New to long range shooting..what do i need

[Wagner1993]

I want to get into long range competition shooting, like 800 yard stuff. I have some hunting rifles (couple 30-06's , 8 mm mouser, 300 weatherby magnum) but i dont know if any of those would be good for competition. I dont want to spend a bunch of money because I'm starting to get ready for college with no car and very little money..what kind of stuff do i need to get started?

 

[Jerry m]

Re: New to long range shooting..what do i need

Put a Nightforce 3.5X15X50 on your .30-06 in a Badger mount and Badger rings & shoot it. Start reloading and look at 190 to 208 grain match bullets.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[Wagner1993]

Re: New to long range shooting..what do i need

Thanks, and I do reload, I usually use 180 Gr Grandslams by speer with 54 grains of 4895 hogdens (i think is how it's spelled)..Wow, nightforce scopes are a little out of my price range, I'm looking for something around $500

 

[kraigWY]

Re: New to long range shooting..what do i need

Forget the Nightforce for a while, put your money into ammo (or components) for your '06.

I think 54 grns of 4895 is a bit hot for 180s, Get some 150s and use 46-47 grns of 4895.

You have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk. When you can keep your '06 in the X-10 ring at 100 yards from all positions, prone, sitting and standing, worry about spending big bucks on glass. When you can get a good solid constant 2 MOA group, work your way out further.

If you don't have sights or a scope now, get a Weaver 4X, for about 250, Good reliable scope.

Spending money wont make a shooter out of you, spending time on the range putting rounds down range will. And dry fire, dry fire as much as you can, it don't cost nothing, and if done right helps a lot.

 

[doc76251]

Re: New to long range shooting..what do i need

I dare say you will be hammered by those that will say to drop $2 -3K on a stick and "cry once". I would submit that while it doesn't have the CDI factor of a fat tubed bolt gun a fat tubed .22 will serve you well and whet your whistle for more performance through your college years. Once you grad and assuming there is a market to have jobs in you will have a much better grasp on what you want/need. It will also provide you the opportunity to shoot more and per chance learn more than the occasional trip to the range for the big guns.

JMHO, YRMV etc.....

Cheers,

Doc

 

[Topstrap]

Re: New to long range shooting..what do i need

I agree with Doc, A lowly 22 rimfire is looked down on by a lot of long range folks but if you read the rimfire forum you'll see it's being stretched out to 400 yards and even beyond. Cheap to shoot but will still be good train elevation changes and learning to read wind. All of this will transfer over to centerfires and you'll learn good trigger control with all the shooting you'll be able to do with the rimfire.

Mix in some of the 30-06 occasionally to give yourself a treat at longer distances. I just looked thru one of the 16x SS scopes the other day and for the price I'd say it'd be really hard to beat.

Don't feel you have to spend big bucks and have the best when you start. Later you can update as funds and skills dictate the need for some updates.

Seen a lot of new shooters dive in with top shelf equipment but not take the time or have the patience to improve their skills and get frustrated and then fade away.

Enjoy your new interest and always be open to watching and listening to others, you'll learn a lot by listening and watching other good shooters.

Topstrap

 

[Wagner1993]

Re: New to long range shooting..what do i need

Thanks, I have a few .22s that I could mess around with. I do a lot of Deer and Elk hunting so I'm not new to guns or anything, I can get decent groups at 100-125 yds, the biggest range around my place is 200 yds so it my be a little hard to expand my skills as I grow. I do dry firing with my handguns 3-4 time a week, I never thought to do it with my rifles.

 

[CharlieTN]

Re: New to long range shooting..what do i need

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wagney</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I dont want to spend a bunch of money because I'm starting to get ready for college with no car and very little money </div></div>

Sorry, but you have gotten into the wrong field if you don't want to spend a lot of money.

Actually the folks here can steer you in the right direction to get shooting and then upgrade as you go. That is what I'm having to do.

Check out lonewolfusmc series on the budget precision build (on here, 8541 Tactical's website, and on youtube).

I picked up a Remington 700 SPS Varmint at Dick's for $500 out the door (after rebate), threw a temporary scope on it until I can get the Bushnell FFP mil/mil next spring, and put a Versapod on it. Shoots decent. I have already ordered the BDL bottom metal and a Bell & Carlson M40 stock for it. Should be a good shooter after that. Total investment after the scope will be around $1600+ and I haven't started on reloading yet.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

Charlie

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: New to long range shooting..what do i need

Most of us put our faith in both the indian and the arrow. Where we tend to differ is in which proportions are appropriate.

I believe a trained and accomplished marksman can drive any rifle to its full potential; and that the marksman who depends on their rifle to do the bulk of the work usually can't achieve the same potential, and probably never can until they change their emphasis.

I firmly believe that marksmanship skills progress is best achieved with the .22lr, in stages, and then applied to the centerfire implement's usage. It is the basic skills which count most and the .22 that allows their refinement best.

Shooting the .22 to extreme distances is a worthwhile and highly useful exercise, but I also believe that once the key benefits have been gleaned, this should not remain a primary exercise. It should thereafter be revisited occasionally and briefly. mainly as a refresher exercise. Otherwise the process becomes a sterile sidetrack.

While there is great value to achieving excellence at extended distance; the best marksman is better rounded than that, and maintains good proficiency at all likely distances.

I think that a factory-stock Savage Varmint rifle, like their Model 12 BV's, are an excellent place to start with LR Precision Centerfire shooting. I seriously believe it will be a long time before this basic system begins to hold a good marksman back from their proper advancement.

Greg