Just bought my first precision rifle...now onto the equipment

[SwiftScope]

As the title states, I just bought my first precision rifle. Went with a Bergara LRP in 6.5 creedmoor, Harris bipod and on top is a Nikon Black FX1000 sitting in some badger rings.

As for a new shooter in this sport what equipment should I be focusing on first? I don't plan on competing but plan to regularly target shoot out to 1K yards.

Now before everyone tells me I need ammo, I got that, I'm looking for what you experienced shooters would consider essential in any situation.

Thanks!

 

[surprise]

A good rear bag, something like a game changer is a good all around bag. Range finder would be great also. Lots of decent options out there sub $400 mark.

 

[SwiftScope]

A good rear bag, something like a game changer is a good all around bag. Range finder would be great also. Lots of decent options out there sub $400 mark.

Heard a lot about the game changer, have also looked into the precision Underground bag. Noted on the rangefinder, thank you

 

[W54/XM-388]

I'd suggest you also get a decent chronograph. It will make things a bit easier to calculate and verify for long range.
It's not critical, but it's a great help.

 

[JSchell1309]

I'd suggest you also get a decent chronograph. It will make things a bit easier to calculate and verify for long range.
It's not critical, but it's a great help.

Agree with this, I always borrowed a buddies shoot through Chrono and finally got sick of always needing one and never having it.

Bought a Magnetospeed sporter to dip my toe in and love it. Very easy to use and has been helping me make my dope charts faster.

Someday I may upgrade to the top of the line V3, but for now the sporter is solid for getting some data on some quick loads.

 

[surprise]

Agree with this, I always borrowed a buddies shoot through Chrono and finally got sick of always needing one and never having it.

Bought a Magnetospeed sporter to dip my toe in and love it. Very easy to use and has been helping me make my dope charts faster.

Someday I may upgrade to the top of the line V3, but for now the sporter is solid for getting some data on some quick loads.

Magneto all the way, several of the shooters here have sold their Lab Radar's and use magneto's. If you watch the post exchange you can find some decent deals and might be able to pick one up at a used price.
How much are you looking to spend on the gear side?
One of the best purchases I made and wish I did it earlier was to buy a good tripod and leveling base or ball head. If you buy quality it will last and will be extremely useful in training and matches.

 

[surprise]

Shit, Kestrel or some form of being able get your dope for distance. Tons of great apps for your phone but when you have the $$ a Kestrel with AB will be awesome and you won't look back.

 

[SwiftScope]

Magneto all the way, several of the shooters here have sold their Lab Radar's and use magneto's. If you watch the post exchange you can find some decent deals and might be able to pick one up at a used price.
How much are you looking to spend on the gear side?
One of the best purchases I made and wish I did it earlier was to buy a good tripod and leveling base or ball head. If you buy quality it will last and will be extremely useful in training and matches.

No real strict budget, just want to do the research and save if i need too to get things right on the first go around

 

[JSchell1309]

Like the poster above said, once you know your load, be it reloads or factory, you want a way to generate your DOPE for distance. Something as simple as a website and printing it out and taping it on your stock. Or you can get into one of the many smartphone apps like Applied Ballistics.

Another great app for iPhone is Ballistic X, easy way to measure group sizes by taking a simple photo.

 

[SwiftScope]

Like the poster above said, once you know your load, be it reloads or factory, you want a way to generate your DOPE for distance. Something as simple as a website and printing it out and taping it on your stock. Or you can get into one of the many smartphone apps like Applied Ballistics.

Another great app for iPhone is Ballistic X, easy way to measure group sizes by taking a simple photo.

Yeah ive looked into the Applied ballistics app, likely going to go that route. that and a data book

 

[AverageGrunt]

warhorse development camanche bag. range finder. and a 5 dollar moving mat when you go shoot. create your dope write crap down. youre g2g

 

[surprise]

Are you planning on reloading?

 

[clcustom1911]

As the title states, I just bought my first precision rifle. Went with a Bergara LRP in 6.5 creedmoor, Harris bipod and on top is a Nikon Black FX1000 sitting in some badger rings.

As for a new shooter in this sport what equipment should I be focusing on first? I don't plan on competing but plan to regularly target shoot out to 1K yards.

Now before everyone tells me I need ammo, I got that, I'm looking for what you experienced shooters would consider essential in any situation.

Thanks!

I know you said no ammo. I'm (still) in the same boat as you regarding no intent to compete at this time, but enjoy shooting from close to past 1000.


Rear bag, ammo, shooting mat, ammo, data book, laser rangefinder, ammo. I shot so many rounds before I even had a chrono or ballistic calculator. I just shot at whatever distances I could range in my reticle, recorded hits and whatever weather conditions I knew.

I'm so cheap. Hell, my "rear bag" is still a black dress sock filled with rice. Which, after a day of prone shooting, the "rear bag" goes in the microwave for a couple minutes works as a heating pad to relax my neck muscles.

 

[DirtDart]

Log /Dope book. Write everything down. Get a write in the rain note pad.

 

[pmclaine]

Invest in a class.

 

[Off Duty Ninja]

Reloading equipment such as quality press, powder scale, dies, brass, powder, etc.

 

[wpgk58]

As the title states, I just bought my first precision rifle. Went with a Bergara LRP in 6.5 creedmoor, Harris bipod and on top is a Nikon Black FX1000 sitting in some badger rings.

As for a new shooter in this sport what equipment should I be focusing on first? I don't plan on competing but plan to regularly target shoot out to 1K yards.

Now before everyone tells me I need ammo, I got that, I'm looking for what you experienced shooters would consider essential in any situation.

Thanks!

Practice Practice and more Practice
Then a couple a sand bags

 

[DownhillFromHere]

My $0.02, in order, after two years and five different rifles .22LR-6.5CM, half a dozen PRS-style matches, and a bunch of little club matches since last spring:

1. Snipers Hide Online Training. $15/month, and you can stop it at any time. I am ambivalent about classes... I've had two. the first was a 1-day deal that didn't teach me anything I didn't already know from reading. The second was a 1-day, 1x1 class which concentrated on preparation for competition, after confirming my fundamentals were sound.
   - 1A. A good rear bag. Game Changer, Tactical Udder, something like that.
2. A ballistic app for your phone. I prefer Strelok Pro. I've tried others and definitely prefer Strelok. But that's me.
   - 2A. Chronograph. You can get a Caldwell for $75 but with low cost comes correspondingly high setup and use annoyance. The preferred method is LabRadar or Magnetospeed. It's almost a religious fight over which is "best." Two good tools to do the same thing - read about them and choose the one you like.
3. Good cleaning rod/jag/brushes, bore guide for that rod, and appropriate cleaning "liquids" and technique. Don't fubar your barrel with improper cleaning. Again, research the topic.
4. A decent range bag. If I could, I would keep all my crap on a pallet and load it in my vehicle with a forklift. But I can't so I use a big 5.11 Gear bag to contain all my little crap. I leave everything in there - glasses, ear plugs, binoculars, all pistol mags, bipods, binoculars, you name it. It's more weight to load out, but I don't forget anything. Larger bits such as muffs, targets, paint (for steel), etc. and most of my bags stay in a large box in my SUV (which is garaged at home, not outside).
5. Bringing up the distant rear are:
   - Range finder. Handy, but 99% of the shooting I do is at known ranges.
   - Kestrel or weather meter. A buddy of mine has a full-featured Kestrel 5700 which he just doesn't use and he loaned it to me. I found the thing to be horribly clunky to set up and unintuitive to use as a ballistics calculator compared to Strelok Pro. The weather bits are nice, but I've found data from nearby weather stations to be adequate (it's easy to convert weather stations' "sea level pressure" to station pressure using simple math with the altimeter feature on your phone). Wind speed... well, I have yet to shoot any further than 400-500 yards where the downrange wind was the same as firing line wind. You still have to use Mark I eyeball attached to central brain to evaluate downrange wind. THIS IS MY OPINION ONLY. I have friends who agree with me. I have others who find their Kestrels invaluable.

Welcome to the money pit of long range rifle!

EDIT re reloading: I've done it for over 50 years. I would just about as soon swab toilets as reload. I reload several thousand pistol rounds a year. I used to reload bottleneck rifle ammo; it is, TO ME, a royal PITA. I get 1/2-MOA groups with factory ammo, which is sufficient. With all that said, I will probably break down and start handloading my rifle ammo again, because it is indeed the way to get optimal performance from your rifle. But is it necessary? No.

 

[Sutherlandsd]

Game changer if you only buy one bag. People love magnetospeed I had one and it worked but regardless of what anyone will tell you it impacts bullet which makes me do load development twice as long which you will pay for with bullets and barrel soon enough. If your not reloading buy the magnetospeed Sporter since you won't be doing load development anyways. Buy lots of ammo do the online learning on here it's cheap and informative. Start reloading, seriously if I could recommend anything it would be this.

 

[SwiftScope]

Are you planning on reloading?

Yes I def plan on it

 

[SwiftScope]

Invest in a class.

This is what im really interested in, Im in central CA so the only one im aware of near me is Sawtooth Rifles course

 

[SwiftScope]

My $0.02, in order, after two years and five different rifles .22LR-6.5CM, half a dozen PRS-style matches, and a bunch of little club matches since last spring:

1. Snipers Hide Online Training. $15/month, and you can stop it at any time. I am ambivalent about classes... I've had two. the first was a 1-day deal that didn't teach me anything I didn't already know from reading. The second was a 1-day, 1x1 class which concentrated on preparation for competition, after confirming my fundamentals were sound.
   - 1A. A good rear bag. Game Changer, Tactical Udder, something like that.
2. A ballistic app for your phone. I prefer Strelok Pro. I've tried others and definitely prefer Strelok. But that's me.
   - 2A. Chronograph. You can get a Caldwell for $75 but with low cost comes correspondingly high setup and use annoyance. The preferred method is LabRadar or Magnetospeed. It's almost a religious fight over which is "best." Two good tools to do the same thing - read about them and choose the one you like.
3. Good cleaning rod/jag/brushes, bore guide for that rod, and appropriate cleaning "liquids" and technique. Don't fubar your barrel with improper cleaning. Again, research the topic.
4. A decent range bag. If I could, I would keep all my crap on a pallet and load it in my vehicle with a forklift. But I can't so I use a big 5.11 Gear bag to contain all my little crap. I leave everything in there - glasses, ear plugs, binoculars, all pistol mags, bipods, binoculars, you name it. It's more weight to load out, but I don't forget anything. Larger bits such as muffs, targets, paint (for steel), etc. and most of my bags stay in a large box in my SUV (which is garaged at home, not outside).
5. Bringing up the distant rear are:
   - Range finder. Handy, but 99% of the shooting I do is at known ranges.
   - Kestrel or weather meter. A buddy of mine has a full-featured Kestrel 5700 which he just doesn't use and he loaned it to me. I found the thing to be horribly clunky to set up and unintuitive to use as a ballistics calculator compared to Strelok Pro. The weather bits are nice, but I've found data from nearby weather stations to be adequate (it's easy to convert weather stations' "sea level pressure" to station pressure using simple math with the altimeter feature on your phone). Wind speed... well, I have yet to shoot any further than 400-500 yards where the downrange wind was the same as firing line wind. You still have to use Mark I eyeball attached to central brain to evaluate downrange wind. THIS IS MY OPINION ONLY. I have friends who agree with me. I have others who find their Kestrels invaluable.

Welcome to the money pit of long range rifle!

EDIT re reloading: I've done it for over 50 years. I would just about as soon swab toilets as reload. I reload several thousand pistol rounds a year. I used to reload bottleneck rifle ammo; it is, TO ME, a royal PITA. I get 1/2-MOA groups with factory ammo, which is sufficient. With all that said, I will probably break down and start handloading my rifle ammo again, because it is indeed the way to get optimal performance from your rifle. But is it necessary? No.

Thank you for this. very helpful

 

[Off Duty Ninja]

Check out the Bergara Facebook group too. Lots of good knowledge and folks in there. Also the CEO of Bergara and some of their engineers frequent the page. I own a Bergara BMP in 6.5cm and I love my rifle. It's been pretty dependable and stupid accurate enough for me to compete in PRS with and make consistent hits at 1000+ yards.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1028610370606263/?ref=share

 

[Sutherlandsd]

If your going to reload I would recommend the Redding t7 turret press I think Brownells actually had a decent sale on it. Get a Hornady oal gauge and the corresponding comparator cartridges
and brass you shoot. I would jump straight to an rcbs chargemaster 1500 scale so reloading won't be so tedious and it's plenty accurate enough and fast. Get whatever brand dies you want I like Redding but rcbs is good as well and has amazing customer service. Go to harbor freight and get a digital caliper for like $10 before you invest in a nicer one, it will work. Frankford arsenal case prep with trimmer sometime down the road is nice.


Then go find a class go buy bags and a chronograph and shoot your own ammo.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

One other thing I have never seen in any advice-to-new-shooters posts: Don't overheat your barrel!

Not long ago, I was taking a break when I was approached by a young man who had been watching me and another guy on the 1000-yard range. He identified himself as a new shooter and politely asked if he could ask some questions. I was about done so was happy to help. He had not qualified to use the 1000-yard range yet so I offered to join him shortly on one of the shorter ranges where he could shoot. He thanked me and walked down to a 500-yard range.

By the time I joined him, he had already fired at least a box or two of 6.5CM. As I watched, he would load 5-10 rounds, fire them maybe 5-10 seconds apart, reload, and do it again. I could almost smell the hot steel. He had already fired three or four boxes earlier in the day - I could see his brass in the bin.

He was clearly not taking time to evaluate his shots. He did not have a ballistic calculator and was just flinging rounds and guesstimating corrections. He had no idea how to use the subtensions on his reticle.

I strongly advised him to slow down his rate of fire - I told him that, optimally, he wouldn't get his barrel so hot that he couldn't close his hand around it. The rest of the discussion was about the fundamentals noted in this thread. I'm thinking he had already put a hurt on that barrel.

Bottom line, though, is let your barrel cool during practice sessions.

 

[surprise]

If you are really interested in reloading, I would recommend waiting 6 months or a year and do some shooting. Your taste's and wants will evolve over the course of that time and you will likely want different stuff afterwards, especially as you begin to look down the rabbit hole of reloading. There are tons on good threads on here about reloading but I really would encourage you to wait a little bit. Some places to look for reloading equipment just to get a feel for it would be, Redding, Dillon, Whidden, Forster. They seem to be some of the better quality products on the market (no affiliation with any of them). One thing I have found to be very true with reloading equipment, you get what you pay for. I suppose its the same with most things in the shooting world, buy once, cry once. I wish I had half the money back I spent on all the useless crap I purchased thinking it would be the right fit or whatever was going through my head at the time. One thing is sure, your thoughts will evolve and you will change your requirements-hence recommendation to wait a little before jumping into reloading.

 

[Sutherlandsd]

EDIT re reloading: I've done it for over 50 years. I would just about as soon swab toilets as reload. I reload several thousand pistol rounds a year. I used to reload bottleneck rifle ammo; it is, TO ME, a royal PITA. I get 1/2-MOA groups with factory ammo, which is sufficient. With all that said, I will probably break down and start handloading my rifle ammo again, because it is indeed the way to get optimal performance from your rifle. But is it necessary? No.

Remember in your quest for long range that group size is nice but if the variation in FPS of your ammo is 30-50+ fps variation between shots that half inch group at 100 yards is most likely in the dirt at 1000. Reloading is a necessary practice. When I have chrono'd even quality match ammo the ES is still many times higher than my reloads. This is the frustrating thing for a beginner did I miss because I had bad mechanics or was it because my ammo was made by someone on a Friday looking to get home. This game is all about removing variables and ammo is a HUGE one.

Edit if you do use factory ammo please look into a premium ammo like Prime. Cheap factory ammo you may as well be dryfiring and save your barrel imo.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

If you are really interested in reloading, I would recommend waiting 6 months or a year and do some shooting. Your taste's and wants will evolve over the course of that time and you will likely want different stuff afterwards, especially as you begin to look down the rabbit hole of reloading. There are tons on good threads on here about reloading but I really would encourage you to wait a little bit. Some places to look for reloading equipment just to get a feel for it would be, Redding, Dillon, Whidden, Forster. They seem to be some of the better quality products on the market (no affiliation with any of them). One thing I have found to be very true with reloading equipment, you get what you pay for. I suppose its the same with most things in the shooting world, buy once, cry once. I wish I had half the money back I spent on all the useless crap I purchased thinking it would be the right fit or whatever was going through my head at the time. One thing is sure, your thoughts will evolve and you will change your requirements-hence recommendation to wait a little before jumping into reloading.

^^^^ THIS. ^^^^

Work on fundamentals now. Buy decent ammo and save the brass. Reloading should be down the road a bit. If you start now, it's even easier to fall into the "PLD" trap (Perpetual Load Development - afflicts shooters who are never satisfied with a load and/or enjoy reloading as a hobby. I rag on one of my best shooting buddies about this all the time; he NEVER stops "developing loads." As often as not, my factory Hornady match rounds or even the bulk Hornady American Gunner shoots right with his painstakingly crafted reloads.

 

[lht645]

As the title states, I just bought my first precision rifle. Went with a Bergara LRP in 6.5 creedmoor, Harris bipod and on top is a Nikon Black FX1000 sitting in some badger rings.

As for a new shooter in this sport what equipment should I be focusing on first? I don't plan on competing but plan to regularly target shoot out to 1K yards.

Now before everyone tells me I need ammo, I got that, I'm looking for what you experienced shooters would consider essential in any situation.

Thanks!

Formal Training & Ammo your gun likes.

 

[SwiftScope]

^^^^ THIS. ^^^^

Work on fundamentals now. Buy decent ammo and save the brass. Reloading should be down the road a bit. If you start now, it's even easier to fall into the "PLD" trap (Perpetual Load Development - afflicts shooters who are never satisfied with a load and/or enjoy reloading as a hobby. I rag on one of my best shooting buddies about this all the time; he NEVER stops "developing loads." As often as not, my factory Hornady match rounds or even the bulk Hornady American Gunner shoots right with his painstakingly crafted reloads.

My initial plan is to be reloading by the end of the year, shoot all year and save my brass. will be researching the entire time so that hopefully im good to go for 2020

 

[surprise]

That sounds like a great plan. I would definitely look into something like prime for ammo .

 

[SwiftScope]

That sounds like a great plan. I would definitely look into something like prime for ammo .

Will do!

 

[DownhillFromHere]

Remember in your quest for long range that group size is nice but if the variation in FPS of your ammo is 30-50+ fps variation between shots that half inch group at 100 yards is most likely in the dirt at 1000. Reloading is a necessary practice. When I have chrono'd even quality match ammo the ES is still many times higher than my reloads. This is the frustrating thing for a beginner did I miss because I had bad mechanics or was it because my ammo was made by someone on a Friday looking to get home. This game is all about removing variables and ammo is a HUGE one.

Edit if you do use factory ammo please look into a premium ammo like Prime. Cheap factory ammo you may as well be dryfiring and save your barrel imo.

I agree with @Sutherlandsd that handloading is instrumental in reducing velocity variation as much as possible. But - is it necessary to the OP at this stage in his development and what he wants to accomplish? Let's put some context around the issue.

Using the ubiquitous .264" Hornady 140-grain ELD-M bullet, the vertical difference between 2800fps and 2750FPS is about a foot at 1000 yards, about 4 inches at 500, just over an inch at 400, and negligible 300 and in. Is a 1-inch vertical variation acceptable at 400 yards? If the OP spends a lot of time running drills at 100 yards to develop skills, does it matter at all?

It's about priorities. @SwiftScope has a reasonable plan and he's asking the right questions. Now all he has to do is sort through conflicting advice, none of which is necessarily wrong!

 

[Sutherlandsd]

I agree with this downhill good prime ammo should get him on the right track and give him some decent brass.

I look at things like this from my sons perspective, I make them reload what they shoot so they can see what variations in powder bullet and velocity do not to mention it's harder to blast away ammo when you make them on a single stage press. Sometimes I forget (as well as them...) that they have the luxury of my lifetime of accumulating reloading gear that's probably in the thousands of dollars.

 

[Sutherlandsd]

The other side of that coin also is an ES of 25 may be possible with prime. Most Hornady match and Gunner is closer to ES of 50 or 75 at least by my experimentation. The attached photo is one of my sons friends shooting factory match 6cm that is supposed to be 2960fps as stated on the box from a 24" barrel. His barrel was 24" we we're at 2750' above sea level and 50 degrees. This was the best I have seen of Hornady match.

This was his "one hole at 100 yards" but couldn't hit steel at 1000 ammo.

 

[BadDogPSD]

This is what im really interested in, Im in central CA so the only one im aware of near me is Sawtooth Rifles course

Check out Sac Valley Shooting Center & Norcal Precision. They have a intro to long range precision planned for April 6th.

 

[Off Duty Ninja]

Look at Berger factory ammo. They are loaded in Lapua brass and that's definitely worth saving for reloading in the future.

 

[surprise]

Look at Berger factory ammo. They are loaded in Lapua brass and that's definitely worth saving for reloading in the future.

That sounds like a winner also! Lapua would be nice consolation prize for seeing all the $$ going down the barrel!!!!

 

[SwiftScope]

I agree with @Sutherlandsd that handloading is instrumental in reducing velocity variation as much as possible. But - is it necessary to the OP at this stage in his development and what he wants to accomplish? Let's put some context around the issue.

Using the ubiquitous .264" Hornady 140-grain ELD-M bullet, the vertical difference between 2800fps and 2750FPS is about a foot at 1000 yards, about 4 inches at 500, just over an inch at 400, and negligible 300 and in. Is a 1-inch vertical variation acceptable at 400 yards? If the OP spends a lot of time running drills at 100 yards to develop skills, does it matter at all?

It's about priorities. @SwiftScope has a reasonable plan and he's asking the right questions. Now all he has to do is sort through conflicting advice, none of which is necessarily wrong!

Thanks, this whole thread has given me great info and its much appreciated everyone. Im really going to focus on the fundamentals of shooting before I try to stretch out the distance, i just want to be a well rounded shooter in all phases, not looking to break any records.

 

[Off Duty Ninja]

You can find the Berger match ammo on Hunts Long Range.
https://huntslongrange.com/product/6-5-creedmoor-140-gr-hybrid/?v=7516fd43adaa

 

[surprise]

One other change I made that seemed small but had a huge impact was my bolt handle/knob/extension. I have not put hands on a Bergara and don't know how the bolt will feel with your scope set up. That being said, I just recently put a small extension and larger knob on a rifle and it changed the whole feel for the better. The best part is that it was cheap! Well, relative to everything else in this sport! Not a must do but think about it, especially if you don't like the feel when you cycle the bolt.

 

[AIAW]

So I watched this thread since the beginning and while everyone has very good input so far, there are some major things missing since we do know that the OP is new to the game.

Things that would drive the OP crazy starting out as a new shooter that he has not vetted yet, in addition to shooter 101 equipment that hasn't been mentioned yet:

A) Mounted reticle cant (equipment to go along with this, a tube-mounted bubble-level).
B) Optic tracking test. Nikon FX1000 - yeah, I'd track test that immediately!
C) Comfortable shooting mat. Please, no bench shooting. You aren't going to learn anything off of a bench.
D) Quality cleaning supplies. There will come a (to be discovered) point where you will need to clean to regain accuracy.
E) Someone already mentioned a Kestrel. If nothing more than for atmospherics. Kestrel AB is not a bad piece of kit for ballistics.
F) Someone mentioned a data book. Absolutely.

Start with that. Remove as many variables out of the equation as possible. Remember, old habbits die hard so start correctly and you'll only know the correct ways. There are only two possibilities to every shot; it was either the equipment or the operator.

 

[clcustom1911]

Reloading equipment such as quality press, powder scale, dies, brass, powder, etc.

Does my full suite of "Lee Precision" equipment count as "quality"? ?????

It definitely makes sufficiently accurate ammo *for me* over the last 10 years or so. LoL

 

[Off Duty Ninja]

Does my full suite of "Lee Precision" equipment count as "quality"? ?????

It definitely makes sufficiently accurate ammo *for me* over the last 10 years or so. LoL

Lee dies are decent. I started off reloading with them. I just prefer to use my Redding competition dies because they seem to be more consistant (for me) and I like the micrometer on the bullet seating die so I know exactly how many thousandths I need to adjust and it be spot on.

 

[Sutherlandsd]

Lee collet dies are the real deal and very under rated.

 

[Andeddu]

I’m in SoCal. I’m quiet on here. But I’m also like a sponge. The best info I’ve gotten is just by doing research and reading. I have a custom pieced together Remington 700 in 300wm and shot my first 1000 yard target which was a 10”x10” plate yesterday. Did it fairly consistently. It’s definitely a bunch of things to learn. But practice and research makes a world of difference. I’m using hornady match ammo seams to be working well for me so far.

But as far as range essentials go I take with me. A note pad and pen for writing down the “dope” I have a range finder but don’t really need one at first unless u plan on doing blm open land shooting. A cheap shooting bag. A shoot mat from midway. A small bottle of lube. Some water. Just basic range stuff is all you really need. A spotting scope is great to have too. I have one but the range I go to has some for anyone to use.

It’s also VERY helpful to have another person to go with you. I never shot long range before now and only been into it a few months. So getting to a 1000 yard target was a bit difficult. Up till I started talking to a guy who was just watching people shoot. He spotted me. And I was able to get from the 36 inch plate ta 1k to the 10” plate.

But I’m still a newbie at this. And no one to give out advice. But what I can tell you is. Just do research. Ask questions when you’re stuck. Good luck out there.

 

[Jack's Dad]

Rear bag and rangefinder. Keep notes. I've always had better results referencing my actual history for a firing solution than using a ballistic ap.

 

[SwiftScope]

I’m in SoCal. I’m quiet on here. But I’m also like a sponge. The best info I’ve gotten is just by doing research and reading. I have a custom pieced together Remington 700 in 300wm and shot my first 1000 yard target which was a 10”x10” plate yesterday. Did it fairly consistently. It’s definitely a bunch of things to learn. But practice and research makes a world of difference. I’m using hornady match ammo seams to be working well for me so far.

But as far as range essentials go I take with me. A note pad and pen for writing down the “dope” I have a range finder but don’t really need one at first unless u plan on doing blm open land shooting. A cheap shooting bag. A shoot mat from midway. A small bottle of lube. Some water. Just basic range stuff is all you really need. A spotting scope is great to have too. I have one but the range I go to has some for anyone to use.

It’s also VERY helpful to have another person to go with you. I never shot long range before now and only been into it a few months. So getting to a 1000 yard target was a bit difficult. Up till I started talking to a guy who was just watching people shoot. He spotted me. And I was able to get from the 36 inch plate ta 1k to the 10” plate.

But I’m still a newbie at this. And no one to give out advice. But what I can tell you is. Just do research. Ask questions when you’re stuck. Good luck out there.

Thanks!

 

[clcustom1911]

Lee dies are decent. I started off reloading with them. I just prefer to use my Redding competition dies because they seem to be more consistant (for me) and I like the micrometer on the bullet seating die so I know exactly how many thousandths I need to adjust and it be spot on.

Totally agree for that micrometer seating die. That's probably my next upgrade I'll do for my setup.

 

[northshorelumber]

Shooting out to 1,000 yards successfully requires a few things depending on known or unknown ranges, prone or off a bench, etc. A balistic app, sterlok pro is inexpense, Kestrel with AB is top notch and provides a weather meter. If unknown ranges a range finder makes sense. A chronograph is nice and very important if you handload. All the handloading gear if you go that direction. Rear bag, data book, shooting mat. All maybe the most important would be instruction. If you are new at this and want to shoot to 1000 yards starting with good technique is invaluable.