Building a "budget" long range rifle

[carbonrod]

they said it would cut costs in half

That was just my thumbnail sketch. It depends so much on what you blow out the tube.

Take a 69gr SMK 223. Yeah, not the best way out there, but will do really good for the first 4-500m. They can be had for about $160/500. 308 175 SMK from the same shop is $265/500.
Both will use many of the same powders, but the 223 will use about 25 grains, whereas the 175 will use say 44 grains. Brass, primers, time are all about the same.

Plus, with the 223, you are not likely to be sore, or flinch.

Take this with a grain of salt though. I hunt my LR rifles. They are 30 cal. I shoot as much 223 out of ARs out to 500m as I can though(300 rnds today ).

 

[Polish-Jack]

308 and 223 have very similar ballistics. The difference is BC and bullet velocity.

Browning now makes a Target rifle in 223 and from the results I have heard, it is an excellent off-the-shelf F-class-capable gun.

Unlike Savage and their excellent F-Class rifles, this one is available in 223, 308 or 300 WSM. The 223 rifle is a good rifle in need of only a scope and some good ammo.

What rifle are you referring to exactly?

 

[Obtunded]

These....

 

[Wally]

Extra speed... So he can hit the paper harder?

No, so the bullet can stay super sonic all the way to the target.

 

[Bob]

Being cheap I went with a Remington 308 SPS varmint bought on EE for $500, added a HS stock bought on EE and a Falcon scope. Reloads right now are giving me .586" c-c at 100m, if I'm doing mine thing. Last year I shot my best at 900m during the provincials, 2nd place if I remember on that stage.

 

[chemo]

.586'' at 900m that's pretty impressive

 

[cycbb486]

Well sorry

fellas but in my eyes long range and budget do not go hand in hand.

If you just want to plink long range buy whatever and shoot whatever you want. If you are serious about hitting a said target at long range consistantly then I am sorry but BUDGET is not in the picture.

This is reality.......

JMO

cycbb

 

[cycbb486]

That is more

.586'' at 900m that's pretty impressive

than likely at 100..........

 

[chemo]

that joke went over your head

 

[wild1]

way way over and you can shoot consistantly at long range with cheaper rifle IMO. Dont need to spend 10,000. I have over 5000 invested in my tikka but I didnt need to.

 

[Mystic Precision]

fellas but in my eyes long range and budget do not go hand in hand.

If you just want to plink long range buy whatever and shoot whatever you want. If you are serious about hitting a said target at long range consistantly then I am sorry but BUDGET is not in the picture.

This is reality.......

JMO

cycbb

I just put a Shilen CM match barrel in 7RM onto one of my Savage rifles. Actually, the action is from a Stevens. In a Richards Lam stock, RB2 trigger and Sightron scope.

At 200yds, I am getting test groups in the 1/4 min range at over 3000fps with 180gr Bergers

Given how well these bullets fly, 1 mile on a large pizza box (MOA size) is well within reason. With some practise, I would hope to get into the milk jug size target. That would be sub MOA at a mile.

Retail on the barrel is $360 blued and ready for install.

Add on the other parts and you are still in the realm of inexpensive.

Works for me...

Jerry

 

[cycbb486]

Well Jerry

we will agree to differ.

It may work for your tastes but not mine...............

It works for you and your love of long range shooting just as my love is short range.

CYCBB

 

[Jeromeo]

we will agree to differ.

It may work for your tastes but not mine...............

It works for you and your love of long range shooting just as my love is short range.

CYCBB

HUH?

I'm pretty sure Jerry is one of the more knowledgeable guys here and has proven that these rifles can shoot out to 1000 yards. What's there to disagree with?

 

[Mystic Precision]

CYCBB,

Your post I responded to was your position that LR shooting couldn't be done on a 'lower' cost basis. It most certainly can.

The cost of my 7RM rig will be around $1000 without optics and will keep up with the most expensive rigs available. My Savage LR rigs are doing 1/4 to 1/3 min which is pretty comparable and likely better then some of these rigs.

Whether the platform appeals, hey no biggie. Go with what gives you a warm fuzzy...

It's all good.

YMMV

Jerry