My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

[Longshot79]

I am looking to join into the wonderful world of practical long range shooting. Initially I will be shooting 300 yards or less but my goal is to be a successfull 1000 yard shooter. In order to get there I am going to need a good rifle. This will be my first rifle purchase. I have been studying rifles for several months and I have learned allot but im confused allot too. Mostly by the wide range of rifles and options available. I have saved up my pennies and im ready to make a purchase I just want to make sure im sending my cash down the right pipe. I have narrowed my selection down to three rifles but I would like some advice/comments on the set up. Which one is better, what to do/not to do. etc. Over all i am looking for a rifle I can "grow into" vs purchasing a cheap or used rifle that i will need to upgrade over time.

Set Up 1:
GA Precision M40oA5, 24" barrel, .308 win. This rifles appears to have all of the fixings required for good shooting except the scope which i would go with the Schmidt & Bender PMII 3x12x50mm 34mm Tube Mildot. (Rifle 4200, Scope 3300). I tend to lean on this gun becuase of the included items. Its seams pretty complete right out of the box.

Set Up 2:
Surgeon Sentinel-short action, 24" barrel, .308 win, AI 1.5 stock. I like this set up becuase I have haeard nothing but great things about sergeon actions and I love the AI 1.5 stock. Again I would mount the same scope as listed above. Cost is about the same as well (Rifle 4300 ish)

Set Up 3:
Purchase an off the shelf remington 700 (SPS Tactical, Varmint or Target Tactical). Of course I would need to add a bipod, Scope base, rings, scope etc which would proably double the cost of the stock rifle at 800-2100 depending on the model listed above.

No matter what I do I plan to purchase a Leica 7x24 CRF 16000-B rangefinder, and a silencer. Of course ill be shooting only match grade ammo.

So I guess my question is 1, 2, 3 or reader option 4?

All advice is welcome. Call me crazy if you want. I newbie. Need the advice of the seasoned vets.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

Like many others it's easy to get caught up in the "Buy once, cry once" but you really don't need to do that to be very competitive and also not spend a lot of money getting there. You may find the long range stuff less appealing after you find that it does take a lot of practice and discipline to be effective at it. Big dollars spent starting out isn't necessarily going to put your name at the top of the win list, it takes a lot of work and practice.

The choices are many, but after putting together two Savages Mod 11 in 260 from new pieces I've been highly recommending them now to anyone starting in this long range precision game. My buddy didn't want to go with putting one together so he got a Savage Mod 12 LRP in 260 and it's been a real shooter. Stuck a SWFA SS 5-20 illuminated on it with the typical needed parts such as bipod, good 30 moa base and good quality rings. Added a muzzle brake and he's been doing very well with it.

Our Savage Mod 11 with 28" bull Shilen select match barrel and an HS Precision stock is shooting right up there with guns that cost up to 5 times as much at our 1000 yard matches. Just a thought for you, if you decide you don't like this game or want to upgrade you can easily sell and get nearly all your cash back.
The added bonus is you can assemble the thing on your kitchen table and swap calibers very easily.

Just my thoughts on it after shooting these matches the past 3 years and seeing everything from basic hunting guns to $10,000 customs and all skill levels. I think starting with good basic equipment and putting a lot of your saved cash towards a LOT of quality practice days working with ammo you've developed for your gun.

Good luck

Topstrap

 

[karb]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

If I was spending your money, I'd go with option 1.
My friend got his last summer and won't shut up about
It, but mainly cause its so accurate. Cant blame him
GAP has excellent Resell value too! Good choice on
Glass by the way.

You have a certain can you're looking at ??

 

[Poopsicle]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

Those are some pretty nice options to have.

honestly, if you're just getting started out- there's a good chance you don't know what you like or need. For example, when I was just getting started out I was drooling over the AICS for my rem 700 and almost bought one until i actually got behind one and absolutely hated it. Same with the A5 stock that comes with the M40A5.

I would go step 3- figure out what you like/hate about that setup, things you wish you had on the setup, etc. Then you have a good base to build off of. You could either upgrade the remmy, or you could offload it and go balls out on some custom rig. If you do go the route of step 3- I'd get the 5R.

Remember, you're probably not going to have just 1 rig either once you get the addiction.

 

[Longshot79]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

Thanks, You guys really talked me off the ledge there. Im going to go with option 3 too. Although I do like how you spend my money "RC in Va". I'm going to have to learn how to set up a rig someday anway. Why not now. Besides that will leave me pleanty left for Ammo.

 

[Longshot79]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

Its finaly here. A new Remington 700P LTR TWS. After building a few rifles with my local gunshop I couldnt beat the set up. Im really happy. Now I just gotta get out and shoot.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

I just went through that exact situation and after spending three months doing nothing but research through this forum and others this is what I came up with for my first long range .308Win. I didn't spend close to what most of the guys here spent but it'll give ya an idea of Option #3.

Remington 700 SPS Tactical .308 Win
Sako Extractor
Bell and Carlson Medalist M40 Stock
Professionally tuned X-Mark Pro Trigger set to 2.5 pounds with zero creep
Professionally Bedded Warne Tactical Steel 20 MOA Picatinny Rail
Badger Ordnance USMC 30mm Rings
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm EBR-1 MRAD Reticle
Professionally installed Surefire FA762SS Muzzle Brake/Suppressor Adapter
Barrel has been threaded to 5/8-24
Harris S-BRM Bipod Swivel Stud Mount 6"-9" Black

Total build cost was right around $2000 including paying the gunsmith (Mark Pharr of Tumbleweed Custom Rifles in Round Rock, TX). The SPS Tactical was used when I picked it up and I picked up the base and rings from guys on here second hand. It came with the Sako extractor installed and I picked up the Vortex from Euro Optic for an AMAZING deal (Thank you again Alex! Can't express how grateful I am!).

Now I just need to pick up my reloading equipment and tune my skill set so I can consistently hit at 1000 yards.

 

[Napsters]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

I would start with getting my hands on the different stock types and go from there. Do you like the feel of the micmillian a4, a5, aics? That's where I started. Then you have to think about wait time. The GAP crusader can be had fairly quickly compared to the M40. If you like the aics AI ae mk3's are in stock and can be had in less than a week.

I would start with the can paperwork. Some states/ city's you need a trust if the CLEO will not sign the paperwork. After all of that then you have a 3 - 6 month wait on the stamp before you take it home. Perfect timing if you want a custom built stick.

It all depends on what feels good.

Also if your going to drop that kinda coin I would spend some of it on a training class. Rifles Only has excellent programs from what I hear. It would help you before bad practices kick in.

 

[Longshot79]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

Wow thats a nice set up "northernborn" I was almost 1k over you on the Rem 700P and I still need to thread the barrel for a muzzle break. Everything is all new and I saved a little time not having to hunt down used equipment and I can actually sleep at night knowing that the rig is set up right and Im not missing something on my first rig. Im going to leave the factory stock in place for a while. See what i do and dont like about it before i jump into something more custom. I cant get a suppressor because I live in the terrible state of Illinois which will not allow me to get one. Already making calls to local ranges to get some classes in. I want to start off with the right habits and techniques. Thinking about heading to a place called Vital Defense Solutions in Wheeling, IL. Anybody ever heard or it or know any other good places to take classes in Illinois?

 

[Longshot79]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

Some pictures of my new baby

 

[Bayou1535]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

I believe I'm gonna go option #3

 

[para1505]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

I would choose 3) starting out. Hell abought a BELL&carlson A3 two years ago and love. I have shot a McMillan A5 and still love my B&C. So try things out before you puschase you just might be surpized

 

[jwf100p]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

You actually have a lot of options. You can buy a good custom barreled action and put it into a Choate or B&C stock, and wait to find a good stock that you like then buy it. You can buy a AI stock almost anywhere. The hard thing to get (time wise) is a good barrel action. Surgeon makes some great actions. If I were to buy one, even starting out, buy the custom. A remington is a good starter but if you are serious about the shooting, sounds like you are, a custom action will last a very long time. There are also Stiller Tac30 actions, Bighorn actions, defiance actions, ect. Once you get good enough to shoot to 1000 yards, (which doesnt take long if you put in your time and homework.) you can only shoot as good as your equipment. To me, buying something twice is a waste of time and money. Hope this makes sense. I did the same thing when I started out, started with a factory, then after that, custom. Wish I would have just bought a used rifle and then replaced the barrel when needed.

 

[Furtaker_.223]

Re: My First Long Range Shooter Purchase

Looking good. Is a good start for you to get into the sport. How does it shoot?