looking for a long range gun

stonesfan08 · 10-08-2009, 05:09 AM

hey youall i am looking for a long range rifle, up to like 700yrds being the longest i can take at my place but i want ot shoot mostly between 250-500 yrds

what caliber is best in your opinion?

what type of gun would you get?(bolt or autoloading)i think there is a ar-15 comp. at 1000yrds so i think a custom built ar might serve me well.

what gun would you get?

Mooseman684 · 10-08-2009, 05:23 AM

Something in 30 caliber...either .300 win mag ,30/06 or .308 would be my choices for long range shooting , a Bolt action being the best for accuracy , followed by something like an M14 in Semi-auto..
.300 win Mag being one of the Best flat shooting rounds in its class...
Weapon brand is debateable by many on this forum but I'm partial to Winchesters...Model 70's
It was good enough for Carlos Hathcock !
Rich

GlennM · 10-08-2009, 05:26 AM

Ditto on the .300WM. Love my Sendero but it's a bench rifle and doesn't get carried up and down mountains. Depends on its intended purpose....

wunhunglo · 10-08-2009, 05:35 AM

250-500 yards gives a multitude of options

What kid of shooting? Sporting, plinking target or serious target? The fact you're asking makes me think it's not serious target.

General plinking target out to those ranges the most common are 5.56 & 7.62x51, mainly because of their relatively low cost milsurp ammo.

I'll, not even suggest a particular model but for basic target shooting out to 600 yards I tend to use 7.62 nato & 5.56nato (or my reloaded equivalents). I have also used .303, .3006 & 8mm.

My serious Target rifle is an Enfield actioned Bolt action 7.62.(used 3-600 yards)
My serious Service Rifles are an AR15 & an M14/1A (both used at up to 600 yards)

I would definitely stay away from 7.62 x54 unless it's a special build. (that should get some reaction from my Mosin colleagues)

Lots of other calibres will do the job but most are a little bit more expensive to feed.

stonesfan08 · 10-08-2009, 05:44 AM

serious target. i have my ideas but i wanted to here youalls. i am talking about bench rest shooting sub moa at 500yrds or more

wunhunglo · 10-08-2009, 05:52 AM

My serious Target is done with traditional Target rifles utilising iron/diopter sights, bench rest type serious target is outta my league & into the really expensive one with the fancy guns & special calibres.

ArkansasHunter · 10-08-2009, 06:04 AM

Though I prefer 30 caliber I have a question ? Just curious. How well would the
7mm-08 do as far as what stonesfan08 wants to do ?

Is the 7mm-08 an excellent distance shooting cartridge ?

stinkybriches · 10-08-2009, 06:32 AM

ive always heard that the 7mm-08 was designed as a target round, and later adopted for hunting. im not 100 percent that thats true.

dmsbandit · 10-08-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonesfan08

serious target. i have my ideas but i wanted to here youalls. i am talking about bench rest shooting sub moa at 500yrds or more

If you want a SERIOUS target rifle, the only choice is really a 6.5 of some design. The 260 remington, 6.5x55, 6.5x284, 6.5x47 and others all are capable out to 1000yds on targets due to their extremely high B.C. bullets available in factory ammo or for handloading. If the gun isn't too heavy, they also make great hunting cartridges out to as far as HUNTERS should be shooting game animals.

Palladin8 · 10-08-2009, 10:48 AM

I hope you have deep pockets for a serious rifle. You're looking in the ball park of $3,000 for a entry level competition bench rifle. If you have a range near by where they hold long range bench matches I would suggest going there and talking to the guys doing the shooting. They could steer you in the right direction and you might even find a used benchrest rifle for sale. For caliber the current trends for alot of benchrest shooting is the 6.5 calibers ie: 6.5x284, 6.5 Creedmoore to name a few. If you have the money and the time to do what it takes to be a serious benchrester then have at it.

Metronome · 10-08-2009, 11:23 AM

I hear terms like 'serious' thrown around, and I think of stuff like the 6.5x284 and Remington 40X actions... but if you are slightly less finacially inclined, the 6.5 Creedmore sounds like fun. Oh, and don't forget that Savage target action, that seems like a great foundation for a good paper-puncher.

big boomer · 10-08-2009, 11:26 AM

I would suggest a 30 cal (30-06,308,300mag etc) in the best Savage you can buy they are the most accurate out of the box rifles and with acu trigger

Ten Man · 10-08-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonesfan08

what gun would you get?

Savage or Remington .308 Police Model.

I have both, and am very happy with what they do.

big shrek · 10-08-2009, 11:59 AM

6.5 Creedmore for long range target...'nuff said.

If you just want to hunt at up to 500 yards...Mooseman & bigboomer are right, any of the .30 cal offerings will do. That's why nearly everyone has a .30-06 &/or a .308 in their safe.

I STALIN I · 10-08-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

250-500 yards gives a multitude of options

I would definitely stay away from 7.62 x54 unless it's a special build. (that should get some reaction from my Mosin colleagues)

hey the mosin nagant has built in iron sights for adjustment from 100m up to 2 miles. one could easily hit a 300-600yard target...

nathangdad · 10-08-2009, 04:40 PM

from which to choose. As I live in the Texas Panhandle where wind is pretty much always a problem, I am sensitive to wind drift. Therefore, in my environment I would choose the .300 Winchester Magnum with the 180 grain bullet for longer range hitting ability.

As also noted, if you really want to get into long range shooting be prepared to spend some serious money on a rifle and scope to get the job done.

Best wishes.

lynxpilot · 10-08-2009, 07:49 PM

OK, since nobody else will say the obvious, I feel obligated.

The ONLY REAL long range rifle is the 50 BMG.

tappedandtagged · 10-08-2009, 07:57 PM

Remington 700 Police Sniper in .308 They have the package rifles that come with an excellent scope. The one that I was briefly looking at buying from a college of mine had a Springfield Government scope with bullet drop compensator out to 1000 yards. Also had a small level bubble in the scope to make sure you're shooting it level. The rifle is alumninum bedded. The only reason I didn't buy it was because I was looking at getting a rifle for hunting. Not serious target.

Excellent rifle. I was getting one large hole at 100 yards.

Gorgon · 10-08-2009, 08:05 PM

Depending on what type of shooting and how accurate you strive to be...
For 250-500 yds and basic 'hit the bad guy' torso shots, save your money and get a .223. Possibly one of the AR family if you like rapid fire. Anything from .223 -.243 would be easily affordable, reliable and accurate and so is the ammo, with little recoil. You indicated 700 yard shots, in that case, a .308 is recommended. I would suggest a Remington 700, off the rack sporting rifle will do. A cheaply purchased Mosin Nagant is equivalent to a .308 and won't break you by far in the wallet. MN's are not as accurate as most sniper rifles, but will do a fair job.
If you're looking for serious accuracy and are able to use such equipment, you need to research and obtain a custom gun based on said calibres. Good luck and happy shooting.

It's not how good you look when you fire...but how well you hit the target!

338RUM · 10-08-2009, 08:16 PM

for target shooting I would go with the 300 WSM on a Remington 40X action with a 1-9 twist barrel with a long throat so you do not take up space in the brass then load some 240 grain sierra matchkings in front of IMR 4350 and you have a nice start!

10-08-2009, 05:09 AM	#1
stonesfan08 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 80	looking for a long range gun hey youall i am looking for a long range rifle, up to like 700yrds being the longest i can take at my place but i want ot shoot mostly between 250-500 yrds what caliber is best in your opinion? what type of gun would you get?(bolt or autoloading)i think there is a ar-15 comp. at 1000yrds so i think a custom built ar might serve me well. what gun would you get? __________________ Ladies Love Country Boys- Trace Adkins

10-08-2009, 05:23 AM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 11,318 Images: 2	Something in 30 caliber...either .300 win mag ,30/06 or .308 would be my choices for long range shooting , a Bolt action being the best for accuracy , followed by something like an M14 in Semi-auto.. .300 win Mag being one of the Best flat shooting rounds in its class... Weapon brand is debateable by many on this forum but I'm partial to Winchesters...Model 70's It was good enough for Carlos Hathcock ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM! Last edited by Mooseman684; 10-08-2009 at 05:26 AM.

10-08-2009, 05:26 AM	#3
GlennM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 356 Blog Entries: 1	Ditto on the .300WM. Love my Sendero but it's a bench rifle and doesn't get carried up and down mountains. Depends on its intended purpose.... __________________ *The Cataclysm Scroll* is now available! www.gmillercompanies.com

10-08-2009, 05:35 AM	#4
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 4,102	250-500 yards gives a multitude of options What kid of shooting? Sporting, plinking target or serious target? The fact you're asking makes me think it's not serious target. General plinking target out to those ranges the most common are 5.56 & 7.62x51, mainly because of their relatively low cost milsurp ammo. I'll, not even suggest a particular model but for basic target shooting out to 600 yards I tend to use 7.62 nato & 5.56nato (or my reloaded equivalents). I have also used .303, .3006 & 8mm. My serious Target rifle is an Enfield actioned Bolt action 7.62.(used 3-600 yards) My serious Service Rifles are an AR15 & an M14/1A (both used at up to 600 yards) I would definitely stay away from 7.62 x54 unless it's a special build. (that should get some reaction from my Mosin colleagues) Lots of other calibres will do the job but most are a little bit more expensive to feed. __________________ How can I 'Soar with the Eagles' when I'm working with such 'Turkeys'!

10-08-2009, 05:44 AM	#5
stonesfan08 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 80	serious target. i have my ideas but i wanted to here youalls. i am talking about bench rest shooting sub moa at 500yrds or more __________________ Ladies Love Country Boys- Trace Adkins

10-08-2009, 05:52 AM	#6
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 4,102	My serious Target is done with traditional Target rifles utilising iron/diopter sights, bench rest type serious target is outta my league & into the really expensive one with the fancy guns & special calibres. __________________ How can I 'Soar with the Eagles' when I'm working with such 'Turkeys'!

10-08-2009, 06:04 AM	#7
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 17,218	Though I prefer 30 caliber I have a question ? Just curious. How well would the 7mm-08 do as far as what stonesfan08 wants to do ? Is the 7mm-08 an excellent distance shooting cartridge ? __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER

10-08-2009, 06:32 AM	#8
stinkybriches Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: wisconsin Posts: 86	ive always heard that the 7mm-08 was designed as a target round, and later adopted for hunting. im not 100 percent that thats true.

10-08-2009, 10:48 AM	#10
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,451	I hope you have deep pockets for a serious rifle. You're looking in the ball park of $3,000 for a entry level competition bench rifle. If you have a range near by where they hold long range bench matches I would suggest going there and talking to the guys doing the shooting. They could steer you in the right direction and you might even find a used benchrest rifle for sale. For caliber the current trends for alot of benchrest shooting is the 6.5 calibers ie: 6.5x284, 6.5 Creedmoore to name a few. If you have the money and the time to do what it takes to be a serious benchrester then have at it.

10-08-2009, 11:23 AM	#11
Metronome Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 951	I hear terms like 'serious' thrown around, and I think of stuff like the 6.5x284 and Remington 40X actions... but if you are slightly less finacially inclined, the 6.5 Creedmore sounds like fun. Oh, and don't forget that Savage target action, that seems like a great foundation for a good paper-puncher. __________________ I take my coffee how I take my women: bitter and overbearing. Last edited by Metronome; 10-08-2009 at 11:29 AM.

10-08-2009, 11:26 AM	#12
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,310	I would suggest a 30 cal (30-06,308,300mag etc) in the best Savage you can buy they are the most accurate out of the box rifles and with acu trigger

10-08-2009, 11:59 AM	#14
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 3,128 Images: 56	6.5 Creedmore for long range target...'nuff said. If you just want to hunt at up to 500 yards...Mooseman & bigboomer are right, any of the .30 cal offerings will do. That's why nearly everyone has a .30-06 &/or a .308 in their safe. __________________ In every Unit...there is a Scrounger... Last edited by big shrek; 10-08-2009 at 12:02 PM.

10-08-2009, 04:40 PM	#16
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,177	As noted, there are a number of good rounds from which to choose. As I live in the Texas Panhandle where wind is pretty much always a problem, I am sensitive to wind drift. Therefore, in my environment I would choose the .300 Winchester Magnum with the 180 grain bullet for longer range hitting ability. As also noted, if you really want to get into long range shooting be prepared to spend some serious money on a rifle and scope to get the job done. Best wishes.

10-08-2009, 07:49 PM	#17
lynxpilot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ava, MO Posts: 112	OK, since nobody else will say the obvious, I feel obligated. The ONLY REAL long range rifle is the 50 BMG.
	1 members found this post helpful.

10-08-2009, 07:57 PM	#18
tappedandtagged Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southwest Arkansas Posts: 840 Blog Entries: 1	Remington 700 Police Sniper in .308 They have the package rifles that come with an excellent scope. The one that I was briefly looking at buying from a college of mine had a Springfield Government scope with bullet drop compensator out to 1000 yards. Also had a small level bubble in the scope to make sure you're shooting it level. The rifle is alumninum bedded. The only reason I didn't buy it was because I was looking at getting a rifle for hunting. Not serious target. Excellent rifle. I was getting one large hole at 100 yards.

10-08-2009, 08:05 PM	#19
Gorgon Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Realistic and practical answer... Depending on what type of shooting and how accurate you strive to be... For 250-500 yds and basic 'hit the bad guy' torso shots, save your money and get a .223. Possibly one of the AR family if you like rapid fire. Anything from .223 -.243 would be easily affordable, reliable and accurate and so is the ammo, with little recoil. You indicated 700 yard shots, in that case, a .308 is recommended. I would suggest a Remington 700, off the rack sporting rifle will do. A cheaply purchased Mosin Nagant is equivalent to a .308 and won't break you by far in the wallet. MN's are not as accurate as most sniper rifles, but will do a fair job. If you're looking for serious accuracy and are able to use such equipment, you need to research and obtain a custom gun based on said calibres. Good luck and happy shooting. It's not how good you look when you fire...but how well you hit the target!

10-08-2009, 08:16 PM	#20
338RUM Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lonaconing, MD Posts: 1,025	for target shooting I would go with the 300 WSM on a Remington 40X action with a 1-9 twist barrel with a long throat so you do not take up space in the brass then load some 240 grain sierra matchkings in front of IMR 4350 and you have a nice start! __________________ diaper fetishist, gay ,neo Nazi ,slaves give me hope for the versatility of the human race. -Billy