Breaking into the sport

[Joea132]

Hello gents, as the title says, I'm looking to break into long range shooting. I've been into ARs and other rifles for a while now but the mystique of long range shooting has me interested. Here's my situation that factors into the rifle for me...

I want to go shoot at 1k yards. That's my first goal, to shoot accurately at that range. I like to think I would want to push it further in the future but I'm not sure. If I could buy one rifle with the ability to go further, it would be a plus. I would even possibly considering hunting with it one day, but that's not a big factor at all.

I live 3+ hours from the nearest truly long distance range. I have a 100 yarder in my backyard but the nearest 1k is 3 hours at least. I will probably be taking a course on long distance shooting with said rifle. I still would practice and test loads in the back yard more often than not.

Probably because I'm coming from ARs, I've got a thing for "the tactical look." the KRD stock to me looks amazing.

I currently load for a REPR (308) and others and have plenty of 30 caliber bullets laying around, namely 175 and 220gr. This pushes me towards 300 win mag. But the 338 lapua really entices me. Probably just because of bragging rights and a big boom as much as anything.

I want to buy one long distance rifle. I'm not sure if this pushes me towards lapua or not. My current budget for a rifle won't exceed $3k, but I would plunk down up to 4k for the right rifle (not including glass).

I am seriously considering buying a Remington 700 5R but I keep thinking about different barrels and having the action tuned. Should I just get a custom rifle for this amount of work? I have literally zero experience with bolt action precision rifles. Any input will help. I'm literally open to anything if you think I'm off with any ideas. Also any custom shops or smiths that you recommend would be helpful if I should go this route.

Thanks in advance, I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times. I did search, but nothing with my criteria came up.

 

[09jisaac]

Any rifle chambered in anything >/= .223 will get you out to 1,000 yards.

You have to decide though, what you would call acceptable. Is 2 moa good enough (roughly 20 inches at a grand)? Or do you need 1.5, 1, 3/4, etc?

If you think 2 would be enough, then most stock R700s or Savage 10/110 will do if you can find the right load. Some will do better, but you are rolling the dice. If you need more, you will have to pay more. Custom actions will run you pretty penny but they usually retain their value better than a trued factory action. If resale matters little to you, then having a 700 trued is a good option.

Then you have to consider energy on target. With MV and weight the same, a bullet with a higher BC will have more energy than one with less. Many 7mms have good energy retention. If you still want a .30 cal then .300 win mag and 30-06 are good candidates. Be prepared to pay more for these though.


My advice though, go with a .308 for your first LR firearm (if there may be others down the road). It is hard to beat for a beginners rifle. Ammo is (relatively) cheap, components are (usually) easier to find and it will get to 1k.

 

[samnev]

With out any doubt or hesitation I would look at the AIAE @ Mile High they run $3000 and you ail have a rifle you will never be sorry you bought. They will out shoot any Remington even one that is modded up by a long shot. (No pun intended).

 

[308Gunner]

Any rifle chambered in anything >/= .223 will get you out to 1,000 yards.

You have to decide though, what you would call acceptable. Is 2 moa good enough (roughly 20 inches at a grand)? Or do you need 1.5, 1, 3/4, etc?

If you think 2 would be enough, then most stock R700s or Savage 10/110 will do if you can find the right load. Some will do better, but you are rolling the dice. If you need more, you will have to pay more. Custom actions will run you pretty penny but they usually retain their value better than a trued factory action. If resale matters little to you, then having a 700 trued is a good option.

Then you have to consider energy on target. With MV and weight the same, a bullet with a higher BC will have more energy than one with less. Many 7mms have good energy retention. If you still want a .30 cal then .300 win mag and 30-06 are good candidates. Be prepared to pay more for these though.


My advice though, go with a .308 for your first LR firearm (if there may be others down the road). It is hard to beat for a beginners rifle. Ammo is (relatively) cheap, components are (usually) easier to find and it will get to 1k.

This^^^ A 308 will be cheaper to load for and with heavy pills will get you to a grand no problem.

 

[majohnson2]

A lot of the decision on what to shoot comedown to one simple point, are you willing to reload? Some of the best rounds don't have factory ammo available. To get the best out of any given rifle, reloading is a necessary part of the sport. Spend some time researching the 6mm and the 6.5mm group of rounds. If you look at what a lot of the big names are shooting, you'll find most with in the group.

As for rifles, the custom actions are popular but can have issues if not kept clean because of the tight tolerances. Another popular choice is Accuracy International. New this year AI offered a quick change barrel system. Spend some time reading pros and cons of each and see what fits. Lowlight has a selection of video on the board you can watch, for $10 a months it good way to get started. Then once get comfortable with shooting at distance, then look into instruction.

 

[Randoman5]

If you have a REPR with a 20 inch barrel that should get you out to 1000 yards. I'd start out using that with a good scope before I spent 3k on a new rifle. Unless the new rifle is the whole point, in which case carry on.

 

[Joea132]

The REPR has proven to be very accurate, especially for a semi. I am having my first kid so I've decided to get my "one last rifle" beforehand. I'll check into he AIAE lead as well. That's a reasonable price for a Precision shooter. Thanks for the recommendations so far. And yes, I have a pretty good reloading setup.

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[Pusher591]

The REPR has proven to be very accurate, especially for a semi. I am having my first kid so I've decided to get my "one last rifle" beforehand. I'll check into he AIAE lead as well. That's a reasonable price for a Precision shooter. Thanks for the recommendations so far. And yes, I have a pretty good reloading setup.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Just had my first about 3 weeks ago. Go all out cause you want have any money after
Just go ahead and pre-order/pay for a new AX308MC and later all you have to do is order a new or different caliber barrel. Takes a minute or less to switch barrels and only need a small Allen head wrench which is supplied and stored in the buttstock.

It's great feeling though, no rifle can compare.

 

[ashiha]

You could rebarrel the REPR to something like a 6.5CM or 260, but like you said you really just want a new rifle. In the case of 338, you should also make note of how expensive it is to actually shoot and whether or not you would be able to afford it after the new breathing eating sleeping machine you've created sucks your funding dry. Also consider the fact that you probably won't push the range that often.