First rifle for precision marksmanship

Gnomon

Gnomon

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Hi,

What would be a good first rifle to get into precision long-range shooting? Not interested in hunting - only target shooting. Also, what sort of auxiliary gear would be needed? I have a Dillon RL550B - would I be able to reload for a gun like this?

Thanks,

Rob
 
just went through this and also reload on a 550B, it's good for me as I'm just getting started but most (all?) precision gurus reload on single stage presses.

I decided to get the rem700 XCR tactical long range (my salary had just been raised).
the rem 700 police seems to be a fairly popular choice and so is the LTR.

If I was to do it again, I'd get a rem 700 sps varmint and switch barrel, trigger and stock.


This isn't really an advice or opinion on what to get, just my personnal experience
 
I would go 6mm BR and never look back, especially if you want a accuarate paper puncher. IF you are loading match quality ammo using high end components, ie. Berger bullets, Lapua Brass and Varget your cost per round from a .223 to a 6mm br is very marginal for the extra bang in my opinion. Recoil is very close to the same as well.
 
Rob Yale said:
Hi,

What would be a good first rifle to get into precision long-range shooting?
Click to expand...

Remington 5R milspec in .308. $1200 brand new. I've heard this rifle referred to as a "gateway" rifle before. With good reason. It'll give you the accuracy bug. Sub .5 moa right out of the box. Add rings and a scope, buy some match ammo and come back with a big smile on your face. Then start reloading for it.

The 6mmBR is a nice round. That would probably be later on though, not so much a first precision rifle.

You can get into wildcat catridges later on too.

But... these type of rifles are very specific and probably not the best first precision rifle.
 
while not exactly on topic, you guys came with the 6mm br caliber suggestion.
my centerfire rifles are currently all 308wins, my next rifle would be somewhat of a custom build, is 22-250 a good precision cartridge (300m, maybe even 600m)?
 
If you want to shoot targets are you going to be shooting targets in competitions? If so you will want a rifle that conforms to the rules of said competition. I am a firm believer in competition to maintain peoples interst in shooting and create goals for training.

Living in Ontario you are only 4 hours from Connaught range (ottawa) where the DCRA holds the nationals at the end of summer (NSCC) which are shot from 100m back to 800m with an interesting course of fire including movers, standing, improvised sitting and prone. I had a fun shoot in 2009 and met some great people. Including quite a few who were very competitive with .308.
 
You need to define what "precision marksmanship" means to you. Is it scope and bipod off a bench, F class or a coat with sling and irons? Your first rifle for the last one would be a 22rf match rifle but if you go that way you won't get the instant gratification of shooting bulls on the first day! The other two have a much shorter learning curve to get reasonable results as they are fundamentally easier.
 
Assuming you have already mastered short range shooting (in which case you know there are a huge number of variables that influence your ability to shoot long range accurately)

I would get in touch with the ORA and find out when they shoot and practice and then head out to the range. Talk with the guys that know what they're doing and get it straight from the horses mouth. The guys that like to shoot off their elbows will suggest a 223 or 308 rifle and all the goodies that go with that type of shooting.

F-Class guys will suggest a 6BR because it is the easiest and most accurate cartridge to load and is routinely shot beyond 1000M

Savage makes off-the shelf rifles for these purposes, but you might find that a second-hand rifle with all the work put into it is the best way to go.

As for gear, with an F-Class rig, get a proper high quality scope. Nightforce of leupold. Do that part properly. Use a good bipod, not the goofy green shooting bags, and invest in a good leather rear bag.

A scope is to a target shooting rifle, what tires are to a race car. The rifle is only as good as the scope you put on it and the ammo you put in it.
 
Thanks for the info. I'm going to have to translate a few accronyms here! lol!

Any books on the subject that you can recommend?

Rob
 
Drive to CFB Borden next weekend and see for yourself. Saturday is the Mons Club Championship, 2 sighters and 15 shots on score shot 3 times at 1000 yards. Sunday is the Fall Palma 2 sighters and 15 on score at 800, 900 and 1000 yards. Last match of the season.
 
Rob your best bet is to purchase a beat up Rem 700 take the action sell the rest or use it in the basement for decor. buy a A5 stock from jw precision,get it barrelledohh. jewell trigger. There you are a custom tacker for this than an off the rack toy. Get to know a good smith
1000yds
 
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Rob your best bet is to purchase a beat up Rem 700 take the action sell the rest or use it in the basement for decor. Buy a A5 stock from jw precision,get it barrelled Adams Lake Barrells Canadain Krieger Distributer; ohh. jewell trigger. There you are a custom tacker for less than an off the rack toy. Get to know a good smith
1000yds
 
1000yds said:
Rob your best bet is to purchase a beat up Rem 700 take the action sell the rest or use it in the basement for decor. Buy a A5 stock from jw precision,get it barrelled Adams Lake Barrells Canadain Krieger Distributer; ohh. jewell trigger. There you are a custom tacker for less than an off the rack toy. Get to know a good smith
1000yds
Click to expand...

Hi 1000yds,

Could you unpack that a bit for me? Let me see what I understand:

1) Get a Remington 700, and keep the action. By that you mean everything but the barrel?

2) Get an A5 Stock. Adjustable, or non-adjustable?

3) What does "get it barrelled" mean?

4) Where does one get the jewel trigger?

The lowest price on a 700 I could find was around $400, and the stock (non-adjustable) would be $550. Would this end up being a $2000 gun?

Rob
 
1) Get a Remington 700, and keep the action. By that you mean everything but the barrel? Sell the barrel, stock, trigger, bottom metal and keep just the action and bolt. Should net you $150-$200 back on the purchase if it's all in good condition

2) Get an A5 Stock. Adjustable, or non-adjustable? Whichever floats your boat

3) What does "get it barrelled" mean? Get a Krieger barrell blank from Ian at Adamas Lake Rifle Barrels www.riflebarrels.ca and get it chambered in your caliber choice and spun onto the aforementioned Action

4) Where does one get the jewel trigger? Joe ##### at ### International is where I got my last one.

The lowest price on a 700 I could find was around $400, and the stock (non-adjustable) would be $550. Would this end up being a $2000 gun? Yes
 
You would be better of getting a factory gun with decent optics and learning 1st rather than getting a full blown custom gun. A heavy barreled fast twist 223, or 308 would be a good start. That way you can shoot heavy bullets shoot long range. A factory gun is not going to win any competitions but once you get good you can flip it or if you can rebarrell it later with a competition grade barrel and trigger and such. Plan on spending 3k plus since most of that requires a smith.

An McMillian A5 would be closer to $800-900 btw.
 
No Brainer....Savage Arms 10FP in .223 I bought an honest to god 1/2 moa gun straight out of the box. The accutrigger is kind of ghey but hey it works and is light and breaks nice and sharp. The beauty of the savage gun is it grows with you without the need for a GS. Custom prechambered bbls are readily available, stocks, triggers, bolt heads everything you need to build a precision rig later on if you want. I have personally put together a couple that would shoot in the .1s with no more work then bedding and swapping the bbl out. This one withe hs precision or mac stock would be a good start or the straight 10fp if you are on a budget.

ht tp://www.wholesalesports.com/storefront/home/hunting/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/model-10fcp-short-action/prod236340.html
 
juanvaldez said:
No Brainer....Savage Arms 10FP in .223 I bought an honest to god 1/2 moa gun straight out of the box. The accutrigger is kind of ghey but hey it works and is light and breaks nice and sharp. The beauty of the savage gun is it grows with you without the need for a GS. Custom prechambered bbls are readily available, stocks, triggers, bolt heads everything you need to build a precision rig later on if you want. I have personally put together a couple that would shoot in the .1s with no more work then bedding and swapping the bbl out. This one withe hs precision or mac stock would be a good start or the straight 10fp if you are on a budget.

ht tp://www.wholesalesports.com/storefront/home/hunting/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/model-10fcp-short-action/prod236340.html
Click to expand...

Sorry for being such a dummy, but some acronym 411 please. My experience is completely with handguns:

10FP: is this a stock?
moa?
GS?
custom prechambered bbls?
shoot in the .1s?
hs precision: is this another stock?

Thanks,

Rob
 
Rob Yale said:
Sorry for being such a dummy, but some acronym 411 please. My experience is completely with handguns:

10FP: is this a stock?
moa?
GS?
custom prechambered bbls?
shoot in the .1s?
hs precision: is this another stock?

Thanks,

Rob
Click to expand...

10FP is a off the shelf Savage rifle
MOA- Minute of Angle, it works out to approximatly 1"/every 100m - 3" group at 300m is approx 1 MOA
GS - got me on that one
Custom Pre chambered BBLS - bbls is a shortened version of Barrel I belive
.1's - .1 MOAsame hole at 100m
HS is a gun company selling mainly stocks but they do make custom stuf for guns and custom made guns.

if you are thinking of match shooting i would probably not go 6mmBR because you will you rifle handed to you for many many many matches because that is what the Pro's shoot. it is also a custom chamber wildcat that factory ammo is not avalible for. It is strictly a reloaders round.

I just got a .308 and I will be shooting in the Open F-class which is a little more forgiving for a new shooter. I would go with a used Rem 700 or a Savage in a .223 or a .308 and learn to shoot with that... I am not saying that you are a rookie shooter or are not accurate, but this type of shooting is alot different the handguns or even hunting rifles on a rest. you have to line yourself up on the ground with your gun properly, learn to breath, and learn to read the wind. This I am still learning to do.

The gun that I got is a Remmington M700 XCR LRT in .308 and put a Bushnell 6500 on it. The gun i bought used and same with the scope. for everything I spend $2250. The gun was bedded, trigger was changed, VBull system, and a bunch of Badger stuff was put on the gun, with a Sako bi-pod.

When I shoot out the barrel I will go to Ian and get a new match grade barrel.

I hope this helps you a little.

NwG Dutchie
 
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