I'm thinking about buying and/or building a rifle specifically for shooting at longer ranges. Mainly for fun, shooting at paper or steel targets, not for hunting. I have shot in one "precision rifle" match and enjoyed it, I could picture myself doing it again, and so whatever I buy should probably be suitable for that kind of shooting.
I know that the term "long range" can mean different things to different people. The longest range at the gun club I usually shoot at is 550 yards, so 95% of the time that is furthest I'd be shooting. I'd like to have a setup capable of shooting much farther though (1,000 yards? Maybe even 1,200 yards?), just in case I get a chance to shoot at those distances.
My current setup is OK for fun but it has some serious limitations shooting in a match (where you have limited time). It's a Ruger No. 1 varmint in .223, with a 1:12 twist rate. Thanks to the twist rate, I'm limited to the lighter bullets for this caliber, with lower BCs. The 550 yard range is starting to push the limit of this rifle/cartridge combo, specifically if there is wind. Also the single shot nature of the rifle is a huge disadvantage at the matches. And the lever is difficult to use in the prone position.
Ok so that's my back-story, here are the options I am considering. My budget for the rifle is $1,100 (not much to work with), I'll probably have to come up with a separate budget for the optic (am thinking about the SWFA fixed power scopes, should be about $300.00).
Option 1: Ruger precision rifle, in either .243 or 6.5 Creedmoor. I like that it uses detachable mags that are easy to find.
Option 2: Ruger M77 Target in 6.5 Creedmoor. I love the look of the laminate stock, and I think this will be cheaper than the RPR, actually I'm not sure if there is any advantage to the RPR aside from the magazine thing?
Option 3: AR-15 in 6.5 Grendel. Would buy a complete upper and build the lower myself (probably with a timney trigger).
http://www.jsesurplus.com/65grendel-2.aspx
Option 4: I have an old Mauser, with the 1895 action. Could have a gunsmith put a new barrel and stock on it, would have to be a cartridge based on the 7X57 I think, like .257 Roberts or 6mm Remington. Not sure but I suspect that this would probably cost as much if not more than just buying a new off the shelf rifle. But it would have more character.
What do you guys think? Are any of these options a bad idea? Is there something else I should be considering that isn't on this list?
Thanks in advance...
I know that the term "long range" can mean different things to different people. The longest range at the gun club I usually shoot at is 550 yards, so 95% of the time that is furthest I'd be shooting. I'd like to have a setup capable of shooting much farther though (1,000 yards? Maybe even 1,200 yards?), just in case I get a chance to shoot at those distances.
My current setup is OK for fun but it has some serious limitations shooting in a match (where you have limited time). It's a Ruger No. 1 varmint in .223, with a 1:12 twist rate. Thanks to the twist rate, I'm limited to the lighter bullets for this caliber, with lower BCs. The 550 yard range is starting to push the limit of this rifle/cartridge combo, specifically if there is wind. Also the single shot nature of the rifle is a huge disadvantage at the matches. And the lever is difficult to use in the prone position.
Ok so that's my back-story, here are the options I am considering. My budget for the rifle is $1,100 (not much to work with), I'll probably have to come up with a separate budget for the optic (am thinking about the SWFA fixed power scopes, should be about $300.00).
Option 1: Ruger precision rifle, in either .243 or 6.5 Creedmoor. I like that it uses detachable mags that are easy to find.
Option 2: Ruger M77 Target in 6.5 Creedmoor. I love the look of the laminate stock, and I think this will be cheaper than the RPR, actually I'm not sure if there is any advantage to the RPR aside from the magazine thing?
Option 3: AR-15 in 6.5 Grendel. Would buy a complete upper and build the lower myself (probably with a timney trigger).
http://www.jsesurplus.com/65grendel-2.aspx
Option 4: I have an old Mauser, with the 1895 action. Could have a gunsmith put a new barrel and stock on it, would have to be a cartridge based on the 7X57 I think, like .257 Roberts or 6mm Remington. Not sure but I suspect that this would probably cost as much if not more than just buying a new off the shelf rifle. But it would have more character.
What do you guys think? Are any of these options a bad idea? Is there something else I should be considering that isn't on this list?
Thanks in advance...
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