Decent, entry level long range rifle?

[thatryan]

I think shooting long range would be fun, especially as I believe it entails shooting from a bench or rest position.

I hesitate to use the term "sniper style" rifle, but I suppose that is the most understandable description of what I am looking for. I also realize "long range" is a very subjective term, so I apologize for that, forgive a noobie

Few question, bolt action rifles can hold more than 1 round correct? Is the Remington 700 a good starter?

What kind of scope should I look into?

Are there any primer reads on things like barrel length and all that?

I have seen some bolt rifles chambered in 308 as well as 7.62x51 I think? What are main differences? Would either hurt a shoulder less?

[NordicDave]

And the opinion flood gates open in...

3...2..1...

[chiliman21]

There a few threads about this topic. Lots to reading. Good luck

[blkside]

https://www.snipershide.com

All the info on long range shooting you will ever need and none of the trolls...

[milotrain]

I think shooting long range would be fun, especially as I believe it entails shooting from a bench or rest position.

Most long range shooting in the united states is actually prone, but F-class is gaining. Search for "Palma" "NRA Midrange" "NRA Across The Course"

I hesitate to use the term "sniper style" rifle, but I suppose that is the most understandable description of what I am looking for. I also realize "long range" is a very subjective term, so I apologize for that, forgive a noobie

So what is long range to you? Generally "long range" is 600yards an beyond in most match conditions in the US.

Few question, bolt action rifles can hold more than 1 round correct? Is the Remington 700 a good starter?

Generally yes and Yes

What kind of scope should I look into?

Depends on what you want to do with it

Are there any primer reads on things like barrel length and all that?

Great question.

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

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/p/articles-index.html

I have seen some bolt rifles chambered in 308 as well as 7.62x51 I think? What are main differences? Would either hurt a shoulder less?

http://www.fulton-armory.com/%5Cfaqs%5CM14-FAQs%5C308.htm

TLDR
You go out and buy a Remington 700 5R in .308, that seems to be the advice of most to those wanting to get into shooting "Long Range". It's good advice because it's true, and useful.

[crackerman]

Ryan you posted in the shotgun forum you have Muscular Dystrophy. There are a million threads about which gun to start with but you will have some specialized needs. I am not trying to call you out or anything but let the guys in here know that you are not just the run of the mill lazy newb.

[NorCalFocus]

Yes there are a ton of threads on this topic that are worth a read. Most aren't even that old.

But some questions you need to answer before you can make an educated purchase are....

• Whats your budget? Does that include a scope or not?
  
  What is your idea of long range?
  
  How far do you really think you'll shoot on a normal basis?
  
  What will your intended target be? Paper, steel, varmint, large game or a combo?
  
  Do you reload? If not do you want to?
  
  Is ammo cost of feeding this gun a concern? (do you want to feed something more affordable or is that not)

[thatryan]

Ryan you posted in the shotgun forum you have Muscular Dystrophy. There are a million threads about which gun to start with but you will have some specialized needs. I am not trying to call you out or anything but let the guys in here know that you are not just the run of the mill lazy newb.

Thanks, no worry about calling out, it just did not occur to me for whatever reason. But yes indeed, MD does present other factors in this whole ordeal.

[thatryan]

Great questions thanks,

Yes there are a ton of threads on this topic that are worth a read. Most aren't even that old.

But some questions you need to answer before you can make an educated purchase are....

• Whats your budget? Does that include a scope or not?
  
  Would like to stay around $1k for a rifle and scope at this point, if possible
  
  What is your idea of long range?
  
  Nothing competition, but longer than the 100 yard rifle range. 500 yard plus?
  
  How far do you really think you'll shoot on a normal basis?
  
  That depends on what ranges around here have any type of longer than 100 year areas. I will not be doing any competition stuff.
  
  What will your intended target be? Paper, steel, varmint, large game or a combo?
  
  No hunting, so no game. Targets probably paper, I am not sure where steel is allowed.
  
  Do you reload? If not do you want to?
  
  No reloading, not looking to at this point either.
  
  Is ammo cost of feeding this gun a concern? (do you want to feed something more affordable or is that not)
  
  Not too worried about ammo cost, I know it goes up and down
  

[milotrain]

While you say "no competition" I'd suggest you check out some NRA XTC, Midrange, Fclass, and ncpprc matches. Go as an observer, talk to the people shooting and ask questions. These are casual events and you don't need to be "super serial" to enjoy them. Shooting long distance can be a pain, you either need to get shoot and see targets or convince someone to pull for you and it gets old pretty fast if you are not working towards some sort of goal. Competitions provide a goal, support for a day of shooting without having to figure out all your own logistics, and a group of people happy to help you learn.

You will get better MUCH faster if you attend competitions even as a casual shooter.

Go get that 5R in .308 and buy 175gr Federal Gold Metal Match.

[NorCalFocus]

I like the 5R as well, but if your trying to stay within $1000 including glass its not as realistic.

However the 308 with the FGMM 175 grain is a good ammo to feed. I'm not keen on the price, but thats why I reload.

I would look at a Rem 700 SPS Varmint 308. Get starter basic gun. With a price tag of $600+fees, it leaves you some cash for a decent scope. However you'll want to replace the stock on it. I did a similar build last year and here's a break down on my budget.

700 Varmint 308 $620 (figure $700 with tax and fees)
Boyds FT stock $100
EGW 20 MOA base $30
Burris exterme tactical rings $50
Vortex Crossfire II $200
Badger Ordnance Knob $35 (for scene points, gotta impress the mall ninjas)
Bottom Metal mag extension $20
Harris Bi-Pod $100
DIY bed job $30 on parts
Then throw in another $150-$200 for ammo

The stuff in red you don't need but sure are nice little add on's. The one thing I wish I had done different is the scope. While I like my scope there are a few things I wish I would have paid a little more money for and gotten in a scope.

[shooterfpga]

If you want decent get a rem 700. If you want better than decent get a savage, howa or tikka in that order based on cost and quality. By the time you get rem 700 above decent youve already spent 3-5k to fix the problems from the factory.

[JMP]

Thanks, no worry about calling out, it just did not occur to me for whatever reason. But yes indeed, MD does present other factors in this whole ordeal.

If you are new and with physical limitations, I'd strongly suggest starting out with the .223 Remington cartridge since...
1. .223 has significantly less recoil than most "long range" cartridges. If you install a brake on a heavier barreled gun, it'll have almost no recoil. This can alleviate the need to spend a lot more on a rifle for the immediate future. You can learn quite a bit and have fun shooting an inexpensive .223 in it's factory configuration.
2. .223 Remington is a very common cartridge that can be used in many semiautomatic rifles as well.
3. .223 is significantly cheaper to shoot with factory bulk ammo compared to other cartridges. For learning, just stick to one type and brand of ammo for consistency. The bulk 55 grain FMJ ammo such as PMC or Federal works just fine to learn (just stay away from the Federal American Eagle black box .223--that one is truly awful for some reason).
4. It's much easier to get experience learning with .223. You can find ranges that have steel targets at 500 yards. The smaller targets at these distances can remain challenging for a long time with a 55 grain .223 bullet. It's very common for people to start out with .308 Winchester, but after a while you will realize that most ranges will only offer targets that are about as difficult as shooting fish in a barrel with .308. So, the "long range" cartridges will be more expensive and you will have to dedicate more time and resources to finding places to shoot.

Sure, the .223 is a pretty wimpy round. It certainly isn't something you'd want to shoot at a bear. But for target shooting, at objects that won't fight or shoot back, it's an excellent round and generally way underrated for fun and for practicing. It's great BECAUSE it reaches quite far and gets blown around in the wind.

[TMB 1]

Yep 223 either a Savage Lightweight Varminter or Mossberg MVP varmint would be a perfect.

[NytWolf]

I hesitate to use the term "sniper style" rifle, but I suppose that is the most understandable description of what I am looking for. I also realize "long range" is a very subjective term, so I apologize for that, forgive a noobie

The term for which you seek is "precision rifle". Sniper rifle implies shooting people. Long range is subjective in one's definition of distance.