Entry into long range shooting

[MagnumWill]

I also concur that anything over 30X may not be buying you anything. I'm under the impression that the reticle would be quite dark, even at 60mm and more shaky than useful (you ever look through a 50X telescope at something on the ground? Breathe on it and it shakes). All of the research I've been doing (I'm looking at a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5CM with a Vortex Viper) implies that 5-25X is the optimal range to get the rifle on the paper at closer ranges and then stretch out to 1,000-1,100 meters.

I vote find a 24X max.

 

[trentcwwilson]

I also concur that anything over 30X may not be buying you anything. I'm under the impression that the reticle would be quite dark, even at 60mm and more shaky than useful (you ever look through a 50X telescope at something on the ground? Breathe on it and it shakes). All of the research I've been doing (I'm looking at a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5CM with a Vortex Viper) implies that 5-25X is the optimal range to get the rifle on the paper at closer ranges and then stretch out to 1,000-1,100 meters.

I vote find a 24X max.

I'm looking at the same rifle. Too bad 6.5CM costs and arm and a leg here.

 

[Saggins]

Sorry for bumping an older post, but I went ahead and purchased a Vortex Viper PST 6-24 FFP (I think I even got a pretty good deal on it through optics planet, 840 was my final total) But now I'm wondering how best to mount it. On my hunting rifles ive been getting along just fine with ~$50 for rings + base. I doubt that will be the best setup here. Through Midway (there may be better prices out there) I was able to find 3 setups that interested me. Badger 20 MOA base and Rings (both steel) for $300-310; EGW 20 MOA base and Seekins rings (both 7075 aluminum) for ~$210; or Talley 2 piece base with integral rings (7000 series aluminum according to the description) for $50.

Is the Badger (steel) setup really worth an extra $100? The Seekins rings have built-in recoil lugs rather than a crossbolt that serves the same purpose, is that better? Does the weight really make much difference if its not being carried around the field? Can a 2 piece Talley set be anywhere near as good for this application (with lapping and ensuring the rings were aligned) but not having the built in 20 MOA.? Or I could do the Badger Base (steel) + Seekins Rings (alum) for $250

 

[FL-NC]

The US mil uses those "handicapped" 308 rifles to good effect against some pretty dangerous game world-wide. Sometimes the barrels are as short as 16" for this type of work. LOTS of choices in 308 rounds, from off the shelf match ammo to data for loading your own, and plenty of ballistic data too.

 

[Saggins]

A couple months ago I finally was able to get the Badger scope base I wanted as well as rings. So like usual, once the gun was ready to go, I had no time to actually shoot... until this past 2 weeks. During break-in I followed Savage's barrel break-in instructions to the letter. After visual "boresight" and 2 shots at 50yds to get close I was ready for my first 3 shot group @ 100 yards(not sure, do you still call it a "group" when your cleaning between each shot?)


I didn't measure, but I was certainly happy (the 2 hits to the left are my 50yd sighters)


Still @ 100yds, this was my best 5 shot string during break-in

So far I'm pretty darn happy with the results.

 

[Saggins]

Here is the "finished" result. Don't hate on me too bad for painting it. I always wanted a gun that felt personalized, and I know I can remove it with a little time and elbow grease (and a little acetone) Plus, I didn't do it until after barrel break-in, so atleast it wasn't a "new" gun anymore.


(After this picture I went back and redid the paint on the scope)





After taking these pictures we took a 9.5" steel target that I had just recently purchased and drove it out to a terrace near my place, figuring we would get about a 300 yard shot (my previous farthest is roughly 230 yards). Using the scope I estimated a little over 500 yards! I was a little nervous about the distance since the farthest I had fired this new rifle at was 100 yards. With some ballistics data from JBM I fired my first shot and missed, then realized that I greatly over accounted for the wind. Next 3 shots in a row all struck steel. After we hit it a few more times we walked the distance to the target and we came up with about 550 yards. It wasn't until after that I realized I even did it the "hard way" I used hold over, when it probably would have been much easier to actually use the turrets and adjust for the elevation. So now we joke that we made it well into the "quarter mile club" and over halfway to my 1000yd goal!

 

[taliv]

awesome!
that is the hard way for sure!

paint looks good too

 

[MrCleanOK]

Who made that cheek pad?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Saggins]

Its the Triad Tactical Stock Pack (I have an additional set of inserts in mine, and might add another spacer or 2)

http://www.triadtactical.com/Triad-Stock-Pack.html

 

[Nature Boy]

Saggins.

I love the "arts and crafts" job you did on her. Looks fantastic.

I'll be following with interest as you post more range reports. I'm a Savage fan

 

[Dave P]

Nice group at 100.

 

[farmerboy78]

Great job, I have the exact rifle and it shoots like a dream. I used a picatinny rail, seekins rings, Karsten check rest, dark eagle 10rd magazine, ior valdada ffp 3-18x42 illuminated, and I had it threaded for a suppressor. My rifle sub 1/2 moa with varget and 123gr amax, well closer to 1/4 moa.

 

[Saggins]

I may eventually get something like the Karsten cheek rest, but I wasn't sure how I felt about drilling the stock (I'm guessing that's required to install them). But speaking of accessories, I was wondering about shooting mats. At first I was just using a plain nylon tarp just to keep off the damp ground. Then I added a sleeping bag to it for some added comfort and that seemed to work fairly well, but I don't really want to keep using my favorite sleeping bag for this purpose. I would prefer to keep it modestly priced, and I even have a few options for homemade that I have read about a few people using. I could get a nice foam camping pad for $15, I could buy another sleeping bag for $10-15 (thanks Walmart), we recently had some carpet replaced so I could use an old section of that, there was even some leftover new carpet pad. Maybe a hybrid of sleeping bag with the carpet pad inside of it (to keep the pad from getting torn up)? Just wondered on your thoughts here, I'm not sure what to really looking for in a shooting mat, before this Ive just fired off a wooden table I built.

p.s. Its almost addicting to find/buy accessories for this stuff haha

 

[Saggins]

Took paper out to 300 yards today.


Wish I wouldn't have dropped that one shot, but that's what practice is for right? (The holes in the lower left were from a previous group) After using the paper to adjust my windage, I went 5/5 on my 9.5" steel at 440. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that sound.

 

[Manny]

That's a darn nice set up you've put together, I'd say you got a lot of bang for the bucks spent. Looks like it and you are already shooting quite nicely and I'm guessing that will only improve as time goes on. Nice job with the paint as well,BTW.

 

[Nature Boy]

Nice shooting saggins

 

[Saggins]

Thanks for the positive comments! That was the end of my supply of factory Hornady ammo, time to start playing with some reloads (or I can always buy more, not a bad way to get brass).