Long Range question

Spydr

Spydr

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Hey guys,

I am looking for a long range rifle, one that can reach about 1000m's or so. I don't know what kinds of rifles are out there that can do this besides a 50 BMG. And some optics for it. If you can's see that far to hit your target whats the point? Any one got any ideas for me?

Spydr
 
That should get about a hundred different opinions. In my opinion it depends on your skill level, pocket book, and whether you handload among other things. If you are new to the game I would recommend starting out with a .308 that'll reach out to a 1000 with minimal recoil and decent resistance to wind deflection, plus ammo is readily available if you don't reload. If you are looking for rifle types take your pick you can go with a variety of factory rifles that provide good accuracy or you can go custom which is tailored to you and generally produces great accuracy. If you could provide more specifics you will get more detailed answers from members here.
eg. budget, caliber or recoil preference, experience, do you handload.

John
 
Spyder if you are just starting out, I would suggest a Savage in either .223 or .308 with a good mil-dot type scope with a power band of at least 10 X will get you to 1000yrds economicaly and to see if you get the bug. There are many rifles and caliber combinations that do the job easily, it all depends on what your going to do with the rifle, I.E. paper punching, Paper punching/hunting, competition and what class. Most important is to practice and practice lots, the savage will do it out of the box and on a budget that will alow you to spend money on the ammo or reloading components you will need for the practice. Then if you get the bug you can go semi custom, or custom built. Talk to Alberta Tactical Rifle supply in Calgary, he can hook you up with everything from a starter Savage to a .50BMG to a full blown Custom, and some say he's even a good guy:p ;) :D
 
Here comes the age old questions??

#1 - Start with a budget!! When you've decided how much $$$$ your willing to part with, then you can start to look at rifles scopes, rings, bases, etc.

Do you want to spend $3000 or $10,000??? Once you decide it will better put you in a position to elliminate whats to expensive.

You also have to option of a pre-fab rifle, or making friends with many of the VERY tallented gunsmiths in Canada and having them build a gun that can reach out and touch something!!

You can get something like a REM700 police which is cheap yet effective rifle (good bang for the buck), or you could up the anti!!

If you do your homework well before jumping in with both feet you will get every bit as much rifle as the $$ you put into it. You do get what you pay for!!

Do it once right, not two or three times poorly!!

There is tons of knowledge and experience on this forum. Use it to your advantage.

Good luck!!:D
 
I have an unlimited budget and I do already own a few rifles that will do the trick. I do handload my own rounds. Right now I have a 300 WSM, and a Sako 7mm STW. They are both really good rifles. The 300 will reach the 1000m with ease the problem is they recoil on it is so bad that will jar by scope out of alignment in 2-3 shots. The 7 I have had a long time. Its a great rifle and I wouldnt trade it for the world. I hear alot of people saying stupid things about th stw like slower than wind etc. obviously these people have never owned a 7mm which has a straighter trajectory than the 300 wsm. Anyway thanx for the info keep it coming.
 
Do it once right, not two or three times poorly!!


Good luck!!:D[/QUOTE]

I have to disagree with that statement. Precision shooting is about fine tunning. I have yet to find a person go out and Do it once. you are always looking at different triggers, barrells, ammunition, stocks scopes etc. Its about fitting the rifle to yourself.....when you decide to get serious about it. It's as bad as being a heroine junky your always looking for your next fix.:eek: ;) START OFF with a basic setup to see if it's your thing...spend a year playing with it and getting practice, its easy to sell off a rifle anyone can use than a custom built to you precision rig, and upgrade when ready. If you do not develope the basic marksmanship skills spending thousands of dollars is realy not going to do anything for you in accuracy, and end up being expensive frustration. Most rifles are more accurate than the man behind it as it is, It can be an expensive hobby or it can be done on a budget, hit the range and get advice from those that do it. If you do your homework you will have a hobby that will give you a life time of enjoyment and challenges.

JUST AN OPINION
 
Spydr said:
I have an unlimited budget and I do already own a few rifles that will do the trick. I do handload my own rounds. Right now I have a 300 WSM, and a Sako 7mm STW. They are both really good rifles. The 300 will reach the 1000m with ease the problem is they recoil on it is so bad that will jar by scope out of alignment in 2-3 shots. The 7 I have had a long time. Its a great rifle and I wouldnt trade it for the world. I hear alot of people saying stupid things about th stw like slower than wind etc. obviously these people have never owned a 7mm which has a straighter trajectory than the 300 wsm. Anyway thanx for the info keep it coming.
Click to expand...

Wish ya would have said that off the start!!:p ever think of using a Muzzle Break to reduce the recoil and some solid mounts.
 
Spydr said:
The 300 will reach the 1000m with ease the problem is they recoil on it is so bad that will jar by scope out of alignment in 2-3 shots.
Click to expand...

You either have a problem with your rings or base here. In any event those are both excellent calibres you have for long range shooting but you may want to consider a good muzzle brake. You should be able to get that STW out to 1000 yards with accuracy using some 168 gr Bergers, mind you the WSM with some 190 Wildcats is no slouch either.

I am going through a similar process and instead of building a custom I will blueprint my Sendero .300 Win Mag action, put on a Rock Creek 5R barrel and should be good to go.

Here's the before picture. At least a few months away for the after pic.

609TIS_Sendero.jpg
 
(Do it once right, not two or three times poorly!!) Quote Blackcloud

( have to disagree with that statement. Precision shooting is about fine tunning. I have yet to find a person go out and Do it once.) Quote Long Range Canuck

Opinions always welome, no offence taken, again just opinions.

Perhaps I will expand, I think my original was taken out of context.

I certainly agree that one will never settle,,, most certainly not after you get "the bug". You will always be looking for something, I know I am. What I was trying to get across was rather that purchasing something you would outgrow very quickly I would suggest you would be better off getting something you can work with for a while, not that you can't with something less expensive or sophisticated. Just relating my own experiences. I to did purchase something along the lines of the Savage, it was a great gun and still is, I just found myself looking for something more very quickly.

Also agree that "The Nut Behind The Butt" in most circumstances will not be of the skill level to reach the performance level of the equipment.

Heck, I wish I could routinely put 5 rounds through the same hole, I know my rifle can,,,,,,, May be I should stop blaming my rifle??? LOL
 
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I second the suggestion of a m700P in 300 Win Mag, shooting 190s

as for scope, something tactical like from Leupold would be good, spend as much as you can afford
​
 
I never thought of a muzzle break for the 300. I dont know why I havent either there must be a reason. Anyway I have been hand loading 165 grain BTSP for the 300. Theres a little less recoil than the 180 grain which felt very hard on the rifle, and my shoulder at times.

I did however put a Swarovski scope on it. I think its a 4-12 or 4-16 X cant remember been working to long and not enuff time at the range. The scope is crystal clear even at 500 m the problem is if you havent trained your eye to it you can put the cross hairs on target and miss at even 50m. Its almost as though its a holographic scope in 3d. Maybe thats not the best way to describe it but I think those of you who own one have an idea of what I am talking about.

Thanks for that info on the ammo I will actually try a couple hundred rounds of it.

The 7 I havent had really alot of time for it in the last 5 years but if I can get a really good scope on it I think it could maybe do what I want it to. I just want something diffrent.

All I have used my rifles for is short range hunting and I want to extend my range. Nothing would beat smashing a dog at 900 m on the the first shot.

Spydr
I may be shiney but I ain't brand new.
 
OOOHHH unlimited budget!! Alright,

Custom action (PGW, Surgeon, etc..) with 20-25 MOA integrated base
Chambered for .338 Lapua
28" 5R fluted barrel
McMillan fully adjustable A5 stock
Custom trigger (canjar, jewell, shilen, etc..)
Badger rings
Tactical muzzle break
Scmidt and Bender 5-25 x 56 Police Marksman II LP scope
TIS M24 sling
Harris Bipod

Not that I've thought about it or anything. ;)

John
 
spydr you did not mention what your intention was. Are you planning on shooting paper, or trying to kill something at long range? Caliber and bullet play a huge role as paper requires far less power to kill than an animal will.
1000 yard paper is shot well with 308, 6.5 x??? and so on, I like 300 win mag as the distances are easier with a bullet that is still supersonic beyond the 1000.
To kill something, however requires more cartridge than 308, 300 win mag being about the smallest I would suggest. 338 Lapua would be better yet, if REAL long range is required then I can build you a 416 Barret or 50 BMG to get out to that 1.5 mile plus mark.
Your WSM or STW are both well known performers and both should be easily capable of 1000 yard work, both on the limit for effective kills at that distance however.
The recoil damaging scopes is some sort of problem, I used to shoot a 7STW lots and never found it abusive. Check your stock bolts and mounting screws for being loose, both of these will certainly mess with scope sighting.
If you really want to reach out there accurately I can make it happen for you. at our shop we consider 1000 yards to be close range!
 
My .02 cents on the big money table: .308 is just not quite enough rifle for most bullets at the long range, but the 155gr Palma bullets are still supersonic at a grand. The 147gr FMJ ball is just --OK-- at long range, but there are better. The 168gr Sierra drops off at 700-800 and gets wonky. The US military long range match is 175gr. The reliable bullet is something like a 190gr.

If your target is big and round, then decide how tight you want to group. If it is big and hairy, the decision cycle works in reverse.

There is nothing wrong with the smaller cartridges like .308 and their behaviour is very well known by all DCRA shooters. You get out of the knowledge pool and into the shoals with the more exotic Big Boys. That said, the .338 LM is an up and comer versus the .300 Win Mag for many reasons, most of which are based on sniper community lessons learned. You will notice that although their rifles are long actions 'just in case they wanted to rebarrel to .300 WM', the replacement is the .338LM.
 
F-class
I have a 308 Gaillard barrel 1-13 twist , 26 inch ,bushnell 10x
and 7 rem mag Douglas barrel 1-9 twist, 24 inch , SS 16X
I use the .308 @ 600m and under
and the 7 mag @1000m and under
Bullets .308 , 155 gr, 168 gr
7mag 168 gr, 175 gr
Frank
 
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