I'm really wanting to start shooting long range I bought a savage lrp in 6.5 creedmoor and have a leupold vx3 lr 6.5-20x40 on it the scope has had m1 turrets and a mildot retical added also. I've probably put 400-500 rounds through it at 250 yards and less but I want to try and expand my boundaries some. I think this rifle is capable of more than this it does real well out to 250. But seeing as I'm really just starting I don't have a real ideal of what stuff will help me and what's just nonsense. I have no bipod or anything else for that matter besides the rifle itself and I have a leupold rx750 range finder. The rifle dose t have a 20moa base either do I really need one of those? I know this has been asked probably a thousand times but when I start reading about which wind meter is better I don't really know a lot about that stuff. I'm just looking for what I really will find useful and productive to get me started. Money isn't a real issue but I don't want to have to spend thousands of more dollars if it can be avoided. I thank anyone for the help.
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Need some advise on what gear I'm missing
- Thread starter Baseball328
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To start I would pick up a Harris 6-9 bipod and a triad rear bag. Both can be found at ERP Software Solutions | Retail Software | Epicor. Your range finder should work fine. If you are shooting at a range it is probably known distance. If you want to spend more I would sign up for some classes. The training will take you much further than the gear. Possibly pick up some type of backpack to put everything in.
I would love to take some classes but there is none close here in Southwest Virginia and anyways my work wouldn't allow for me to take the time off. I'm kind of a Sunday warrior in a sense. What about the wind meters and data books? Are these really needed? And you say the Harris it seems to me there are a lot of debate between the Harris and atlas?
Data book is worth the coin, so is the bipod. Buy a Tab rear bag for 20 and you have the basics. You need wind speed in order to learn how to compensate for it, DA feature is nice, but not necessary.
Upwards of 350 in gear that would be beneficial
Upwards of 350 in gear that would be beneficial
Here2learn is right on. Do a weekend class somewhere. Post on the training section to find out what is within your area for classes. You might be surprised. From there you will find out exactly what you need first hand (some of which the instructor will want you to show up with). And how to use what you have properly. Training is Hands down the best money you can spend. Spend it there first. Also, the Atlas bipod is built like a tank, but the Harris is also rock solid, and will do everything you need.
Training class is hands down the best use of money. What ammo are you shooting?
I have that same rifle and it is very capable at longer ranges. I have only had mine out to 600 yds so far. Hoping to get to 1000 soon.
I have that same rifle and it is very capable at longer ranges. I have only had mine out to 600 yds so far. Hoping to get to 1000 soon.
Density Altitude. Kestrell 4000 or 4500 will measure it, you will like this....
Triad Tactical, Inc.*::*Kestrel Meters
Central Virginia Tactical, not far away.
|| Central Virginia Tactical || Precision Long Range Rifle Training || Home ||
|| Central Virginia Tactical || Precision Long Range Rifle Training || Home ||
bipod, triad wedge, kestrel, some ballistic app for phone/iPad/iPod/etc and a data book. I never used a data book until my first class, and it has helped immensely. The kestrel helps me get accurate atmospheric data, and the ballistic app gets me in the ballpark for dope/windage corrections. Shooter has a feature where you can put your comeups in and it figures out your muzzle velocity if you don't have a chrony. Oh, and shooting with a spotter that knows what they are doing is extraordinarily valuable.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Resist the urge to drink water through a fire hose, you will be overwhelmed. That being said, spend a couple hundred hours reading everything you can on the subject including Snipers Hides each and every sticky post. Watch tutorials on you tube and the like. Read books. Take a class or two on long range shooting. Seek out a mentor who can accompany you on your sunday shoots, (Pay for the ammo, gas and lunch). And ask questions here, just keep in mind, any question you ask, has already been asked many times before, search first. Don't try to run before you crawl.
Have you committed to MOA orMIL? If you are self taught, pick one and stay with it, I recommend a MIL based system, sooo, sell the scope you got and get matching reticle and turrets, Don't skimp on the core of your equipment (Rifle, scope, base, rings) only match ammo, or reload. As far as the 20MOA base...only one way to find out!
Have you committed to MOA orMIL? If you are self taught, pick one and stay with it, I recommend a MIL based system, sooo, sell the scope you got and get matching reticle and turrets, Don't skimp on the core of your equipment (Rifle, scope, base, rings) only match ammo, or reload. As far as the 20MOA base...only one way to find out!
I live in bristol and do quite a bit of shooting. If you are interested in some training there are some guys In bland that do courses very reasonably priced and willing to work with schedule. Bangsteel.com is their website. I have also done training at cvt and highly recomend that as well. If you would like something more casual stop in at vestals in abingdon and talk to the fellas there, they make quite a few long range and precision rigs. Once you get started looking there are really quite a few options around here in swva. Pm me if you would like to chat more
After you get all the essentials, don't forget one of these: Amazon.com: Black Military Tactical Lightweight Folding Camp Stool: Sports & Outdoors
I have one, works perfect and easy to transport. Useful on matches and classes and any other time you just need a seat.
I have one, works perfect and easy to transport. Useful on matches and classes and any other time you just need a seat.
Do those work for bigger people than whats rated? 6'5" 230lbs. Looking for a good folding chair that collapses like that for the pack.
Central Virginia Tactical is in Louisa, Virginia. It is a couple hour drive for you. It used to be run by Vern Harrison but has since been handed off to Ed Shell. It is a great place to shoot. I don't know if they shoot at the farm or the mountain now but the facilities are great for shooting and reading wind. I have spent at least three weeks there shooting over the past couple years.
If you call Ed he can work with you on an individual basis any day of the week he is not scheduled. It might be worth it to take a vacation day and grab a buddy and head up for two days. It will shorten the learning curve years over trying to learn it all yourself.
Definitely upgrade to a 20moa base. Also good rings like badger or seekins are important. Harris 6-9 is the way to go. Get the swivel model and a pod lock to go with it. A good rear bag like a triad or a straight laced is crucial. Don't forget the match ammo either. And I very strongly agree about getting some coaching from a club or training. It will make all the difference in the world.
Too much gear is useless if you don't know how to use it.
I'll second those who've said a bi-pod, rear bag, kestrel and a good bag to shove it all in.
AND THEN EDUCATION.
I spent a lot of money on scope levels, inclination meters, shooting apps, etc (all useful when you know the basics) and still wasn't getting the results I wanted.
Then I followed the advice from people on the Hide and decided to properly educate myself.
I'm in an region that doesn't have any options for courses so I ordered Plaster's 'The Ultimate Sniper' and Magpul's 'The Art of The Precision Rifle' (a 10 hour DVD course).
Spent a month absorbing all I could from these and my shooting improved dramatically...more than any 'toy' I had in my bag.
I'll second those who've said a bi-pod, rear bag, kestrel and a good bag to shove it all in.
AND THEN EDUCATION.
I spent a lot of money on scope levels, inclination meters, shooting apps, etc (all useful when you know the basics) and still wasn't getting the results I wanted.
Then I followed the advice from people on the Hide and decided to properly educate myself.
I'm in an region that doesn't have any options for courses so I ordered Plaster's 'The Ultimate Sniper' and Magpul's 'The Art of The Precision Rifle' (a 10 hour DVD course).
Spent a month absorbing all I could from these and my shooting improved dramatically...more than any 'toy' I had in my bag.
Well said bobtodrick.
I would start with Frank's fundamentals of marksmanship DVD. It gives you the basics to start working with.
Go to snipers hide store
Also private or group instruction
Gear in my opinion should be limited at first. I have stripped down my bag to very little, now that I have been shooting awhile.
Gun
Good scope
very good scope rings
rear bag
bipod
Good quality sling
Backpack with hydration pack for water
Match ammo (use dry fire practice to save some cost on buying ammo, it really helps)
Program like shooter or jbm for your iphone or android
That will get you started.
Learn the basics of wind by reading the mirage and trees.
Learn to range estimate by using your mil reticle
Once you get these fundamentals down then slowly add a Kestrel, laser range finder and all the other doo dads that make life easier.
Most of this gear is extremely expensive, do your research ask questions and make an informed choice once your ready to invest in a piece of gear.
Good luck and welcome to the long range game.
I would start with Frank's fundamentals of marksmanship DVD. It gives you the basics to start working with.
Go to snipers hide store
Also private or group instruction
Gear in my opinion should be limited at first. I have stripped down my bag to very little, now that I have been shooting awhile.
Gun
Good scope
very good scope rings
rear bag
bipod
Good quality sling
Backpack with hydration pack for water
Match ammo (use dry fire practice to save some cost on buying ammo, it really helps)
Program like shooter or jbm for your iphone or android
That will get you started.
Learn the basics of wind by reading the mirage and trees.
Learn to range estimate by using your mil reticle
Once you get these fundamentals down then slowly add a Kestrel, laser range finder and all the other doo dads that make life easier.
Most of this gear is extremely expensive, do your research ask questions and make an informed choice once your ready to invest in a piece of gear.
Good luck and welcome to the long range game.
Just a follow up on my experience getting into long range shooting. I had a buddy who was a police sniper and made a bunch of gear recommendations that I eventually researched on the net and bought most of what he suggested. I spent several grand for everything. Turns out the recommendations were not very good. His dept only trains to 200 yards with a 1 moa 3 shot group and the information he provided was supported by under educated Internet posts. Being brand new i had no idea what i was doing. This was about 6 or 7 years ago. I went to the course and the gear was so bad I was sent home after the first day. There were no extra rifles.
I had to sell most of that gear after one day of shooting and purchase all new gear before going back for another round. I took a decent bath on the gear.
The moral here is buy as little as possible up front get through some good training, get some experience, then start dropping the real coin. Get into the sport then upgrade big once and you will be much happier and spend less money.
No amount of Internet reading or watching videos replaces experience.
I had to sell most of that gear after one day of shooting and purchase all new gear before going back for another round. I took a decent bath on the gear.
The moral here is buy as little as possible up front get through some good training, get some experience, then start dropping the real coin. Get into the sport then upgrade big once and you will be much happier and spend less money.
No amount of Internet reading or watching videos replaces experience.
A lot of wisdom in the posts here. Keep in mind learning this "art of the rifle" is not a sprint, but a marathon. Not to repeat the previous advice, # 1 being take classes by real instructors, but saturate yourself with long range shooting information. Buy a notebook and fill it, so you can use it as a resource. Books, videos, put the info in your large notebook . I suggest looking up "Tiborasaurus Rex" on You Tube. Outstanding tutorials. And a humble guy.
When you begin having wind conversion formulas and shooting solutions in your dreams you're on the right track!
Good luck.
When you begin having wind conversion formulas and shooting solutions in your dreams you're on the right track!
Good luck.
