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Best Gear/Advice for Beginners??

D_mantley

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 26, 2019
39
6
Louisiana
I'm new to the Long Range shooting game and had a few questions. I have been hunting game my entire life and used to taking 200-300 yard shots with my Leupold 3-9x50. My current long range rifle is a Remington 700 LTR (Police) in 308 with a Timney Trigger, Seekins 20 MOA base, Seekins Rings, and topped with a Vortex PST Gen 2 5-25x50 in MOA. I also have an Atlas Bipod I got from a buddy of mine. I plan on getting a Bradley cheek rest, threading my barrel for my Silencerco Omega, and the stock glass bedded soon. I am a LEO in Northern Louisiana, and plan on learning a lot from our SWAT Snipers. I currently shoot the Hornady 168gr ELD Match or Federal Gold Medal Matchking 168 gr. I do not reload as of yet because I do not have the equipment or room for it. I am familiar with MOA adjustments etc. I just purchased to Strelok Pro app on my iPhone, which seems legit. I zero'd my rifle this past weekend at 100 yards and my 4 shot group were all touching. This is a fun and addicting sport, but would like some further advice for beginners. Thanks.

I plan on getting a Precision Rifle in 300 win mag or 6.5 Creed eventually.

My questions are:

What factory round would benefit me most?

What is some good equipment to help me get into the Long Range game?

Where are some good long ranges located in Northern La?

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated. Like I said I’m new to the “Long Range” game.
 

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First I agree with maximizing the potential of your M700. The mods you've lined out are a good way to go.

Second, reloading takes far less space than most people who have never done it (like you) assume it does. I recommend you get started in that direction ASAP.

Being able to get the ammo tailored to the rifle that you now have then making shitloads of it to learn with will pay off far greater dividends than blowing the money on another rifle and even more factory ammo in a different caliber.

ETA: It won't be long before someone will come along to tell you to ditch the scope you have and get one that adjusts in mils. I would not listen, at least not yet. That money is money you need to get setup to reload and to train with.
 
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Thanks you sir. I will look at to getting in to reloading my own ammo. I have a few buddies that run the Mil dot, but Iv been shooting moa Scopes my entire life so I feel like I need to stick with that. Would LOVE to get a nightforce or S&B but can’t see dropping that much cash on glass yet. Maybe one day!
 
Shoot the ammo you are using. Pick the better ammo, then figure out how much it costs to shoot and costs to make. You'll tune it slightly when you load it. For now shoot it to collect brass. I worked up a thumbnail the the other day on a different thread that gave a break even on handloading of about 2000 rounds. Even if the Hornady and Federal shoot the same group they will not shoot the same ballistics as you increase range, that is why I say pick one.

I'm not much of a scope shooter. I shoot a couple of long-range matches a year and Service Rifle started using scopes 2 years ago. MOA or MIL will both be on target. From reading here the biggest thing is making sure you and your spotter are using the same thing.
 
I have a few buddies that run the Mil dot, but Iv been shooting moa Scopes my entire life so I feel like I need to stick with that.
Mils.......not mil dot.

Switching from MOA to mils is extremely easy IF you understand how to compensate for trajectory relying only on angular measurements and not on linear measurements. That's all I'll say about that.
 
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best advice I can give is to just get out there and shoot with what you have. It’s not as hard as you think. Also keep your rifles zero at 100.

Factory round: what are the distances you plan on shooting?

Equipment : good shooting mat ( you’ll spend a lot of time prone), good bipod and quality rear bag. Quality ammo that shoots constantly sub moa out of your rifle, or reload.

First time I went past 450 yards I went to 600 then 1000 and was hitting clay bird in the birm within 10 shots on both 308/300 win mag. Download the Hornady 4dof app, it’s pretty damn good and free.

Good luck


I was actually just looking at shooting Mats and going to order one. It sure which one I’m going to go with yet tho since there so many options.

I have an atlas bipod and a crosstac rear bag. My 100 yard groups are consistently sub MOA with my 168gr Eld Match.
 
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To me it sounds like you already have a good base and are headed in the right direction.

I wouldn't stress about the reloading. There is a lot of really good factory ammo out there. But one day you might want to go that route and there are some benefits. So collect your brass just in case.

Sign up for the online training videos on here. They will help.

Equipment wise. Yes a shooting mat. You will need that it will benefit you. You already have some decent equipment. Eventually you may want to grow and change some things. But currently you don't need to.

The MOA vs Mil thing has been beat to death. You already have MOA so use it. When you start or already have shooting buddies yall will want to shoot the same. So if all of them are Mil than maybe next time you by a scope switch. If they are all MOA stay MOA makes it easier to communicate in the field/range.

Make sure when you get the barrel threaded it is by a good gunsmith who will make sure its threaded center off the bore so you don't have impact strikes on your can. Also if you don't have one already get a suppressor cover to help with mirage.

Depending on how that stock feels to you. It may be something you want to upgrade. Chassis or Stock is up to you. But during that time you can go to a detachable magazine. There are several stocks and chassis that will assist you without breaking the bank.

There is a lot of "gucci" gear that can be purchased. But you have your basics covered. Spotting scopes are nice but not needed. Range finder if your shooting on ranges with non known distances. But if your range post the numbers its not as needed. Kestrel is more of a luxury item unless your competeing. It isnt needed.

Most importantly go to training classes if you can. And of course practice. $200 of ammo spent at the range will be benefit you more than any $200 piece of equipment.
 
I think the most bang for your buck item is the DFAT - training aid for dry fire. Building solid fundamentals early on is easier when you can put the reps in at home.