Want to get into long range shooting. What gun do I get?

Segue2002

Segue2002

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I've decided I'd like to learn long range shooting. There's a 450 yard target at my home range, and up to 800 yards at some other ranges close by. My local gunsmith suggested getting a Tikka T3 Varmit in .223 cuz it would be a easy and cheap caliber to learn with. But I can't find that gun anywhere. I'd like to get a rifle before the summer is gone and any other suggestions would be great. I'm not lookin to spend any more than $1600 or so on the rifle

Also for a scope I'm going to get the leupold vx 3 8.5-25x50mm
 
I would recommend savage for the price point, they will get you in the game and will leave room from good optics.

I started shooting long range with a .308, heavy enough that wind will play less of an issue when starting out and with good component options to allow you to reach out.

If you really like the game, then you can start expanding into additional rifles and cartridges.
 
A .223 with a 1:8 twist shooting 80 gr bullets has a slight edge over the .308 shooting 155 gr bullets, all the way out to 1000 yards. For loading the .223 uses almost 1/2 the the powder and the bullets are about 2/3 the price of .308 match bullets. Recoil with a .223 is next to NIL. The only disadvantage of the .223 is that the holes in the target are harder to find.

I do not shoot my .223 target rifle enough. I am thinking that next year I will shoot the .223 at the short ranges 300-600 yards and then go back to the .308 for 800,900 and 1000 yards.
 
My vote is also to check out the Savage products. Good value and seem to shoot great. They make a nice model 12 in SS with a heavy barrel and a laminate thumbhole stock that would fit your price range.
 
Segue2002 said:
I've decided I'd like to learn long range shooting. There's a 450 yard target at my home range, and up to 800 yards at some other ranges close by. My local gunsmith suggested getting a Tikka T3 Varmit in .223 cuz it would be a easy and cheap caliber to learn with. But I can't find that gun anywhere. I'd like to get a rifle before the summer is gone and any other suggestions would be great. I'm not lookin to spend any more than $1600 or so on the rifle

Also for a scope I'm going to get the leupold vx 3 8.5-25x50mm
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Your choice of leupold scope is okay but not in class of a Sightron 111 10 to 50x or a benchrest |Nightforce check out costs for a sightron vs the Leupold very little differance
 
Hi Segue2002, it's always nice to hear of another NB shooter interested in long range shooting!

Where in NB are you located? The RNBRA Fullbore Section conducts matches throughout the summer, we're about halfway through our shooting programme now. Some of our matches are in the Moncton area (St. Antoine Gun Club, which has a 600m range), some are at CFB Gagetown (we use a 900m range there), some are at the Springfield range (Mactaquac area, a 600m and a 1000m range).

You are budgeting a reasonable amount for a rifle; there are a number of different good setups you can get for that. I would suggest you consider both a .223 and both a .308. The 'right' choice between these two depends on a number of factors. (do you reload or are you interested/willing to? etc...)

Your choice of a scope is a decent and sensible one, as a matter of fact it's the scope I have on my F-Class rifle. There are other good scopes to consider also, depending on your budget and interests. I would recommend that you do not get any less than 25X magnification. I recently shot a 12-42X Nightforce (admittedly in the next price level up from an 8.5-25X Leupold) and I much preferred it. Have never shot a Sightron etc but a number of people seem to do well with them too. I'm a former F-Class shooter though so you are probably better advised by current F-Class shooter (and some very good ones frequent this place).

Something you can do this time of year is to make contact with one or more local long range shooters, and get out and try shooting at a practice or at a match; that can really help you decide what gear you do/don't want to get.
 
I have the Tikka T3 Tactical in .308 Win. It shoots 0.5 - 1 MOA all day long. My best group @ 100 yards being 0.39MOA. Even in pin matches when the barrel heats up it holds it's groups extremely well. It definitely surprised me. I'd still like to build a rifle off a Remington 700 action (300 Win Mag?) with a 24" barrel and "tactical" stock. Haven't decided which one. The Tikka will be a far better gun than you will be a shooter for years. It's a great starting rifle at a decent price.
 
Have you considered a caliber like .260 Remington? Great performance, efficient cartridge, great wind bucking ability at long range. A little more cartridge than a .223, less recoil than a .308, easy to load for, lots of components available, and if you like Savage, you can pick up a Model 12 LRP factory chambered for around $1100-$1200 i believe.
You can also pickup a Sightron SIII from Hirsch Precision. Great scopes, and a great compan, (both Hirsch and Sightron have great customer service) to deal with too.!

I love my .260. Just my .02. Good luck, and find what works for you.
 
MikeDelta said:
I have the Tikka T3 Tactical in .308 Win. It shoots 0.5 - 1 MOA all day long. My best group @ 100 yards being 0.39MOA. Even in pin matches when the barrel heats up it holds it's groups extremely well. It definitely surprised me. I'd still like to build a rifle off a Remington 700 action (300 Win Mag?) with a 24" barrel and "tactical" stock. Haven't decided which one. The Tikka will be a far better gun than you will be a shooter for years. It's a great starting rifle at a decent price.
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MikeDelta said:
I have the Tikka T3 Tactical in .308 Win. It shoots 0.5 - 1 MOA all day long. My best group @ 100 yards being 0.39MOA. Even in pin matches when the barrel heats up it holds it's groups extremely well. It definitely surprised me. I'd still like to build a rifle off a Remington 700 action (300 Win Mag?) with a 24" barrel and "tactical" stock. Haven't decided which one. The Tikka will be a far better gun than you will be a shooter for years. It's a great starting rifle at a decent price.
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I just got a tikka t3 varmit, gotta say I really like it. I bought for shooting out there something more than my 204. there are a lot of cool rifles out there, i think tikkas are pretty good my 204 is a howa and shoots deadly straight. Its half the fun picking out a gun and getting set up, so have fun doing it
 
For punching paper I'd go .223 for sure, if you want to get into tactical matches, then I would recommend the .308 for its ability to push a heavier bullet. (PS. I just got rid of my .223 to go back to .308)
 
Where are you as a shooter? .223 is cheaper and easier to learn with and is fine to 600m. (It goes further but wing becomes a big issue) .308 is more expensive, harder on recoil for long training sessions and good to 1000m. Both have excellent accuracy potential, easy component availability.
 
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