Im thinking about joining a local rifle competition, where they shoot at metal silouettes from 100 to 500meters. It has to be done standing with no braces ( nothing to lodge the gun on). The guy organizing it told me to get a .308 , what kind of 308 is good for precision target shooting, and whats a good scope to get with it?
Need some advice
- Thread starter GunGuy34
- Start date
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- High River, Alberta
If you are going to get involved with sanctioned matchs there are a few different catagories and particular limitations on the equipment. They get very serious.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallic_silhouette
http://www.imssu.org/
If its for a fun club thing then use what you have. Years ago I was into it for a while. 6mm Rem was too light but nearly anything with more momentum works. 6.5X55, 7-08, 270, 308 etc. are good. Too much recoil is not good cuz a round of fire is usually 40 rounds plus sighters and that can be a lot if it starts to hurt.
Go and see what everyone else uses and TDC has good advice - Buy the best you can and hopefully you won't be needing to replace it or upgrade right away.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallic_silhouette
http://www.imssu.org/
If its for a fun club thing then use what you have. Years ago I was into it for a while. 6mm Rem was too light but nearly anything with more momentum works. 6.5X55, 7-08, 270, 308 etc. are good. Too much recoil is not good cuz a round of fire is usually 40 rounds plus sighters and that can be a lot if it starts to hurt.
Go and see what everyone else uses and TDC has good advice - Buy the best you can and hopefully you won't be needing to replace it or upgrade right away.
justsomeguy
Regular
- Location
- Calgary-ish
The range at Fort McMurray does silhouettes once a month, very informal but some disgustingly good shooters (I'm not one of them....).
You need a 308 as a minimum in order to knock the metals over...I can hit them at 200-300M all day with a 223 and all I get is a "ping" and a bit of movement. You want something in a heavy barrel, most common choice is a Rem 700, either in SPS or 5R.
I've got a 5R and know folks with SPS, biggest difference between the 2 is SS action and barrel plus the nice stock on the 5R vs. the basic Rem 700 and black action/bbl on the SPS. I went 5R for the SS look, particularly since I plan to use the action for a custom build once I shoot out the barrel. Really a personal choice between the 2.
As soon as you get your rifle start re-loading! My 223 & 308 shoot crap with bulk ammo...it's amazing what loading your own can do. I'm just getting into it but have used some friends hand loads and what a difference.
You need a 308 as a minimum in order to knock the metals over...I can hit them at 200-300M all day with a 223 and all I get is a "ping" and a bit of movement. You want something in a heavy barrel, most common choice is a Rem 700, either in SPS or 5R.
I've got a 5R and know folks with SPS, biggest difference between the 2 is SS action and barrel plus the nice stock on the 5R vs. the basic Rem 700 and black action/bbl on the SPS. I went 5R for the SS look, particularly since I plan to use the action for a custom build once I shoot out the barrel. Really a personal choice between the 2.
As soon as you get your rifle start re-loading! My 223 & 308 shoot crap with bulk ammo...it's amazing what loading your own can do. I'm just getting into it but have used some friends hand loads and what a difference.
Its at the Range in Fort Mac, its like justsomeguy said. The guy that organizes it told me to get a .308 but since there are a million types of guns that shoot that, i thought i would ask some advice in hopes someone out there had done this type of shooting and knew what to get.
Ive thought about the reloading , just havnt gotten into it yet. Not really sure what to get and how to get started to be honest. I know i need a press etc, but ya know its like a whole other science to learn.
just another little bit of info for you--6mm with heavy bullet will knock targets down at our range in cranbrook but the same rifle - ammo combination will only ring the targets in lethbridge. reason being lethbridge has more wind therfore they put bigger feet on their targets so they wont blow over. you will also have to decide which class you want to shoot. either hunter class or sihlouette. you can use a hunter class rifle in both but not a sihoulette in hunter class (this usually just applies to provincial matches and not to the informall regular shoots) something else with the lethbridge range is you are shooting slightly up hill so the angle has a neg effect to with lighter calibers. this is info i have learned from other members of our bull river shooters assos. and not from personel exp. i just do the 22 side of things but do play with a 7mm on the big stuff when nobody is around. you will definatly get your exercise resetting targets. mickey
- Location
- Center of Oil Country
I have been shooting silhouette for 25 plus years. A Remington 700 heavy barrel in either 308 or 7-08 is a good choice - off the shelf works. Have seen some guys try the 260 which is ok until you get to the rams at 500 metres and they can be though to "dump" if the targets are not sitting perfectly vertical - leaning forward slightly - now you have to push the target up to vertical then over. Get the best optics you can afford with target turrets 10 power and up is better - Leupold is nice nothing wrong with Bushnell either. Experiment with handloads and get the most accurate load you can with below max data = no extra points for blasting the target off the stand - or damaging them. I have seen numerous combinations over the years but the Remington 700 is still very popular. I am partial to the 308 due to the availability of bullets and cases. You don't need match bullets either - yes I am opening myself up to some arguements but even bulk spire point bullets can work well. Most guys including myself need to practice much more. This is a sport of timing and concentration anyone who can average 20 hits out of 40 targets is a good shot period - no one can hold the cross hairs perfectly steady.
This is the stuff i wanted to here, so ill have a look at a remington 700, and some good optics. Thats where i was leaning anyhow, just wanted to make sure.
If you have a low budget, I recommend the following:
Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308 Win (~$600)
Tasco 6-24 X 42 Scope with Mil-dot. (~$125)
Weaver Base and mounts (~$45)
Remember, this is the cheap option, but it will get you going.
I got a budget of 2000 bux.
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Savage rifle aswell is good. I have 3.
Reloading isn't as hard as one would think. After years of threatening to do. A few more in gathering stuff. I finally started and did a little. Get a few good manuals and get started. Take your time and pay attention to what you are doing.
Reloading isn't as hard as one would think. After years of threatening to do. A few more in gathering stuff. I finally started and did a little. Get a few good manuals and get started. Take your time and pay attention to what you are doing.
I just bought a sps tactical which I will be using fory first high power silhouette match in port alberni next weekend. I am no pro but it seems like everyone is running a 7mm08 or a 260. I really like my sps t even the #### stock seems not too bad off hand. I have a 24 fixed power scope on my gun that I borrowed off a friend till Ivan afford the right scope for my gun. Have you tried 22 silhouette yet??? Just a awesome time.
Remmy 700 sps varmint is nice, mine (308) is a bit front heavy for shooting off hand but has the potential to do what you want. I think you might be better suited with a shorter barrel, perhaps VTR or 700P in 308? My first loading experience was with my .308 and the number of powders and bullets you will have available will make it worthwhile to choose something so common. Savage makes a great entry level with loads of potential, pick something that feels good in hand and fits you, then spend the money you save on a real quality scope and enjoy your new addiction.
I shot silhouette rifle for a while back in the 80's. The chosen caliber at the time was 7mm-08. Variations on Rem varmint rifles and BR rifles ruled the roost, at the time. A HB Rem 700 worked well. A shorter barrel for better weight distribution (as you shoot standing a rifle that is too muzzle heavy is not helpful). Tune up the trigger, bed the action, put some good glass on it (skip the Tasco, a Bushnell 4200/6500 or Leupold is where you should start) and you're good to go. Buy a reloading set up if you don't already have one, believe me, you'll use it. - dan
