3-Gun rifle opinions

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Ruger745

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Hi everybody, this is my first post in the competition shooting section.

I've recently found the sport of 3 gun shooting in some American Rifleman magazines, and on 3 gun nation when it was being aired. This is a sport that I would like to be equipped for within the year, I've decided on the shotgun (Winchester SX3 with 10 round magazine extension) and the pistol (Walther P99 40 AS). However, I'm stuck on the rifle. I was considering an AK-47 or AK-74 but then I found out that competitions can reach out to 200 yards, so I've decided not to get one for competition shooting. I'm looking at The Ruger SR-556 and the LWRC M6A2, both in 6.8 SPC with an EOtech 557.G23FTS weapons sight. Is the LWRC worth the extra $500-750? Does the 6.8 SPC bring in too much power? any other suggestions?

Thanks for the input!
 
The most important thing in 3 gun is to shoot matches and practice a lot. The round count gets high in this sport. With that in mind, I would suggest staying with 5.56/223 as it is much more economical - 6.8 will be cost prohibitive, IMHO.

95% of shooters use a variant of the AR platform, quite simply because it is the most versatile and the market/aftermarket is huge and as you come to know what you want, you can easily alter your setup without having to completely switch rifles.
 
Depending on where you are, 200 yards might be a close shot.

Get an AR-15 in 223 and put a low powder scope like a Leupold 1.5-5 on there and practice. Shooting a 6.8 in 99% of the matches is a very bad idea.

Keep in mind that some matches bump you into a different division for different things. Mag fed shotguns and putting more than 9 rounds in the shotgun can sometimes bump you.
 
If the max really is 200 yds a good AK will be fine IMO.

A guy with a Bulgy SLR-25 running open sights put everyone else in my squad to shame a couple of matches ago.

Personally if I were starting out and I wanted to get competitive I'd get a good AR. Unless you want to be different just for fun. I've run a Mini-14, M1A, AR-15, and Garand so far. I'm not ever close to winning so I figure I'll have fun. ;)

As Hoser points out, you might ask around your locality and make sure you're getting gear that keeps you in the division you want to shoot. A 10-round shotgun mag extension would automatically put you in "open" class in my local club, FWIW.
 
Depending on where you are, 200 yards might be a close shot.

Get an AR-15 in 223 and put a low powder scope like a Leupold 1.5-5 on there and practice. Shooting a 6.8 in 99% of the matches is a very bad idea.

Keep in mind that some matches bump you into a different division for different things. Mag fed shotguns and putting more than 9 rounds in the shotgun can sometimes bump you.
Just out of curiosity, in Colorado, what are the rifle shots like? I was on Colorado 3 gun, and that's how I got the rule of thumb for 200 yards
 
If the max really is 200 yds a good AK will be fine IMO.

A guy with a Bulgy SLR-25 running open sights put everyone else in my squad to shame a couple of matches ago.

Personally if I were starting out and I wanted to get competitive I'd get a good AR. Unless you want to be different just for fun. I've run a Mini-14, M1A, AR-15, and Garand so far. I'm not ever close to winning so I figure I'll have fun. ;)

As Hoser points out, you might ask around your locality and make sure you're getting gear that keeps you in the division you want to shoot. A 10-round shotgun mag extension would automatically put you in "open" class in my local club, FWIW.
Haha, that's exactly what I figure too. How has the Mini-14 worked out for you? I had the chance to look at one yesterday at Gander mountain, but I couldn't get the 5 round magazine to seat, it took a while to get to do so. Are the high caps easier to install?

Thanks!
 
Yes. waaaaaay easier. However, you need to use Ruger mags or you might have feeding issues. And they're pricey (compared to good AR mags).

Plus there are way more compensator/trigger options for ARs.

If you're starting from scratch, go the AR route, IMO.

Pretty soon you'll be as fast as this guy. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytqUMMclgW0&feature=feedu
Wow, that'd be pretty awesome to be able to shoot that fast!
 
The only reason to run a 6.8 in 3-gun is if you are trying to make major power factor. Then, you better handload cause there are no factory options that will come close. You would want to handload anyway for shooting volume.
 
then I found out that competitions can reach out to 200 yards,
You should check on that with where you will be shooting.

Our club does two matches a month one with a max of 100 yards and the other with a max of 1000 yards. On the long range course you won't know how to be setup until you get there.

To be honest I like to use two rifles for my 3 gunning, one for the short match and one for the long range match. For the shorter ranges I use a BCM 20 inch rifle in 5.56, for the long range matches I use a DPMS LR 308 with an 18 inch barrel and rifle length gas.

BTW low power scopes rule the 3 gun world. I showed up to the long match with a 6-24x scope and it took me forever to find the close in targets at 6x, now the 308 wears a 2-10x scope and the BCM has a 1-4x.
 
Yeah, I made the mistake of shooting the Mini-14 with a 3x9 scope... up close I lost a LOT of time transitioning/finding targets.
 
The only reason to run a 6.8 in 3-gun is if you are trying to make major power factor. Then, you better handload cause there are no factory options that will come close. You would want to handload anyway for shooting volume.
hand loading would also save money in the long run too. If I can find a good brass catcher, then I still may keep it on the back burner. Just wish that the good mags weren't so expensive. The Barrett's will run $50 retail, but that's about the same for factory M1's.
 
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You should check on that with where you will be shooting.

Our club does two matches a month one with a max of 100 yards and the other with a max of 1000 yards. On the long range course you won't know how to be setup until you get there.

To be honest I like to use two rifles for my 3 gunning, one for the short match and one for the long range match. For the shorter ranges I use a BCM 20 inch rifle in 5.56, for the long range matches I use a DPMS LR 308 with an 18 inch barrel and rifle length gas.

BTW low power scopes rule the 3 gun world. I showed up to the long match with a 6-24x scope and it took me forever to find the close in targets at 6x, now the 308 wears a 2-10x scope and the BCM has a 1-4x.
That's a good idea to run two rifles and have them set; one close up and one far away. I'll have to see if the clubs in Colorado allow competitors to do that. Nice to know that about the scopes, that's why I've been looking at the EOtech with the flip to side on the magnifier.
 
After looking at ballistic tables, I've noticed that the 55 grain bullets for 5.56x45 have about 300-350 ft-lbs of energy at long ranges. I was wondering if this is enough to knock down a steel target at extended ranges? also, Hornady offers 75 and 80 grain bullets for the 223/5.56mm cartridge, are these bullets too long to function properly in magazines (like pmags)?

Thanks again!
 
Good to know, now this puts the 5.56x45 as the top contender. Still stuck between the SR-556 and the LWRC
 
Longer range steel targets at 3-Gun matches are set to properly score with a solid hit from 55gr.
Good to know, this now puts the 5.56x45 as the top contender. Still stuck between the SR-556 and the LWRC, but I'm leaning over towards the LWRC m6a2 DEA. It'll just take a bit longer to save up, but I bet it would be worth while.
 
the hornady 75 grain ammo can be loaded mag length just fine, but if your steel is set up properly, a 55gr bullet should knock it down at 500y anyway. Here in central texas, we can shoot to 500y or beyond at some ranges. The guys with the red dots were seriously screwed on the 480y targets at the last match, while the 1-4x optic guys were hitting more easily.

I wouldn't go 6.8 unless you're really sold on it. less mag capacity and more $$ to shoot than 5.56 NATO.

I run a Walther P99 in 9mm, and its been flawless of late.
 
Neither the LWRC nor the Ruger is a good choice for 3-gun. As Zak said, you should look at what the successful competitors are using. You won't see many piston guns, nor calibers other than 5.56mm NATO, nor red-dot sights.

For the $1300 or so that a Ruger SR556 will run you, I'd look at buying a complete upper from JP Enterprises, Bravo Company (the SS410 line), or Noveske, and installing it on the lower of your choice.

-C
 
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