The ABC's of precision?

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
Location
Alberta
Alright, so precision shooting has always been an interest of mine. And Would really like to get into it. What are the basics and general tips on getting into it?

What would be a good "starter" rifle? I was thinking a Remington 700P, but have heard Remington's quality has gone all down hill in recent years. What else would be decent? I was looking at a .308/7.62x51.

After I get a little better at shooting, what is involved in bulding a precision rifle? Would I be able to buld on, say the 700P if thats what I chose? What is involved?

The longest range near here is only 500 meters, how would that compare to what others shoot?

Thanks.
 
Ultimate precision requires an accurate firearm, accurate ammunition and an accurate shooter. Your results will be equal to the least of these three.

Factory rifles are not really "precision" firearms, although there are a few that are designed with competitive shooting in mind, and tend to produce good results. Factory ammo negates any technical advantages with the firearm as ammo must be tuned for the individual firearm.

The definition of a "precision" firearm is pretty nebulous around here, with some thinking the transformation only takes a scope and a bipod.
 
I think one of the easiest ways to get started in precision rifles/shooting is to buy a used one.
Sure it might not hold 1/2MOA but you probably can't either. and by the time you've worked-out the reloading and gotten a goodly amount of trigger-time, having that new barrel installed will be a small price to pay to give you a rig that is suddenly quite competitive.
 
I think precision achieved to the level the firearm/ammo is capable of is still precision and even a used factory rifle with a handloading setup is great way to get started that won't break the bank...
 
Precision shooting is a wide open topic. What a blackpowder BPCR shooter considers amazing would be vastly different from a SR BR 6PPC shooter at 100yds.

First is decide WHAT TYPE of precision shooting you want to do? F class, BR, TR, Tactical, Service rifle, Silhouette, etc.

Each sport will have its equipment needs and development. They will all share alot as far as reloading needs, basic rifle set up and tuning, but then each will have its quirks based on the task and rules of the game.

If your goal is to improve HOW you shoot and you enjoy LR shooting, consider getting a decent rimfire and shooting 'inexpensive' match ammo at 100, 200 and 300yds.

The skill needed to be repeatable and consistent on the rifle will train you so well for ANY centerfire shooting sport. Believe me, screw up just a little on the rimfire and it is way off target. Great learning tools.

Shooting a rimfire at extended distances (100 to 300yds) WILL simulate the wind doping skills of a centerfire at very long distances (out to 1000yds).

IMG_3234.jpg


I am using a Savage MkII FV which is about as inexpensive a rimfire with a heavy barrel and decent accuracy you can buy. Mounted a Sightron SII Big Sky 36X AO scope shimmed so I can shoot out to 200yds. Tacpro cheekpiece makes it all line up perfectly.

Using SK Rifle Match, I can shoot inside the VBull of an ICFRA F class 300m and 500m target. As luck would have it, the wind drift is similar to the 223 I will be campaigning this season, at these distances.

I shoot the 300m target at 100yds and the 500m at 200yds. Easy, inexpensive, brutal training.

And I am shooting off a bipod.

If you want to learn, there are so many ways to get the job done (factory Savage HB 223 would do all you could want too).

Putting the bullet where you want, when you want with the level of accuracy your rifle is capable of IS precision shooting.

Some will debate that only targets so big or so far or certain tasks/styles matter. What ever turns your spark but I am interested in ALL forms of shooting and pushing the limits of what is possible in all forms of shooting.

You learn alot by broadening your horizons.

Jerry
 
OK, So looks like ill try the .22LR path to start off. Any recommendation? The Savage Mk-II FV above loos pretty decent and priced quite nicely, any other good .22LR around the same price?
 
The savage is OK,but the mag release is junk and you will have to replace the magazine as they have a tendency to split where they are joined (guess you could tack weld them together) CZ just works!
 
I was tossing the savage and the cz around and went with the cz, only because , when I held them the cz just "felt" right, and it's a beautiful piece of work. Can't knock the savage though, hell I might still grab one, kinda likn' the "edge".
 
if you want a 223, go get the cz.
you will want to change the trigger on that savage
you will realise that the action is far to be good, in fact its loose, doesnt work as smooth as the cz(give it 500 rounds to get a little loose and work good)
trigger on the cz is awesome compared to the savage
accuracy. . . .i've seen 5 shot in 1/4 moa at 100M. . . .cal223
bell and carlson stock is coomfortable, i like it.

if i ever buy a 223, its that cz.

i have the savage with the mcmillan stock. . . . .nice rifle, accurate enough to get that 0.27? moa at 200M(lucky shot i guess), works fine but. . . .trigger suck, action smoothness suck, everything is rough with that rifle. i still like it since it have a nice feature, it cost 500$ to change a barrel, try a new caliber in the meantime and you can do this at home if you feel comfortable, lot of info about that. its the only thing savage can do better than cz.
i tried both and i preffer the cz. its worth the price.
 
Everything Jerry (Mystic Precision) said. I'd add, find someone, anyone who is better than you and learn all you can from them by shooting with them. I've had military and national shooting team members give me a few minutes of their time, to point me in the right direction, and I've almost immediately went from mid pack to top five. I've passed that along to my dad who said to me "22 is a 50 meter round". The 200 meter steel targets at his range are no longer small enough for his 22. The RO's there piss themselves laughing when this 73 year old kraut tickles the plates the center fire guys are struggling with. Oh yeah, don't be afraid to try, you can probably do it. Just apply a little physics and a touch of math.
 
timmy204 said:
The savage is OK,but the mag release is junk and you will have to replace the magazine as they have a tendency to split where they are joined (guess you could tack weld them together) CZ just works!
Click to expand...
Definitely the weakest part of the savage rimfires, the mags.
I have the MKII BTVS and load single shot when practicing with match ammo. I found accuracy falls when loading from the mag, most likely due to bad feeding alignment. Other than that, the gun is accurate enough and the trigger is very nice for a stock gun.

Steve
 
I am on the same trail as you, just a little further along. Spend your money wisely. You can get excellent results from many types of rifles in a wide range of prices. Research carefully and you will get something that is right for your budget. As Mystic says, trigger time is very important. ( I need a lot more learn to dope the wind properly) And you need to figure out what game you like.

I had a nice day at the range today trying to find a load for my Savage Model 12 FTR and ended the day with a 1 1/4" group at 300 meters, using factory ammo! My handloads were poor in comparison approaching 1 1/4" at 200 meters. But that is what makes it fun.

Short answer: read lots and get some hang around time with good shooters. Just don't think that their $6000 custom with the $3500 scope is the reason they shoot so well. They just happen to be at the place we all hope to get to: squeezing that last v-bull out of a match using technology that allows that 1 mm more accuracy needed to be the best.

cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom