Long range shooting
- Thread starter JohnnyPython
- Start date
Between 308 and 6.5 creed, the Creedmoor is alot easier to get alot of different loads, and factory ammo to stay supersonic past a thousand yards.
Less drift, less recoil, very easy to tune a load with the creed, as others have stated. I currently own 3 - 6.5 creedmoors, and 2 - 308's. Have had more through the years, but fell in love with the Creedmoor in 2012 before most people knew what it was. Long before all the internet jokes and memes about it.
Pick either or if you reload, but make sure its a 1-10 twist rate 308 if your planning on a thousand yards, not sure what that s20 twist rate is. It just makes it a bit easier. Good luck, and let us know what you pick.
Less drift, less recoil, very easy to tune a load with the creed, as others have stated. I currently own 3 - 6.5 creedmoors, and 2 - 308's. Have had more through the years, but fell in love with the Creedmoor in 2012 before most people knew what it was. Long before all the internet jokes and memes about it.
Pick either or if you reload, but make sure its a 1-10 twist rate 308 if your planning on a thousand yards, not sure what that s20 twist rate is. It just makes it a bit easier. Good luck, and let us know what you pick.
The OP is planning on shooting at 300 yards only.
A .223 is the best bet there , not only for hand loading cost but form cheap factory ammo as well.
Cat
Some really good advice here, let me add to it…
Like others have stated here. Get yourself the nicest glass you can. This is a VERY addictive sport being long range shooting.
I would suggest a nightforce ATACR or BEAST model. Need money? Bank loan interest rates are really low. Re-mortgage if you have to. Got kids? Stop buying them ####. Let mom intervene with her limited savings. Start with toothpaste and end with toilet paper is what m’dad would say.
Stick with the tried and true, 308 Winchester. There’s a reason why it’s still around. Yes the creedmoor has got the edge but then you’ll have to worry about all the other creedmoor guys wanting to kiss you. You don’t get that with the Winchester. You get chest hair, and lots of it.
Talk to the other range guys and see what they shoot. Maybe they’ll let you handle some different rifles and see what you like best.
Like others have stated here. Get yourself the nicest glass you can. This is a VERY addictive sport being long range shooting.
I would suggest a nightforce ATACR or BEAST model. Need money? Bank loan interest rates are really low. Re-mortgage if you have to. Got kids? Stop buying them ####. Let mom intervene with her limited savings. Start with toothpaste and end with toilet paper is what m’dad would say.
Stick with the tried and true, 308 Winchester. There’s a reason why it’s still around. Yes the creedmoor has got the edge but then you’ll have to worry about all the other creedmoor guys wanting to kiss you. You don’t get that with the Winchester. You get chest hair, and lots of it.
Talk to the other range guys and see what they shoot. Maybe they’ll let you handle some different rifles and see what you like best.
Sorry about that, I must have misread something there then.
Cheap isn't always good, though, and best accuracy might not involve a case of 55gr AR fodder. Pay attention to barrel twist rate and bullet weight and a chart of which goes with what, because there's a real spectrum in .223 and it's not a just-match-the-headstamp calibre.
And as with other calibres, quality ammunition makes a world of difference.
To Clarify the 'barrel friendly' issue, the"faster rounds' like creeds et al will 'burn out a barrel in just a few thou rounds. A 308 can last Much longer IF you don't "Burn the barrel" - you need to let the barrel cool for 10-min or so after 2-3 shots. Then just a couple more . . . etc.
And the .223 is even better in that it will cost Much Less per round, even with 'Match Grade' ammo; and will perform well at the range you describe. Look for a barrel with 1:7 or 1:8 twist - Don't take any Higher # OR Youwill Limit your bullet options . . . a Lower # will accept/handle Heavier bullets with more accuracy. Again though, you should let the barrel have time to cool off - same process, only 2-3 shots then wait.
Last thing, a used rifle will be a 'good deal' only if you can inspect the Chamber/Bore with a bore-scope to look for 'fire-cracking' - a symptom of Abuse by Over-Heating, shooting too much too fast. A Teslong bore-scope is a good $100-ish investment for proper 'rifle bore care'. Just Learn what to look for and DON'T be 'Over Concerned' by what you see - the scope Will Magnify ALL scratches inside there !
JMO
Good Luck and ENJOY !
And the .223 is even better in that it will cost Much Less per round, even with 'Match Grade' ammo; and will perform well at the range you describe. Look for a barrel with 1:7 or 1:8 twist - Don't take any Higher # OR Youwill Limit your bullet options . . . a Lower # will accept/handle Heavier bullets with more accuracy. Again though, you should let the barrel have time to cool off - same process, only 2-3 shots then wait.
Last thing, a used rifle will be a 'good deal' only if you can inspect the Chamber/Bore with a bore-scope to look for 'fire-cracking' - a symptom of Abuse by Over-Heating, shooting too much too fast. A Teslong bore-scope is a good $100-ish investment for proper 'rifle bore care'. Just Learn what to look for and DON'T be 'Over Concerned' by what you see - the scope Will Magnify ALL scratches inside there !
JMO
Good Luck and ENJOY !
All of my .223's ( 1:9, 1:8, 1:7, 1:6.5 twists) shoot cheap 55 grain ammo well enough out to 600 meters that a completely green shooter can make solid hits out to 600 meters with no problem off the bench with a Leupold AR 3-9x scope .
That is with Wolf steel jacketed ammo.
That is pretty cheap ammo and if a fella just wants to bang steel it works great.
With the sling'n'irons I can also keep them on the steel out there.
It doesn't take much for any of these rifles to shoot really accurately within reason with any .223 ammo .
At 300 and inside that cheap ammo works just fine unless one wants to compete , and even then on a PRS sized plate it does fine .
I rarelybshoot with a scope except when testing or doing load development , my rifles are shot as TR rifles
Cat
Made the move. Got an S20 in 6.5 Creedmoor. Wanted one for a couple years now. As I said, my club only goes out to 300 yards. I may try longer if I can find a range.
I will eventually reload 6.5 after getting the components.
I’m looking for a scope so that’s the next item up.
Thanks for all the advice from everyone. I’ll post up the final set up soon.
I will eventually reload 6.5 after getting the components.
I’m looking for a scope so that’s the next item up.
Thanks for all the advice from everyone. I’ll post up the final set up soon.
This is not true. ALL barrels will exhibit fire cracking in the throat over time, regardless of being abused or not. The only way to determine if a barrel has been abused is to compare the length of the throat against the number of rounds through the barrel. Abusing a barrel simply accelerates the throat wear. There is no obvious sign of an abused bolt action barrel.
Bore scopes are the devil and likely have annoyed more gunsmiths than any other implement. Newbies and the inexperienced should not be bore scoping rifle barrels. It just leads to no good. The only thing that really matters is how well a barrel shoots and a borescope can't tell you that.
Save all your brass for the day you start reloading. With reloading, another option is to make friends with a local reloader, and that person shows you the ropes. Then you know what you’re in for. 
For a scope, there will be a ton of opinions. You won’t need much for 300 yards, but high mag is great for load development, so you can be as precise as possible.
For long distance shooting steel, clear glass beats magnification. My scope goes to x32 but I think I set it to maybe x16-20 for shooting out to 1000.
For a scope, there will be a ton of opinions. You won’t need much for 300 yards, but high mag is great for load development, so you can be as precise as possible.
For long distance shooting steel, clear glass beats magnification. My scope goes to x32 but I think I set it to maybe x16-20 for shooting out to 1000.
Save all your brass for the day you start reloading. With reloading, another option is to make friends with a local reloader, and that person shows you the ropes. Then you know what you’re in for.
I reload mainly for pistol but I have reloaded .223, 30-30 so shouldn’t be a problem.
Bustercluck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
I just got one of these in the mail today. It’s a bit more geared towards hunting, but it’s alot of scope for the price.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/196275/zeiss-conquest-v4-4-16x44mm-riflescope
Agree with this 1000%. Easily the most accurate cartridge I own.
If you are serious about long range you will end up reloading sooner or later anyways so thats not really a consideration IMO.
