Competition rifle questions

[Ackley Improved]

This is a question to the guys that shoot the SnipersHide Cup and competitions alike.

What do you try to achieve when building a rifle to use in these comp's. Weight, barrel lengths, stock configuration?

Since shooting takes place from differnt positions, I would assume a rifles design could play a roll.

What about scope magnification?

Is it just the usual build that works, A5, S&B 5-25, 24" #7 barrel...

Another question, how do you feel about the playing field with everybody restricted to using a 308W?

Cheers

 

[Rob01]

Re: Competition rifle questions

I try to achieve a balance between weight, length, ballistic advantage and being comfortable.

Only you can answer what will work best for you. I used my 6.5 Creedmoor with S&B 5-25 on it at the cup and didn't have any problems moving around with it even though it has a 28" barrel. Another shooter might have found that too long for them. I personally don't like the vertical grip stocks and like a more traditional grip like the M40A1/HTG style or Manners T/T3, which is what I have on my Creedmoor.

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Competition rifle questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I try to achieve a balance between weight, length, ballistic advantage and being comfortable.

Only you can answer what will work best for you. I used my 6.5 Creedmoor with S&B 5-25 on it at the cup and didn't have any problems moving around with it even though it has a 28" barrel. Another shooter might have found that too long for them. I personally don't like the vertical grip stocks and like a more traditional grip like the M40A1/HTG style or Manners T/T3, which is what I have on my Creedmoor. </div></div>

During these comp's, are you required to shoot from a standing position? Just thinking of the issue related to weight and long barrels.

Would you consider something like a 6X47L with a shorter barrel shooting the 105 odd weight projectiles at 3000-3100fps a feasible consideration? Just thinking less recoil, better balanced, still mag fed!

Is scope magnification capped at 25X for these shoots, or are guys running 12-42 Nightforces etc?

Cheers

 

[steve123]

Re: Competition rifle questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ackley Improved</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I try to achieve a balance between weight, length, ballistic advantage and being comfortable.

Only you can answer what will work best for you. I used my 6.5 Creedmoor with S&B 5-25 on it at the cup and didn't have any problems moving around with it even though it has a 28" barrel. Another shooter might have found that too long for them. I personally don't like the vertical grip stocks and like a more traditional grip like the M40A1/HTG style or Manners T/T3, which is what I have on my Creedmoor. </div></div>

During these comp's, are you required to shoot from a standing position? Just thinking of the issue related to weight and long barrels.

Would you consider something like a 6X47L with a shorter barrel shooting the 105 odd weight projectiles at 3000-3100fps a feasible consideration? Just thinking less recoil, better balanced, still mag fed!

Is scope magnification capped at 25X for these shoots, or are guys running 12-42 Nightforces etc?

Cheers
</div></div>

My tactical comp rifle had a 28" heavy varmint contour barrel to begin with.It weighed almost 19lbs with scope.I'm 5'7" 165 lbs and quickly discovered that it was too heavy for me for off hand.I'd actually start shaking before I could get off a shot,LOL.

For the next barrel I chose a Tubb contour(similar to medium Palma} at 26".It's about right.The rifle weighs 15.5 lbs now with scope.

I've been shooting 6x47L primarily now for about 3 years.I learned the hard way about hot loads and R-17 powder in it

I only got 1500 rounds out of that last barrel sending 115's at 3070 fps.My new Melonited barrel will be back soon.I plan on using 115 DTACS at around 2900 fps with a slow single based powder in the same Tubb contour and length.I'm still on my original batch of brass!The stuff lasts frikken forever although it's probably because I have my own reamer and custom die cut for minimum sizing.

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Competition rifle questions

Maybe I should have asked the questiona bit different fora few more replies.

How would you build your competition rifle for tactical style matches given it will be shot from all positions.

Components, calibers, scopes.

If we ever get a match like this going over here I would like my next build to cover it!!

Cheers

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Competition rifle questions

I beleive Rob answered this spot on already.

Not sure what exactly your looking for. Having someone else spec your rifle is not a good idea. You have a 280 AI and a 6.5x47, both great calibers.

You need a stock that feels good to you first off. I agree with Rob that I prefer a more traditional grip. Seems like most guys run the vertical grips.

Barrel contour and length are all about compromise and what feels good to you. A heavy barrel is going to make the rifle more steady on a bipod but may make shooting standing more difficult.

A long barrel will give more velocity yet makes handeling the rifle more cumbersome possibly.

Components:

Action, barrels, triggers, stocks, bottom metal, caliber, brass , bullets, powder, primers, scopes, rings, slings, brakes........etc
All is personal preference. Pick a quality manufacturer for components and a quality gunsmith and you will have a fine rifle

I will say IMO as far as scopes that none compare to a 5x25 Schmidt Bender

but what the heck I'll speck you a rifle.

Let's do a rifle for run and gun matches

Surgeon 591
Jewell trigger
Manners T3
Surgeon DBM
Kreiger 1/8 6.5 chambered in 260, 26 inches plus a little bastard brake, Heavy Palma
Seekins Low rings
Schmidt & Bender 5x25

ok now let's do long range precision, like for ASC

MCM Baker Special
BAT HRPIC action
Jewell trigger
Kreiger 1/8.5 Heavy Palma 28 inches plus little bastard brake chambered in 7/300 WSM
Seekins Rings
Schmidt & Bender 5x25

Those two rifles to ne would be perfect. I'm going to build the bottom one as soon as my stock shows up. But in 284 Win. (great barrel life and cheaper to shoot)

Good Luck

 

[SingleShot85]

Re: Competition rifle questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ackley Improved</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is a question to the guys that shoot the SnipersHide Cup and competitions alike.

What do you try to achieve when building a rifle to use in these comp's. Weight, barrel lengths, stock configuration?

Since shooting takes place from differnt positions, I would assume a rifles design could play a roll.

What about scope magnification?

Is it just the usual build that works, A5, S&B 5-25, 24" #7 barrel...

<span style="color: #FF0000">Another question, how do you feel about the playing field with everybody restricted to using a 308W?</span>

Cheers
</div></div>

This has been done and everyone had to use ammo provided by Cor Bon. Guess what, the same guys who always finish in the top 10 still finished in the top 10

 

[pawprint]

Re: Competition rifle questions

"Level playing field-every one must use 308", why? Would this also include same scope, brl lenth, trigger pull,etc.? If you believe you shoot better with X caliber, get an X caliber rifle. For many years stacks of builders have knocked out 308's with guaranteed accuracy that can win most any bench rest match. Now that the U.S. Army is going to a 300 win mag for their M24-there will those that suddenly claim a 300 is a better round and you should buy a 300 win mag-- one of their M24 copies with an .0125MOA guarantee etc. I don't believe allowing only 308's levels the playing field,but rather, it would cause stagnation. Once that type of thing is started, it leads to more and more restrictions.

 

[Lucks]

Re: Competition rifle questions

I started out shooting tactical rifle matches with a heavy barreled .308 rifle in a heavy sniper filled McMillan stock.
Now I've switched to a .260 Rem with a 24" standard palma barrel and a Manner's T5 stock. A much lighter rig. I feel like the lighter rig really helps me with all the movement and positional shooting that you see in matches.
Also, I feel like the .260 Rem has really helped me versus the .308. This is for all the obvious reasons...flatter shooting, bucks the wind better, less recoil.
I also use a pretty high magnification scope, a Premier 5x25. I know the scope is larger and heavier than some other options available but I feel like being able to see my hits on paper at matches really helps. It is much better to be able to shoot the first shot, and if you are off a little correct for the next four, than to send all five shots blind and hope for the best....

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Competition rifle questions

Thanks guys... good info here.

What chambering do these top 10 finishing guys prefer? Big bangers or down in into the 6.5's. Do the 6mm's have a place in this sort of competition?

Like benchrest match results, is there a equipment list of what was used by each shooter at any of these matches? Even top 10 maybe? I think it would be good info.

Cheers

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Competition rifle questions

Search all the frequent matches at North Cal

Talk to VU. He usually handles all the post and puts the top 10 or so finishers rifle calibers used and gunsmith

usually

260
284 win
243

Are always in the top 5 at North Cal

At ASC, which is a long rang slow course of fire with ukd and crazy winds in the mountians the 7WSM or 7/300 WSM is the clear favorite for the guys who take home trophys