15 years ago, I got a bug to buy a long range rifle. I was sort of fly by the seat of my pants back then; I had a little money, but didn't plan things out real well. I ended up going with a Savage 110FP in .30-06 and a Leupold VariX III 8.5-25x 40mm (I don't think they make that one anymore). Some of you may remember Arnold Arms was offering an accurizing package for around $300 (Don't think they're around either, but I don't know) which I bought into while replacing the stock. I had big thoughts of shooting some long range and never really got around to it. I did some load development and got a good 178gr A-Max worked up that did 2 1/2" at 300 yards with 3 of the 5 shots in 1" but even then I didn't play with it much to really tune it up.
5 years in the Marine Corps, marriage and 4 kids later, I'm finally getting back to working on my Savage. Why I didn't go with .308 I'll never know. I guess I figured the 06 had a bigger case and would shine at longer range, but like I said, I was short on planning back then. So I'm sorta stuck with what I got and I have some time to work on it so I'm seeking advice.
I have an opportunity to shoot some extended ranges (600-1000yards) about once a month and I'd like to get into it a bit now that I have the chance. I don't shoot competition, just hitting steel and hopefully the satisfaction of an MOA group on paper at some of those ranges. I can get a few things like a 15 or 20 MOA rail, but the idea of a new rig is completely out, I really need to make do with what I have.
Working with my set up, Savage 110FP (pre accutrigger) 1:10 24" bull barrel I'd like to develop a long range load. I was thinking 190gr SMK or even the heavier 208gr AMAX but I don't know if I can push those fast enough to make the heavier bullet worth the trade off in velocity. Would a coated bullet let me push it fast enough to make the heavier stuff worthwile (in case the moly horse isn't beat to death yet)? Or should I stick with good ol plain jacket SMK or A-MAX type stuff? I've never really dealt with the Moly stuff but the theory is sound... Enough of my rambling.. any thoughts?
Thanks for any advice.
5 years in the Marine Corps, marriage and 4 kids later, I'm finally getting back to working on my Savage. Why I didn't go with .308 I'll never know. I guess I figured the 06 had a bigger case and would shine at longer range, but like I said, I was short on planning back then. So I'm sorta stuck with what I got and I have some time to work on it so I'm seeking advice.
I have an opportunity to shoot some extended ranges (600-1000yards) about once a month and I'd like to get into it a bit now that I have the chance. I don't shoot competition, just hitting steel and hopefully the satisfaction of an MOA group on paper at some of those ranges. I can get a few things like a 15 or 20 MOA rail, but the idea of a new rig is completely out, I really need to make do with what I have.
Working with my set up, Savage 110FP (pre accutrigger) 1:10 24" bull barrel I'd like to develop a long range load. I was thinking 190gr SMK or even the heavier 208gr AMAX but I don't know if I can push those fast enough to make the heavier bullet worth the trade off in velocity. Would a coated bullet let me push it fast enough to make the heavier stuff worthwile (in case the moly horse isn't beat to death yet)? Or should I stick with good ol plain jacket SMK or A-MAX type stuff? I've never really dealt with the Moly stuff but the theory is sound... Enough of my rambling.. any thoughts?
Thanks for any advice.