First long range rifle

I have two. Not what some of the pro's here might use. But I like them and they are mine. I have a Remington 700 Milspec in .308. Replaced the trigger, got a KRG Stock and bolt handle. I also have a Savage LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor. No mods. Both more accurate than me. No issues with either rifle. I went with the same scope with each rifle. Easier to go from one rifle to another when they are the same. Used DNZ 20 MOV mounts on each. Love their mounts. Scope is a 6-24 Vortex Viper.

I have a arsenal rebuilt M24 (I cut my teeth on the M24 when I first got into this type of shooting) and a custom 700 suppressed, both in 308. That said, if I was just getting into the game now, I would go with the Ruger precision. I like the 6.5 CM round better, but there are more options for 308 ammo and plenty of reloading data if you want to go in that direction. I would also buy a Vortex scope after I researched which one fit my needs and budget- I have scopes from Leopold, Horus, US Optics, etc. but the price tags on these are a tall order for most folks, especially people just starting. Both Ruger and Vortex provide excellent value for the $ and customer service that can't be beat.

If you mean precision rifle series matches, I suggest you do two things:
Attend a match and see what competitors (especially the winners) are using.
Then unless you're already a champion shooter (Expert or above, President's 100, Distinguished Rifle shooter or something else) find a long range shooting school and start taking lessons.
Rent the equipment from the school. After a few classes you have a much greater idea of what to buy. You'll also know the quality of the item needed without buying unneeded stuff or actually the wrong stuff. There are several good schools throughout the country.

If not PRS, never mind...

I’m thinking along the same lines and I’m leaning towards a Ruger Precision Rifle in .300wm.
The RPR sure looks like a lot of rifle for the price. I’ve seen them in LGS for about $1800. It should be more than plenty to start at entry level.
The reason for .300wm is that I am already familiar with the DOPE and I am already loading for it and it’s a proven long range round.

Remington isn’t Remington any more, and has not been for a long time. I wouldn’t touch a new Remington with a 10ft pole. Far prettier girls at the dance these days without as much baggage.

I’ll also recommend against the 308win. It’s not a “bad choice,” but it’s a long ways from a good one. I’d honestly rather a beginner start with a 223 than 308, and a 6.5 creed, 6 creed, or 260rem, 7-08, 243win, etc are far better choices.

A magnum like 300wm is an even worse choice for a beginner.

I would recommend doing lots of research and look at as many options as you can. It'll be a bit overwhelming, but worth it. There are a bunch of really, really great rifles out there. Maybe attend some shooting events if they are available in your area. I have a nice rifle, but wish I had done more research and spent a bit more. Lots fo guys I know have more than one, but it starts with the first one.

If your into precision and your not considering a 6mmbr then your not serious. Its accurate, it's easily available and it's not punishing. The ppc cartridges are also great but require a ton of brass work that the br dosent. Savage sold a 6mmbr off the shelf that was range ready for a beginner around 1k add optics. I never knew why it's not more main stream.

AJC1 said:

I never knew why it's not more main stream.

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Because of old dinosaurs like myself. I went hunting with a 30-06 at nine or ten years of age and 55 years later still use the same caliber. I had a savage I bought 40 years ago the 110C and was hitting milk jugs at 500 yards. I than wanted to customize it for long range shooting and some older guy told me why, I was already shooting long range and hitting my target, so never thought about it. You are correct though the 6mmbr is a great cartridge to start with.

JamieC said:

Thinking about getting into long range precision type shooting, what rifle to get? My first thought is a Remington 700, been around forever, lots of upgrade 'stuff' available. I would probably go with a .308 caliber, common round, relatively inexpensive, makes LOTS of practice doable. I know there other options, Ruger American, Savage are some that I know of. Looking for opinions for both the gun and scope.

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Do you reload your own ammo?

I have a pair of 20+ year old Remington factory heavy barrel target rifles. One in .308 and one in .223. I bought them off of a friend for what the gun shop was going to give him as trade in value. I am not competitive but enjoy testing my skills loading accurate ammo and shooting at about 300-500 yards. I really love the .223 because I can shoot a lot more before I get tired and jumpy but the .308 has a definite advantage past 300 yards.

MikeInOr said:

Do you reload your own ammo?

I have a pair of 20+ year old Remington factory heavy barrel target rifles. One in .308 and one in .223. I bought them off of a friend for what the gun shop was going to give him as trade in value. I am not competitive but enjoy testing my skills loading accurate ammo and shooting at about 300-500 yards. I really love the .223 because I can shoot a lot more before I get tired and jumpy but the .308 has a definite advantage past 300 yards.

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I would choose 223 out to 500 and did fine at 600 but not any further. That's definitely not with off the shelf 55 grain bullets either. I love and shoot 308 but it's not what I would currently choose for competion. A new competitor needs an easy shooter to fight off fatigue.

I presume you have access to long range shooting facilities within a reasonable travel distance? The maximum range you expect to shoot should inform some of your rifle decisions.

Walkalong said:

Yep, plenty of folks who shoot 6BR in PRS, although they do give up a little at 900/1000+. They gain less recoil & stupid easy accuracy. Buy Lapua brass, some ELDs or Bergers, bingo.

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I'd take that over a 300wm all day every day. I'm keen on the 6arc but it's very new. I wont recommend something I dont have experience with.

First, what's your budget?

Second, read @Walkalong's journey into precision rifle shooting stickied at the top of the Rifle forum. It's long but very informative.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/long-range-rifle-scope-prs-question-s.845206/

A few years back I wanted to get into PRS. I picked up a Savage Stealth in 6.5 CM. I added a Vortex Viper Gen II MRAD scope to it and jumped into a beginners PRS event that was being held locally.

First off I had a great time but it became quickly obvious that my gun was the Yugo in the crowd. Some of the setups there were sweet. In the end I learned a lot and actually scored a hit on the 1000 yard target. Once, but I did it.

I’m going to spend a little time to research different platforms and accessories for a new rifle. I’ll probably stay with 6.5 CM as it performed well for me.

Look around and see if there are any events in your area and go watch. It will give you all kinds of ideas. Good luck.

Great thread I myself chose a
savage model 10 fcp-SR in 6.5 Creedmoor to get into this sort of game I hope you find what your looking for and find immense enjoyment in it as I have

If you are looking at it as a starter rifle to learn on and practice, I think it's a good choice but if you are planning on being competitive off the bat, I'd suggest more research. It depends on what you can afford as well. Some guys start with a 700 so they have a good action to build on. That may be outdated advice but it has worked for alot of guys.

Nothing new to add, just reinforcing others. The 308 is a great round and I have 4 rifles in the chambering. But today there are better options. As others said 223 is a good economical choice for ranges out to 500-600 yards. The 6.5CM is popular right now for a lot of good reasons.

There are other good rounds, but 223 and 6.5CM offer rifles and ammo off the shelf at reasonable prices. Some of the others may be as good, but you'll need to handload most of them.

On a budget I really like the Ruger Predator. It is the same action and barrel as the Precision Rifle, you just don't get the fancy stock. But it sells for roughly 1/3 to 1/4 the cost.

I've had good luck with Tikka too. The CTR might work for you.

If you like the Remington, take a look at a Bergara. They build what the 700 should have become.

The old 700 has a great advantage, as a builder, it is nothing but a straight steel pipe with attachments. It you have the tools and equipment it can be made into anything you want, in stages or all at once. With a serious, experienced, long distance shooter and a full up precision build with quality glass, it is fully capable of hitting anything you can see.
The other side of that coin is, if you must hire the work done, a Panda or such pre made precision action might well be a better start point for a precision action.

The Savage Bench Rest and F Class models have a good showing for factory production rifles. Bob White at the Shooters Corner, usually has a great selection of custom benchrest rifles available used. .308 will serve you well out to 1,000 yards. I shot a .308 Palma as well as a 65.x47 Lapua at 1,000 yards. 6mmBR Norma for 300 and 6PPC for 100/200 group.

Bob

Varminterror said:

Remington isn’t Remington any more, and has not been for a long time. I wouldn’t touch a new Remington with a 10ft pole. Far prettier girls at the dance these days without as much baggage.

I’ll also recommend against the 308win. It’s not a “bad choice,” but it’s a long ways from a good one. I’d honestly rather a beginner start with a 223 than 308, and a 6.5 creed, 6 creed, or 260rem, 7-08, 243win, etc are far better choices.

A magnum like 300wm is an even worse choice for a beginner.

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I like 223 as well, especially with the heavy bullets. 308 is okay but I like a little more velocity that the 6 Creedmore gives you.

View attachment 1041408
As per the original post, both the .223 and the .308 would fit the "Common Round and Reasonably in Expensive", but keep in mind that if Long Range, you mean 1,000 yards, expect to have to reload in order to get good accuracy.
Remington 40X Repeater, Kreiger 29" Barrel, 1/12 twist for 155 Palma and up to 175 grain for 1,000 yards. PDN Gen IV Chassis and 8x32 Nightforce Benchrest Scope. View attachment 1041408
I love the 6.5x47 Lapua. This is my Go-To 1,000 yard Benchrest rifle. Borden built with his action, Kreiger Barrel, 1:8 Twist for 105-130 grain projectiles, Bigs-N-Andy trigger. You can buy factory 6.5x47L ammo, but it is expensive.