Just want to share this book by Nancy Tompkins (Lapua sponsored, National level long range shooter) here --
http://rifleshootingbynancy.com/index.html
Another important information to meditate after a shooting match is usually less about the rifle nor the hand load. It's usually "Why did I take that shot?" and "Should've done it so-and-so".
As we all know, in the heat of the moment; it's just ourselves, the reticle, and the target. With that, the amount of mental acuity to process wind speed, calculate distance, rules of firing, where to hold, when to fire and other stressors can be quite intense. And in this split second is the key to making a good or bad shot. And so, shooters with stronger
mental deliberation shot-after-shot, often perform better - and always able to learn from their mistakes after.
Reason I brought up Nancy's book is because her mental acuity preparation techniques are not like any other I have seen or read (also how to take notes, and paying attention to things that are not immediately obvious). You'll not see this stuff online anywhere. (at least I haven't).
Her advice helped me a great deal in the beginning of shooting long range (F-class in my case) - and I was able to classify myself as Expert in mid-range F-class state match by the end of my first year without stressing out too much. I placed 3rd (no trophy or medal here) in CA state mid range championship in FT-R last year, after not shooting for months. (I also have a family, full time job and frankly not that much time for hobbies)
A lot of the folks I shoot with also shoot PRS, Tactical matches, Palma, XTC High power etc. and we all agree, that all shooting disciplines amount to the same basic marksmanship principles. We all shoot our
favorite calibers, everything from 5.56 to 7.62, all sorts of fun gears - but comes the end of the day; the score on the paper is truth. A very good shooter with a .308 winchester can decimate anyone with say, 6.5x284 at 1000 yards, all day. (An exception of course, this exemplary gentleman I know is Lane Buxton, and he belongs to the US rifle team.)
Back to OP's original query; just as a perspective
- my first "long range" rifle is a Marlin X7S receiver ($300 rack bargain hunting rifle from Big 5), re-barelled by er shaw at 22" long, topped with $400 Vortex scope. with some no-name bipod. My hand load components are berger, lapua brass, IMR 4064/varget/N530/4895 and what have you. As long as my 100 yards grouping stays at sub half, then it is enough. 100% of my long range shooting error is me grossly over/underestimating my holds by at least 1 minute or more. (or jerking the trigger, or messing with scope mid fire-string). Squeezing another 1/4 MOA off my entire setup certainly wouldn't help my case at all.
and I'll still shoot the Marlin rifle for the next coming matches this year
Wish you the best, and I hope one day we cross path in the firing line somehow!