What caliber? What rifle?

[Glockdaddy]

Hiall, I am new to the forum. Having been a handgun addict for the past two years, I am thinking about getting into rifles. I am interested in primarily target shooting at longer distances....200yds plus. We have a great bench range at my club and I would like to give it a go.

I am debating on a 17HMR vs .223 vs 22-250. Keep in mind that I don't hunt, but want to be able to shoot when it is moderately windy....thus the 17 may be an issue. With so much cost effective .223 ammo available it seems like the logical choice.....but my buddies urge me to consider 22-250 for the extended range. So....what do you suggest?

My rifle of choice for .223 or 22-250 is a Savage 12V low pro or a 12VSS....might as well dream big! Scope decisions later but will probably want a 6-24 or 8-32.

How's about some opinions?

PS> a Ruger 10/22 built up would be fun, but 50-100 yds is what I already shoot with my handguns and I would like to reach out and touch something

 

[litman252]

For 200 yards plus with a lot of lead going down range I would go .223 or .308. The further the range the more the .308 shines. Recoil is the great PITA though, it could be a problem.
I'd go with a Savage rifle and Nikon, Burris or Leupold scope, Many choices to make many more openions.
Tony

 

[goon]

I'd go .308 probably.
My personal favorite is the 7.62x54R though (delivered from the muzzle of my Finn M-39).

I personally don't find the recoil of a full power rifle round to be all that bad with 150-165 grain bullets. Now when you start getting into the heavier bullet weights you start to know you are shooting something with some smack. A 203 grain SP from a Mosin Nagant will make you feel like that gun is gonna roll you off the bench backwards.

I actually like some recoil with my guns. I generally stop shooting because I have used too much time up or because I can't afford to shoot any more, not because I can't stand the recoil.
I find it satisfying to spend the next couple days with a mild stiffness in my right shoulder.

 

[Preacherman]

Hi, Glockdaddy! Me like Glocks too...

You stated a fairly specific and restrictive set of requirements:

I am interested in primarily target shooting at longer distances....200yds plus.

This immediately rules out a number of cartridges that are less than optimally accurate (although they're fine as hunting rounds, they don't shoot as well in the target environment as do others). However, the ones that shine at this sort of thing (typically .308, although .223 is used in military-style shooting competitions: you could also look at a specialist cartridge such as the 6mm. PPC) also come with complications such as recoil, etc.

I'd strongly suggest that your first purchase should be a good-quality bolt-action .22LR rifle. This will give you plenty of low-cost practice out to 100 yards - and believe me, at 100 yards, with a low-power cartridge like the .22, prone to wind deflection, it's not easy at all to do really well! I'd suggest the CZ452 rifle as a good starter gun - it's a really good rifle, easily the best quality and value for the money in its price range. (See here for a list of available models.)

Once you've got a couple of thousand rounds downrange, and have learned the use of both iron sights and scopes, and experienced the "joys" (= frustrations! ) of windage, etc., you'll be a far better all-round shooter, and also better equipped to look at a heavier caliber. While you're learning, ask your shooting companions about their choices, accept any offers you get to test-fire their rifles, and use the time to soak up knowledge and experience. This will help you make an informed decision further down the road.

Hope this helps.

 

[goon]

I'd suggest the CZ452 rifle as a good starter gun - it's a really good rifle, easily the best quality and value for the money in its price range. (See here for a list of available models.)
.

FWIW, this guy is dead on with this suggestion. The CZ-452 absolutely smokes anything within its price range and alot that is out of its price range.

 

[wardog]

If you are on a budget, I'd suggest a Savage heavy barrel in .223 or .308
http://www.savagearms.com/10fp.htm

If you have a little more to spend I like the CZ Varmit guns, but that's from looking at them and hearing about them. Haven't shot any.
http://www.cz-usa.com/product.detail.php?id=13

I'm currently trying out a Simmons 44 Mag scope to see if I can get away with not spending big bucks on a scope. The 44 Mag line uses brass internal parts like a good scope should, and the glass seems pretty good to me. I like it so far.
http://www.simmonsoptics.com/page8_9/SimmonsPage8_9.html

 

[Art Eatman]

wardog, I put a Simmons 44 Mag 3x10 on my pet '06 in 1997. Since it's for hunting, I don't worry about "repeatibility" of the adjustments. Set it and forget it.

Recoil hasn't bothered it. I can see through it and kill stuff, and hit targets out to 500 yards, so I don't know what else I need...

Art

 

[esldude]

For lots of target practice, I think you are right to go with smaller calibers.

17 hmr can be used at 200 yards, but there is some drop and wind sensitivity like you mention.

22-250 uses similar bullets to the 223. It shoots flatter because of the extra velocity. Though at 200 yards that hardly matters. The extra punch doesn't matter for paper.

22-250 will cost more to shoot, be louder, will use up the barrel in much fewer shots. And the barrel will heat up much quicker meaning more time waiting on it to cool.

Cheap 223 ammo costs little more than 17hmr. It isn't the most accurate ammo, but probably comes close to the 17 hmr accuracy while having more range. Using more expensive ammo or hand loading you can get more accuracy from the 223 than the 17hmr.

I think the over all best deal for your situation is a .223 from what you describe. Maybe heavy barrel Savage or Remington 700. If you can afford it, a Cooper can be had in 223 for $960 from www.whittakerguns.com , and you likely will be very pleased. Beautiful wood, near custom rifle accuracy with a nice trigger. It is a single shot which from a bench never bothered me.

The suggestion to get a CZ and practice with a 22 first is a good one also. Ammo is so cheap, you can work out all the kinks in your technique over thousands of rounds of practice. Then when you pick up your centerfire, you find you shoot it much better. This did more for my shooting than anything else I ever did.

As for scopes Bushnell Elite 4200, Leupold VXIII, Nikon Monarch, Weaver Grand Slam and Burris Signature are all good choices. The Weaver T24 might be even better for target use only.

For less, the 44Mag Simmons is also a good choice. Just not quite so nice as top choices.

Really a CZ with the Simmons scope, and a 223 with a better scope is a good combo to have.