getting into LR shooting, could use some advice

[freedomfighter]

I've been wanting to get into LR shooting for a while and I just can't stand it anymore...being able to hit a paper plate at 1000 yds is dang intriguing and my AR just isn't the tool for it. Very soon, I will be getting a Remington 700 SPS Varmint to get started. Due to the closest 1000 yd range being hours away, most of my initial practice will be in the 2-400 yd range. I figure its far better to work up to 1000 rather than to start there anyway.

Right now i'm trying to figure out what bullets I want to experiment with first and its pretty much down to the 155 gr. Sierra Palmas, 155 gr Scenars and 178 gr A-Maxes. My first question is which and why...I want a bullet that will perform well out to 1000 yds but all the way there as well. From what I can gather, heavier bullets are preferred at that range with exception of the new crop of 155 grainers.

Given that I won't be in any competitions anytime soon...is it worth it to even mess with the 155s or am I asking for a headache? I've heard that some rifles just hate them which, until I get mine, I won't know if its one of them.

I've also read about how the internal mag on 700s won't accept rounds that are seated up close to the lands because the rounds are too long. This tells me I'm going to want 2 loads, one that I can fit into the magazine, just for practical reasons and then a single-fire load, seated close to the lands, assuming that I will need that to get the accuracy i'm looking for at 800-1000 yds. Which bullet would be better for which load?

Let me know your opinions on what i'm trying to accomplish here, just FYI, the rifle will have a 26" 1-12 twist barrel. Sorry if this is a noobish thread but we were all one once right? I'm learning a great deal just surfing this forum...alot of good experience around here. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: getting into LR shooting, could use some advice

I prefer the 175 Bergers. But that's just me. Whatever you choose, get comfortable with it at 100 yards before starting to extend it. If you're going to hit a 10" paper plate you better practice a lot with that rifle and work up a good load.

When you can hold your group size to about an inch center to center for 5 shots every group, then go to 200 yards. When you get to hold 2" at 200 then go to 400 yards. If you go directly to 1K, you may have problems. And at that range a little problem on your end is really big on the target end.

Best of luck.

 

[freedomfighter]

Re: getting into LR shooting, could use some advice

Yes, that is exactly why I will be doing alot of shooting before I even get close to 1000 yds. I've been shooting all my life and i'm very confident at 100-200 yds but I have no illusions about LR shooting nor my abilities either. That extra zero makes alot of diff. I still need to learn to read wind at that range, not to mention "getting to know" my rifle and the loads I come up with.

I guess my biggest questions center around 155 vs 178, light vs heavy. I've read that the 155s are persnikity but that all depends on whether a particular rifle likes them or not. I understand why, generally, heavy is better at long range but at 2-400 yds, does it really matter? I guess I should really be worrying about that range more than 1000 at this point just because I will be doing most of my shooting at 2-400 initially. So the question remains...is it worth it to even mess with 155s or will 178s outperform them at all ranges anyway?

 

[Roguestryker]

Re: getting into LR shooting, could use some advice

I have settled on 168gr, have you considered the in-between? Also one of the things that I have learned for the guys on this forum is that the twist rate of your barrel will make a difference in your performance. My buddies SPS a 1 in 12. You might do some searching in the forms about twist rate vs bullet weight.

 

[desertHK]

Re: getting into LR shooting, could use some advice

Whatever grain bullet you pick, I would just work up one load (best load possible) for all distance up to 1K. It can simplify your life better. JMHO.

 

[High Binder]

Re: getting into LR shooting, could use some advice

I get to 1300yrds with 168s and 155s a few thou off the lands... I also get to 1300yrds with 168 AMAX loaded mag length. Just takes a lot of test loading to get there.