Looking to get into long range

[ar15barrels]

Randall
Go visit the sniper hides forum. There are world-class shooters there using a screen name getting told they know nothing about shooting, reloading or how to do gunsmithing despite all those trophies and plaques.

It's the same everywhere.
Herd mentality.

[kriller134]

[k1dude]

This Forum is now overrun with people who don't even care to actually help the OP.
Notice how the first two posts are to tell him he needs something "better" that's actually NOT better for his needs?

His needs are flexible. He even said he's open to other calibers, thus the ensuing recommendations. You're pigeon holing him into an old cartridge and old definitions. Why would you want to limit his potential with his first long range rifle? Especially when he's willing to drop a princely sum.

How long is long range? With new tech, that definition is changing rapidly. The .308 is an excellent cartridge to learn the principles of shooting distance. But it's been eclipsed by modern cartridges. The military claims it's only effective to a maximum of 800 to 1,000 yards. By today's standards that falls short. Many warm up at 1,500 yards with today's wonder cartridges. And we aren't even talking about .338 Lapua's, .416 Cheytac's, or .50 BMG's. A 6.5 PRC will kick butt on a .308 every day of the week. Sure, you could point your .308 rifle like a mortar, but to what end? The .308 has 4 feet more drop at 1,000 yards than a 6.5 Creedmoor. Why would you hamstring the OP like that?

Choosing one of the top long range cartridges will never hurt him, it can only benefit him. If the OP didn't have money and didn't reload, then the .308 begins to make more sense simply because of ammo availability, price, and options.

[ar15barrels]

How long is long range?

Shortrange is 0-200yds.
Midrange is 200yds to 600yds.
600-1000yds is longrange.
Beyond 1000yds is extended long range.

[Fjold]

There are a whole lot of people on here who think shooting long range is hitting a cow sized steel plate, 50% of the time at 600 yards

[ar15barrels]

There are a whole lot of people on here who think shooting long range is hitting a cow sized steel plate, 50% of the time at 600 yards

[LynnJr]

His needs are flexible. He even said he's open to other calibers, thus the ensuing recommendations. You're pigeon holing him into an old cartridge and old definitions. Why would you want to limit his potential with his first long range rifle? Especially when he's willing to drop a princely sum.

How long is long range? With new tech, that definition is changing rapidly. The .308 is an excellent cartridge to learn the principles of shooting distance. But it's been eclipsed by modern cartridges. The military claims it's only effective to a maximum of 800 to 1,000 yards. By today's standards that falls short. Many warm up at 1,500 yards with today's wonder cartridges. And we aren't even talking about .338 Lapua's, .416 Cheytac's, or .50 BMG's. A 6.5 PRC will kick butt on a .308 every day of the week. Sure, you could point your .308 rifle like a mortar, but to what end? The .308 has 4 feet more drop at 1,000 yards than a 6.5 Creedmoor. Why would you hamstring the OP like that?

Choosing one of the top long range cartridges will never hurt him, it can only benefit him. If the OP didn't have money and didn't reload, then the .308 begins to make more sense simply because of ammo availability, price, and options.

If you read the OP posts he said he would be shooting from a bench and doesn't reload.

SlowJoe8
If you look at the various sub forums on this website there are some well known long-range shooters hosting matches and inviting new shooters all the time in various disciplines.

I myself am holding a match above UpperLake on the 19th of this month that starts at 2000 yards. If you can make it and the weather cooperates you can shoot my 338 Lapua Ackley Improved with free ammo just for fun and you could even win. It has zero NADA zilch felt recoil because you don't handle the gun just touch the 1.5 ounce trigger.
Rifle is the black/white one and weighs 45 pounds as pictured.

[longrange1]

If the OP didn't have money and didn't reload, then the .308 begins to make more sense simply because of ammo availability, price, and options.

at this point the 65creed still makes more sense.

[longrange1]

There are a whole lot of people on here who think shooting long range is hitting a cow sized steel plate, 50% of the time at 600 yards

so whats wrong with that if thats what they are happy with?
what size target..at what distance and what hit percentage is your definition of long range?

[Fjold]

so whats wrong with that if thats what they are happy with?
what size target..at what distance and what hit percentage is your definition of long range?

Shortrange is 0-200yds.
Midrange is 200yds to 600yds.
600-1000yds is longrange.
Beyond 1000yds is extended long range.

4 minutes of angle to plink
2 minutes of angle is good
1 minute of angle to be a top competitor
1/2 minute of angle is outstanding

[sigstroker]

There are a whole lot of people on here who think shooting long range is hitting a cow sized steel plate, 50% of the time at 600 yards

Attitude like this is why newbies don't want to come out to long range matches.

[Bicky]

well, 37 responses so you are pretty well covered, but let me try a different line than the others here.

With 4-6k to spend,

Why WOULDN'T you buy the very excellent Ruger precision rifle in 308 for 1k, put on some excellent glass of whatever brand and feature you want for 1500-2500, buy 1k rounds of match grade ammo, outfit yourself with the basics like bipod, chrono, rings, rear bag, etc, all sourced based on recommendations from www.precisionrifleblog.com under "what the pros use", and GO SHOOT? And still have a couple kilobucks left over to re-outfit and further-outfit as you shoot through your 1k ammo as you learn what you really need, like, and want?

By the end you'll know what you want and like, be swimming in ammo, have a ton of trigger time, have met like minded people at the range who have more experience than you, and have something you put mileage on, rather than be the porche up on blocks in the garage that you are proud of but never drove?

The question is, why wouldn't you do that? What single decision is wrong there? Why not focus entirely and intensely on what gets you out in the field, pulling the trigger? What's more important, the numbers and letters after the "Porche 911", or the track time itself? Go get on the track!

Why wouldn't he buy the Ruger precision rifle? Because he is LEFT handed. This is part of the reason people were suggesting other options.

[Citadelgrad87]

Attitude like this is why newbies don't want to come out to long range matches.

Ive found long range guys to be nothing but helpful and inviting. Did you see the part where he offered to loan a rifle and give free ammo to the guy to try a match? You know thats the same guy, right? Thats way more than anyone should expect.

I was given excellent information about getting in to mid/long range by these same guys. I had a blast at my first and so far only match.

[sigstroker]

Ive found long range guys to be nothing but helpful and inviting. Did you see the part where he offered to loan a rifle and give free ammo to the guy to try a match? You know thats the same guy, right? Thats way more than anyone should expect.

I was given excellent information about getting in to mid/long range by these same guys. I had a blast at my first and so far only match.

If you say so. But it sounds like a different kind of person that makes condescending posts about how their form of shooting is inferior.

[rudigan]

If you say so. But it sounds like a different kind of person that makes condescending posts about how their form of shooting is inferior.

Didn't you know, that's SOP on Calguns