[armedinfidel]

Hey All,
I'm just looking for input from all my tactical long range shooters,, my new pastime,, I'm going to purchase a good long range shooter and I'm trying to keep budget (rifle only) around 1,000.00 . Looking at military sniper set ups,, ??? ,,,
All input appreciated and accepted .
note: talking 800 - 1000 yrd range

[The_Next_Generation]

With that budget you're looking at a Savage 10, Tikka T3, or Remington 700 in .308 Win. Check out all those rifles and choose the one that feels best to you, I personally like the Tikkas as they are factory guaranteed to shoot 1 MOA @ 100 yards.

Then you will need a scope, look into the Bushnell (elite?) 10x or the SWFA 10x (or 16x). There are lots of good scopes out there, but these two have excellent tracking and good warranties.

Keep in mind, you wont be able to get good @ 1000 yards or even 800 if you don't practice at closer ranges first. A lot of people say "I want to shoot 1000 yards" without having shot 600 or even 400. It takes a lot of practice and knowledge to get out to those distances. In fact, if you really want to maximize your setup, you WILL have to reload your own ammo (or spend a fortune on custom match loads).

I hope this gets you started, I'm sure others will have other opinions.

Good luck!
- TNG

Edit: If you're going to reload, look into getting a .270. The ballistics of that caliber are very good. Ask around about other calibers too, there are PLENTY that offer more than the .308. For example, if you are going to be hunting with it, you might find a rifle in .30-06 more useful as that round is capable of launching anything 220gr boulders for large game to light 125gr loads for deer. The .308 is just what our government and NATO has chosen as their "go to" extended-range round.

[watergun]

Consider the 6.5 caliber cartridges also. Less recoil but wonderful long-range capabilities.

[armedinfidel]

With that budget you're looking at a Savage 10, Tikka T3, or Remington 700 in .308 Win. Check out all those rifles and choose the one that feels best to you, I personally like the Tikkas as they are factory guaranteed to shoot 1 MOA @ 100 yards.

Then you will need a scope, look into the Bushnell (elite?) 10x or the SWFA 10x (or 16x). There are lots of good scopes out there, but these two have excellent tracking and good warranties.

Keep in mind, you wont be able to get good @ 1000 yards or even 800 if you don't practice at closer ranges first. A lot of people say "I want to shoot 1000 yards" without having shot 600 or even 400. It takes a lot of practice and knowledge to get out to those distances. In fact, if you really want to maximize your setup, you WILL have to reload your own ammo (or spend a fortune on custom match loads).

I hope this gets you started, I'm sure others will have other opinions.

Good luck!
- TNG

Edit: If you're going to reload, look into getting a .270. The ballistics of that caliber are very good. Ask around about other calibers too, there are PLENTY that offer more than the .308. For example, if you are going to be hunting with it, you might find a rifle in .30-06 more useful as that round is capable of launching anything 220gr boulders for large game to light 125gr loads for deer. The .308 is just what our government and NATO has chosen as their "go to" extended-range round.
awesome info, ya i've been playing around with calibers also ,, wasn't a big .308 fan but the more i read the better it's looking,, and no ,, no hunting ,, tactical only,, been shooting 300-400 yds with good success with model 77 in 22-250.. surprised at the .270 suggestion ,, was looking at .338 Lapua round.. also really leaning toward the savage ,, thx so much again

[chaser_2332]

Do not get a 270 the bullets offered are not ideal for long range shooting. The 30/06 does not give enough advantage over the 308 in long range to warrant a long action. If your going to step up to a long action 30cal a 300wm would be ideal, but that's a totally different thread. Everyone will have a diffent opinion on platform bottom line is buy a decent bolt action in 308. Don't overthink the rifle as most all repitaple rifles will out shoot you. Put most of your money toward ammo and optics. And melt the barrel away.

[chaser_2332]

The 6.5 rounds are awesome long range bullets, I have a 260 and a 6.5cm. But bottom line is the 308 will force you to learn the keen skills needed to become a better long range marksman. Your not trying to cheat the elements with a 308 you just learn to overcome them.

[pdd614]

Savage 12 Lrp in 6.5 creedmoor would be my pick. 23 dollars a box for match ammo, and the rifle can be had for less than 800. The hs precision stock is serviceable until you want to upgrade. Best deal going in my opinion. If they would only offer one in a left bolt, it would make a great backup rifle.


With the choices we have today, 308 is a waist of time and energy.

[dprice3844444]

http://www.tobystactical.com/
http://www.snipercountrypx.com/c-836-700ss-r5-mil-spec.aspx

[GJgo]

Looks like we're in the same neck of the woods. Are you looking to buy something off a local shelf, or do a custom build or mail order?

[armedinfidel]

no ,, off the shelf for now,, i'll build a rifle after i learn more of the in's and out's of long range shooting,, looking for a good android app now also

[cacoltguy]

I'm in the same boat as you. I currently shoot a weatherby vanguard sub-moa in .308 with a leupold mark 4 10x scope. I am very pleased with the results. Nevertheless I am considering an upgrade as the .308 (although capable) isn't ideal for 1000 yards and I really want a barrel longer than the 22 incher on my weatherby. I think pdd614 hit the nail on the head with his recommendation. For under $1000 I think you would be hard pressed to out do a savage model 12 lrp in on of the 6.5 mm calibers. I'm leaning more towards the .260 remington but reloading is kind of a must so hopefully you can do that. The 6.5 bullets have better ballistics than a .308 and hold up better at 1000 yards with very manageable recoil.

[GJgo]

Depending on if you reload or buy factory, I would just go over to Sportsmans or Cabelas & buy the Savage heavy barrel rig in the caliber that suits you. Get one with a real stock. Down the road it'll be easy to swap barrels, parts, etc.. I started with a 308, but this was before they were selling 6.5s off the rack.

Starting with a 308 is like learning to race in a good handling car with no HP. You have to work for it, but it makes you a better driver.

[SANDRAT]

You need to consider quality optics as well.I'd rather have a $500 rifle with a $1000 scope than a $ 2000 rifle with a $200 scope.Good optics are a Must.

[hardluk1]

savage LRP in a 6.5 caliber. AS cover ,they can be bought in the 800 dollar range.

[jogar80]

Rem. 700P in .308......... Done.

[jaktime]

I'll take a Remington 700 in 300 RUM
J

[rikman]

Handloads & good optics.....I shoot a Savage 10 .308 handloads(Lapua brass,Hornady Amax,Varget) and Nightforce scope

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Here are two of my long rangers.... I love them both very much. The 700 SPS Tac AAC-SD I shoot to 800 yds. The BA50 goes from 800+ to whatever. It can put me on man-sized steel at 1200+. One of my old shooting buddies hit a 6'x6' barrier wall at 1580 yds. I am itching to stretch it out to a mile. So hopefully in the next week or so I will say I can hit a man -sized at 1760 yds...

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff464/ChadJohnson1976/Firearms%20and%20various%20weapons/Therifles.jpg

[Jim Watson]

Do you handload?
One or another of the 6.5s makes a lot of sense to the handloader.
Or even if you buy your ammo where pdd does.

There is a good selection of target ammo in .308, others are pretty limited.

By the time you have shot out the factory barrel, you will have the experience to know if you really need a different caliber and maybe some mechanical refinements to the action or a better fitting stock.

[mnhntr]

Savage LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Rem

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

I agree with the 6.5 Creedmoor and others over the .308. I chose the 308 because of experience with it. By no means is it the best round for long range shooting.

[Zak Smith]

http://demigodllc.com/photo/CGMG-2006.11/icon/D100_3368_img.jpg
article | Practical Long-Range Rifle Shooting, Part I - Rifle & Equipment http://demigodllc.com/icon/extwh3.png (http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-equipment/)

[browningguy]

Have a look at http://www.accurateshooter.com . A lot of the current long range champions post there, including the guy that just shot the new 600 yd. light gun aggregate record of 1.495". They have an excellent group of articles, and sections for most calibers you might find in benchrest or other long range shooting sports.

The short anser, most of the long range matches are being won by the 6 and 6.5mm rounds. However if you want to shoot F-TR then a Savage F-TR rifle in .308 would be the ticket for near your price range.

[jaktime]

I am surprised no has mentioned anything about a 7mm Remington Magnum (or any of the 7mm mags for that matter, if I missed it I'm sorry) like I mentioned above I like shooting my 700 in the 300RUM caliber, I will agree it is NOT the best caliber for everyone but it works for me.
The 7mm mag's are a bit lighter in recoil & if you throw a 150gr bullet behind them with a decent hand load you can get some good results from this round too. ( I personally get good results with IMR powders & nosler ballistic tip bullets for both my 300 ultra mag & 7mm rem. mag) The other plus is like the 308 the 7mm mag comes in a ton of different factory loadings....

Then there's always the 338 Lapua Magnum......

J

[Jim Watson]

The current F class record holder shot a 450/450 22X with a .284 Win. Of course it was a very fine rifle shooting very carefully loaded .284s, but still no magnumb.

[Zak Smith]

I am surprised no has mentioned anything about a 7mm Remington Magnum
Well, I mentioned it in a fashion
http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-equipment/?p=2

I am going to recommend three other calibers to use for practical long-range shooting. The first is .260 Remington. It fits in the same rifles and actions as 308, but has less recoil and superior external ballistics. The second is 7mm Remington Magnum. The last is .338 Lapua Magnum. There are a lot of other calibers that perform well at long range, but these additional three provide good stepping points of increased performance.

[Cesiumsponge]

Since ammo cost will exceed the cost of your rifle, take the ammo caliber, selection, and cost into serious consideration. Doing serious practice for long range shooting, you'll spend more on ammo than the $1000 rifle budget in the first year. Consumables are the big cost over time, not the upfront cost of the hardware.

[TITAN308]

What is a tactical long range shooter and why is it different than a regular long range shooter?

And what is a military sniper setup and why is it different than a regular setup?

[jaktime]

Zak,
Good article thanks for bringing it to my attention.
J

[CountryUgly]

The Savage Long Range Hunter series comes in several calibers including .338 Lapua Mag and is able to make the 1000yrd shot for a price that will leave plenty of room in your budget for good optics. Not to mention it lends itself to all the usual upgrades and mods for LR shooting. IMO it really is the best bang for the buck to get started in long range. I know others may not agree but really just check it out for yourself I think you will be glad you did.

[Cesiumsponge]

A military sniper rifle is tougher and better built to survive the rigors of harsh field use. They're built to function in a wider range of environments and temperatures, and don't lose zero when they get wet, dropped, and kicked around. In my opinion, they should also be issued to consider it a -military- sniper rifle. A long range rifle, especially towards the competition end, starts picking up benchrest quantities. Things get heavier and bullets get faster. When I think of tactical, I think of the military PSR "tube guns" which is a generation of bolt action rifles with fully adjustable, folding buttstocks and a quad rail fore end with user-swappable barrels/caliber.

The term "tactical" and "military" and "sniper" are thrown around so often today that they've lost all meaning. If you want a good example of a military sniper rifle, look at the Accuracy International platform or the Sako TRG platform. AI's AX series is what is consider something more along the lines of tactical.