Long Range Precision Weapon

adamh21 · 07-04-2007, 02:42 AM

Hello everyone,
As im sure you can tell im new to this site. I am in the process of trying to figure out what type of weapon to buy next. I want a long range precision platform, 500 yards plus capability. I own an AR 15 and a Mini 14 so id really like to stay away from the 5.55/223 round. Id like to keep it under $1000 including the scope.

Any suggestions you have would be well appreciated.

Adam

diderr · 07-13-2007, 11:30 PM

it's hard enough to get a good quality long distance scope alone for under $1000. and a good long range rifle is about $850+. but i'd suggest checking your local dealer or a gun show, and see what they have. i got a brand new 700 police 300 ultra mag for $525, it's msrp is over $900. I threw a 6.5x20x50 mark 4 on it, and can hit 500-1000 yards no prob.

Midas · 07-13-2007, 11:35 PM

Savage 110FP in .300 Win Mag

A-10 · 07-13-2007, 11:50 PM

She doesn't have to go near $1000. For the rifle go with a .308 bolt action, something like the Savage, or Remington 700, or Winchester model 70. As for the scope, I would suggest a Bushnell, shouldn't be more than 100-$200. Snipers choice for daylight precision marksmanship.

ArkansasHunter · 07-14-2007, 09:51 AM

WELCOME ABOARD adamh21 and diderr thank you for joining Gun and Game ! Enjoy the site and get involved, looking forward to hearing more from you...A.H

billy · 07-14-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

Savage 110FP in .300 Win Mag

im going for that one in .308

but im going for broke on the scope leupoldvxIII 6.5x20 long range scope thatll be between $500-$600

Midas · 07-14-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

im going for that one in .308

but im going for broke on the scope leupoldvxIII 6.5x20 long range scope thatll be between $500-$600

Billy, that is a nice setup, indeed.

Chris · 07-14-2007, 11:31 AM

Nice setup Billy. Seriously.

billy · 07-14-2007, 04:27 PM

thanks fellas.
i decided to do it like a grownup this time!

A-10 · 07-14-2007, 05:02 PM

Daddy must be proud.

rfc357 · 07-17-2007, 05:49 AM

If you read the excellent article in this month's American Rifleman on Marine snipers, you can glean some very useful infrmation on long-range shooting. For instance, Carlos Hathcock, the legendary Vietnam Marine sniper, made do for a long time with a Model 70 that would only hold 2 MOA. But it held its zero in truly awful conditions.

Any good hunting bolt gun will make an adequate long range gun in the right hands, at least for range use where conditions are controllable. (Scope adjustments will limit you more than will the rifle.) If you are truly going tactical, and don't know what conditions you will encounter, the high-priced special-purpose rigs are the way to go. In this circumstance, someone else is probably paying the bills.

I was sighting in my deer rifle the other day. It's a old Mossberg 800A in .308, that I bought for $200. I like it because it is light, has a nice two-stage trigger, and is more accurate than a very expensive Steyr that sits next to it in the safe. This rifle would make a nice long-range shooter if I replaced the no-name 4X scope with something a little better.

billy · 07-17-2007, 05:53 AM

the rifle i am getting is purely a range toy.
as are all of my guns.

samuel · 07-17-2007, 06:20 AM

The first thing you will run into going from 500yds to 1000yds,no scope in that class can cover that much drop.In most cases you are about out of adjustment at 500yds.The .308 sighted dead on at 200yds is 22"+ low at 400yds making it (im estimating)someplace between 60" and 80" low at 500yds,at 1000yds it is 30 feet+ low.Hard to get a scope with that much adjustment. samuel.

rfc357 · 07-17-2007, 07:03 PM

Here are the sight settings for M2 ball in the M1. .308 won't be much different:

.30-'06 M1 Rifle, M2 ball

Range

Approximate Adjustment

200 yards

100 yard zero +1 click

300 yards

200 yard +2 to 3 clicks

500 yards

300 yard zero +7 to 8 clicks

Going from 200 yards to 500 requires 9 to 11 MOA. Not much. Remember 1 MOA is 5" at 500 yards, 10" at 1000 yards. 11 MOA is 44 1/4 minute clicks.

Scope manufacturers' web sites in some cases tell you how much adjustment is available in various scope models. Remember the scope reticle should be somewhere near center in elevation at short ranges, so you only really have about half the total elevation adjustment available. Samuel is probably right that most hunting scopes won't be much good at 1000 yards. I have not seen one that could not be adjusted for 500 yards.

Scopes designed for long-range shooting will have enough adjustment, internal or external. Look at Leupolds and Unertls, probably others. Dig deep in the wallet.

lefty o · 07-17-2007, 07:05 PM

there are many choices of calibers that will shoot well at 500yds, thats the easy part. i recommend spending as much on the scope as you can possibly do. most scopes that are under the $500 dollar range do not have the optics required to give a clear sight picture at higher powers during the heat of the day. alot of scopes that look great at 200yds fall apart after 300yds. i personally would recommend a nightforce scope for long distance shooting, but that way exceeds your budget all by itself.

Choco · 07-17-2007, 07:10 PM

.303 British SMLE.

samuel · 07-17-2007, 08:29 PM

I am amazed to learn that the amatures I have known and competed with in highpower rifle competition have usually spent $1500.to $3,000 for a rifle and a comparable price for optics to shoot 500yds and according to these posts all they ever needed was a WalMart Savage or Remington at about $400.and a bushnell at around $200.and they could be shooting minute of angle at 1000yds.Why do they waste their money?Why dont they just go to Walmarts?Or better yet buy a milsurp and they are in business. sam.

just_a_car · 07-18-2007, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuel

I am amazed to learn that the amatures I have known and competed with in highpower rifle competition have usually spent $1500.to $3,000 for a rifle and a comparable price for optics to shoot 500yds and according to these posts all they ever needed was a WalMart Savage or Remington at about $400.and a bushnell at around $200.and they could be shooting minute of angle at 1000yds.Why do they waste their money?Why dont they just go to Walmarts?Or better yet buy a milsurp and they are in business. sam.

Ewww!!! Some of your sarcasm dripped onto my keyboard.

samuel · 07-18-2007, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just_a_car

Ewww!!! Some of your sarcasm dripped onto my keyboard.

I did not mean to be sarcastic.I see threads about how you can get minute of angle accuracy out to 1000yds with bargain scopes and rifles and worry that people that read these posts will try it and get discouraged and quit.I have more wrapped up in range equipment than some people say you have to invest in everything.Even medeoker long range shooting is going to require a big investment in self effort-discipline,and capitol investment.You cant win many motorcycle races by going to a Honda shop and buying a bike and heading straight to the track.You need good equipment and a lot of practice. sam.

billy · 07-18-2007, 03:36 PM

SAM, i learn a lot from you
thank you.
BILL

07-04-2007, 02:42 AM	#1
adamh21 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1	Long Range Precision Weapon Hello everyone, As im sure you can tell im new to this site. I am in the process of trying to figure out what type of weapon to buy next. I want a long range precision platform, 500 yards plus capability. I own an AR 15 and a Mini 14 so id really like to stay away from the 5.55/223 round. Id like to keep it under $1000 including the scope. Any suggestions you have would be well appreciated. Adam

07-13-2007, 11:30 PM	#2
diderr Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: wyoming Posts: 27	it's hard enough to get a good quality long distance scope alone for under $1000. and a good long range rifle is about $850+. but i'd suggest checking your local dealer or a gun show, and see what they have. i got a brand new 700 police 300 ultra mag for $525, it's msrp is over $900. I threw a 6.5x20x50 mark 4 on it, and can hit 500-1000 yards no prob. Last edited by diderr; 07-13-2007 at 11:33 PM.

07-13-2007, 11:35 PM	#3
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,799 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	Savage 110FP in .300 Win Mag __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

07-14-2007, 11:31 AM	#8
Chris HMFIC Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,834,166 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 18	Nice setup Billy. Seriously. __________________ Rules \| Contributing Members No one has the right to deny my personal safety Please be descriptive in your thread titles!

07-14-2007, 04:27 PM	#9
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,105 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	thanks fellas. i decided to do it like a grownup this time! __________________

07-13-2007, 11:50 PM	#4
A-10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 732	She doesn't have to go near $1000. For the rifle go with a .308 bolt action, something like the Savage, or Remington 700, or Winchester model 70. As for the scope, I would suggest a Bushnell, shouldn't be more than 100-$200. Snipers choice for daylight precision marksmanship.

07-14-2007, 09:51 AM	#5
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,686	WELCOME ABOARD adamh21 and diderr thank you for joining Gun and Game ! Enjoy the site and get involved, looking forward to hearing more from you...A.H

07-14-2007, 05:02 PM	#10
A-10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 732	Daddy must be proud.

07-17-2007, 05:49 AM	#11
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	If you read the excellent article in this month's American Rifleman on Marine snipers, you can glean some very useful infrmation on long-range shooting. For instance, Carlos Hathcock, the legendary Vietnam Marine sniper, made do for a long time with a Model 70 that would only hold 2 MOA. But it held its zero in truly awful conditions. Any good hunting bolt gun will make an adequate long range gun in the right hands, at least for range use where conditions are controllable. (Scope adjustments will limit you more than will the rifle.) If you are truly going tactical, and don't know what conditions you will encounter, the high-priced special-purpose rigs are the way to go. In this circumstance, someone else is probably paying the bills. I was sighting in my deer rifle the other day. It's a old Mossberg 800A in .308, that I bought for $200. I like it because it is light, has a nice two-stage trigger, and is more accurate than a very expensive Steyr that sits next to it in the safe. This rifle would make a nice long-range shooter if I replaced the no-name 4X scope with something a little better.

07-17-2007, 05:53 AM	#12
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,105 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	the rifle i am getting is purely a range toy. as are all of my guns. __________________

07-17-2007, 06:20 AM	#13
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	The first thing you will run into going from 500yds to 1000yds,no scope in that class can cover that much drop.In most cases you are about out of adjustment at 500yds.The .308 sighted dead on at 200yds is 22"+ low at 400yds making it (im estimating)someplace between 60" and 80" low at 500yds,at 1000yds it is 30 feet+ low.Hard to get a scope with that much adjustment. samuel.

07-17-2007, 07:03 PM	#14
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Here are the sight settings for M2 ball in the M1. .308 won't be much different: .30-'06 M1 Rifle, M2 ball Range Approximate Adjustment 200 yards 100 yard zero +1 click 300 yards 200 yard +2 to 3 clicks 500 yards 300 yard zero +7 to 8 clicks Going from 200 yards to 500 requires 9 to 11 MOA. Not much. Remember 1 MOA is 5" at 500 yards, 10" at 1000 yards. 11 MOA is 44 1/4 minute clicks. Scope manufacturers' web sites in some cases tell you how much adjustment is available in various scope models. Remember the scope reticle should be somewhere near center in elevation at short ranges, so you only really have about half the total elevation adjustment available. Samuel is probably right that most hunting scopes won't be much good at 1000 yards. I have not seen one that could not be adjusted for 500 yards. Scopes designed for long-range shooting will have enough adjustment, internal or external. Look at Leupolds and Unertls, probably others. Dig deep in the wallet.

07-17-2007, 07:05 PM	#15
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,789	there are many choices of calibers that will shoot well at 500yds, thats the easy part. i recommend spending as much on the scope as you can possibly do. most scopes that are under the $500 dollar range do not have the optics required to give a clear sight picture at higher powers during the heat of the day. alot of scopes that look great at 200yds fall apart after 300yds. i personally would recommend a nightforce scope for long distance shooting, but that way exceeds your budget all by itself.

07-17-2007, 07:10 PM	#16
Choco Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 199	.303 British SMLE.

07-17-2007, 08:29 PM	#17
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I am amazed to learn that the amatures I have known and competed with in highpower rifle competition have usually spent $1500.to $3,000 for a rifle and a comparable price for optics to shoot 500yds and according to these posts all they ever needed was a WalMart Savage or Remington at about $400.and a bushnell at around $200.and they could be shooting minute of angle at 1000yds.Why do they waste their money?Why dont they just go to Walmarts?Or better yet buy a milsurp and they are in business. sam.

07-18-2007, 03:36 PM	#20
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,105 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	SAM, i learn a lot from you thank you. BILL __________________