Im looking to get access to the 600 yard range at my club. Im pretty new to this type of shooting and you have to qualify on it, so i want to get used to the rifle im using before I go to get qualified. What rifle and caliber would people reccommend to get started with? I dont really have a budget.
600 Yard Rifle
- Thread starter Jbchap24
- Start date
From what I read in the forums and the experiences of my brother, a quality 6.5 Creedmoor bolt-gun would be a great option. Long distance ballistics, low(er) recoil than other options, good availability of ammunition...
For 600 just about anything should be possible.
If you dont know what you want then I would just keep reading and find what makes piques your fancy.
Id go short action non magnum myself. 6.5 creed is a fine default recommendation.
If you dont know what you want then I would just keep reading and find what makes piques your fancy.
Id go short action non magnum myself. 6.5 creed is a fine default recommendation.
A bolt action 6.5 Creedmoore is a good start if you don't reload. Easy to find match ammo.
For about $3.5k you get entry level with something like Bergara HMR, Tikka CTR and an OK scope, bipod, rear bag, etc.
Expect to spend on ammo, and understand instruction is far cheaper than stumbling through bad habits so find a coach or take a class.
For about $3.5k you get entry level with something like Bergara HMR, Tikka CTR and an OK scope, bipod, rear bag, etc.
Expect to spend on ammo, and understand instruction is far cheaper than stumbling through bad habits so find a coach or take a class.
300 /338 win mag plentiful selection of weapons and ammo ,staying below 200 gr will help your body aches and using match ammo
Geeze, that’s plain cruel. Somehow, LOL, I don’t think that this is really a serious reply!
Then he can go on Backfire Youtube Milk Jug Challenge, pose as a Marine, and scope eye himself...
At 71 years young I can run two 20 round boxes of hornady 178 gr match out of my A -bolt 300 win mag .......the 220 gr godzilla killa ammo much MUCH less now days . I would not use the match ammo for hunting though
If you are only going to 600 a 223 saves bucks and recoil.
Does this mean you have an unlimited amount to spend, or you haven’t really thought about how much you want to spend? It would be helpful to narrow it down a bit. As it is, you’ll get replies from buy a Ruger American, Arken scope, and Harris bipod to a custom action, Bartlein barrel, ZCO scope, and Clykyod bipod; thousands of dollars worth of difference there. It’s hard to know which direction to send you.
Based on the limited information and considering a 600 yard range, if you want a production gun, I would look at a Tikka CTR, about $1200, and a Athlon Ares ETR 3-18 with MIL reticle for about $583 from EuroOptic.
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA | Only at EuroOptic.com!
Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106
FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106
If you want a custom action, look at the Bighorn Origin, a barrel from PVA, a KRG-B stock, and a Athlon Gen II Cronus BTR scope as a minimum.
Good luck with your choice.
Problem with that is that he will be tempted to buy the bucket-o-bullets in bulk and wonder why he cant hit a barn at 100 yards
Damn boomer, you hard as woodpecker lips!
I had the hammer version of that, cutest daggum gun I ever had. I only shot 38SPCL. 357 mag was like catching a 100mph fastball bare handed!
that is a very fair description of the 357 pain [cracked a nail and bled on the gun once] ...its for bad breath range only just put the front sight on low center mass and detonate twice .
Does this mean you have an unlimited amount to spend, or you haven’t really thought about how much you want to spend? It would be helpful to narrow it down a bit. As it is, you’ll get replies from buy a Ruger American, Arken scope, and Harris bipod to a custom action, Bartlein barrel, ZCO scope, and Clykyod bipod; thousands of dollars worth of difference there. It’s hard to know which direction to send you.
Based on the limited information and considering a 600 yard range, if you want a production gun, I would look at a Tikka CTR, about $1200, and a Athlon Ares ETR 3-18 with MIL reticle for about $583 from EuroOptic.
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA | Only at EuroOptic.com!www.eurooptic.com
Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106
FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106
If you want a custom action, look at the Bighorn Origin, a barrel from PVA, a KRG-B stock, and a Athlon Gen II Cronus BTR scope as a minimum.
Good luck with your choice.
I would second this approach. And you can get respectable sales on the Athlon Ares. I picked one up a while ago for around $650 a few months ago. And having two Tikka rifles, they are great shooters and priced right.
I too suggest a pre-built rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. Yes, there are other similar cartridges out there that will work well (6.5x47, 260 Rem...etc) but 6.5 CM is widely available.
And yes, 600 yds but I almost guarantee that that you will get the bug and want to shoot to 1k or even further at some point.
Since you don't have a budget...I'll spend some of your money! haha For example:
www.aeroprecisionusa.com
www.eurooptic.com
Personally, I'd stay away from Bergara as I've known a couple of people who have struggled to get them to shoot accurately.
Good luck
And yes, 600 yds but I almost guarantee that that you will get the bug and want to shoot to 1k or even further at some point.
Since you don't have a budget...I'll spend some of your money! haha For example:
SOLUS Competition Rifle - 22" 6.5 Creedmoor, Sendero
NOTE: Please anticipate longer lead times due to the high demand for our products.
www.aeroprecisionusa.com
Tikka T3x TAC A1 6.5 Creedmoor 24" Rifle JRTAC382L
Tikka T3x TAC A1 6.5 Creedmoor 24" Rifle JRTAC382L | Only at EuroOptic.com!
Personally, I'd stay away from Bergara as I've known a couple of people who have struggled to get them to shoot accurately.
Good luck
I’ll add that I would stay away from AERO right now as they routinely say things are in stock, but then it’s months, with no communication, before they send it out. There are several threads on here detailing the nonsense and total lack of customer service. Heaven forbid you need to get in touch with them for any reason as it’s not possible unless you live close to their facility.
I have a Solus action, PVA barrel, and SOLUS chassis. I needed a small screw for my mag catch that disappeared the last time I had it at the range. Forget their chat queue, it doesn’t work, forget calling, they will never return a call, forget their email request forms, I sent one in 12/18/24 and haven’t heard a peep from them. Apparently they hired some looser upper management that messed up another company to run their company and he’s doing a stellar job of giving them one of the worst reputations in the industry customer service wise which will badly damage their company bottom line in the future. He must be an anti 2A plant put there to run them out of business. Steer clear, you’ve been warned.
If you just have to have a Solus action, get one from a vendor that has one in stock. Also, PVA sells a Solus action with a PVA barrel. Don’t do business with AERO directly.
I have a Solus action, PVA barrel, and SOLUS chassis. I needed a small screw for my mag catch that disappeared the last time I had it at the range. Forget their chat queue, it doesn’t work, forget calling, they will never return a call, forget their email request forms, I sent one in 12/18/24 and haven’t heard a peep from them. Apparently they hired some looser upper management that messed up another company to run their company and he’s doing a stellar job of giving them one of the worst reputations in the industry customer service wise which will badly damage their company bottom line in the future. He must be an anti 2A plant put there to run them out of business. Steer clear, you’ve been warned.
If you just have to have a Solus action, get one from a vendor that has one in stock. Also, PVA sells a Solus action with a PVA barrel. Don’t do business with AERO directly.
Depending on what you meant about budget, a .308 can be cheaper, since lots of folks sold their .308 for a 6.5 Creedmoor, if shopping used [gunbroker.com]. You can often get .308/7.62mm ammo cheaper than 6.5 Creedmoor, if that's a factor. Is 6.5 Creedmoor better? Mostly so. But you can still learn a ton from a .308 and have fun doing it.
The .308 will have more recoil than an equivalent 6.5 Creedmoor and get pushed around more in the wind. But hey, that's good training!
Also, some matches only allow .223/5.56mm or .308/7.62mm calibers, if that's of any interest.
Either .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor are fine starting out. But if you're set on a new rifle, just get 6.5 Creedmoor. As others stated, I concur with TIkka being great value for money and the Solus competition as excellent choices.
I'd avoid the .223 since the trace is harder to spot at distance, especially when you're new to spotting at long range.
6mm cartridges are a great blend, but mostly are for hand-loading and/or barrel burners.
The .308 will have more recoil than an equivalent 6.5 Creedmoor and get pushed around more in the wind. But hey, that's good training!
Also, some matches only allow .223/5.56mm or .308/7.62mm calibers, if that's of any interest.
Either .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor are fine starting out. But if you're set on a new rifle, just get 6.5 Creedmoor. As others stated, I concur with TIkka being great value for money and the Solus competition as excellent choices.
I'd avoid the .223 since the trace is harder to spot at distance, especially when you're new to spotting at long range.
6mm cartridges are a great blend, but mostly are for hand-loading and/or barrel burners.
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Not to mention almost unlimited barrel life if you treat it well. Out to 600 wind would be your main issue I think. Would recommend a 7or 8 twist. My 7 twist Savage Model 12 LRPV shoots an ADI factory load, 69 grain SMK really well out to the 500 yard limit of our range, but I have to pay attention to the wind far more than with my Tikka 6.5 CM.
Which makes it a good trainer/more challenging to shoot. If you're into that of course.
Yes, in general, and JMO, .223 is indeed more challenging at distance. I’m shooting at 3, 4 and 5” gongs at 500 yards. Particularly with the 3 and 4”, not a lot of room for error, compounded by shooting factory ammo.
I would do a Solus action with a PVA barrel and use a KRG Bravo chassis, in 6.5 CM. I would try Norma match ammo in it. The 143 GT specifically.
Questions for the OP:
1) Do you expect to be competing at 600 yards? (Even if "eventually".)
2) If you are competing, do you want to just shoot, or do you want the potential to win? (Both are A-OK.)
3) What is the nature of the type of competition (if any)? (Relates to Q#4 below.)
4) Bolt or gas gun? (My AR's are incredible shooters, but bolt guns are more accurate/precise.)
4b) You did post in the Bolt forum, but a semi/gas gun is also a 600 yard rifle possibility.
5) Do you reload now, or are you willing to in the future? (Also relates to Q#2.)
6) Besides 600 yard bench/prone shooting, will you have any other main uses for this rifle?
7) Do you have any limitations or constraints that might be relevant?
8) Do you want a rifle to "get started with", knowing you will have to invest again to move up, or are you willing to spend to acquire a "base" you can build on?
Generally, (not having answers to the above questions) for caliber/cartridge, if the wind weather conditions are usually ~calm, a 6BR or variant (Dasher/GT etc.). If frequently breezy (most places) then move to a 6.5 something, I agree with others whom have suggested the 6.5Creedmoor. I would also strongly consider a bolt rifle with a Rem M700 footprint action. For precision it is mostly about the barrel, and this would give you good options on real match grade barrels (Remage).
1) Do you expect to be competing at 600 yards? (Even if "eventually".)
2) If you are competing, do you want to just shoot, or do you want the potential to win? (Both are A-OK.)
3) What is the nature of the type of competition (if any)? (Relates to Q#4 below.)
4) Bolt or gas gun? (My AR's are incredible shooters, but bolt guns are more accurate/precise.)
4b) You did post in the Bolt forum, but a semi/gas gun is also a 600 yard rifle possibility.
5) Do you reload now, or are you willing to in the future? (Also relates to Q#2.)
6) Besides 600 yard bench/prone shooting, will you have any other main uses for this rifle?
7) Do you have any limitations or constraints that might be relevant?
8) Do you want a rifle to "get started with", knowing you will have to invest again to move up, or are you willing to spend to acquire a "base" you can build on?
Generally, (not having answers to the above questions) for caliber/cartridge, if the wind weather conditions are usually ~calm, a 6BR or variant (Dasher/GT etc.). If frequently breezy (most places) then move to a 6.5 something, I agree with others whom have suggested the 6.5Creedmoor. I would also strongly consider a bolt rifle with a Rem M700 footprint action. For precision it is mostly about the barrel, and this would give you good options on real match grade barrels (Remage).
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This but with a slight tweak. Go with the origin barreled action instead of solus due to aero’s recent CS issues.
Anyone notice the “OP” hasn’t been online since Friday at 11:25 AM. How many of us start threads asking for advice and don’t look at them for two days? I’m wondering if he’s a real person.
still makes a good read on different opinions even without opie
Interesting thought. JMHO, but common courtesy ( has been known to be in short supply at times here on the hide! ) would dictate at least an acknowledgment of those who take the time and trouble to give input. Then again, sometimes life ties us up with other, more pressing matters.
Just decide on how deep and quick you want to jump in. Simple questions such as are there any longer(more than 600) ranges "nearby" meaning at a distance you don't mind driving to make it worth while having a heavier caliber. Any thing you intend to add such as a suppressor, etc. Ability to upgrade with a chassis if you believe it would be beneficial to you. Decide on what you actually need for your purposes, not add on's that do nothing for you, be smart with your money. Plus, what if you don't like it and now you are sitting on a 4k custom gun, 1-2k chassis, scope, all the doodads everyone tells you that was "needed" to go sit at a bench and have fun. If you intend to go further and do comps, etc, you can add gear and equipment to suit those needs.
The below would be a decent choice to start, easy to add a chassis, cheap(relatively)to shoot, more than enough for 600 yards, pleasure to shoot, etc. But if you are set on a path to shoot longer ranges and maybe compete one day and are set on "one gun" then look at a different caliber. By chance are you referring to Manatee Gun Club?
www.eurooptic.com
The below would be a decent choice to start, easy to add a chassis, cheap(relatively)to shoot, more than enough for 600 yards, pleasure to shoot, etc. But if you are set on a path to shoot longer ranges and maybe compete one day and are set on "one gun" then look at a different caliber. By chance are you referring to Manatee Gun Club?
Tikka T3x Super Varmint .223 Rem 23.7" 1:8" Bbl Green Roughtech 6rd Rifle JRTXRSV312R8
Tikka T3x Super Varmint .223 Rem 23.7" 1:8" Bbl Green Roughtech 6rd Rifle JRTXRSV312R8 For Sale
Like my SV very much. Mine is in 6.5 CM and very accurate with factory ammo out to 500 yards, our range limit. Easily puts multiple hits into 3, 4 and 5” gongs when I’m able to dope the scope accurately and don’t screw up the shot. Can certainly recommend the SV.Just decide on how deep and quick you want to jump in. Simple questions such as are there any longer(more than 600) ranges "nearby" meaning at a distance you don't mind driving to make it worth while having a heavier caliber. Any thing you intend to add such as a suppressor, etc. Ability to upgrade with a chassis if you believe it would be beneficial to you. Decide on what you actually need for your purposes, not add on's that do nothing for you, be smart with your money. Plus, what if you don't like it and now you are sitting on a 4k custom gun, 1-2k chassis, scope, all the doodads everyone tells you that was "needed" to go sit at a bench and have fun. If you intend to go further and do comps, etc, you can add gear and equipment to suit those needs.
The below would be a decent choice to start, easy to add a chassis, cheap(relatively)to shoot, more than enough for 600 yards, pleasure to shoot, etc. But if you are set on a path to shoot longer ranges and maybe compete one day and are set on "one gun" then look at a different caliber. By chance are you referring to Manatee Gun Club?
Tikka T3x Super Varmint .223 Rem 23.7" 1:8" Bbl Green Roughtech 6rd Rifle JRTXRSV312R8
Tikka T3x Super Varmint .223 Rem 23.7" 1:8" Bbl Green Roughtech 6rd Rifle JRTXRSV312R8 For Sale
he didn't specify a man bun gun or man magnum gun so i recommended a man gun that does not use purse ammo lol
For sure there’s a lot of good info on here for anyone in the same position; lots of solid recommendations.
I went 308 for my first bolt action build. Still waiting on my barrel to get cut by NSS but I have everything else on hand. It will get pushed around more in the wind vs something like 6.5CM but it will force me to get better at reading wind & would essentially act as a training rifle. Plus the closest 1000 yd range near me is a 2 hr drive to Sacramento & any real advantage of a 6.5CM over a 308 only comes into play 700+ yds out from what Ive read/heard. There’s also the added bonus of nearly 2-3x the barrel life of 6.5CM.
Basically was going to say this… 5.56x45 or .223Rem are tapped out for point targets at 600m IMO. They can go further, but the problem has never really been elevation calls… wind with push it around a lot more than your 6mm-.30 cal rifles.
I recently jumped into this game and purposely avoided 6.5CM and went with a .308win. If you do your part, you can reach out to 1km with a good .308 rifle. And learning to do so will make the lets say, more modern cartridges that are mostly just updates to older ones like the 6.5 Swiss… all the easier. Plus longer barrel life and WIDE variety of ammo selection.
I’ve actually never heard of Manatee Gun Club, I’m referring to a range up in NHJust decide on how deep and quick you want to jump in. Simple questions such as are there any longer(more than 600) ranges "nearby" meaning at a distance you don't mind driving to make it worth while having a heavier caliber. Any thing you intend to add such as a suppressor, etc. Ability to upgrade with a chassis if you believe it would be beneficial to you. Decide on what you actually need for your purposes, not add on's that do nothing for you, be smart with your money. Plus, what if you don't like it and now you are sitting on a 4k custom gun, 1-2k chassis, scope, all the doodads everyone tells you that was "needed" to go sit at a bench and have fun. If you intend to go further and do comps, etc, you can add gear and equipment to suit those needs.
The below would be a decent choice to start, easy to add a chassis, cheap(relatively)to shoot, more than enough for 600 yards, pleasure to shoot, etc. But if you are set on a path to shoot longer ranges and maybe compete one day and are set on "one gun" then look at a different caliber. By chance are you referring to Manatee Gun Club?
Tikka T3x Super Varmint .223 Rem 23.7" 1:8" Bbl Green Roughtech 6rd Rifle JRTXRSV312R8
Tikka T3x Super Varmint .223 Rem 23.7" 1:8" Bbl Green Roughtech 6rd Rifle JRTXRSV312R8 For Sale
I haven’t really thought about a budget. You know im not married, coming out of college with a good job.Does this mean you have an unlimited amount to spend, or you haven’t really thought about how much you want to spend? It would be helpful to narrow it down a bit. As it is, you’ll get replies from buy a Ruger American, Arken scope, and Harris bipod to a custom action, Bartlein barrel, ZCO scope, and Clykyod bipod; thousands of dollars worth of difference there. It’s hard to know which direction to send you.
Based on the limited information and considering a 600 yard range, if you want a production gun, I would look at a Tikka CTR, about $1200, and a Athlon Ares ETR 3-18 with MIL reticle for about $583 from EuroOptic.
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA | Only at EuroOptic.com!
Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106
FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106
If you want a custom action, look at the Bighorn Origin, a barrel from PVA, a KRG-B stock, and a Athlon Gen II Cronus BTR scope as a minimum.
Good luck with your choice.
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