Which caliber is good to start
- Thread starter kal1360
- Start date
- Location
- Halifax, NS
.223 is without a doubt the cheapest and is very easy to find, both components and factory stuff. You can even find some light stuff in Canadian Tire.
As for power, I'm hunting blacktail deer with my .223 handloads.
One of the best things about .223 is the barrel life; the barrel should be good beyond 3000 rounds, so feel free to buy a used one of the EE.
As for power, I'm hunting blacktail deer with my .223 handloads.
One of the best things about .223 is the barrel life; the barrel should be good beyond 3000 rounds, so feel free to buy a used one of the EE.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If $$ are a concern... you might want to start playing with the 22lr first (seriously)
For pennies a shot, you can learn
- Trigger control
- Reading the wind
- Working your scope
- Proper position
For pennies a shot, you can learn
- Trigger control
- Reading the wind
- Working your scope
- Proper position
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Actually, a 223 with new heavy for cal bullets will drift equal to or better then a 308 at LR.
Playing around with the new 90's and performance should match maybe exceed even the 208/210gr loads used in F TR. I think if you look at the F TR landscape a year or so from now, the 223 will be making huge gains in the field.
At worst, it will always cost much less, kick way less, and keep barrels cooler during a relay. There is not alot of downside to this chambering in this sport.
The only downside to the 223 is the care needed in weighing charges. Small case, small error. however, with a good quality scale, the process is identical and you can shoot far more consistently with a light recoiling rifle then a heavy one.
The use of a 22LR should not be overlooked. Quite a few F class shooters train with a quality rimfire at reduced distances to maintain trigger time.
Precision shooting is all about your consistency and ability to launch the bullet well. Rimfires are brutal on gun control and being sloppy will show up on target in a big way.
Then the 2nd component is learning how to read the air. There is no substitute for launching lead and alot of it. It is pretty expensive even with a 223 to get the type of learning you need at the beginning of your career.
Think of shooting as thousands of rds of practise.
Good luck...
Jerry
Playing around with the new 90's and performance should match maybe exceed even the 208/210gr loads used in F TR. I think if you look at the F TR landscape a year or so from now, the 223 will be making huge gains in the field.
At worst, it will always cost much less, kick way less, and keep barrels cooler during a relay. There is not alot of downside to this chambering in this sport.
The only downside to the 223 is the care needed in weighing charges. Small case, small error. however, with a good quality scale, the process is identical and you can shoot far more consistently with a light recoiling rifle then a heavy one.
The use of a 22LR should not be overlooked. Quite a few F class shooters train with a quality rimfire at reduced distances to maintain trigger time.
Precision shooting is all about your consistency and ability to launch the bullet well. Rimfires are brutal on gun control and being sloppy will show up on target in a big way.
Then the 2nd component is learning how to read the air. There is no substitute for launching lead and alot of it. It is pretty expensive even with a 223 to get the type of learning you need at the beginning of your career.
Think of shooting as thousands of rds of practise.
Good luck...
Jerry
The only minor issue with the 223 is watch the rifling twist in the 223 rifle you buy. A 1 in 7 will stabilize a 90, 1 in 8 for an 80, etc. If you want a 223 may I suggest something like a Tikka with a 1 in 7 twist or a Savage that the barrel can be changed in the future without too much cost. A 223 with a 1 in 12 or slower twist isn't for the precision game.
Steve
Steve
