper technique and tools.

There is certainly a learning curve.
Click to expand...
 
Mystic Precision said:
I have breezed through most of the posts and it was interesting to me how shooters I know SHOOT and compete suggest any newbie consider ALL the parts of the shooting process which include rifle, optics, and feeding it.

If the goal is to be good at any form of precision shooting, SHOOTING will be necessary. That means reloading and burning up lots of components including barrels.

As shooters, we have such a huge range of great rifles that can produce sub MOA with little work. In fact, we now have factory rifles that can approach 1/2 min AVERAGE even at longer distances. These can cost as little as $1K.

So the biggest question is what is the ENTIRE budget including the rifle, optics AND shooting.

At $1.00 to 1.50 per bang for F class competitive 308 ammo and the need to shoot a few thousand rds a season to get proficient, running costs approaching $4K per season is not out of the question these days. And that doesn't include travel, matches, cleaning and support supplies, replacing worn parts.

If the newbie can afford a $5K rig, $2.5K optic and then afford the $2 to 5K it takes to feed it, AWESOME. But most of the shooters I have met and helped run out of gas after buying the rig. Some even complain about the costs in reloading gear which is peanuts over the lifespan of the shooter.

a 1/2 min rifle whether it costs $700 or $7000 is still a 1/2 min rifle. Way too many shooters forget that the target doesn't care how much it costs to launch that bullet.

My recommendation to ANY new shooter is to work back from how proficient they want to be, to what they can afford to shoot over the year(s) it will take to get proficient, THEN to the platform(s) that can help them on their progress.

Chat with top competitive precision shooters and they likely will focus on needs to improve consistency and wind reading. The highest dollar whatever only enters the mix if it will actually do something to help their end result.

Also, many top dollar custom actions require MORE skill to maintain then those "lesser" actions suited to the average user.

Any shooter that wants to get good at this sport will be spending ALOT of money. The smart move is to spend it on things that help improve skill.

YMMV
Jerry
Click to expand...

Well said Jerry thanks
 
Mystic Precision said:
I have breezed through most of the posts and it was interesting to me how shooters I know SHOOT and compete suggest any newbie consider ALL the parts of the shooting process which include rifle, optics, and feeding it.

If the goal is to be good at any form of precision shooting, SHOOTING will be necessary. That means reloading and burning up lots of components including barrels.

As shooters, we have such a huge range of great rifles that can produce sub MOA with little work. In fact, we now have factory rifles that can approach 1/2 min AVERAGE even at longer distances. These can cost as little as $1K.

So the biggest question is what is the ENTIRE budget including the rifle, optics AND shooting.

At $1.00 to 1.50 per bang for F class competitive 308 ammo and the need to shoot a few thousand rds a season to get proficient, running costs approaching $4K per season is not out of the question these days. And that doesn't include travel, matches, cleaning and support supplies, replacing worn parts.

If the newbie can afford a $5K rig, $2.5K optic and then afford the $2 to 5K it takes to feed it, AWESOME. But most of the shooters I have met and helped run out of gas after buying the rig. Some even complain about the costs in reloading gear which is peanuts over the lifespan of the shooter.

a 1/2 min rifle whether it costs $700 or $7000 is still a 1/2 min rifle. Way too many shooters forget that the target doesn't care how much it costs to launch that bullet.

My recommendation to ANY new shooter is to work back from how proficient they want to be, to what they can afford to shoot over the year(s) it will take to get proficient, THEN to the platform(s) that can help them on their progress.

Chat with top competitive precision shooters and they likely will focus on needs to improve consistency and wind reading. The highest dollar whatever only enters the mix if it will actually do something to help their end result.

Also, many top dollar custom actions require MORE skill to maintain then those "lesser" actions suited to the average user.

Any shooter that wants to get good at this sport will be spending ALOT of money. The smart move is to spend it on things that help improve skill.

YMMV
Jerry
Click to expand...

I know what you're saying. Many CGN'ers have reported 1/4 MOA results with factory loads in a stock Savage Axis at 300 yards while standing & using iron sights. It's simply amazing!!!

;^)
 
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Slavex said:
What is this cleaning and maintaining you talk about???
Click to expand...

Exactly. It's easy to get hung up on some issue and over clean, or fall into a trap of constant tinkering with the rifle, remounting scopes, over-torquing something, not wanting to buy a $50 tool, etc. I see so many shooters at the range with a toolchest fiddling with their rifles more than they are shooting. There's nothing wrong with their rifles, they just can't accept that the ####ty accuracy is the person behind the trigger. The internet is full of 0.25" group stories, pictures and heros. Most people think they should be shooting like that too.

The very best thing I ever did for my own shooting was to stop caring about shooting groups and focus on hitting targets of different sizes and shapes at varied distances.
 
Mystic Precision said:
I have breezed through most of the posts and it was interesting to me how shooters I know SHOOT and compete suggest any newbie consider ALL the parts of the shooting process which include rifle, optics, and feeding it.

If the goal is to be good at any form of precision shooting, SHOOTING will be necessary. That means reloading and burning up lots of components including barrels.

As shooters, we have such a huge range of great rifles that can produce sub MOA with little work. In fact, we now have factory rifles that can approach 1/2 min AVERAGE even at longer distances. These can cost as little as $1K.

So the biggest question is what is the ENTIRE budget including the rifle, optics AND shooting.

At $1.00 to 1.50 per bang for F class competitive 308 ammo and the need to shoot a few thousand rds a season to get proficient, running costs approaching $4K per season is not out of the question these days. And that doesn't include travel, matches, cleaning and support supplies, replacing worn parts.

If the newbie can afford a $5K rig, $2.5K optic and then afford the $2 to 5K it takes to feed it, AWESOME. But most of the shooters I have met and helped run out of gas after buying the rig. Some even complain about the costs in reloading gear which is peanuts over the lifespan of the shooter.

a 1/2 min rifle whether it costs $700 or $7000 is still a 1/2 min rifle. Way too many shooters forget that the target doesn't care how much it costs to launch that bullet.

My recommendation to ANY new shooter is to work back from how proficient they want to be, to what they can afford to shoot over the year(s) it will take to get proficient, THEN to the platform(s) that can help them on their progress.

Chat with top competitive precision shooters and they likely will focus on needs to improve consistency and wind reading. The highest dollar whatever only enters the mix if it will actually do something to help their end result.

Also, many top dollar custom actions require MORE skill to maintain then those "lesser" actions suited to the average user.

Any shooter that wants to get good at this sport will be spending ALOT of money. The smart move is to spend it on things that help improve skill.

YMMV
Jerry
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To this I say,thank god for CFSAC. Or known as CAFSAC now. On the range everyday all day all summer just sending rounds down range. :) Cost of ammo. NIL. It may not be a bolt action precision rifle. But shooting 5.56 at the 500meter prone for v-bulls is pretty precise to me. :)

And I've yet to find another range like Connaught Ranges that has crazy winds. And the opportunity to shoot moving targets.
 
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sylencer said:
To this I say,thank god for CFSAC. Or known as CAFSAC now. On the day everyday all day all summer just sending rounds down range. :) Cost of ammo. NIL. It may not be a bolt action precision rifle. But shooting 5.56 at the 500meter prone for v-bulls is pretty precise to me. :)

And I've yet to find another range like Connaught Ranges that has crazy winds. And the opportunity to shoot moving targets.
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To this I say, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!....

As long as you reach the goals for your style of precision shooting using the equipment assigned by the "rules", it's all good.

Happy that you are on our side....

Jerry
 
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