Precision Long Range Noob

E

endo

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Location
Airdrie, AB
I’m thinking about getting into long range rifles but for all intents and purposes, I have no experience. I currently own a handgun and plan on trying some IDPA matches soon but precision distance shooting has always interested me. I know there is a long range facility somewhere just east of Calgary near the south end; anyone know what that range is called? I know there’s a website too, I’ve been there but can’t find it now.

What would be a good rifle to start with? Caliber? Brand? Etc…

I have a friend that shoots competitively and is apparently very good, he shoots a Savage but his gun was also something like $5000, that’s a little much for me I think (for now). I just don’t know what I should expect to pay for a decent starter gun.

Thanks!
 
223rem is a good starter caliber for LD shooting. Cheaper to reload, light recoil, lots of rifle to choose from. A savage F-class rifle is in the $1200 price range all it needs is a scope. Other options include buying a Stevens 200 put a quality Match Barrel on it, trigger, scope, and you're off to the races. Look up Mysticplayer he has a few projects that can shoot the numbers off a telephone at 300m and it didn't cost him that much to build.
 
A whole bunch of fellows on the board have scads of experience on this matter but as a relative newbie myself I will add my 2c. I'd start off with a .223 caliber ( less recoil means easier to practice and it is cheaper to feed ) and I'd consider a Savage ( say, for example, a 10FP or 12BVSS ) with heavy barrel, oversize bolt etc as they are accurate out of the box and the Savage Accutrigger is one of the better factory triggers. Consider handloading and look at something like 69g SMK over Varget as a suggestion. With respect to glass, the Falcon Menace is a good place to start but if you can afford it look at something like the Bushnell Elite 4200 6x24x50 mount whatever you buy in quality rings and bases ( I like EGW 20MOA bases and TPS rings for example ).

Enjoy !
 
Endo,

There is a shoot this weekend at the Homestead Long Range. I would strongly encourage you to pop out there on the Saturday and hook up with Glen taylor (CGN "Inspector"). He would be a great guy to contact and learn about what they are about. The shoot this weekend is a 3-900M shoot and you will see a good selection of equipment and abilities there. they are a good bunch at the APRA.

Chat with the guys who shoot there about equipment. They are all experienced long distance shooters. They will not talk you into spending $5000. They will tell you where to budget your money wisely when thinking about getting into the long range game and doing it properly.

I think you will find that for getting into long distance shooting, you will want to think very seriusly about picking up a used rifle in which the expensive upgrades have already been done as these always cost more then the value they instill in the rifle. These guys will be a good source of info there too.

Good Luck!

Ian
 
If you don't plan on hunting, .223 Rem. is definetely the way to go. The Savages that are suggested here are a good way to go, but I'd also recommend the Remington 700 VSF, which'll save you a couple of hundred bucks.
 
...go Sunday! it is a 2-day shoot

Don't get wrapped up in brand/model/calibre recommendations here. Go see what guys are really using for this type of shooting and speak with the guys that clearly know what they are doing. They will bend over backwards to help you.
 
Any idea what times it runs Sunday? Or where I could find a calendar of events? I was planning on viewing the IDPA match in Olds on Sunday...jeez...so many firearms, so little time!
 
Do have a chat with Glen - super guy. F class is way too much fun and a wonderful way to get into LR precision shooting but...

What type of shooting do you want to do? plinking, varminting, competing?????

What would be your budget for equipment and feeding the pig?

If competition, do you want to play or have a chance at winning?

For plinking and having some fun, most any factory rifle from Savage, Rem and Tikka will give you lots of experience. I am presonally a Savage guy now as I like to change pretty much everything and the Savage/Stevens lets me do this with minimal costs and fuss. I have seen some Tikka's that shot amazingly well so can recommend that if you just want plug and play.

Rems are hugely popular but one of the most expensive factory rig to get shooting competitively.

For competition, look over the different classes and who shoots what in them. Obtunded is the guy to ask about how F class is evolving to include more factory rifles. I am excited about this possible class as it could help more shooters venture into this sport.

However, if you decide to get into the F Open and F T/R (F/F or whatever it is called these days 223 and 308 only), more mods will need to be done to get competitive.

As far as costs go, you can get away with a fully competitive rig by spending 'small' amounts of funds. optics on the other hand WILL cost you some coin.

There are a range of 'reasonably' priced glass that work, have excellent optics and mechanicals you can trust BUT they will all cost as much as your factory rifle...maybe more. Buying good used can really help the pocket book.

If on a limited budget, spend more towards your optics cause this will make or break your ability to aim.

The rifle can always be improved...

Jerry
 
I just finished my 10FCP from Savage. It's brand new, .223 with accutrigger and the accustock. My overall price for the whole package is about 1295$ + tax including the scope which is a Bushnell Banner 6x24.

Savage 10FCP : 1000$ @ Frontier Firearms
Bushnell Banner 6x24 : 175$ (Local Hunting Store)
Leopold Mount and Rings : 70$ (Local Hunting Store)
Snap lense covers for the look : 10$
Rockmount Bipod : 40$ (Thanks random guy on Ebay)

Here's some pic of mine that I will try for the first time this weekend.

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