Start with
Cleckner's book. I have already handed out 4 of them to local friends. I think it's that important that they get to read his work.
Cleckner's book will guide the shooter toward the further steps involved in meeting their goals.
I am not among the MilDot Literate, and also consider an LRF to be a most basic and mandatory tool. Between the LRF, a solid zero, and a good Drop Table, I find my bases are covered enough to get close first round shots. Beyond that, I adjust.
I am a firm believer in walking before running. What some may consider basic equipment is the stuff I use long afterward. I think that LR is the great equalizer. Highly refined and customized equipment buys less and less as the distances increase, because the vagaries of the winds betray even the best shooter's edge that comes from such improvements. Judgement and experience are the main implements, the rest is just tools.
I use factory rifles, and suggest the Savage 11VT as the primary trainer. I have a pair of them (223 and 308), and use them for F T/R sorts of applications. I will be rounding out the selection with another 308, which will be rebarreled to .260 for F Open type applications. The rifles themselves have all the required features for LR shooting, and the .223 makes for an identically configured trainer to distances that I limit to 600yd, but which can probably reach a good bit further. I don't because the 308 is better suited for beyond 600.
The 223 will also serve as the best place to begin handloading. The 11VT 223 uses a 1:9" rifling twist, and works really well using handloads employing the Hornady 75gr HPBT-Match bullet, The 75gr A-Max (and probably the ELD-M) are most likely to be too long for proper stabilization in that twist.
My
optic. After a decade going on two of experimenting with less expensive scopes, this one meets my own requirements as a beginner scope. I show both the Target and the MilDot versions. I don't do MilDots, so I use the other scope. These scopes prefer not to be gorilla clamped right up next to the turrets. I use these
rings, moderately tightened, at least 1" away from the turrets.
The highly refined custom rifle is not going to be the best choice for the beginner, who needs to become well enough versed with the basic knowledge before the additionally sophisticated equipment can contribute its own specialized additional capabilities. Skills must come first, then the means to employ them to their fuller potential. One cannot count on the better gear to gloss over the gaps in the basic knowledge.
Good ammunition is a must. Where specialization is concerned, I would delve into handloading first. The 223 and 308 have a vast selection of good commercial ammunition choices. The .260 probably best serves the handloader.
Greg
