Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

[CCW]

I have come to the conclusion that I want to begin long range (over 300yds is long for me). I have been looking at rifles in my budget and have narrowed it down to the Remington 700PSS chambered in .308.

I am picking up the rifle tonight along with a Harris bipod and would like to begin with an optics budget of about $1000 so any help here would be great as well. Next area of help needed is ammo. I am new to anything over 300 yards or so please give me a good point of reference to reach out to 800ish. I love Barnes TSX but not sure if this will be suitable for this particular platform with the required distance.

I am well versed with most of my firearms for 25+ years, but want to look through good glass now. Please forgive the ignorance in this area, but I plan on putting about 50 hours on this trigger between now and the new year and would like to begin amateur competition early next year.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Tomcat]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

New Leupolds make good intro and starter glass in about that range - you may even be able to find one used for around $800 or so. I personally would look for a used NightForce in the 5x24 range. Thats not starter glass, but the quality of your shooting will directly depend on your glass so dont skimp there. Get good rings - dont be tempted to skimp there either - go to Midway and look at the Badger steel rings - or find some used here.

Most folks start out with Federal Gold Medal Match in 168 grains, and most end up there. That ammo seems to be the standard to which all others are compared.

 

[GardDog]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CCW</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Next area of help needed is ammo. I am new to anything over 300 yards or so please give me a good point of reference to reach out to 800ish. I love Barnes TSX but not sure if this will be suitable for this particular platform with the required distance.

</div></div>

Do you reload or is does it have to be off the shelf? If not rolling your own, get some Fed GMM 175 or M118LR and drive on.

 

[CCW]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

I am not currently reloading.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

Leupold is a good glass and you can find a Mark IV within the budget you suggested. However, if you can be patient, and save up may be another 300-400 dollars and look for a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 or 56 mm, then you don't have to worry about upgrade later. For 308, if you don't reload, I would pick either 168 grains or 175 SMK. Would prefer 175 SMK, just because you can always reach out to 1K if the opportunity comes up. I would suggest getting into reloading. It's cheaper to shoot and certainly more accurate also.

 

[tlsmith22]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

I just did the same thing about a year or so ago. You have a good starting platform IMHO. I would put a couple hundred with the $1000 and buy a used Nightforce 5x22x? whichever objective u choose. I tried the SWFA SS and it was a good scope and I tried the Bushnell 4200 Elite and it was a good scope as well. When I went to the NF, man that thing is sweet. Spend 1200 and buy one used or whatever, dont skimp on your scope for that range. I run 175 SMKs and have been happy with them for my bullets. I shoot the 168 TSX for my hunting bullets though and they do a great job.

 

[CCW]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

I'd rather buy good glass the first time so it seems the general consensus is the Nightforce 5x which is certainly doable.

What are your opinions on the HS Precision factory 700P stocks?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

Your selections are OK, my personal preference puts Savage at the head of my list.

I have successfully used inexpensive Tasco scopes (VAR624X42M/$79) in 1Kyd F Class, and for starters, they are certainly good enough. The point is to get up and running fast and cheap, but still relatively effective. You won't miss $79 all that much in the long run. Get good mounts and upgrade the glass as a stage-two upgrade. When you do, put the Tasco on your .22LR trainer, where it will be highly adequate and also serve as a proven hot-spare for emergencies involving your more costly glass.

Greg

 

[CCW]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

Well here it is hogging the gun-room floor, topped with some cheap glass that it was delivered with. Good part is that it has a Leupold base and rings. Next quest are optics.

I was surprised to see that Remington doesnt mark this as the 700P on the barrel, only "700".

 

[GRIM]

Re: Stepping into beginner long range: Help Needed

Eventually you'll want a 20 MOA tapered base and quality 30mm rings. I like the NF 20 moa base & rings. Badger or Leupold MkIV are good choices as well.

For now go get some Fed GMM 168 to test in your new rig and I bet it will respond well. That ammo at your elevation with that sticky humidity is good to about 800-850 yds then things start getting interesting & fun...

I've used the standard Leupold base and rings for years and they work fine but they just don't allow for elevation correction beyond 700 yds with most scopes.

Keep us aprised with how it shoots!!!

Go find someone in your area and meet up with them and see what their gear looks like and then shoot it. Learn what you like/dislike about their scope.