New to long range, looking for advice

V

Vyrtual

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
canada
Hey guys, I've always been interested in shooting long range and have decided to have a go at it. I've hunted for years, with a lot of different calibres and I've been looking at the .308's and the .223's. All my rifles are at minimum 20-30 years old so it's been a while since that side of the safe has been used outside of fall lol.

I'm leaning more towards .308 because I could take it deer/moose hunting as well but it wouldn't completely destroy a coyote like the .300 would lol. And I'm also wondering what the effective range is with the 308, on targets I mean. Would it reach out to 1000 decently?

I've been checking out the rem 700 5r, it seems like a good platform. I'm just wondering if it's worth the extra cash. I probably end up swapping the stock as well. Would a cheaper platform be a better option as a starting point? Maybe the sps? I like a short rifle if that's possible, for ease of walking through brush.

Also, what is f-class? Haha.


I know that's a lot of questions, but anything helps. I've been lurking in here a while and looking up what I could, but I think it's easiest to just ask those in the know lol. And hey, when I get my rig, if there's anyone around Edmonton with any long range tips they'd be appreciated!
 
Max Owner said:
308 is a good start. Easy to reload for, find componets.

If you re going to change the stock, maybe look at the SPSs?
Click to expand...

Yeah that part of why I'm leaning towards the 700, seems like a wealth of aftermarket stuff. I'm liking the look of the choate tactical stock on the mystic precision site. Is there that big a difference between the sps barrel and the 5r? I think it's like twice the price.
 
I'm not too sure what you budget is like... but I started off with a Remington 700P LTR & currently making modifications. I love it though.

I prefer a shorter barrel as well... less harmonics and it puts a faster spin on the round. There is no reason why you can't hit 1000+ yards with a .308 cal.

Just finished up watching Magpul's "The Art of the Percision Rifle".... at the very end Travis Hailey hit a 12" steel plate at 1600 yards with a 16" barrel on an AR. .308cal of course. I was impressed.
 
Vyrtual said:
And I'm also wondering what the effective range is with the 308, on targets I mean. Would it reach out to 1000 decently?
Click to expand...

Not sure which province you are in, but it'd be best if you could contact your local Provincial Rifle Association, where you'll get a lot of positive feedback. In simplified terms, F-Class is shot from prone from 300m to 1000yds, off of supports - 308/223 off of bipods and everything else off of rests/bipods. And YES, 308 to 1000 yds can be handled. Match Rifle in the UK takes a 308 to 1200 yds.

http://dcra.ca/pralinks.htm
 
Well the 308 is a good choice imo and will get you to 1000 yds there is a good selection of bullets for it and it is an easy round to make shoot.
As far as a 5R it is a nice rifle but if you are thinking of getting in to f-class { which is shooting prone laying down with bypod or rest and rear bag] I would get something less expensive for a platform.
You will want a stock designed to shoot laying down ,the stock on the 5r could be used but you would be in a better shooting position with a different one.

A rem 700 sps or a savage model 11 stevens 200 would be another good choice for a platform.
You can also look at the savage ftr in 308 it is already setup to shoot al you need is ammo.

If you also want to hunt with it imo any f-class gun is kind of heavy to lug around.

Maybe if you are not to serious in shooting f-class and also want to hunt with it do some casual target shooting then get the 5r you will be able to do it all.
 
nemesisincanada said:
Please explain, I thought this was a product of twist rate and velocity.
Click to expand...

A faster spin on the round is the same twist rate. But to be quite honest... depending on the distance you want to shoot you should inquire into what twist rate you really want. My Rem 700P LTR in .308 has a twist rate of 1:12... which is really nice and highly accurate but the same rifle chambered in a .223 has a twist of 1:9. Again, nice but 1:8 tends to be the most verisitle because it will effectivly handle both light and heavy rounds. Barrel lengths deal with velocity but there isn't a real noticible difference. About 40fps per inch... ie.. 20" - 24" would increase only 160fps. Shorter barrels are more accurate due to less harmonics and they tend to be much stiffer. The longer the barrel the stiffness will tend to decrease.
 
I'd go 7mm-08 or before 308, and either .284 win, 7 RSAUM, or 7 WSM before that. The 7mm calibre (.284 not .277) has a better line of aerodynamic high BC bullets that are still suitable for taking game. A 7mm-08 will shoot more aerodynamic bullets faster which means better chances of hitting your target the first time. The 7mm will have less muzzle energy but it will carry its energy better than the 30 cal.

If you want to compete in F-class, a 308 or 223 will put you into F-TR (IIRC) and anything else (below 8mm) will put you into F-Open. I've been doing a tonne of research for a new calibre and have settled in the 7WSM after changing my mind about the 6.5x55. The 7WSM is a barrel burner but I'm looking for something to shoot the 180gn high BC Berger hybrids at 3000+ FPS and there's only a couple ways to manage that.

If you decide you want more short range power and/or want to compete in FTR instead of F-Open, the 308 is great, especially if you don't handload. If long range ballistics are more important, the 7mm is the better choice, be it 7mm-08 or faster.


http://www.6mmbr.com/7mm284.html
 
Last edited:
So far everyone has the same opinion as myself. F- class rifles are a bit heavy to lug around in the bush, but the 10F maodels of the Savages ( biased LOL ) are not to bad and will get you long range shooting. The .223 is nice but wont handle the wind great out past 400- 500 meters, 308 is the way to go in my opinion, lots of load options. Remigtons have more options and accesories, but out the box Savage seems a bit more accurate without doing any custom work right away, until you are ready and able to reach out past 600. Welcome to the club !
 
Thanks everyone for your responses! Man, choices choices lol.
After reading all, I think for me and intended use, .308 is the way I'm going to go, someone mentioned bullet availability and that's a big plus for me. The next thing I want to start learning about it handloading, but that won't be for a while ($).

I'll have a look at the savages as well. But as for the 700, I'm still trying to figure out if the barrel on the 5r is worth the extra cash over a cheaper version like the sps, since I'll most likely swap the stock anyway.

The weight isn't really an issue, within reason of course. haha my 12.5 grizz is probably over 10 pounds loaded and lug that around all day no prob.

Thanks again guys
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom