Instead of buying, perhaps a project?

Gnomon

Gnomon

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Hi,

After starting my precision long-range education on this forum, I quickly began to realize just how much I don't know. However, learning is just about the most enjoyable thing I can imagine, so this has given me an idea.

Clearly the season for outdoor shooting is coming to an end for 2009, and buying a rifle for that purpose would be a recipe for frustration. I'm going to the ORA intro at Camp Bordon in a couple of weeks, and I'll probably pick up lots of good info there. But to buy a gun now that will sit in the safe until spring strikes me as a bit dumb.

So instead of doing that, would it be a good idea to try and put together a budget purpose-built rifle that I could have ready for the spring? If I was to do that, how best to start? This strikes me as being educational, as well as economical. I'd be learning about all the mechanical details, as well as spreading the cost over a number of months.

I saw some projects on the Mythic site, I don't know if any of them are appropriate for a raw noob like me, but any of them are, which one should I go for?

Rob
 
Start by choosing an action, figure out what caliber you want and what twist, order a barrel. Figure out what stock you want and what colour then order it. Scope, mounts and rings, trigger if the action doesn't come with one. Then find a gunsmith to put it all together. Costs could be $3000-$5000 or better for a custom rig and it might be ready by spring. Oh and don't forget a front rest or bipod if you are planning to shoot F Class.

How about reloading equipment? Bullets, brass, powder, primers, dies and a press, scale, tumbler and all the goodies to go with it.

Mons Club Championship and the Fall Palma Match are on this weekend in Borden. Start your education even before the ORA Intro Day.
 
I'll have to keep an eye on this thread. I am looking at getting into the sport (take my pal class and test next weekend) and was considering a possible winter "build". I'm assuming it MAY be cheaper to go that route.
 
Rob,

I fully support the idea of attending one of your local shoots and seeing first-hand what people are using and actually speaking face-to-face with guys that HAVE walked in your shoes. That experience alone would be a great education. For instance, caliber choices and your intentions to re-load will greatly influence the best options.

There are so many different options out there for getting started. I hesitate to commit you to one path or brand, because there are many ways of getting started that are all good.

Please keep an open - and yet skeptical - mind when siphoning info off of websites like this. Ultimately, what and where you shoot will be guide your best choices.

Check in with "Ice-Pick" Mike (here on CGN) He knows what he is talking about and he is an experienced precision shooter. He also acts as a mentor to new shooters getting involved in precision shooting sports in Ontario. Please get to know chaps like him before you pull the trigger on a rifle ( or project) purchase.
 
wild1 said:
What is all this about the shooting season coming to an end??????
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Shot the Mons Club Championship and the Fall Palma this weekend in Borden, almost froze my barrel off not to mention my rifle was cold too. Forget what the temp was on Saturday but it was chilly enough for a sweatshirt and jacket when I wasn't down shooting. Frost Sunday morning and the temp was +1C driving out to the range. Cold enough for a Goretex parka and gloves between relays.

Time to start shooting some .22 indoors until the temps are back up around 20C, yes I am a wimp when it comes to prone shooting but don't mind the cold when it comes to hunting.
 
Rob Yale said:
Is there any sense in getting a .22 rifle, putting a scope on it so I can learn how to use it, and shooting indoors until spring? My club has an indoor range. Then, come spring, I could sell the .22, and pick up a .223.

For example, what about these:

http://www.frontierfirearms.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_114&products_id=2225

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=381422

Rob
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Never anything wrong with shooting a .22. It's good cheap practice. And in fact, I would suggest getting a good one, one that you intend to keep for a while. I know rimfire doesn't have the same appeal as centerfire for cool factor, but I guarantee that once you really get into shooting and working on your technique, that .22 will be indispensable.
 
Given my interest in learning long-range precision shooting, is there any particular rim-fire you'd steer me towards? Also, what scope should I get?

Thanks,

Rob
 
Rob Yale said:
Given my interest in learning long-range precision shooting, is there any particular rim-fire you'd steer me towards? Also, what scope should I get?

Thanks,

Rob
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Good question. I can help you a bit by telling you which rimfire to never buy. I have 3 of them (1 I bought and 2 were given to me) and none of them can't hit the side of a barn at 75 yards......they are RUGER 10/22's. Stay away from them. I'd buy a good heavy barreled Savage in .17 HMR or 22LR with the target trigger. Buy yourself a good scope and then take it off the rimfire when you decide to buy your 223.
 
The CZ 452s are a great rifle for the money and they are made with full size stocks unlike many 22 rimfires.

Years ago as an instructor we would get recruits shooting rimfire in order to learn breathing and trigger control as well as to help develop the hand eye coordination and muscle memory. You can learn ALOT from shooting 22 rimfire and save a ton of money as the ammo is cheap.
A decent 22 is something you will always have use for even once you get into centerfire. The skill set is the same, just the recoil and noise is different.
 
"...that will sit in the safe until..." You do need to work up a load.
"...any sense in getting a .22 rifle..." Best thing to learn on without the cost of CF ammo. Try a box of as many brands of ammo as you can to find the ammo it shoots best and shoot any competitions you can too. No need to sell it in the Spring though.
"...prone shooting..." Thick, insulated, shooting mat. A CF combat parka and wind pants will help though.
 
There is an Anschutz target rifle on the EE. You can learn a lot about wind reading at long range by shooting a .22 at 100 yards. Of course shooting indoors even if it is only 20 yards will help with your position and trigger control.
 
If you want a good 22lr, look into the CZ 452. I have a varmint model and with good ammo it will shoot 1.5 inch at 100 yards, which is like shooting at 300 yards with a centerfire. They are only about $500 new and shoot like a match gun.
 
Rob Yale said:
Two questions:

1) Is .17 HMR ammo much more expensive than .22lr? Also, is it readily stocked?

2) Is the "target trigger" the one Savage calls "AccuTrigger"? Is this an absolute requirement? Because All Flaherity has this: http://www.alflahertys.com/product.php?pr_id=613&pr_code=4&search_string= which would give me lots of leeway to get a great scope and bipod.


Rob
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.17 is much more expensive than .22, and isn't as commonly stocked. Personally, I would avoid it. I'm not familiar with the AccuTrigger, other than fiddling around with a demonstration model in a gun store. It certainly felt good, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.
 
Before you decide on anything, take the ORA Intro Day next weekend. I am sure a lot of your questions will be answered. You will see everything there from factory rifles to full blown customs. Then decide on how you want to spend your money.
 
maynard said:
Before you decide on anything, take the ORA Intro Day next weekend. I am sure a lot of your questions will be answered. You will see everything there from factory rifles to full blown customs. Then decide on how you want to spend your money.
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Ok. That's exactly what I'm going to do. I booked that 4 days ago, and I'm quite excited about it.

Rob
 
Shooting is like many other sports. If you thought you would like to take up something like golf you wouldn't go out a buy a custom fitted set of Ping golf clubs. Or if you wanted to start car racing Formula 1 wouldn't be a starting point.

Yes there is some pride in owning a custom rifle but until you learn how to shoot at long range it would just be a frustratiing expensive adventure.

As you will learn next weekend the ORA has many different competition classes. F(M) being F Class (M)anufactured is a great place to start. Not a huge outlay of money to get started into and if you purchase the right equipment to start off with, you will have a good base to build a custom rifle on.
 
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