what to look for in 100-200M rifle ?

[bellwilliam]

99% of questions here is about shooting 1,000+ yards. But my local range only offers up to 200 yards (most of the time, 100). So question is what should I be looking for in a rifle and ammo for bench shooting ? killing paper, looking for smallest group.

1. barrel length, shorter the better ?
2. twist rate
3. bullet weight, is lighter better ?
4. caliber

Randall told me that some bullets shoot 3/4" group at 100, and same 3/4" group at 200, which means bullet hasn't stabilized at 100 ?

will 22 work in these distances ? I saw a few 22 at my range, they do seem to get push around past 50m though....

wondering if the requirements are opposite of someone shooting 1,000M ?

thanks....

[kevins750]

I usually shoot my 17 hmr at those distances, ammo costly though.
Cheaper to shoot my AR chambered in 223 wylde 18" barrel, 8 twist with 55 grain ammo or
my 7.62x39 AR 16" barrel, 10 twist with 123 grain ammo but sometimes I feel they annoy the other shooters.

[hecomp]

99% of questions here is about shooting 1,000+ yards. But my local range only offers up to 200 yards (most of the time, 100). So question is what should I be looking for in a rifle and ammo for bench shooting ? killing paper, looking for smallest group.

1. barrel length
2. twist rate
3. bullet weight
4. caliber

Randall told me that some bullets shoot 3/4" group at 100, and same 3/4" group at 200, which means bullet hasn't stabilized at 100 ?

will 22 work in these distances ? I saw a few 22 at my range, they do seem to get push around past 50m though....

thanks....

Sounds like you are shooting at Burro. For those distances, I'd say .223/5.56 is probably most ideal. Here is another member's thread on his .223 set up.

Looks like a heavy barrel Remington 700 SPS with 1:9 twist is not a bad way to go. I myself have a Savage 11-VT from Dick's, and its been quite accurate for me out to 100 yards on paper.

4. I says .223

3. I am happy shooting the 55 gr stuff. More experience shooters will have better recommendations.

2. For .223, Randall says 1:9

1. I don't think barrel length matters much at 100-200 yards. My rifle is a 24", but I'm sure I'd be just as happy with a 20" or less. The on thing you do want is a heavy barrel.

[TMB 1]

222 Remington, Ammo reload, 1-14 twist, 50gr bullet, 24" barrel.

[bellwilliam]

For those distances, I'd say .223/5.56 is probably most ideal. Here is another member's thread on his .223 set up.
.

in that thread, it is more about stretching out 223's range...so most recommendation is about running heavier bullet, with faster twist rate...probably longer barrel.. I would think that's opposite of someone shooting at <200m ?

[russ69]

You are in the "point blank" benchrest range. That's 100-300 yards. Any of the 22 or 6mm cartridges work well in this range. The perfect gun would be a Light Varmint class benchrest gun but in the real world just about any good rifle will produce very good groups.
I may be a little prejudiced but an accurate AR-15 is hard to beat, price wise. An AR with a good barrel can shoot very good groups and can be assembled for a reasonable amount of money. Most bolt actions shoot well but you might need an aftermarket barrel to get them to the next level.

[hecomp]

in that thread, it is more about stretching out 223's range...so most recommendation is about running heavier bullet, with faster twist rate...probably longer barrel.. I would think that's opposite of someone shooting at <200m ?

Right, I thought it had some decent suggestions on rifles.

[Switchbarrel]

So question is what should I be looking for in a rifle and ammo for bench shooting ? killing paper, looking for smallest group.

1. barrel length, shorter the better ?
2. twist rate
3. bullet weight, is lighter better ?
4. caliber

wondering if the requirements are opposite of someone shooting 1,000M ?

thanks....

Basing this solely on YOUR statement above...

~21-22" #7 LV or HV contour
1-13.5 or 14" twist
63-68 grains
6PPC

-Rick

[MongooseV8]

Pretty much any modern bull barrel rifle will do very well at 200 or less. Some are better than others but don't get too worked up over it. For off the shelf ammo and rifle, a good 223 is tough to beat. Even at close distances the wind can push a bullet around enough to ruin your perfect group. Velocity and accuracy and bullet efficiency will always be advantageous no matter the distance.

For something a bit more custom, a 6br, 6 dasher, 6.5 Creedmoor is going to be your best time at 200 yards.

[LynnJr]

SwitchBarrel has it spot on. The 6PPC absolutely dominates the 100-200 yard scene.
If you don't have to follow any rules or weight restrictions you just want it to shoot itty bitty groups get a 1.250 straight cylinder barrel 22 inches long and add some weight to the buttstock to balance the rifle.
If you don't reload go 6BR with a 8 twist barrel and leave everything else the same.
The reason for the 8 twist in the 6 BR is because of available ammunition off of the shelf.

[bsumoba]

I would add a 6 dasher in the mix. It will allow you to also shoot mid-range and even long range, to 1,000 yards in the right wind conditions.

Go with a 28" heavy varmint or med/hvy palma contour barrel.
1:8 twist
105 gr hybrids, VLDs or 108BT bullet
6BR or 6 Dasher cartridge.

Buy lots of CCI450 primers and Varget or RL15 powder as well.

[milotrain]

222 Remington, Ammo reload, 1-14 twist, 50gr bullet, 24" barrel.

We do agree on things

It's hard to beat the 222 with the berger 52 or 54 FB for cost and accuracy.

6BR, 6PPC, 22BR/22PPC, 220 Russian are all good options for 100-200 yard accuracy with light recoil, great accuracy and factory brass/reloading equipment. A guy at the range recently was shooting 17 Hornet which looked like a LOT of fun, but it takes a bit more dedication to find all the pieces.

[LynnJr]

Milotrain
I have a 17 Hornet and ammunition is not that hard to find.
It shoots 3/4 moa with factory ammo and I haven't started loading for it yet. The bullets weigh 20 grains and my fingers are not what they used to be so tweezers might be my next purchase.

[milotrain]

Lynn,

It just seemed like you might not find 17 cal bullets at your local, and the brass is really only made by Hornady. I think it's a fantastic round, especially in an action that is sized correctly (CZ527). But the case head is unique so it's not like you are going to have a 700 in 17 hornet, not a problem just less flexible than a cartridge with the same casehead as a .223, .308 or PPC.

[ElvenSoul]

Get a Highpoint 9mm Carbine

So cheap to shoot

Can do 200 yds