Where does one start??

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moosefinder

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Would like it if some of you (way!) wiser people could steer me in the right direction!!

I have done a fair amount of shooting over the years (hunting and target)....but have always wanted to do some long range....not going to do as competition or range, but more in places I have to myself and the distances.

I would like to be able to reach 1,ooo mark, a little more if possible! With my hunting rifles (Tikka M695's) I have done many 500+ yards, longer has intrigued me for awhile!


Not wanting to break the bank, looking for something gently used, but honestly have no idea on what is good and what isn't!!

What is a good caliber to choose for this?

Rifle??

Glass??

I am thinking/hoping, all in for $2500.00 ish.....can always upgrade if the bug bites me hard....right!? :rolleyes:


Thanks for any and all input!
 
If I were you I'd choose something in the 6mm or 6.5mm variety. 260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, 243 Winchester, the list goes on.

Ruger Precision rifles can be found for around $1500 which would give you $1000 to spend on glass. Tikka's in 6.5 can be found around $1200-1400 leaving you a little more budget for glass and the Tikka's are really accurate right out of the box.

I'd be looking at a Vortex PST scope and see if you can maybe find a used one.

This certainly isn't the only way to go about it but if that were my budget it's what I would do.
 
If you are looking for something inexpensive but very accurate out of the box I would look at any of the savage 12 FTR or F class rifles. They are built and designed for this type of shooting. I started out with the 12 FTR in competion and was quite successful with it. I have also seen a lot of other guys at competition using them and have not heard anyone complain about them.

Just be careful long range shooting is very addictive, then you go crazy like the rest of us and then your credit card starts to hurt.
 
After my most recent firearms purchase, my brother has asked me a number of times, "Why didn't you just get a Ruger Precision like mine?". Because it's a game I don't want to get into. Buying an $1800 rifle is one thing, but one that reallllly wants a $2500 scope, $1000's in reloading equipment and accessories, and a lot of time, effort, and practice just to punch a few holes in a target farther away than I can see? Sounds great. Much as I'd love to do it it's a sport I don't want to sink all my disposable income into. Which I know it would take. You're gonna break the bank. :p

"not going to do as competition or range"

...

yet.

;)
 
It is an addiction. Personally I would slowly collect all the parts you need then build one to the specs you want. This way you end up with the gun you want. I like the 6.5X47 and targets to 1000 yds is easily do able. For deer sized game under the right conditions 700 yds would be my max with the X47. Watch the classifieds on here and buy what you need. Not only will you get a great shooting rifle; it will be one nobody else has.
 
I'd go Ruger Precision Rifle route with a PST, XTR II, or Sightron. Try it out, see if you like it.
Building one can be alot of fun, but it is obviously a much slower process and can be intimidating for a beginner as they might not necessarily know what they want/need, which component is better, what to buy budget or not, etc.
 
24" savage 10TR with 20moa rail, and an 1800$ish optic?
I know 308 far from ideal to reach the 1km
But still thats what i got as im in same situation as you

I figured to start out with, 308 was ideal for reloading components local availability
Don't get me wrong, once that barrel burns out getting it rebarelled to 6.5CM
 
You have 695's? As in plural??
Have you considered swapping out the barrel on one of those? $6-800ish, add $1200 for a good scope, and viola!
If you don't reload, get a 6.5cm or 308
If you reload, well, you're options are huge, you will get 100 caliber opinions...here's mine - I reload, and shoot to 1000+, and like you, I don't compete xept against myself on my own turf - i shoot paper and gongs with 223, 308, 260, and 6BR. The 223 0-700yds, 6BR i use 500-1000, the 260rem 700-1200+.The 6BR is the most used, and stupid accurate to 1000, easy to load for, inexpensive to reload, minimal recoil... not much NOT to like... 308 gets used when the other barrels need to cool down, up to 1000, it too is very accurate but i prefer the 6BR.
6.5x47 will be my next 6.5 if i ever get one.
 
OK, I will play: $2.5K all in budget with a goal of reaching to 1000m or longer so here goes: Glass - used Sightron SIII (ideally 8-32 or 10-50) $1100 plus used quality rings $100 and 20 MOA base $75 leaves $1225 to play with which isn't a lot. Use the $1225 to buy a used Remington 700 ( R5 ideally but.... ) in .308 ( a 6.5 something would be better but beggars can't be choosers ).

Serious recommendation - increase budget to allow for purchase of used Remington SPS, a used HS Precision stock (or new Bell and Carlson stock) then ship to a guy like e.g. Dennis Sorenson for the trueing of action, spinning on of a new barrel in .260 or similar and bedding of barreled action into stock. You will then have a tack driving machine that will easily do 1K if you can.
 
The Palma Rifle Match, which shoots at ranges up to 1000 yards, mandates the use of the 308 Winchester cartridge. So while there are many rounds out there besides the 308 Winchester, and that they are, ballistically, equal to or superior to the 308 Winchester, you can rest assured that the 308 Winchester is up to the task. In addition to the round's popularity, and therefore a large availability pf factory ammunition, the reloading components will also be expansive in number. And of course you'll find more rifles in more configurations, than in any other chambering.
 
For $2500, all inclusive.

A Tikka CTR in .260 Remington and a used, quality optic for a $1000 with rings would be an excellent place to start.

The 6.5mm will reach out past 1500m

Tikka, Savage, Remington are great places to start!
 
In my opion the OP is asking the wrong questions...

It is not enough to have the right "calibre"... You also need to correct barrel twist rate to match the bullet of choice (chosen for the right reasons) and expected velocity.

My advice to go to the Berger, Sierra and Nosler web sites and familiarize with the bullets available in each calibre and pay close attention to the BC. Higher is better. Also pay attention to recommended barrel twist rates.

Before considering any particular cartridge, look at the load data for the bullets being considered and find a case that holds about 1/3 of the bullet weight in powder. A little more or less is fine, but stay away from cases that hold way more or way less powder than 1/3 of the bullet weight.

Get an idea of the velocity you can expect from the cartridge case you are considering and be sure the barrel twist rate is selected to match both the bullet and expected muzzle velocity.

If you're a hand loader... you can do whatever you want and all options are on the table.

If you are buying your loaded ammo at Canadian tire.... don't over think this, get a savage 223 FTR target gun and go shoot.
 
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Thank you for all your replies! :cool:

Yes, several Tikka's in my safe, M65, 595's and 695's....a few Winchester bolts, etc....Ruger #1's

Did some pistol shooting when young (silhouette), hunted and target shoot for the last 45+ years.


Busy reading and TRYING to understand this new to me world of long range shooting!

Sure does NOT look like a sport on a budget if you really want to get fully into it!

Thanks again!
Mike
 
I went the 308 route with a rifle that is not the greatest but it will "school me" on shooting / load development once I am able to shoot under MOA or better at 200 yards and beyond. Only then will.I look into the 6.5cm but for now I am not interested.
 
moosefinder said:
Would like it if some of you (way!) wiser people could steer me in the right direction!!

I have done a fair amount of shooting over the years (hunting and target)....but have always wanted to do some long range....not going to do as competition or range, but more in places I have to myself and the distances.

I would like to be able to reach 1,ooo mark, a little more if possible! With my hunting rifles (Tikka M695's) I have done many 500+ yards, longer has intrigued me for awhile!


Not wanting to break the bank, looking for something gently used, but honestly have no idea on what is good and what isn't!!

What is a good caliber to choose for this?

Rifle??

Glass??

I am thinking/hoping, all in for $2500.00 ish.....can always upgrade if the bug bites me hard....right!? :rolleyes:


Thanks for any and all input!
Click to expand...

Google JBM ballistics if you aren't familiar with this. Input data on what you are currently shooting to 500+yds.

Add a little more then double the elevation to 500yds and send it to 1000yds.

Yes, it is that easy and about as dramatic... the hard work is done in the first 300yds. AFter that it is up to wind reading and bullet stability. MANY MANY bullets will go transonic without much grief so you can find something to make the trip.

Spend some time burning up your current barrel. When it dies, spin on a barrel more specific what your needs and wants.

Except for a scope with adjustable turrents and maybe a hash mark reticle, shooting out to 1000yds doesn't need new high tech toys.

I bet what you have will do just fine with a bit of handloading tweaks and quality bullets.

BUT if you feel the need for a new toy, then by all means....

Jerry
 
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