What caliber to start?

tokguy

tokguy

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Good morning.
If this is not my 1st post here...it has to be close to it. I've purposely steered clear of this discipline as I already spend too much coin on guns.
Saw that 22/250 thread ( I have 2; a Zavasta Mauser clone and a 788) and thought why not?
Yes there is much more to it, but each journey begins with a step.
I handload; I'm OK at it....not outstanding though.
Possible caliber / cartridges.
Well mostly milsurp or bubba'd units. Got a decent bubba'd 96 in 6.5 x 55 with OEM stepped bbl, decent trigger and glass, good caliber for distance.
Let's see...K98 bubba'd 8 x 57. Vintage Kahles glass; floated but not bedded. Got a bunch of that Swedish MG ammo for it as well, 205 grain FMJ's
Ross M10; but let's face it...that is irons... whole 'nother level of difficulty there.
Fired the drone up and ran it out to the coulee's 'Start of rise'...800 meters. Can trim or add 100 yds onto that distance. But adding is going to bring an elevation change into the picture... I'm still brand new at this...probably stick with 700-800 m. Can't really shorten it though, treeline between the table and the POI.
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Neighbors could care less, decent backdrop and rarely do the cows go in the draws... they would rather hide in the creek brush.
Access is going be a long walk, but my trusty drone could be utilized for rough spotting as far as hits.
Dad's 243 bull barrel is out at my son's, but it's not a legendary caliber for distance anyhow.
I have a decent 223 in a Remington bolt action; don't even recall the model, a budget 700 with no floorplate. Son absconded with it STAT. But no dies for 223 as yet.
I do have a goodly supply of heavy for caliber bullets; milsurps generally like them. Two milk crates of various powders.
Thanks for your time Folks. Be gentle, k?
Regards
Tokguy
 
See how well that 6.5 Swede shoots with match bullets in the 130 to 147gr range (assume it is set up for a scope?). As long as it is sub 2 MOA, you will have all you need to get started in LR shooting. Assume those far off hills are crown land? Clear some dirt around a local 'rock' and have at it. I would swap in a new firing pin spring and clean out any goop in the bolt.

For dirt cheap, there are 'precision' stocks for the M98 from promag (archangel). Inexpensive, built like a tank, decent ergonomics and mags that really work well. There might be one for the M96???? anyways, the 8X57 can be put to use with any hunting or match bullet from 150gr on up to whatever your shoulder will tolerate (just make sure you match bullet diameter with bore). Swap on a modern scope with Xmas tree reticle and it will serve you very well. Again, try and get a fresh firing pin spring in there.

The key is to find something that is accurate 'enough' but more importantly, consistent. I have found great accuracy in these milsurps and if the barrels are sound, with a bit of TLC, there is no reason why they can't shoot sub 2 MOA ... and sometimes approach moa. They might start to string as they heat up... so learn where the shots go at 100 to 200yds on paper. cool the barrel when needed and/or swap rifles.

Mausers have a reasonable aftermarket so adding a nicer trigger is simple (timney). Prefit match barrels are also possible (need final fitting on your action). Canted scope rails can be found or just use Burris XTR Sig rings... a modern scope, maybe a muzzle brake, enjoy. either of these rifles can offer the same performance as a 'tactical 308' so you have plenty of rifles already.

These are not actions I would spend alot of extra money on upgrading but they do work, can shoot well and let you get into the game without a huge outlay.

What a wonderful set up/location

Jerry

PS... if you have a Rem in 243Win (assume it is the 788), grab some 87 to 95gr varmint or match bullets. 4350, H4831SC or similar. Easy peasy 800yds+ Modern bullets make vintage rifles completely useable as LR plinkers.
 
.. you might not be envious of my guns.. it is a bang-up location though hey? Can literally walk out onto my deck set my coffee down on the rail and get in some redneck yoga. Thanks for your input.. 8 mm is the cheapest to shoot option.. maybe I'll start with that.
Regards
Tok
 
MG ammo is not likely to give you good results. Typically, this stuff is made to spray down range but that is easy enough to test.

you have 3 very useable rifles for what you want to do. A quick change of stocks and a coat of paint, slap on a big ass scope... all modern now :)

Jerry

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I would do a bit of bedding around the recoil lug and voila, a set up that really will feed well and has all the modern ergonomics you could ask for. They only support the M98
 

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Oh, I don't use the MG ammunition...I knock it down for the cheap bullets and powder. Mexican Match ammo.
And realizing my limitations...prolly should stick to one caliber. That Sporter'd 96 is pretty slick... got a wide range of bullets for it as well. Got an 6.5 x 54 MS as well, but a Cooey Carcano...weak platform with no real scope options worthy of mention. No thanks to that.
 
Dad's 243 bull barrel is out at my son's, but it's not a legendary caliber for distance anyhow.
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Uhh, 243 is an outstanding cartridge for long range shooting. With a fast twist barrel it can launch 95-107gr VLD target bullets to crazy distances. I shot my 243 to 2000 yds, which was approximately where the bullet was crossing the sound barrier.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
Uhh, 243 is an outstanding cartridge for long range shooting. With a fast twist barrel it can launch 95-107gr VLD target bullets to crazy distances. I shot my 243 to 2000 yds, which was approximately where the bullet was crossing the sound barrier.
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I wonder what the twist is on that older rifle , though?
It may not be fast enough to accurately shoot the long 6mm bullet we do for 1K
Cat
 
tokguy said:
The fact is the 243 isn't here...it is at my son's yet. Pretty sure I mentioned that. Dad bought it in the late 80's early 90's.
Have to do some trading with the boy to get to back.
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Try the 6.5 Swede. It was the skandihoovians match rifle for a lot of years. Couple friends had the target versions built on 98 actions, I drilled and tapped them to mount scopes. Bedded the actions. Even in the old wood stocks, they shot very, very well out to 700 m (all the distance we had access to at the time). - dan
 
dan belisle said:
Try the 6.5 Swede. It was the skandihoovians match rifle for a lot of years. Couple friends had the target versions built on 98 actions, I drilled and tapped them to mount scopes. Bedded the actions. Even in the old wood stocks, they shot very, very well out to 700 m (all the distance we had access to at the time). - dan
Click to expand...

Thanks Dan. My K98 has that German post setup anyhow, with 26.5mm rings...too much dicking around.
Definitely gonna try the Swede out. Supposed to snow tonight, be good shooting tomorrow.
Thanks
Tokguy
 
Ah, it is like Blasphemy, serious followers of this discipline would grind their teeth at my kit.
Classic Bubba'd Swede 1896, Timney trigger, decent enough aftermarket stock blank, bbl is floated OK. No sling points though WTH?
6.5 needs much better glass. Dad was thrifty when it came to glass...likely I'm the same. Maxed out the adjustment on that poor old Tasco 3 × 9...still had to use lower transition point on the duplex hair for a POA.
Ran the drone to call shots...too many rocks which look amazingly similar at distance. Need to stroll out there anyhow with some bones and refuse from a deer one of my daughter's drillers dropped off. Find a rock or two...build an Inukshuk so it'll stand out on the drone camera.
The softer recoil and distance allowed me to see the POI in the glass after the rifle dropped back down from the recoil. Walked the POI in to about 4-5' of target in the 10 rounds I had reloaded. Didn't want to waste time if the reloads showed 'don't go' signs. Remembering that this is a Carl Gustav 1896, don't have the safety factors built into new guns.
44 gr of IMR 4831 under a 140 gr pill. Nosler brass, with the bullet set way out...just a hair short of the rifling ( 1896 would have been designed for 160 grain RN, be a big jump with 140's IMO). Maybe Chrono a couple today if it goes well.
I'll comb the interweb / EE before it gets light...maybe a find a seller local to me with a decent deal on a scope better suited.
Rednek stuff be happening.
 
I had to admit my limitations...Dad's Lead Sled made an appearance. Fine and dandy to throw lead at it...but can't be certain that it's not POI vs POA errors.
At 800+ yds it'll put down repeated hits on a 2' x 1' rock (the drone ain't exact as far as distance...it'll have a differential of about 20-30 paces sometimes).
Another 10-15 rds to verify POI is at POA on the next nice day. Then get my Zen on and try it by hand.
 
Sunny afternoon here, still...hardly a breath of wind. Went down to 130 ELD pills over 47 grains of 4831 / 4831 SC ( ran out in the middle... marked the difference between the two with a marker). The 130's came in about 8' higher than 140's (as a guess; and the SC fed one's were brisker, louder and seemed to come in low...weird...)
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Low tech kit. An 96 Husky; bedded, floated with a Timney under a 10x fixed Bushnell. Seems to work just dandy, need more practice... but I'll be back working 'Patch in 3-4 days. Maybe in the spring when breakup hits, get a little better.
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View from firing point; just under where the sun is hitting, is the Inukshuk, 800 yards that I can glean from the drone. They are never 100 % GPS accurate at the level I can afford.
Trimmed a video of drone footage showing strikes at 'Scary distance' ( e.g. if you were this close...it would be scary)...but takes forever to upload in the country. Maybe tomorrow it'll be uploaded.
Proud of Pa's old 6.5 x 55. Like a 2 dollar hooker, ain't pretty or fancy...but she gets the job done.
 
Don't discount the m96. I use the same powder under 147grn ELD's, and the 29inch barrel does a lovely job stabilizing them. These are known as accurate shooters for a reason.

I was amazed at what a 108 year old rifle could do. Made me really want a newer action/rifle in 6.5 Swede.
 
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