Hello Newbie question

[warhawk77]

Hi everyone first post here and going to start with question I need advice on. Going to start with me and what I'm looking for.

I hunted growing up but for the last 12 years I have just been shooting paper with my kids. We rarely shoot over 100 yards because with them being younger we have been enjoying the basics and not many places we could go and shoot safely. In the last 4-5 years I have wanted to reach out and shoot 700-800 yards on paper but always talk my self out of it. Talking with my kids(14yr & 17yr) they would like to shoot 400-500 yards also and we have found a range that we can shoot out to 1,000 yards once we build up. This got me to thinking now is a good time to start.

So my question is what option to choose.
A -- AR-15 in 223/5.56 with a optic upgrade we could shoot paper 400 yards no problem
B -- Remington 7400 in 30-06, that would do the 700 yards. Been holding this rifle for a family member for 6 years and probably another 10+ years
C -- Remington 770 in 270 Win. Found a good deal in the rifle but most of the reviews of the 770 are not great.
D -- Something else

My thoughts are
Option A would be easy and cheap, it would make it easy for everyone as we all know the platform but getting much past 500 yards I hear could be harder. Not sure I like the semiauto bit.
Option B the rifle shoots great and has nice optic already but I don't like the semiauto rifle and it is possible the family member will want it back plus I don't like shooting other peoples stuff.
Option C I like this idea but again not sold on the 770 or the 270 win. It would be trading a current firearm for this so the cost is nothing. Having a dedicated rifle is nice and shooting from the bench with time in between shots it might do fine.
Option D could be picking up a savage axis or something else no idea

So let me know what you guys think. I know there is stuff I'm missing but being new not sure what that stuff is yet.
Thanks

 

[b6graham]

none of those are great options

ruger RPR or Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor. or a Bergera or Howa

hunting rifles like what you listed, while they will work, arent a good choice ergonomically and they typically have slower twist barrels that are thin. they cant stabilize the heavier bullets and cant sustain string of fire like a target barrel will

 

[308pirate]

A -- AR-15 in 223/5.56 with a optic upgrade we could shoot paper 400 yards no problem
B -- Remington 7400 in 30-06, that would do the 700 yards. Been holding this rifle for a family member for 6 years and probably another 10+ years
C -- Remington 770 in 270 Win. Found a good deal in the rifle but most of the reviews of the 770 are not great.
D -- Something else

A - Maybe, maybe not. Depends on many specifics whether 223 will do what you want
B - PASS, completely unsuitable
C - See B above
D - To be honest, the easy button here is the Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and one of the many quality scopes in the $300 to $1000 range

You keep mentioning "paper targets". Have you ever shot paper targets beyond 100 yards? Do you understand that seeing bullet holes much beyond 200 yards is extremely difficult unless you have some seriously expensive spotting scopes, or some sort of target camera system?

If you just want to have some fun, reconsider the paper targets for steel plate targets.

 

[usafa77]

What they said, plus
A. The wind is going to take all the fun out it for the kids.
B. The recoil " " " " " " " " " " " ".

 

[JC0352]

There are so many options to get into long range shooting these days compared to a few years ago. The ones you listed aren’t ideal. @warhawk77, what kind of budget are you looking at?

 

[sharp360shooter9]

Easy, option D, spend $1000 on a new set up and you will have a rifle that you can use for hunting and for shooting long distance for fun. You dont need to spend $1000 just on the rifle to hit steel out at 1000 yards. I bought my dad a Ruger American 6.5 Creedmoor with a Vortex PST for hunting. At our range we can go out to 950 and we can tag a 24 inch target all day with it. Here is an awesome video with a Diamondback tactical scope.

 

[warhawk77]

ruger RPR or Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor. or a Bergera or Howa

hunting rifles like what you listed, while they will work, arent a good choice ergonomically and they typically have slower twist barrels that are thin. they cant stabilize the heavier bullets and cant sustain string of fire like a target barrel will

I did look at the 6.5 round a little and it does look nice.

I know the thinner barrel could cause issues but my thoughts where slower shooting and time between shots could help cool off the barrel.

A - Maybe, maybe not. Depends on many specifics whether 223 will do what you want
B - PASS, completely unsuitable
C - See B above
D - To be honest, the easy button here is the Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and one of the many quality scopes in the $300 to $1000 range

You keep mentioning "paper targets". Have you ever shot paper targets beyond 100 yards? Do you understand that seeing bullet holes much beyond 200 yards is extremely difficult unless you have some seriously expensive spotting scopes, or some sort of target camera system?

If you just want to have some fun, reconsider the paper targets for steel plate targets.

I said paper because I don't know if the range I'm looking at allows steel targets. I do understand paper will be harder to see hits for sure, but I also know there is a lot of stuff I don't know about longer range shooting.

What they said, plus
A. The wind is going to take all the fun out it for the kids.
B. The recoil " " " " " " " " " " " ".

I was thinking the wind around 400 yards wouldn't be that big of a deal. But again that is why I'm asking to be sure.

There are so many options to get into long range shooting these days compared to a few years ago. The ones you listed aren’t ideal. @warhawk77, what kind of budget are you looking at?

Like most people I like to save money so any of the above options would do just that. It would be really nice to be in the 400 yards and less range with what I have now so pretty much $0 cost but going to 600+ yards I would like to be around $600-700.

That is with the understanding that once we start this and we really want to get more serious it will take more of a investment.


Thanks everyone for the info I knew there is tons I don't know so glad to ask before I started down a path and wasted time and money. I forgot I have a Winchester bolt action 243 WSSM (family member's rifle) but it will have the same issues as the above hunting rifles plus I read the 243 WSSM will burn up a barrel and don't want to do that to someones elses gun.

 

[warhawk77]

Easy, option D, spend $1000 on a new set up and you will have a rifle that you can use for hunting and for shooting long distance for fun. You dont need to spend $1000 just on the rifle to hit steel out at 1000 yards. I bought my dad a Ruger American 6.5 Creedmoor with a Vortex PST for hunting. At our range we can go out to 950 and we can tag a 24 inch target all day with it. Here is an awesome video with a Diamondback tactical scope.

Thanks for that I will check out the ruger for sure

 

[308pirate]

Tell us more about you AR. The barrel's rifling twist rate is key.

 

[308pirate]

I forgot I have a Winchester bolt action 243 WSSM (family member's rifle) but it will have the same issues as the above hunting rifles plus I read the 243 WSSM will burn up a barrel and don't want to do that to someones elses gun.

Don't underestimate the recoil either.

Magnums are a no go, and really unnecessary.

 

[warhawk77]

Tell us more about you AR. The barrel's rifling twist rate is key.

The twist is 1:7 with 16" barrels. I have thought thought about getting a 20" just to have one that is different.

 

[308pirate]

The twist is 1:7 with 16" barrels.

That's a 600 yard rifle with appropriate ammunition. A 20" tube will gain you a little muzzle velocity which will help in the wind. But if you want to run now, the 16 will do fine.

You have to pay attention to the wind no matter the caliber so don't worry about splitting hairs.

 

[RTH1800]

No matter what you shoot, congratulations on getting the kids involved. I think you should get them out and shoot whatever you can afford. Just watch out for recoil and blast with the kids.

 

[warhawk77]

That's a 600 yard rifle with appropriate ammunition

That's good news that will be us shooting the ranges and we can build from there. I think if I have the kids hitting targets around 400 yards they will eager to go farther and we can build something for that as we go.

 

[JC0352]

I was thinking the wind around 400 yards wouldn't be that big of a deal. But again that is why I'm asking to be sure.

Like most people I like to save money so any of the above options would do just that. It would be really nice to be in the 400 yards and less range with what I have now so pretty much $0 cost but going to 600+ yards I would like to be around $600-700.

That is with the understanding that once we start this and we really want to get more serious it will take more of a investment.

Shooting long range isn’t as enjoyable if you don’t have any feedback on your shots, thus everyone prefers steel targets. How is your AR setup now, optic wise? You can definitely push to 400+ with that rifle and the right optic with good ammo.

 

[warhawk77]

No matter what you shoot, congratulations on getting the kids involved. I think you should get them out and shoot whatever you can afford. Just watch out for recoil and blast with the kids.

Thanks I took my kids ( both boys) shooting just over 10 years ago. They really enjoy it and started gun safety early and I trust them better then I do many adults I'm around. As far as recoil my oldest is 17yr and 6'3" he loves shooting the mosin so recoil isn't a issue there, the youngest 14 yr and 5'6" has shot them too but while he likes to play the tough guy I do try to keep him on the smaller stuff.

 

[warhawk77]

Shooting long range isn’t as enjoyable if you don’t have any feedback on your shots, thus everyone prefers steel targets. How is your AR setup now, optic wise? You can definitely push to 400+ with that rifle and the right optic with good ammo.

Good point I'm going to call the range and see about the steel targets.

The AR just has peep sights and reddot, while I understand many people can hit 500 yards with those I will upgrade a optic.

 

[JC0352]

Good luck and have fun! Not sure where you’re located but I’m in north Louisiana and happy to help at the range if you are around this area.

 

[308pirate]

If your range won't allow steel targets then this is a viable option to get instant feedback from paper targets that are too far to be observed with optics:
https://www.amazon.com/TargetVision...qid=1534958591&sr=8-6&keywords=target+cameras

 

[308pirate]

The AR just has peep sights and reddot, while I understand many people can hit 500 yards with those I will upgrade a optic.

A 1-6X or 1-8X variable would work great

 

[warhawk77]

Good luck and have fun! Not sure where you’re located but I’m in north Louisiana and happy to help at the range if you are around this area.

Thanks

I'm in north east Indiana.

If your range won't allow steel targets then this is a viable option to get instant feedback from paper targets that are too far to be observed with optics:
https://www.amazon.com/STS-Shooting...43&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=target+cameras&psc=1

There are more expensive systems if you need to go out further than 500 yards.

I called them and they have steel targets already setup I can spray paint them if we want to so that is all good news.

A 1-6X or 1-8X variable would work great

Thanks because that was going to be my next search item.

 

[308pirate]

I'm in north east Indiana.

I called them and they have steel targets already setup I can spray paint them if we want to so that is all good news.

Hillside, just outside of Fort Wayne?

 

[warhawk77]

Hillside, just outside of Fort Wayne?

Yes that is the place.

Never used the rifle range there but it is looks pretty good. Their rules say I can shoot up to 200 yards no problem but if I want to go farther I have to join the "club" and take a long range shooting class to qualify for shots over 200 yards. Doesn't sound like a bad deal just need to find out what that will cost.

 

[308pirate]

Yes that is the place.

Never used the rifle range there but it is looks pretty good. Their rules say I can shoot up to 200 yards no problem but if I want to go farther I have to join the "club" and take a long range shooting class to qualify for shots over 200 yards. Doesn't sound like a bad deal just need to find out what that will cost.

Let me know what exactly this "class" is and if costs anything over the membership fee. I'm about 2.5 hrs away in Ohio and have always been curious about this place. At the moment I think I have better options (Thunder Valley and Rayner's) same distance but to the east.