New n00b member, now hooked on long shots!

[Birdie_in_Texas]

Just recently got the bug, after most of a lifetime of varmint shooting, to try range shooting at distance. Got me a Tikka T3 22-250 Varminter and yesterday, finally found a range to join that has 550yard targets.

Up 'till now, I had only been able to go to a 100-yard range, and was totally bored by that. Getting to try 220, 330, 380, 400, and 550 yards yesterday was a really great treat!

220yds is about as boring as the 100yard stuff, but turkey silhouettes at 380 and small 8"x8" "swinging" targets were much more difficult, because I am a total n00b.

Now, my buddy, who is as hooked as I am, wants to know "What next?"..?

.308? some 6mm variant?

We did go in together and bought a rock chucker setup, just got some primers seated, looking to get some loads for our AR's to try this week.

So we can reload, or at least we think we will be able to.

So what do you "pro" guys and much more experienced shooters suggest?

We do not have very deep pockets. My tikka really took a lot out of my "rainy day" fund. So bad ass custom stuff is out of the question..

I understand from what I read, that my 22-250 is probably plenty "enough" for this 550-yard range. I certainly need to upgrade my optics (Sightmark 8.5-25 x 50), but again, it will take me some time to be able to get anything really decent like a NF 12-42 X 56..maybe won't ever be able to get one of those..

But was hoping for some useful insight from others that have perhaps followed this same path..


Thank you in advance..

Birdie

 

[david8989]

Well don't feel like your the only one on this path. Most of us middle class hard working guys with families have gone this very same route. A couple things to note, while not the best caliber your 22-250 and your AR will definitely get the job done to 550yds. Reloading is going to be your best friend for precision at longer ranges. It will assure you get the most out of each rifle. If I were in your exact situation I would develop good loads for both rifles that are shooting sub MOA. Practice with those while you save up for some better glass. But most importantly, have fun and don't get discouraged by these $10K set ups. We started where you are now at one point.

 

[Steel head]

Here is what I did.
Put a prefit barrel on a savage action in 260 rem.
Choate tactical stock.
$600 vortex scope.

I'm into this rifle well less than $3000 with scope, rings and base.
You don't need super spendy reloading equipment either.
Most of my 260 rounds are loaded on a lee hand press!

I'm shooting out to 1090 and plan on 1300+ soon.

A metric crap ton of money is not a necessity to enjoy shooting long distance.

A good barrel, consistent ammo and a good shooting skills are.
I'm mostly working on the latter.

Yesterday even with a switching wind I managed 3 hits in a row at a 20"x20" plate at 1090 and I had the same grin as the first time I got a good sniff of girl.

 

[Exo]

Like the others have said, dont get discouraged. My personal best is 833 on a man sized silhouette and that is off a light barrel stock Rem700 308. Practice Practice Practice. The single biggest factor that has contributed to my shooting has been dry firing. Get behind the gun on the daily, spend 10-15 minutes just practicing form. It will make your range trips more enjoyable, and will cost you way less.

Your at home regiment can also include ranging. I do this a couple times a week. Pick a new window in your house, sit there and range everything in sight. Make an educated guess at the distance, and then use your scope to make that call. Windows, license plates, street signs, coke cans, etc...everything can be a tool. Go check out this thread if you havent already seen it http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...list-common-object-sizes-mil-dot-ranging.html