Long range target rifle

[Beezer]

I was talking to a friend about rifles set up for target shooting vs. those set up for hunting. It got me to thinking about getting myself a rifle specifically for long range target shooting.

I'm curious to know what kind of set ups folks have. Caliber? Barrel length? Optics? Etc....

I have a Remington 700 in 30-06. In addition to that, I've primarily shot .308 and 22-250. I've shot .223 in AR style rifles, but never in a bolt rifle.

When I say long range, I'm thinking I'll be starting out in the 300 yard range.

[Jim243]

You have a fine selection of rifles to do that now. If it is just for paper punching or steel ringing then a 223 will be cheaper to shoot.

You may want to look at one of these:

Jim

Mossberg MVP in 5.56.

[Bart B.]

"Long range" in some target terms means 800 to 1000 yards. Is that what you mean?

What position will you shoot from?

[Beezer]

At the moment, long range would mean probably in the 200-300 yard range. May not be your typical long range, but as someone who doesn't shoot long range, seems long to me.

I figure I'll start out at 300ish yards and work my way up.

As far as position, I'll probably do bench shooting. I've shot targets (paper and exploding) seated at a shooting bench at a friends acreage at about 100-150 yards. I'll worry about prone or another stance once I've honed my skills at bench shooting.

[Brian Pfleuger]

Most folks don't have guns that are *truly* set up for nothing but target shooting. They might not use it for anything else but the guns are rarely unsuitable.

Usually, the limiting factor is weight. Especially bench rest guns can be very heavy. A gun truly set up for that specific task is not much of a hunting gun unless you don't mind carrying a 17lb gun. Of course, they have "hunter class" too but then it's not really *truly* just a BR gun.

In any case, we'd really need to know what you plan for the LONGEST range you'll shoot, not the shortest. 300 yards is a walk in the park for any center-fire rifle. My .204Ruger does it easily and it's a factory Ruger M77 MkII except for the trigger.

Heck, I can shoot that far with my 15" Encore Pro Hunter if I don't mind bigger groups.

[jmr40]

Is the 30--06 the only rifle you currently own? That is the way I understand your post. If so it will be fine out to well beyond 300 yards just as it is. Put a decent scope on it, 3-9X40 will be fine, and start shooting.

An AR, or bolt gun in 223 would be a good choice too at that range if you're looking to buy something. You don't have to get fancy. After you master 300 yards you'll have a better idea of what you want to use to shoot farther.

[LAH]

I'm shooting a 700 Remington '06 at those ranges & a little more. Have your rifle stock floated & bedded in glass with pillars. That will give you a good stable platform. If you have a synthetic cheapo stock then purchase a stock from Boyds or perhaps an overmolded/pillar stock from Hogue. Either option won't brake the bank. I went the Hogue & that baby soaks up recoil & it's like shooting a different rifle. Purchase some good mid-range bullets [168 gr. BT] & have at it. After a few thousand rounds down range you'll have a better idea of what you really want & you'll learn a lot in the process. Main thing, have fun.

My 30-06

[Mobuck]

I have several rifles with the capability to deliver bullets precisely at moderate to long range. This is a holdover from my past interest in centerfire target type rifles. Current calibers include 25/06(1), 7mm08(1), 308(3), and 30/06(1). The 300 Win mag went to fund another project after I determined I just could no longer handle that much recoil.
All are heavy 24" barrels with either 10-12X scopes or higher 12-16x variables. All have either synthetic or laminated wood stocks-some bedded and some pillared. When last used, any of these rifles would put a bullet within MOA( or less) out to 600 yards(using properly loaded ammo).
These rifles could be used for hunting w/o much more than re-zeroing with hunting ammo although the 10X scope on one might be somewhat a hindrance. The 25/06 and 300 Win mag accounted for several game animals and varmints in past years.

[skizzums]

300 yards is very easy to achieve with the gun you have now. all you need is a decent scope. I would go 12x so you can work on going the distance later on. as the previous poster said though, a simple 9x is fine for 3-400 yards. just get out and try and you'll surprise yourself. at least your being realistic though, most inexperienced members jump in here and say they wanna shoot 1000yards on 500$ or less.

[NWCP]

Scope your current rifle and enjoy what you have. I use a .308 for long range shooting as well as a 25-06. Then again these are both hunting rifles as well. The one dedicated long range rifle I own that is used for paper only os a Springfield M1A Super Match (.308). You can use any quality hunting rifle to enjoy shooting 300-400 yards. A .223 with a 1 in 8, or 1 in 7 twist would do you well out past 400 yards and can be had for a reasonable amount of money. The most expensive part of long range shooting will be your optics. Start out with a decent 3-9x40 scope for 100-350 yards and if you really enjoy it work your way up from there. Several of my rifles carry glass that is more expensive than the gun, but well worth the investment either for long range hunting, or bench rest shooting. JMHO

[Bart B.]

Over the years of watching people shooting at all ranges, they hit what they're aiming at most often when their money's put into good quality rifles and ammo. High priced sights don't make inaccurate rifles and ammo shoot better. And the differences in scores shot on bullseye targets at all ranges with low priced metallic and high priced scope sights are insignificant.

Mounting a $1500 scope on a standard commercial factory rifle that shoots 2 MOA at 500 yards ends up with a 2 MOA system. Spending $400 on a decent scope, $500 on a quality barrel, $250 on truing and bedding the action leaves $350 out of a $1500 upgrade for top quality cases. That stuff will shoot about 1/2 MOA at 500 yards.

Scopes and their mounts are the cheapest part of my 1/2 to 3/4 minute long-range target rifles. I bought used Weaver T20 and T16's mounted in cheap Weaver or Tasco rings.

[ckpj99]

Just a thought, and a suggestion. I love shooting rifles for accuracy, but unless I want to pay several hundred dollars a month to join a club, I will never have access to any range longer than 200 yards. So I've completely given up on scopes and shoot with open sights. 100 and 200 yard shots with a good centerfire rifle and a scope (especially off a bench) is easy, too easy to be fun for me. I'm not saying you shouldn't scope your gun, but access to long ranges should be something that weighs heavily on your decision.

[kraigwy]

When I shot for the Guard, this was my LR (1000 yard rifle). It is totally useless for hunting. Heavy 29 inch barrel, Heavy bishop stock, single shot 300 WM. If used either the iron sights (shown) for Any Rifle-Iron Sights, or Weaver T-10 for Any Rifle-Iron Sight Matches. Great LR rifle, but you'd need to put wheels on it for hunting.



Compare that to my Winchester Featherweight Model 70's in 257 Rbts. and 270 WM, you can see there is a difference.



Target rifles are not normally designed for carrying, but for shooting, in the case of the above rifle, while laying on you belly, shooting 20-40 rounds depending on the match(s).

My hunting rifles are designed to be carried in the Mountains or Prairies , and fired no more then 2-3 rounds a day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
300 yards isn't long distance for target shooting (its considered short range) but is, in my opinion beyond the average shot while hunting.

If that's where you want to shoot, then shoot what you have, you don't need a target rifle for short range unless you're into International 300 Meter Competition.

[AllenJ]

I don't have one yet Beezer but hope to this fall. I'm really wanting to finally try a Savage to, I've heard and read so many good things about them I think it is about time I do. I'm also looking at a carbine model mostly because I don't have any and have never had one. My choice of cartridge is simple, .308 Winchester. For you I would suggest the same or .223, ammo is plentiful, cheap, and it won't wear your shoulder out while shooting.

Bart, everything you say is true but there are two sides to what you're saying. I spent the money for the barrel, the action truing, and put it in an aluminum bed block stock.....and still have a 2 MOA rifle!

[Bart B.]

Allen, what you say is no doubt true. Sad but true, that happens.

It would be interesting to learn what exactly what you got to upgrade the rifle and how it was done. Then find out what's going on with the ammo used and how it was tested to discover the system's a 2 MOA one.

[Unlicensed Dremel]

As far as chambering, for the vast majority of people, for anything 500 yards and under, and really even much further than that, a rifle chambered in the venerable .243 Winchester is the way to go, in my view.

But you might also look at 6mm Rem, 6mm BR, 6XC, .25-'06, and quite a few others. Even the .223 rem would be a good call for this purpose, especially with a 9 or 8 twist rate (Tikka, certain CZs, certain Rems, and others). But a 6mm round will make hits in the wind easier than a .22 cal or smaller, ceteris paribus.

Rifle is tougher question...you really limit yourself on the use of the rifle if you get a really heavy one, in the event that you later want to lug it around hunting or any field application (WROL even). "Sporter-weight" or "hunting-weight" rifles can give you all the accuracy you will need for 400 or less yards, so I would go with that or perhaps at most a "medium" weight rig (#3 contour bbl). Bbl length, probably 24" (26" or longer gets too unweildy and heavy, IMO).

What's the budget for rifle only? New only or willing to go used? Budget for scope? New or used? Can't really recommend anything til budget is nailed down, because as always, there are different value winners in each general price range, particularly for optics, but rifles too. Knowing whether used is ok makes a huge difference too.

[Jim243]

300 yards is a relatively easy distance, but getting good at 500 yards will take a bit of practice and practice and practice.

I am a big fan of the 243 Winchester. It's great for both target and hunting. The Accutrigger really helps a lot.

Jim

[hooligan1]

I also like the notion of the .243 winchester for long range,,now I just need to prove its a great idea.....Im also thinking most .264 class cartridges are quite capable using heavy bullets of course...

[4runnerman]

I have my Savage 6MMBR. This is a dedicated Target Rifle only. Lots of fun to shoot and Accurate as can be. Was shooting at 1000,1200 and 1400 yards last weekend with it.

[cobra6]

Your 30-06 if great for shots up to 1,000 yds. the 308 will also go out to 1,000 yds.

[Buzzcook]

Get a varmint rifle in .223.

As you get more comfortable up grade the gun.

[Legionnaire]

Beezer, a heavy .223 bullet from a 1:7 twist barrel will stay stable out to 600+ yards, so you really don't need anything bigger than a .223 if all you want to do is punch paper out to that distance. That said, the various 6.5s (6.5x55, 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington) have taken the tactical competitions by storm. These can also be excellent hunting cartridges with the right bullet. And the .243 Winchester is almost as capable. Any of these latter cartridges can do 1000 yards with ease.

My choice for long range targets was the .260 Remington. I wanted a 6.5 for which I could easily form brass from the stash of .243 and .308 once-fired cases I have. I bought a Defensive Edge, built on a trued Remington 700 action with a 26-inch fluted Hart barrel in an HS Precision stock with adjustable cheek piece. Scope is a Nightforce 5.5-22x50 NXS scope in 20 MOA Nightforce rings.

But I also have a Remington Model 7 in the same cartridge; it is my "carry all day" hunting rifle. The Model 7 shoots sub-MOA with the right loads; the DE better than 1/2 MOA.

Your .30-06 will go 1000 yards, too. But for a range gun, I'd not want to put up with the recoil ... but that's just me. So you have lots of options.

[Nathan]

Your 30'06 with decent glass would get you started.

If you don't want to work with that, Savage 12 rifles are an easy way to shoot longer ranges. 223, 243, 308, are good calibers to start with.

My rig is a Savage 12 300WSM, bedded and scoped with a Burris XTR Optic.

[std7mag]

Standard warnings for non verified/certified loadings. The Firing Line, nor any of it's members are responsible for use and any damages etc... that may arrive from using said loadings. Always shoot responsibly, and use listed loads from a published loading manual.


Beezer, your 30-06 should do you just fine for out to 1000 yards. Even to get good groups at 300 is going to take practice.

I'm using a "cheap" hunting rifle.
Stevens 200 in 7mm-08. I have a Redfield Revenge 4-12x42 scope with the ranging "Varmint" reticle.
Zero sight in for the scope is 200 yards.
Using Nosler Ballistic Tip 140gr. bullet over 47.0 gr. of Reloader 19.

I shot my first honest 1/2" group with it last week. This was at 169 yards.(don't know why the distance is that, to that berm, just is.)

My point is, even hunting rifles can shoot.

[Bart B.]

If you shoot a few thousand 5-shot groups with any rifle, one of them will be very, very tiny. Even 1/4" at 300 yards. Very much smaller than the largest ones shot. Problem is, you don't know if it'll happen in the first dozen groups, middle hundreds or thousands of groups, or even the last 10 groups.