Long Range Shooting

[TheJoker16]

I shoot shotguns and handguns mostly and want to get started in rifle long range since the others are closer range shooting. I'm looking for any suggestions on rifle, caliber, scope, any other gear i would need to be able to shoot at least 500+ yards I would like to go 1,000+ yards if i can. I have a spending limit of $1,000 and would also like the caliber to be a cheaper round to go shooting with. I would like to go competition shooting with this rifle also once i get some practice. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time

 

[TonyAngel]

$1K for the rifle and the scope? That's tough, especially because you want cheap all the way around, including the ammunition. I guess I'd say a Remington SPS Tactical or Savage equivalent in .223. That will get you out to 500, but 1000 will be a real challenge.

As far as the scope goes, it depends on how small the targets are going to be. I suppose a good inexpensive scope would be the Bushnell fixed 10X for around $200 or the Super Sniper fixed 10X for around $300.

 

[Gdbyrd]

Don't forget about used rifles and scopes. Leupold scopes are warrantied forever, and they can be had used quite frequently for under 200$.

I'd split it into 3 parts. Rifle, Glass, Handloading.

It's amazing what you can get out of a stock rifle with reloads and a little elbow grease.

Do you have a lot of experience shooting long distances? Depending on what you're trying to hit, and the conditions, 500 yards isn't that hard to do. 1k though is a totally different ball game.

I think you should get into it as cheap as you can. I have a feeling your 1k yard gun is going to cost you a lot more than 1k$. Maybe you should look for a gun/caliber with a solid action and plan on having it rebarreled reworked. That way you can keep your reloading stuff and your experience with that caliber and lose as little as possible towards your end project.

Just my thoughts.

 

[TheJoker16]

The $1,000 is just for the rifle and scope and by cheaper round like under to around $1.00 like the .308 round I've been able to find for under $1.00 a round and heard its one of the best rounds for long range shooting

 

[Gdbyrd]

It USED to be the standard. As such there's a ton of information out there on it. Personally if it was me, I would build something with a 6.5mm pill. Savage offers stuff in the 260 rem and the 6.5x284, both of which I've read are doing well in 1k yard ranges.

Can't go wrong with a 308 or 300 win mag either.

To be clear you're talking about reloaded ammo costing 1$/shot right? Factory ammo isn't going to do you very well. There are some flukes, and you an purchase high quality ammo(it's going to be more than 1$/shot), but for the majority you're going to need to reload to get the most out of any gun in the accuracy department.

 

[TonyAngel]

The big advantage to .308 is that the barrel will last a long time. Some calibers that are better suited to long range will toast a barrel in 2000 rounds or less.

 

[USSR]

The $1,000 is just for the rifle and scope and by cheaper round like under to around $1.00 like the .308 round I've been able to find for under $1.00 a round and heard its one of the best rounds for long range shooting

The .308 is probably your best choice. While it will get you to 1,000 yards, the 1,000+ yards is a tough one, as it pretty much runs out of steam at 1,000 yards.

Don

 

[MtnCreek]

.308win would be my choice. If you're looking to get good at shooting long range, that'll require a lot of trigger time. Black Hills (blue box) is pretty good factory ammo at a decent price. Some of the more exotic long range cartridges will cost a lot more to shoot and will likely mean less trigger time.

I don't know much about the long range rifle comp's; you should probably do some reading on what types are out there and which ones interest you because that will make a big difference on equipment selection. You may want to look at Highpower also. It's my understanding a $1,000 rifle will have you equiped as well as anyone (skill not included).

 

[TonyAngel]

Do you have a .22? Shooting a .22 bolt gun is good practice.

 

[TheJoker16]

My best friend has a .22 and i can dime that at 250 yards, what would I need to start reloading my own ammo? and do you think the .243 round would be better for the 1,000+ range?

 

[MtnCreek]

You may also find a rangefinder to be useful equipment.

 

[USSR]

...do you think the .243 round would be better for the 1,000+ range?

A couple of problems with the .243. First, you will want to use heavy bullets such as the Sierra 107gr MatchKing bullet. Make sure whatever rifle you get has a tight enough twist to stabilize it. Second, it's a barrel burner. Your throat will be burned out quite quickly, and you will need to replace the barrel. Stick with a .308.

Don

 

[Racinready300ex]

Those new savage LRP's in 6.5 creedemoore would be a good start in my book.

 

[b7tac]

I could be wrong about the exact numbers, but the 1000 yd shot has a bullet drop of like 35 ft! Not to mention spin drift which is probably around 10 ft. That is a shot that would not be in the near future for you. It takes a lot of time and even more money to become proficient at that shot. 500 yards would be an admirable goal to set for yourself over the next year or more. 1000 yds is big time!

B7

 

[TonyAngel]

first, you need to stop thinking in inches and feet. it'll get your head spinning. think in either mils or minutes of angle. it's easier on the nerves.

 

[MtnCreek]

A little less than 35 ft, but not far off. Spin Drift: Just hold a little left of what you think you should. My problem is wind. From 0 to 300, I have a 10mph wind at half value, beyond that and to about 500 I'm shooting over a deep holler with a full 10mph wind in the other direction (and that's 200 ft below the bullet path), 700 + looks like a half value 10 mph wind similar to the first 300yds. I do my best to figure my bullet path and the dang wind just changed. Hell with it! Pull the trigger! Next shot I just shoot the rock out there at 300yrds!:banghead:

 

[TheJoker16]

I don't plan on going to the range and trying 1,000 yards out right I plan to work up to it starting at 250 yards since i know I can hit that with a .22. Were can I learn about mils and minutes of angle

 

[USSR]

Were can I learn about mils and minutes of angle

A mil is 3.6" at 100 yards and 36" at 1,000 yards. A MOA is 1.047" at 100 yards and 10.47" at 1,000 yards. See the relationship?

Don

 

[TonyAngel]

Check this out. http://www.boomershoot.org/general/TruthMilDots.htm

I know that my above answers were short and kurt, but your question really opens a can of worms. You'd be surprised at how many people there are that decide that they want to do some long range shooting and believe that all they need is a rifle with a heavy barrel and a really big scope. The fact of the matter is that as the distance to the target increases, it gets exponentially harder to hit the target (how much harder depends on the conditions). It takes practice, especially to hit a target at say 500+ yards with the first shot.

This is why I asked if you have a .22. A .22 is a very good place to start because shooting a .22 at 100 yards is a whole lot like shooting a .308 at 300. All you really NEED is a $200 Savage bolt action rifle, a decent scope with a good mount, some sort of rest, a brick of decent sub sonic ammo and time. If you get to a point where you can hit a golf ball at 100 yards just about everytime, off of a bipod you'll be doing pretty good. Then you can extend your range and try again.

Personally, I shoot a .308. It is a good round. Not ideal for 1000, but I haven't gotten there yet. The pros to .308 are these:

It is a capable round. Lots of guys shoot them out to 1000 with good success.

There is an almost infinite variety of components to build good ammunition and it is very easy to find a sweet load for a .308. I got my first one by just following the recipe in the Sierra manual. You can load for .308 for about .30 to .50 a round for very good match ammo. All you really NEED is a set of Lee dies, a good single stage press (I use a Lee Classic Cast), and a scale plus some other do dads. I would however suggest that you first get a good reloading manual and read it like a novel. I guess the Lyman book is pretty good.

Another advantage of the .308 is the barrel life. You should be able to get a good 5000 rounds through it before you see a noticeable decrease in accuracy.

If you really want to shoot centerfire on the cheap, the .223 is the way to go. Everything is cheap. The brass, bullets, primers, etc.

 

[esheato]

I shot 223 Rem with a 77gr match bullet and a 10x optic to 1000y two weeks ago..so it's doable but I also reload those just for that purpose.

These Youtube vids are really great to help the beginner understand long range rifle concepts:

Understanding MOA

Understanding Mils

Wind Estimation and Compensation

A laser rangefinder would be great...but to get one to 1000y that will reliably work gets pricey. If you have an Android phone, you can download an app (called Range Card) that will do the same thing for $5.

Shooting LR really isn't that difficult with the right tools (appropriate caliber and optics mostly). Being able to call shots and put bullets on target in every environment and position is extremely tough and can get very expensive.

The other thing I'll suggest is to go to Snipers Hide forum and "keep your mouth shut and your ears open. In other words, start reading, listening and paying attention. Newbies show up there daily and ask the same beginner questions. It will pay off to show up, start reading and be smart about your questions/comments.

Last option, find someone in your area that knows how to do it right, and get them to show you.

EDIT: I wouldn't buy anything until you know what features are important in rifles/optics for long range use...especially competition purposes.

 

[b7tac]

I plan to work up to it starting at 250 yards since i know I can hit that with a .22. Were can I learn about mils and minutes of angle

You are hitting with a .22 at 250 yards? Are you sure? That is a helluva long .22 shot.

 

[popper]

Hitting a dime @250 is even tougher. Joker needs to be winning competition shooting.

 

[Outlaw81]

Get a Remington sps 308 or savage fp308. Both can be had for $400. Next get an egw 20moa base for $30. Burris extreme tactical 30mm rings for $18. Next a vortex viper 6-20x42 I believe is about 400. I know this combo with 175smks at 2750 is good to 1200. Good luck. You'll find the viper is an excellent beginner scope and the warranty is gold. Do not spend less than $400 on a scope. You'll only find flaws.

 

[dubbleA]

My best friend has a .22 and i can dime that at 250 yards.

That right there is some great shooting!

 

[Outlaw81]

Now I understand the joker name!! LOL!! He never mentioned how many times out of ten he hit that dime at 250. I know I gotta aim bout 3' high to hit a 1' target at 250.