Which rifle is best...

18sPrimary · February 12, 2007, 10:55 PM

What is the best rifle for competitiions of up to either 600 yards or 1000 yards? I am interested in competing and investing, so if you all could help me out.

chewie70 · February 13, 2007, 10:37 AM

Great thread! I'm going to tag along on this one.

This is also something that I'm very interested in, and have a 1000yd range semi close to my house. During matches, they have a factory class that anyone can participate in. Sounds like fun and a great way to get started.

From the research that I've done, it seems like the .308 or .338 would work well.There just seems to be so many manufacturers out there now days that I have never heard of (DSA, Magnum Research ect...). I don't know about you, but I'm not looking to spend $2000+ for a rifle, not including the scope or any extras.

BTW, not trying to highjack your thread, just wanted to let you know what I've discovered and looking forward to hearing evryones input. I'll shut up now

30Cal · February 13, 2007, 12:27 PM

What kind of competition? Palma, longrange, F-class??

waynedm · February 13, 2007, 10:15 PM

This is going to turn into an argument for sure.

I'm slapping my money on Sako or CZ!

4EVERM-14 · February 14, 2007, 03:55 PM

Yes. The big question is what type of shooting.

NMC? Or what .30 Cal posted?

Lycanthrope · February 14, 2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

I'm slapping my money on Sako or CZ!

Don't hold your breath!

30Cal · February 14, 2007, 10:18 PM

Since the OP hasn't chimed in with specifics....

These two fall under Highpower (aka National Match or Across the Course) and Long Range Highpower
CMP/NRA Service Rifle--The AR (A2 config) with a float tube and a 1:7" ish twist

NRA Match Rifle--Spacegun (highly modified AR) or tube gun (Tubb 2k sort of thing). The 6 and 6.5mm calibers are popular, but .223 is competitive. There's still plenty of bolt gun shooters out there (Rem or Win) that take their share of wins, but they aren't as popular.

Dunno what the belly shooters (Palma and F-Class) prefer these days. Palma shoots a .308 155gr Sierra and I think it has to come out of a bolt action. F-Class is any rifle, any sight.

Ken O · February 15, 2007, 10:43 PM

This question was just asked on a competition forum, here is the answer given by the fellow who just won the F-class (TR) National. The custom actions he talks about are the RPA, Benard, Stolle, etc
All actions are the Rems 700, Win 70, Savage etc. Hope this helps.

F-Class Open.....................6.5-284 Win Caliber, Custom Action, F-Class stock
F-Class TR........................ 308 Win Caliber, All Actions, Tactical/F-Class stocks
Service Rifle.......................223 Rem Caliber, AR-15, fast twist barrel
Palma................................308 Win Caliber, Custom Action, Palma/Highpower stock
Any Rifle............................6.5-284 Win Caliber, All Actions, Palma/Highpower stock

18sPrimary · February 16, 2007, 09:10 PM

Sorry about not contributing to my own post, but I have been gone for a couple of days. I am so new, I don't even know what Palma or F-class is. I just loved shooting longer ranges when I was in the USMC. I loved the challenge and competition and I always did well. I want to get started shooting on my own again and I dont fully understand what would be best for each type of shooting.

30Cal, I know you said "bellyshooters", which is what I did in the Corps. What other types are there? No offense to anyone who answers, but I don't know what all the acronyms are (except NRA of course), so could you break it down for me. I just want to get started right.

Semper Fi.

4EVERM-14 · February 16, 2007, 09:18 PM

18sprimary,
Since you mentioned the Corps you might consider NRA Conventional Highpower Rifle competition. Specifically Service Rifle. Also known as National Match Course or "Across the Course".
The AR-15 A2 can be used at 200yds standing
200yds rapid fire
300yds rapid fire
600yds Slow fire.
It's great fun and a real challenge.

Ken O · February 16, 2007, 09:37 PM

The "bellyshooting" is the prone position. Other positions like mentioned above for the National Match cross the course is:
200 yards off-hand (standing) for 20 shots then
200 yards standing to sitting 10 shots in 60 seconds, with mandatory reload (2&8 or 5&5), this is done twice.
300 yards standing to prone 10 shots in 70 seconds with reload 2&8 or 5&5, done twice
600 yards slow fire prone, 20 shots in 20 minutes.
This is the standard NRA cross the course match (XTC). 80 shots, 800 possible points. This is iron sights only.

Then there is the Mid-range competion, which is usually 20 shots in 20 minutes done three times (3X600). This is shot at 600 yards. There are classes for Sevice rifle, match rifle, any rifle any sights, F class which you can use a rest and optics. F class TR is 223 or 308 only, with bipod.

Palma is shot at 800, 900, 1000 yards prone, iron sights.
This is a basic overview.

18sPrimary · February 16, 2007, 11:00 PM

No optics in Palma? At 800, 900 or 1000 yards?

30Cal · February 17, 2007, 04:07 PM

Nope. But the target is huge--the aiming black appears about the same size as it does on a 100yd target. In fact, it's just like shooting 100yds, except for the wind. They typically do most of the elevation adjustment on the front sight.

Ken O · February 17, 2007, 10:10 PM

The 1000 and 600 yard matches are shot with irons and optics, two with irons and one with optics, so you need to change them out, unless you are shooting F-class, then you can use any sight. The program varies between clubs.
Palma is .308 using a 155gr bullet, it is the most challenging because the wind can really blow it around.
Here is a match program of a coming match near me, you can see how its run: http://www.michrpa.com/PDFS/2007%20LR%20Program-May.pdf

February 12, 2007, 10:55 PM	#1
18sPrimary Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 14	Which rifle is best... What is the best rifle for competitiions of up to either 600 yards or 1000 yards? I am interested in competing and investing, so if you all could help me out.

February 14, 2007, 03:55 PM	#5
4EVERM-14 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Pennsy Posts: 720	Yes. The big question is what type of shooting. NMC? Or what .30 Cal posted? __________________ David NRA Benefactor Member Distinguished Rifleman #731 Presidents 100

February 16, 2007, 09:18 PM	#10
4EVERM-14 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Pennsy Posts: 720	18sprimary, Since you mentioned the Corps you might consider NRA Conventional Highpower Rifle competition. Specifically Service Rifle. Also known as National Match Course or "Across the Course". The AR-15 A2 can be used at 200yds standing 200yds rapid fire 300yds rapid fire 600yds Slow fire. It's great fun and a real challenge. __________________ David NRA Benefactor Member Distinguished Rifleman #731 Presidents 100

February 13, 2007, 10:37 AM	#2
chewie70 Member Join Date: January 29, 2007 Posts: 36	Great thread! I'm going to tag along on this one. This is also something that I'm very interested in, and have a 1000yd range semi close to my house. During matches, they have a factory class that anyone can participate in. Sounds like fun and a great way to get started. From the research that I've done, it seems like the .308 or .338 would work well.There just seems to be so many manufacturers out there now days that I have never heard of (DSA, Magnum Research ect...). I don't know about you, but I'm not looking to spend $2000+ for a rifle, not including the scope or any extras. BTW, not trying to highjack your thread, just wanted to let you know what I've discovered and looking forward to hearing evryones input. I'll shut up now

February 13, 2007, 12:27 PM	#3
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	What kind of competition? Palma, longrange, F-class??

February 13, 2007, 10:15 PM	#4
waynedm Junior member Join Date: January 31, 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 458	This is going to turn into an argument for sure. I'm slapping my money on Sako or CZ!

February 14, 2007, 10:18 PM	#7
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	Since the OP hasn't chimed in with specifics.... These two fall under Highpower (aka National Match or Across the Course) and Long Range Highpower CMP/NRA Service Rifle--The AR (A2 config) with a float tube and a 1:7" ish twist NRA Match Rifle--Spacegun (highly modified AR) or tube gun (Tubb 2k sort of thing). The 6 and 6.5mm calibers are popular, but .223 is competitive. There's still plenty of bolt gun shooters out there (Rem or Win) that take their share of wins, but they aren't as popular. Dunno what the belly shooters (Palma and F-Class) prefer these days. Palma shoots a .308 155gr Sierra and I think it has to come out of a bolt action. F-Class is any rifle, any sight.

February 15, 2007, 10:43 PM	#8
Ken O Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Half way between Grayling and Cadillac, Michigan Posts: 353	This question was just asked on a competition forum, here is the answer given by the fellow who just won the F-class (TR) National. The custom actions he talks about are the RPA, Benard, Stolle, etc All actions are the Rems 700, Win 70, Savage etc. Hope this helps. F-Class Open.....................6.5-284 Win Caliber, Custom Action, F-Class stock F-Class TR........................ 308 Win Caliber, All Actions, Tactical/F-Class stocks Service Rifle.......................223 Rem Caliber, AR-15, fast twist barrel Palma................................308 Win Caliber, Custom Action, Palma/Highpower stock Any Rifle............................6.5-284 Win Caliber, All Actions, Palma/Highpower stock

February 16, 2007, 09:10 PM	#9
18sPrimary Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 14	Sorry about not contributing to my own post, but I have been gone for a couple of days. I am so new, I don't even know what Palma or F-class is. I just loved shooting longer ranges when I was in the USMC. I loved the challenge and competition and I always did well. I want to get started shooting on my own again and I dont fully understand what would be best for each type of shooting. 30Cal, I know you said "bellyshooters", which is what I did in the Corps. What other types are there? No offense to anyone who answers, but I don't know what all the acronyms are (except NRA of course), so could you break it down for me. I just want to get started right. Semper Fi.

February 16, 2007, 09:37 PM	#11
Ken O Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Half way between Grayling and Cadillac, Michigan Posts: 353	The "bellyshooting" is the prone position. Other positions like mentioned above for the National Match cross the course is: 200 yards off-hand (standing) for 20 shots then 200 yards standing to sitting 10 shots in 60 seconds, with mandatory reload (2&8 or 5&5), this is done twice. 300 yards standing to prone 10 shots in 70 seconds with reload 2&8 or 5&5, done twice 600 yards slow fire prone, 20 shots in 20 minutes. This is the standard NRA cross the course match (XTC). 80 shots, 800 possible points. This is iron sights only. Then there is the Mid-range competion, which is usually 20 shots in 20 minutes done three times (3X600). This is shot at 600 yards. There are classes for Sevice rifle, match rifle, any rifle any sights, F class which you can use a rest and optics. F class TR is 223 or 308 only, with bipod. Palma is shot at 800, 900, 1000 yards prone, iron sights. This is a basic overview.

February 16, 2007, 11:00 PM	#12
18sPrimary Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 14	No optics in Palma? At 800, 900 or 1000 yards?

February 17, 2007, 04:07 PM	#13
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	Nope. But the target is huge--the aiming black appears about the same size as it does on a 100yd target. In fact, it's just like shooting 100yds, except for the wind. They typically do most of the elevation adjustment on the front sight.

February 17, 2007, 10:10 PM	#14
Ken O Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Half way between Grayling and Cadillac, Michigan Posts: 353	The 1000 and 600 yard matches are shot with irons and optics, two with irons and one with optics, so you need to change them out, unless you are shooting F-class, then you can use any sight. The program varies between clubs. Palma is .308 using a 155gr bullet, it is the most challenging because the wind can really blow it around. Here is a match program of a coming match near me, you can see how its run: http://www.michrpa.com/PDFS/2007%20LR%20Program-May.pdf