I've never done any long range shooting. So I really have no idea where to start. I've got no idea what rifle platform/brand to look at. I've been considering a caliber that I can both hunt with, and take out to 1000 yards one day. So any help to get me started would be appreciated. So any equipment recommendations scopes, rifles, barrels, spotting scopes, calibers, bi-pods/bags, etc... I need all the help I can get.
I'm a total scrub!
- Thread starter TAnder
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Just read threads here and take notes.
You’ll learn more by reading than asking.
You’ll learn more by reading than asking.
I think if I were getting into it in 2020, I'd start with a Tikka T3 in .308 (maybe 6.5 CM but I think everyone needs a .308 bolt action so it's a likely place to start) & a KRG Bravo chassis... If you found a deal on a 4.5-27 Gen 2 Razor, I think you could be into the entire rig for around $3k.
6.5 creedmoor is the easy button. Plenty of mass for hunting. Plenty of gas for long range target shooting. Widely available ammunition. Better external ballistics than the 308.
Do you prefer a traditional stock or a chassis?
What's your rifle budget?
What's your scope budget?
Have you factored in rings/mount?
How much are you willing to spend on a bipod?
You're going to want a rear bag or 3.
Do you prefer a traditional stock or a chassis?
What's your rifle budget?
What's your scope budget?
Have you factored in rings/mount?
How much are you willing to spend on a bipod?
You're going to want a rear bag or 3.
I only shoot 308Win and I would skip it and go 6.5CM if I were starting today.
I'm too heavily invested though to change now.
Stop picking up your brass and eventually you won't be invested hardly at all...
Don’t do it, precision rifle/long range shooting is CANCER for your bank account.
Well to tell you the truth I’m just getting into all this so I don’t know what a good reasonable budget would be. I’m not trying to break the bank.
note: this is going to be an overtime build.
CTR. I understand why guys are suggesting 6.5 but I stand by my .308 recommendation. The only thing I kind of don't like about this plan is that the Tikka uses a proprietary mag, not the more common AI mag. There's nothing wrong with the Tikka mag, just less common.
I would NOT recommend having a custom rifle built right away... Figure out what you like & don't first... Chassis vs. stock, lighter vs. heavier, etc.
No, that is not correct. Cancer would make it grow uncontrollably. Its more like hemmorrhagic fever for your bank account...
A ruger precision rifle will set you back $1200-1300.
A vortex gen 2 can be had for $2000.
Decent rings/mount will run $100-200 to stupid expensive.
A harris or magpul bipod is perfectly serviceable and will run ~$100, though you will se recommendations for $400-500 bipods too.
Figure $30-50 for a rear bag.
That and some ammo will get you shooting. Hornady match runs about $26 per box...
I'd call the above a reasonable baseline for precision rifle. You can spend more, but I wouldn't go much less.
Well thankfully I work at MidwayUSA and get discounts on some of those things so I should be able to save some money.
I hope you’re not responsible for packaging orders, I have yet to receive a box of bullets that didn’t bust open and leave little copper jacketed presents on the floor of every UPS truck that has ever gone to my residence.
Start off with a Tikka T3X CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor and you have the rifle that can do the hunting and do the 1000 yard shooting all in one.
Then later on if you want a fancy chassis stock, you can upgrade the stock as well as upgrade the barrels.
Then later on if you want a fancy chassis stock, you can upgrade the stock as well as upgrade the barrels.
Buy the best you can afford, even if it means having to wait a little and save up. You'll spend three times as much by "I'll buy this to get me through until I can get ..."
Thank you for the info I’m currently looking at that rifle right now. If only to narrow down a scope.
Don't get down on your self you can do it . Hell if I am able to slowly pick this stuff up at almost 50 and mentally challenged , you can surely do it .
It'd take years as I have 5000+ pieces of match brass to use at this point.
The reality is that for the shooting I do 308Win is fine as I don't compete and don't shoot beyond 600yds very often.
Those are both good manufacturers, as is Nightforce. What is your scope budget? That would help us give you more specific suggestions.
Well I would like to keep it under $1000 just in case I don’t really end up doing this like I thought I would
If that’s the case, I’d just grab a SWFA 10x with a mil quad reticle for a couple hundred bucks. If you realize you’re going to be in the sport for the long haul (highly likely) then you can upgrade. Especially considering you will learn much more about what you really want in an optic along your journey, grabbing a high end scope when you’re ready...Meanwhile if you decide it’s not for you, you didn’t spend a ton of cash that you have to worry about recouping and can sell it off for what you paid. The SWFA has pretty good glass for the money and works like it should.
If you are going to also want to use the rifle for hunting, probably do something in the 4-16 or 5 to 20 power or something like that.
If you had more money in the budget something in the 3 at the low end would be even better. If you want to shoot to 1000y with the same scope, not that 10x won't get it done, but it's nice to have 16x or 20x at the top end at a minimum.
However for hunting anything more than 5x at the low end is going to be a bit of a pain.
If you had more money in the budget something in the 3 at the low end would be even better. If you want to shoot to 1000y with the same scope, not that 10x won't get it done, but it's nice to have 16x or 20x at the top end at a minimum.
However for hunting anything more than 5x at the low end is going to be a bit of a pain.
Well I’m kind of in a bind should I get a rifle for precision shooting and a different rifle for hunting with?
That really depends on you.
Most folks that really get into shooting have dedicated hunting rifles and dedicated range rifles, because you don't want to try going hunting with a 20 pound rifle usually.
However, since you were looking to just get one rifle that will do both for now, it can easily be done.
It will be a bit of a compromise, but I'd suggest leaning more towards the hunting side that can also shoot LR well for your first gun if hunting is something you will do.
This here:
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA | Only at EuroOptic.com!
Will make a great hunting rifle that you can also take to the range and throw down on some bags and do some decent shooting.
Here is almost the same gun, but more range specific:
Tikka T3x TAC A1 6.5 Creedmoor 24" Rifle JRTAC382L
Tikka T3x TAC A1 6.5 Creedmoor 24" Rifle JRTAC382L | Only at EuroOptic.com!
The T3x CTR can easily be moved to another stock to make it more range specific as well as get longer barrels or such.
What type of hunting do you do? And where? I use to have hunting rifle and target but this year sold my hunting and bought extra barrel so ill just throw my hunting barrel on for hunting then take it off. Scope wise i really like athlon for the money. What is your all out budget for rifle and scope and do you reload?
You are considering it? How often will it be used for hunting vs target shooting at 800+? Everyone I know that hunts and target shoots has two rifles, both built for their respective purposes. If hunting is part of the equation and one rifle to do it all, go with something in the 3-12 or 4-16 range. Much higher mag than that, weight goes up which could be an impediment if doing a lot of stalking, trekking when hunting. Blind hunting, it’s no biggie.
I had to sell my ass on the street to get my Charlie tarac and AND120X
So shameful
But worth it!
Well I’ve actually been looking at both of those rifles. As for hunting I mostly hunt deer at the moment, but one day hope to take on some elk or larger.That really depends on you.
Most folks that really get into shooting have dedicated hunting rifles and dedicated range rifles, because you don't want to try going hunting with a 20 pound rifle usually.
However, since you were looking to just get one rifle that will do both for now, it can easily be done.
It will be a bit of a compromise, but I'd suggest leaning more towards the hunting side that can also shoot LR well for your first gun if hunting is something you will do.
This here:
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA
Tikka T3x CTR 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle JRTXC382CA | Only at EuroOptic.com!www.eurooptic.com
Will make a great hunting rifle that you can also take to the range and throw down on some bags and do some decent shooting.
Here is almost the same gun, but more range specific:
Tikka T3x TAC A1 6.5 Creedmoor 24" Rifle JRTAC382L
Tikka T3x TAC A1 6.5 Creedmoor 24" Rifle JRTAC382L | Only at EuroOptic.com!
The T3x CTR can easily be moved to another stock to make it more range specific as well as get longer barrels or such.
I currently live in Missouri, but would like to one day go to some other states. Elk, caribou, bear one day hopefully.
I would definitely say it would probably see more range time than hunting. So definitely more 600-1000yards more often than hunting.
If your hunting is comprised of a ride on a 4 wheeler and a short walk to a stand, any rifle (even a 20 lb match gun) will suffice. But, if your hunting is comprised of a lot of walking and multi day camping, you’ll want something more like a “mountain rifle.” Carried a lot, shot only a little. The reality is that to many, a hunting rifle is a light weight gun (10 lbs loaded with optic and sling) in a long action; like a 30-06, 270win, 7mm rem mag, etc. (I realize lots of folks are shooting short action hunting rifles, but there is a reason these 3 calibers can be found in every Walmart and small town sporting goods store with a gun section.) A target rifle is generally a pretty heavy gun (mine is 14 lbs before optics, and is a light(ish) weight gun), in a short action shooting smallish bullets, like a 6mm creedmoor. There is crossover, but a heavy gun sucks to carry and a light gun sucks to shoot. This is why you see so many recommend having multiple rifles.
I live in colorado hunt antelope deer and elk from 7000 to over 10000 feet if your set on factory rifle i think the bergars hmr b14 or pro is perfect i used the b14 version for awhile loved it. If elk is on table i would go atleast 7mm rem and athlon midas tac 4 16 44 great combo
Another thumbs up for the Bergara. They are consistently sub MOA and more often than not 1/2 MOA shooters out of the box. If the HMR stock is a bit heavy for you then go with a more traditional stock. But you won’t get a more accurate factory gun and the action and factory triggers are excellent on the B14s. If you can spring for the HMR Pro you’ll get an American action and a Triggertech trigger with factory Cerakote. I own one of each. My HMR Pro regularly prints .3” groups with factory Hornady Match and better with my hand loads. I really don’t believe there’s a better factory gun out there for the same money. Tikka ain’t bad either. I simply have more experience with Bergara.
Bergara or Tika in 6.5 Creed.
Sig tango 4, vortex PST g2, Athlon Midas tac.
Shoot it, figure out what you don't like, and change it.
Build and buy more rifles.
I still deer and elk hunt with a 25-06 700 ADL in a Fajen stock. It wears a remage McGowan barrel in a 1-7 twist. Old sightron sii 3-12 mil dot.
It's not light, but it shoots flat and has put down everything it's been pointed at. Was my Dad's first rifle he bought himself so it's nostalgic for me. Doesn't make sense now, but it still works.
Matches I use a Bergara b14 in a bravo with a mark 5 in 6.5 Creed.
Lots of other rifles for screwing around with. I have an old t3 in 6.5x55 that's a damn sweet shooter and has knocked down a few elk.
Sig tango 4, vortex PST g2, Athlon Midas tac.
Shoot it, figure out what you don't like, and change it.
Build and buy more rifles.
I still deer and elk hunt with a 25-06 700 ADL in a Fajen stock. It wears a remage McGowan barrel in a 1-7 twist. Old sightron sii 3-12 mil dot.
It's not light, but it shoots flat and has put down everything it's been pointed at. Was my Dad's first rifle he bought himself so it's nostalgic for me. Doesn't make sense now, but it still works.
Matches I use a Bergara b14 in a bravo with a mark 5 in 6.5 Creed.
Lots of other rifles for screwing around with. I have an old t3 in 6.5x55 that's a damn sweet shooter and has knocked down a few elk.
When you have the money to do those things you should easily have the money to buy a dedicated hunting rifle.......Just Saying!
+1
I think 99% of the people who say they want a rifle for "long range shooting and hunting" end up with at least two once they realize how dumb the idea is.
I’ll keep that in mind. I honestly don’t know what I’m doing just in case you all couldn’t tell.
It's pretty obvious
Which is OK, we weren't born knowing anything. I just find it amusing because so many noobs come to ask the same thing: I want a rifle to hunt and shoot 1000 yards.
The majority of the time one rifle to do both will excel at neither.
Do you hunt a lot and shoot targets a little, or the other way around? Optimize your first rifle for what you do the most of. You'll thank me later.
If I was starting over from a clean slate, I would buy the best scope I could afford first. Then build/buy a rifle around that.
Surgeon 6.5 creedmoor with Hornady Match ammo. No need to even mess with reloading if you don't want to.
I don’t hunt near as much as I used too. I have more time now a days to go to the range. So I range rifle would probably benefit me more. To tell the truthIt's pretty obvious
Which is OK, we weren't born knowing anything. I just find it amusing because so many noobs come to ask the same thing: I want a rifle to hunt and shoot 1000 yards.
The majority of the time one rifle to do both will excel at neither.
Do you hunt a lot and shoot targets a little, or the other way around? Optimize your first rifle for what you do the most of. You'll thank me later.
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