new distance shooter, need some help.

[johnnyv]

Hey guys,

For years I’ve been strictly a handgun shooter. Loved running handguns, still do.... but the distance bug has bitten me. I’m looking at taking a class in a few months and have to acquire a decent platform for it. I do have too much money; I’d like to get the rifle and scope for around $1000. I’m looking at the savage 11 series of rifle. I need to find a good mildot scope for around $500-$600 and I also need to decide on caliber. So my questions are:

What Is a good beginner rifle?
What glass would you put on top of it?
What caliber? 270, 308, 30-06, 300 mag?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[wingman]

Consider how far you wish to shoot,targets only and hunting perhaps, if only target consider smaller calibers, 223, 22-250, 243, 308. The Savage is a good rifle I have a model 12 223 which holds consistent .500 groups and less at 100 yards when I do my part. The smaller calibers have less recoil cheaper to shoot so you end up with more practice and that is goal,practice often.

 

[LoonWulf]

Id say the .308 would be a good choice. If you want you can start with the Low recoil ammo (remingtons is 125 at 2800) and a heavy barreled gun your looking at a combo with less perceived recoil then a light .243. Going to heavier longer bullets loaded stiff it will get out there for targets. Ammo is also plentifull and usually very accurate.

 

[TonyAngel]

What do you call long distance? Since you're capping it at $1K, I'll assume that cost is a real concern. If ammo cost is a real concern, I'd go .223. If it isn't so much of a concern, then .308.

As for the scope, Super Sniper fixed 10X or Vortex Viper are worth considering.

 

[BrocLuno]

Shoulder wear will become an issue. A real bench rifle that weighs 20 lbs will not hurt you, but a an old war horse with a steel butt shooting high power will bang on you. PAST and shooting jacket will help. But I would stay away from 300 Mag unless you just have to shoot 1000m?

What kinds of matches are you interested in?

Do you reload? If so, what do you reload? 6.5mm and 6.8mm are good choices for stable rounds with good BC. If 5.56 is in the hunt (?), you'll need a reasonably fast twist rate barrel to take advantage of longer/heavier bullets. There are all sorts of issues at play here. I think we need more info?

 

[CCCP]

Have a look on 6.5 Creedmore caliber. Savage makes rifle in this caliber. Learn to reload. It will save you a lot of money and improves accuracy.. Please answer questions above , it is hard to answer question about scope .

 

[redbullitt]

First thing I have to throw out there, if you do not have one, look into a 22 lr. Works great as a trainer.

That said, I like the 308 and 223. Ammo is easy to find or load and it is pretty cheap. Minimal recoil with both.

I have a 223 rem sps and I shoot steel to 450ish yards very regularly with it. I have no problem getting good hits on 3/4 ipsc torsos with it. If you are not going to hunt, this may be the best choice for you with regards to cost vs fun factor.

I shoot the same targets with my 308. Both do a great job, but the 223 is cheaper to shoot, and recoils less. BUT the 308 will work much better for hunting. If you are hunting, this will kill just about anything you need to. It will also work better at longer ranges than the 223.

I believe I paid around 500 for my SPS 223 when I got it. I used to shoot a savage 10 FCP in 308 before I got the Surgeon. It shot very well. I think the price on the savage was around 750 or so.

FWIW I would stay away from the 300 mag unless you are going really long or hunting some big big critters. Recoil is a good bit more than any of the others you listed and it costs more to shoot. 30 06 is noteworthy too. Similar performance to the 308.

I know either one of those rifles would work great for you. As to glass for it, I have used several of the SWFA SS fixed 10s. One rides on my 50 right now. Great scopes, heavy, but they are tough and track very well. A nikon buckmaster mil dot rides on my 223 and it works very well. Both cost around 300 dollars.

Either scope and either rifle I mentioned will come in under budget and do the job well.

 

[johnnyv]

Its a tactical course. The requirements for a scope are Adjustable Objective and reticle focus
Target/Tactical turrets Mildot type reticle. I would like to be able to hit around 1k yards. Already putting rounds down range iron sight with a 22 mag, so I get some practice. Also bought a mosin and a ton of 762x54r to practice with recoil. Ammo cost isnt and issue. I reload handgun rounds, ive got a 650 set for 40 cal, so I can convert that to 308

 

[LoonWulf]

LOL, that nagants going to kick you worse then any .308 ive ever used. A round faster then the 08 will make hitting at 1k easier, so you could go with a .300 or step down the 6.5s or a 7mm magnum (all easy to get and available in the 12 or 111 long range hunter series of rifles). If i were making the choice considering what you already own, id probably go with a 7mm mag or the 6.5x284. Scope wise im not sure what to suggest as i dont own any target/tactical scopes.

 

[johnnyv]

"LOL, that nagants going to kick you worse then any .308 ive ever used."

sure hope so because I can only take about 60 rounds before it really starts to really smart.

 

[LoonWulf]

Yeah, with the short stock and metal plate, you'll experience all the "FUN" of a military firearm. I could only shoot 40-60rnds of surplus and hot handloads, before i started to develop a flinch. For an easy cheap fix you can cut up one of those larger soft womens slippers to make a pad. I ran thru 40 rounds (all i had) along with almost 100rnds of 5.56, and another 60rnds from my 7mm with no discomfort. My buddies .243 rossi was also kinda nasty till he used the other side to make a pad for his LOL.

If 60rnds is the point where it gets sore, stop at 20 and shoot your .22 (maybe toss a scope on it) for a while. Give your gun and yourself a brake, then come back to the larger rifle. Im fairly recoil tolerant, but once i have to exert effort to place my shots, I know its time for a break.