250-300 yard caliber / rifle / optics

ThisIsMyBoomstick

ThisIsMyBoomstick

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The family and I have been enjoying making holes in paper with our .22s. The range has a max range for 250 yards, and my daughter wants to try some longer range shooting (with my enthusiastic encouragement). For cost per bullet, I was thinking .223 or 7.62x39. I realize that at that range there isn't too much to be concerned with as far as optimized muzzle velocities, barrels lengths, after market chassis, BC, ect ... so I was thinking of getting something with a heavy barrel and maybe figure out how to get a bipod on it. Was looking at the Howa 1500 mini action in whichever caliber. Not sure about the scope -- I was looking at the Arken Optics EP5. Probably overkill, but I figure we can move it to something more that could also take advantage of it if we find a club with a longer range range.

I figure it'll be a rifle that we all three could get some use out of and buy more of the same, or try something different as we figure out what we like.

Good plan, bad plan, alternate ideas? Thank you.
 
762x39 is CR@P.

223 is the one you want.

Yes, a 5-25x is way overkill for 300 yds. A middle of the road 3-9x or maybe 4-12x will be more than enough. High magnification scopes come with challenges you are not ready to tackle as a newbie.

Spend money on ammo, not an expensive optic. You are not there at this time. Its more important that you shoot a lot and you have to learn you cannot buy shooting skill through expensive equipment.
 
My kids and i shoot out to 300yds hitting 12" gongs with 22lr using bulk ammo.
Using a Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 6-24x56 APLR6 FFP IR MOA ( price has gone up on these!). I hear the Arkens are nice also and less costly.

I haave been using a Howa in x39 with Riton 6-24x56mm in second focal plane to hit gongs out to 300yds also. Great fun with bulk ammo.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
223 is the one you want.

Spend money on ammo, not an expensive optic. You are not there at this time. Its more important that you shoot a lot and you have to learn you cannot buy shooting skill through expensive equipment.
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That's fair. I've been shooting (not consistently) since I was my daughters age and I've never used a scope ... always been irons sights. Learning experience for us all. Maybe I'll look for a 223 with iron sights at the same time.
 
Steiner said:
My kids and i shoot out to 300yds hitting 12" gongs with 22lr using bulk ammo.
Using a Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 6-24x56 APLR6 FFP IR MOA ( price has gone up on these!). I hear the Arkens are nice also and less costly.

I haave been using a Howa in x39 with Riton 6-24x56mm in second focal plane to hit gongs out to 300yds also. Great fun with bulk ammo.
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So, yes, the .22 would probably be fine for 250 yards ... my daughter wanting to shoot longer range and my desire for another gun may have coincided.
 
ThisIsMyBoomstick said:
So, yes, the .22 would probably be fine for 250 yards ... my daughter wanting to shoot longer range and my desire for another gun may have coincided.
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223 does have nicer ballistics vs x39 for longer range. More quality ammo choices as someone mentioned ( unless you are reloading).
 
Shooting a centerfire like a 223 at 300 yards is very simple. Upgrading your 22lr to shoot 300 yards is long range shooting. Wind, and drop with a 22lr at 300 yards can be difficult and makes for excellent practice. For example a 22 at 300 yards in 10mph winds is roughly 13-14mils elevation with 3.2 mils of wind. A 223 at 1000 is 12 mils with 3.6 mils of wind where at 300 it’s closer to 1.2 mils of elevation and .7mils of hold. Now this is dependent on ammo but you can see that shooting at the ranges you mentioned that a 22lr would be great long range practice where a 223 your just getting started.

That said if you’re just looking for a new gun, then a 223 is a great next step. Cheap ammo, easy on recoil
 
RX5o said:
Shooting a centerfire like a 223 at 300 yards is very simple. Upgrading your 22lr to shoot 300 yards is long range shooting. Wind, and drop with a 22lr at 300 yards can be difficult and makes for excellent practice. For example a 22 at 300 yards in 10mph winds is roughly 13-14mils elevation with 3.2 mils of wind. A 223 at 1000 is 12 mils with 3.6 mils of wind where at 300 it’s closer to 1.2 mils of elevation and .7mils of hold. Now this is dependent on ammo but you can see that shooting at the ranges you mentioned that a 22lr would be great long range practice where a 223 your just getting started.

That said if you’re just looking for a new gun, then a 223 is a great next step. Cheap ammo, easy on recoil
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Thanks for the detail. Its the cheap ammo and recoil that is of the most value. We have a 7-08, which is pretty light on recoil but expensive to shoot and a few older 30-06, which is just unpleasant beyond the first 5 rounds.
 
223 will serve you well. I too would give 223 the nod over 7.62x39.

My practice rifle is a 223 and it is a great fit for my local range which goes out to 500M
 
223 is the better of the CF options you are looking at... but your daughter is going to get bored real fast.

I would lean you to a properly setup 22lr for long range shooting. No problem reaching 400yds accurately and that is like shooting a 308win to 1 mile. That is going to challenge you all for many years to come.

Send me an email mysticprecision@gmail.com if interested in a rimfire set up ready to go for not much money. It thrives on Lapua CenterX which is pricey but no where the cost of reloading for the 223 these days.

If you haven't looked, see what the costs for reloading tools (basic stuff) and components are.... if you can get supplies.

Factory ammo might work but that is not cheap and if you are going to shoot in volume, handloading is better and less money in the long term

Jerry
 
223 and have fun. So many ammo choices, still cheaper than most and won't destroy a barrel in only 1500 rounds. It won't be your last gun, so just have fun and help figure out what you want to go for next.
 
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