Re: about to head to sniper section
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MJB275</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hey guys, i rarely post anything on this forum, but i just wonder what the hide has to say about a little indecisiveness i have been debating on.
i am pretty set on purchasing a bolt rifle, possibly a GAP but i am not quite sure if i want to spend that kind of money on my first long range rifle. are there any suggestions for someone who is going to be doing tactical matches out to 1000 meters. the one thing i do not want to sacrifice on is accuracy.
and i am lost in the world of optics. i know i want some form of horus reticle, most likely a nightforce or a US optic. but im a little confused about the magnification i should be looking for.
if you have any suggestions or just want to call me a cherry feel free to pipe in!
thank you all,
mike </div></div>
Mike,
I'm guessing Bravo Company, 2nd Batt/75th Rangers? Although that is none of my fucking business.
If you're going to shoot civilian tactical matches in your area (such as the Findlay Cup and the Field Shooter's Challenge out of Ellensberg) you need to be aware of caliber restrictions. Your rifle can't be a magnum (of any length) and in the Cup, it can't be a long action caliber either. That cuts down your choices really quick.
A lot of guys are running 260's with some running 7mm-08's & 284's. The last FSC was won by a guy running a barrel burning 243 Winchester. Shooting the 115 grain DTAC projectile the match winner was kicking so serious ass.
But NONE of those cartridges are used by the military. They are a lot of fun to shoot, but offer very reduced training value compared to what you could be getting shooting a .308 winchester loaded with a 175 grain Sierra Matchking.
If I was in your position, about to head to a sniper section, I would buy a Remington 700 5R "Mil-Spec" in .308 win, put a 20 MOA Badger Ordanance picatinny rail on it, buy Badger Ordanance "Mil-Spec" rings and top it off with the Bushnell HDMR 3-21x50(56?) Scope with either the Mil-dot reticle or the H-58 reticle.
On second thought, maybe not such a fancy scope. Why?
If you really are going to a sniper section, you will have REAL WORLD SHIT to deal with. Confusing your calibers might end up costing someone's life. You don't want to be a NO-GO at that station, Ranger.
And if your unit has already made the switch to the 300 Win Mag, you need to be practicing with that. And the Win Mag is not allowed in any of the matches I know about. Bummer. In which case I'd recomend reverting back to the 308 pushing 175 grain SMK's.
But that's a "Tab-wearing" ex-Paratrooper giving his two cents worth. Fancy calibers are the luxury of civilans. You're filling a far more important role in life.