600 Yard shooting matches

buster1210 · January 4, 2014, 10:19 AM

Looking into getting into 600 yard shooting competitions. Looking for advice on everything from scope to rifle selections and modifications. Do hunt but looking to add this to my shooting.
Thanks for any and all advice

Jim Watson · January 4, 2014, 10:43 AM

What kind of 600 yard shooting competitions?
Rules dictate what rifle and caliber you can use.
Shoot F-Class Open and it can be any caliber up to .35 with gun weight up to 22 lbs and any scope you want.
For NRA Service Rifle, it has to be an M16/AR15, M14/M1A, or M110/clone.
Etc.

buster1210 · January 4, 2014, 12:18 PM

Starting with bench rest. But contemplating service also I do have an AR platform 5.6.

darkgael · January 4, 2014, 01:11 PM

Just a note about Service Rifle. You may already know this but....
the 600 yard part is only 25% of the whole match.

Bart B. · January 4, 2014, 01:31 PM

For benchrest rifle info, do a google search for "NBRSA" then read their rules. You can also go to:

http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

then check out what's used in 600 yard benchrest matches.

For NRA service rifle matches, go to:

http://competitions.nra.org/document...R/hpr-book.pdf

CMP rules for service rifle matches are about the same as for NRA ones.

buster1210 · January 4, 2014, 10:51 PM

Thank you so much Bart. Lots of useful ammo information. Now need to do more rifle and scope research.

buster1210 · January 4, 2014, 10:54 PM

Jim. There are several 600 yard bench rest in my area. But am interested in service rifle also seems very challenging with iron sights.

kraigwy · January 5, 2014, 10:06 AM

Quote:

But am interested in service rifle also seems very challenging with iron sights.

Quote:

For NRA Service Rifle, it has to be an M16/AR15, M14/M1A, or M110/clone

Careful here, CMP rules regarding Service Rifle are more strict then NRA Rules. Where rules conflict CMP Rules override the NRA. For example the CMP doesn't consider the M110 as a service rifle.

When you get into high power you're going to end up wanting to work toward your Distinguished Rifle Badge, that means CMP, so in choosing a rifle be sure to consult the CMP Service Rifle Rules.

Bart B. · January 5, 2014, 11:26 PM

Kraig, everyone shooting high power doesn't want to get the Distinguished Badge. I've known a couple (including outdoor pistol ones) who refused to compete in DCM EIC (Leg) matches. They didn't think much of the DCM's program because it allowed non-firing team members (team coaches and captains) on teams placing in the top 10% in the Nat'l Trophy Team Match to also get credit points. There are a few old Distinguished shooters out there who never fired a shot in competition.

Fortunately, for the rest of us, that was changed sometime around 1960; it was only set up for individual EIC matches thereafter.

Jimro · January 6, 2014, 01:44 AM

Don't forget the M1 Garand as a Service Rifle. Don't see many of them on the line any more, but it is still a CMP/NRA legal option.

Most competitors are using AR-15's launching 75 gr bullets or heavier, although some guys getting started with 1:9 twist barrels use 68~69 gr BTHP bullets for a "cross the course" load.

The AR-15 is definitely the easiest to shoot, and the cheapest in terms of getting started with a factory rifle that can take you to High Master or Distinguished.

A factory DCM rifle is available from Bushmaster, DPMS, and Rock River with great features like half minute sights, match two stage trigger, and free floated heavy barrel. Expect to pay a premium, but still WAY cheaper than a match grade M1A.

Jimro

bamaranger · January 6, 2014, 03:19 AM

I don't know anything about benchrest, except that I suspect it is gear and tackle heavy. And I have never shot Service Rifle.

I have shot F-T/R. Across the course to 600 and at a fixed 1000. You can do it with an across the counter heavy barrel .308 or .223 and a bipod. You can go gear heavy or stay (reasonably) affordable. Most likely, you will not shoot up to the ability of your gear for a long while....cause your ammo is not up to par, or you cannot read wind.....or both. (me)

You can take the same rifle (if something like a HB Savage or Rem 700) and wang away at varmints or even medium game later.

If your like me, you're just happy not to finish last, and beat your own last score........sometimes.

Seems to me F-T/R may be the easiest way to get into 600 yds.

buster1210 · January 6, 2014, 08:41 AM

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and coments. Now where is the best place to look for schedules of these mataches?
Thanks again

Slamfire · January 6, 2014, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and coments. Now where is the best place to look for schedules of these mataches?
Thanks again

What state do you reside? The US is a very large land mass, you might not be interested in matches in Hawaii or Alaska.

Generally, a good place to check is Shooting Sports USA.
http://www.nrapublications.org/index...ng-sports-usa/

But not all matches are listed in Shooting Sports USA, so knowing your state, others might be able to point you in the direction of matches that are not listed.

buster1210 · January 7, 2014, 09:52 AM

Good thinking Slamfire. I live in Southern Wisconsin. So Northern Illinois is an option also.
Thanks Again

old roper · January 7, 2014, 11:33 AM

Here is BR site

http://benchrest.com/forum.php

coalroller · January 8, 2014, 11:22 AM

6x47 lapua would be my pick, I had 2 of them made.

January 4, 2014, 10:19 AM	#1
buster1210 Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 16	600 Yard shooting matches Looking into getting into 600 yard shooting competitions. Looking for advice on everything from scope to rifle selections and modifications. Do hunt but looking to add this to my shooting. Thanks for any and all advice

January 4, 2014, 01:11 PM	#4
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	600 Just a note about Service Rifle. You may already know this but.... the 600 yard part is only 25% of the whole match. __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

January 6, 2014, 01:44 AM	#10
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Don't forget the M1 Garand as a Service Rifle. Don't see many of them on the line any more, but it is still a CMP/NRA legal option. Most competitors are using AR-15's launching 75 gr bullets or heavier, although some guys getting started with 1:9 twist barrels use 68~69 gr BTHP bullets for a "cross the course" load. The AR-15 is definitely the easiest to shoot, and the cheapest in terms of getting started with a factory rifle that can take you to High Master or Distinguished. A factory DCM rifle is available from Bushmaster, DPMS, and Rock River with great features like half minute sights, match two stage trigger, and free floated heavy barrel. Expect to pay a premium, but still WAY cheaper than a match grade M1A. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

January 6, 2014, 03:19 AM	#11
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,314	F-T/R I don't know anything about benchrest, except that I suspect it is gear and tackle heavy. And I have never shot Service Rifle. I have shot F-T/R. Across the course to 600 and at a fixed 1000. You can do it with an across the counter heavy barrel .308 or .223 and a bipod. You can go gear heavy or stay (reasonably) affordable. Most likely, you will not shoot up to the ability of your gear for a long while....cause your ammo is not up to par, or you cannot read wind.....or both. (me) You can take the same rifle (if something like a HB Savage or Rem 700) and wang away at varmints or even medium game later. If your like me, you're just happy not to finish last, and beat your own last score........sometimes. Seems to me F-T/R may be the easiest way to get into 600 yds.

January 7, 2014, 11:33 AM	#15
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	Here is BR site http://benchrest.com/forum.php __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

January 4, 2014, 10:43 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,545	What kind of 600 yard shooting competitions? Rules dictate what rifle and caliber you can use. Shoot F-Class Open and it can be any caliber up to .35 with gun weight up to 22 lbs and any scope you want. For NRA Service Rifle, it has to be an M16/AR15, M14/M1A, or M110/clone. Etc.

January 4, 2014, 12:18 PM	#3
buster1210 Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 16	Starting with bench rest. But contemplating service also I do have an AR platform 5.6.

January 4, 2014, 01:31 PM	#5
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	For benchrest rifle info, do a google search for "NBRSA" then read their rules. You can also go to: http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html then check out what's used in 600 yard benchrest matches. For NRA service rifle matches, go to: http://competitions.nra.org/document...R/hpr-book.pdf CMP rules for service rifle matches are about the same as for NRA ones.

January 4, 2014, 10:51 PM	#6
buster1210 Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 16	Thank you so much Bart. Lots of useful ammo information. Now need to do more rifle and scope research.

January 4, 2014, 10:54 PM	#7
buster1210 Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 16	Jim. There are several 600 yard bench rest in my area. But am interested in service rifle also seems very challenging with iron sights.

January 5, 2014, 11:26 PM	#9
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Kraig, everyone shooting high power doesn't want to get the Distinguished Badge. I've known a couple (including outdoor pistol ones) who refused to compete in DCM EIC (Leg) matches. They didn't think much of the DCM's program because it allowed non-firing team members (team coaches and captains) on teams placing in the top 10% in the Nat'l Trophy Team Match to also get credit points. There are a few old Distinguished shooters out there who never fired a shot in competition. Fortunately, for the rest of us, that was changed sometime around 1960; it was only set up for individual EIC matches thereafter.

January 6, 2014, 08:41 AM	#12
buster1210 Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 16	Thanks everyone for all the great advice and coments. Now where is the best place to look for schedules of these mataches? Thanks again

January 7, 2014, 09:52 AM	#14
buster1210 Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 16	Good thinking Slamfire. I live in Southern Wisconsin. So Northern Illinois is an option also. Thanks Again

January 8, 2014, 11:22 AM	#16
coalroller Junior member Join Date: August 9, 2013 Posts: 25	6x47 lapua would be my pick, I had 2 of them made.