Getting Started Need Help

[Chago]

Ok I have started a few threads last few weeks, trying to educate myself.

So my goal is to create a rifle in .223 (or if you want to change my mind after 2 weeks of constant reading go ahead) caliber that will take the center out of toonies at realisically 300 yards max. Most shooting will be at 200 and 100. At first I was on this "sniper rifle" chase and now realizing all that means is black plastic with a rail on top.

So what I want advice on is a good rifle or a few good rifles to look into. I was looking at the Tikka T3 Tactical, not cause its sniper rifleness LOL but apprently the barrel is a match barrel and is supposed to be crazy accurate of the box. I currently own a Tikka T3 hunter in 270 and its amazingly accurate. Although would the Tikka t3 varmint be ultimatley the exact same as the tactical without the rail?

Or should I be looking at the sporting guns? with the multicoloured stocks like the tikka sporter or the savage 12????

Basically I want a gun that is out of box accurate. So would any varmint rifle do the job? I really don't see myself getting into changing barrels etc anytime within the next few years.

Thanks

 

[shaolin555]

I'd look up the def'n of sniper rifle to start.... And yes out to max 300 yrds .223 would suit you well. Its cheaper and can be extremely accurate properly worked up. The secret to accurate factory rifles is the barrel. Truth is, some shoot and some don't plain and simple! You may get one that's a tac driver and u may get a dud that requires a replacement or some smith attention. Best of luck

 

[Tomochan]

OK, so first off congratulations on taking the leap into the world of precision shooting. Secondly .223 is a good choice to start on; it is relatively cheap to load for compared to other calibres and it is a recoil friendly round which will allow for lots and lots of practice.

Now for the 'rain on the parade' stuff: Firstly, .223 is not the easiest to load for - a small change in powder weight has a proportionally greater effect than would the same error in a .308 for example so take care with the reloading and ensure you have an excellent scale. Secondly all out of the box rifles are a bit of a crap shoot - some can be excellent but the chances of all being so are quite slim irrespective of what you pay up front. Having said that, the Tikka line is thought highly of. Personally I would buy a Remington SPS and shoot the crap out of it to learn (both precision shooting and reloading) and then I would have it trued and a match grade barrel installed. I recently took an old SPS and had it made into a tack-driver for my wife to shoot - thread is here:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...t-Review-and-Range-Report-Semi-custom-Rem-223

Finally while goals are good to have please understand that to shoot the centre out of a Twoonie at 300 yards is not easy - it is 0.616" which is a smidge smaller than a dime - and will require the following: a competent shooter; excellent glass; excellent ammo; good shooting conditions and the rifle being sufficiently capable of such accuracy. It is, of course, possible - heck, it is possible to shoot groups that tight at 300 ( though not many do so ) - but it will take time and lots of practice.

Finally, when the .223 gets to be too frustrating try a 6mmBR. It makes even me look good:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?855703-Sometimes-it-is-nice-to-just-celebrate

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

 

[Mystic Precision]

See my article on my website in the Tech section on building a LR rifle on a budget.

There is no way to ensure any factory rifle will do what you want out of the box. It is a great big guess.

So for very similar money to a factory rifle, you CAN build a rifle that can compete with just about anything on the market for LR precision shooting.

Not a pipe dream or too good to be true. The stuff is competing all around the world so is a proven quantity.

As for loading the 223, it is no better nor worse then any other cartridge when the goal is itty bitty groups. You will need a good scale and dies matched to properly prepped cases, bullets and powder charges. This is exactly the same for any cartridge.

There are no short cuts to putting all your bullets on a small target way out there. Some set ups just cost less then others....

Jerry