Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

T

theriddler

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Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 24, 2011
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South Dakota
#1
Ok, im sure this has been posted many many times and i have searched for a thread just like this and not come accross one.

I shoot long range in the military and have shot the m24 and m14ebr. I'm an avid hunter and have taken shots at abotu 400-450 yrds. I refuse to go any further shooting deer just casue a tiny error will casue a wounded deer and at 500+ yards a wounded deer will disapear.

I am getting a nice fat bonus from the military for reenlisting and planning on spending it on a rifle. The budget for the rifle alone will be about $5000 and am planning on getting either a S&B or Nightforce. I like the idea of the BORS system also and may be purchasing one of those also.

Im looking at a .308 or .338 lapua for the cartridge. I know 400yds is not that far for a .338 or even a .308 but a .270 will have a 5" group at 400yds while a good .338 will have a -2" group. I want the most accurate rifle possible thats still able to haul around. Again, i realize that shooter has alot to do with accuracy so please dont get on that speal.

The rifles i have been looking at were the Barrett 98b, Mrad, The DTA SRS, TGR 42. Those are a couple of the high end models i have come accross and read the reviews.

The TGR usually has the better reviews but i dont know if it would be too heavy to haul around. 98b has some so-so reviews but has the name to back it up, The MRAD is fairly new with not many reviews. The SRS seems to be up to par with the rest of them.

Are there any rifles i am missing? I do not plan on putting too many extras on this rifle.. Like i said Scope, bors, and bipod. Everthing else is just extra garbage imo. Sorry i dont mean to offend anybody just trying to save weight.

If anyone has any other ideas as far as a hunter/ long range friendly shooter thats possible let me know. Again, please keep the comments away from me choosing a .338 to shoot <400 yards. It may be a waste to some but notme. I will shoot target at about 1000yards, just no animals.

Thank you
 
#2
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

I'd look at the Surgeon Remedy. They are not cheap but with a 5K budget you can handle it. The XL Surgeon action is built like a tank. You can check it out at surgeonrifles.com. Good look with your search and thanks for your service.

Dustin
 
#3
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

Nemesis Arms Vanquish:

http://www.nemesisarms.com/products.php

Basically the .308 version of the EDM Windrunner/Cheytac Intervention.

Windrunner first made the rifle in .50 and .338, licensed out the rifle to Cheytac for them to use .408 and .375 Cheytac calibers. The .308 caliber blueprint and rights were sold to Nemesis Arms, who currently makes the rifle.

A gorgeous piece, and light.
 
#4
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

A 338LM isn't that friendly of a hunter/long range shooter to a military paycheck.
If you go 300WM or especially 308 you will be able to afford a lot more time behind your rifle.

One of the best decisions I made when putting together my "high dollar" build was letting go of the idea to have a 338LM.
I went with a more affordable caliber and have put down more rounds through this rifle than I could have ever afforded in 338LM.
 
#5
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

it comes down to personal preference and how much weight you want to carry around. Theres literally hundreds of rifles and caliber combinations that would accomplish what you want.


For 5,000 I'd try and grab a GAP Rock and a Night Force and be done. But I'm partial to the McMillan HTG stocks.
 
#7
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

sako went in with john Lazzeroni a couple years back. They created a joint deal in the 308 warbird round. Great accurate hunting rifle in a rediculous caliber. Pushing a 160 grn bullet over 3700 fps.
 
#8
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

I would say roll with a 308, for cost reasons. 300 Win Mag would be another option which costs a bit more but you get a bit more performance. My vote would be a GAP of your choice with a SN3 from USO and your dialed in with a smooth shooter. Might also watch the classified here, can snag some great deals.
 
#9
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

The nemesis is pretty nice looking but as far as carrying it around doenst seem apealing at all.

The surgeon rifles i have looked at in the past and still catch my eye.

Thanks for the help and replys. .338 is my round of choice just because of the long range capabilities. My military budget is sittin pretty deep considering ive had one debt free deployment, and am in the national guard. My full time job can more than enough pay for ammo or reloading gear.

The weight is all personal, what someone can carry. My last deer rifle was a remington sendero 7mm RUM with a leupold mark 4. That rifle weighed about 14 lbs or so. Dont remember actual weight. The rifles weight didnt bother me because i mostly only walked to my spot and sat there. Furthest i had to walk is about a mile with a few hills in the way. The 7mm RUM is about $70 a box of shells. I shot it in competition and had to shoot 90 rounds a weekend. I know what expensive shooting is like. .338 im looking at $4 a round where .308 is closer to 2.5?

If i go walking for deer i pull out my .308 ar and lug that thing around.
 
#10
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

match 308 ammo can be had for $1-$2 per round, anything more than that is a huge rip off. Thats Federal Gold Medal, Hornady, Cor-Bon, and Black Hills, etc. If you are not going to reloead, then 308 is probably your best bet. They can make it to 1000yds just fine.

+1 on a used GAP off the classifieds
 
#12
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpspeeddemon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">match 308 ammo can be had for $1-$2 per round, anything more than that is a huge rip off. Thats Federal Gold Medal, Hornady, Cor-Bon, and Black Hills, etc. </div></div>

europe: i'd be happy to get decent ammo for below 3 euro per round ...
 
#13
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Semmens</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> but a .270 will have a 5" group at 400yds </div></div>

quick question - is 'my' 270 really that bad? not that i have a range with 400 yds within 500km, but 5" sounds like a bit much. or are 140gr bullets that sensitive to wind at those distances?
 
#14
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: threetrees</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Semmens</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> but a .270 will have a 5" group at 400yds </div></div>

quick question - is 'my' 270 really that bad? not that i have a range with 400 yds within 500km, but 5" sounds like a bit much. or are 140gr bullets that sensitive to wind at those distances?</div></div>

A 270 is not very popular chambering for long range because there are much better choices for getting you out there and 400 yds is within the range of the 270 to kill medium sized game. Good bullet choices are another limiting factor in the 270.

As far as accuracy. It has the capability to be as accurate as any other caliber, relatively speaking.
 
#15
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

personally id love a 338 edge, LM, AM but for 400 yards and closer i feel like you will be blowing away a lot of meat for a deer. Maybe if you felt like longer shots could occur and you felt comfortable as well as larger animals like elk and moose but for just deer, i dont think so.

the 308. win would work like a dream in this situation. Accurate, perfect for deer and will reach 1000 yards for targets. Another cartridge i would keep in my mind would be the 243. win. A lot of people think its under gunned for deer but it is plenty for whitetail or mule. It will hammer a deer at 400 yards and shooting the 105 grain amax, 115 DTAC will reach 1000 yards easy with next to no recoil and great accuracy and speed.

if you wanted or needed more power look more into a 7mm wsm or rem mag. firing the 168 grain berger will knock down a deer past 1000 yards with great accuracy. All a lot cheaper then the 338 LM
 
#16
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

Thank you for the replys.

The .270 is a rifle that i have used for a long time deer hunting. It is pretty accurate. The reason i said its about 5" group at 400 yards is because, well for one shooter error, and for two its hard to find a good solid rifle chambered in the 270 meant for long range.

I have a 308 AR that i will be brining with me deer hunting. Its my walking rifle. Out walking i dont shoot more than 200 yards. Its more like <100 quick shots than anything else. A 270 or 243 would fit perfect here i just like the AR style. Im more used to it.

A 338 would not waste alot of meat if your a good shot. Right through the lungs and the entrance/ exit wounds would be no bigger than a 50c piece. Even with my 7mm RUM the holes were only about a quarter size. I never plan on shooting past 400 yards for deer just for the tiny bit of error that will cause that deer to be wounded and run miles and mile and never find it. A 400 yard shot for me i am very confident with. Im sure with more and more shooting i will feel more and more confident at longer ranges.

The 243 is a great deer size. The only problem with that is the wind in south dakota is killer for the light bullet weight. The bullets drift too far on a normal day to be accurate and consistant. My 7mm RUM was amazing for that.

I do not shoot elk, bear, moose, or anything bigger than whitetail deer at the moment but i do plan on going elk hunting in the next year or two in montana. I doubt ill ever go bear hunting from all the stories i have heard.

the 308 is a great round. being in the military and behind long guns i was able to shoot the m24 chambered in the 7.62. We were consistanly hitting 1000m targets, which is this rifles max effective range. At the end we were shooting at around 1250 which is almost max for the rounds we were shooting. Anything further and the bullet looses all energy and just starts to tumble through the air.

I like the 338 because of the long range capabilities. I plan on shooting >1000 yards in sport and competition. Nothing better than setting up a target damn near 3/4 mile away and hearing the bang of the metal a couple seconds after the shot.

thanks again for all the great advice. Ill keep continueing my research. Any other great tactical/hunting rifles would be great. I love reading up on these things.

Side question. Does S&B have better glass than Nightforce? Does the BORS system work with any S&B optics?
 
#17
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

i am all for the 338 but i have to say for 600yds and under the 7 rem mag with 180 bergers at 3000+fps is probably going to give you plently of ft/lbs energy, be lighter rifle, same ballistics elev/wind drift as 338 lapua.

if you must have the 338 i would just get a trg 42 s&b 5-25 and be done with it.
 
#18
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

for hunting, a 5-25 might be a bit much. while it is for sure great on further distances/paper, a 5x might be a bit too much on closer distance hunting on moving animals. for instance, i find a 3x for boar hunting almost too much.
 
#19
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

I can only comment on what I would do with a $5k budget. For what it's worth...

TRG-42 .338LM, $2250
(Demo) Zeiss Victory Diarange 2.5-10x50 T*, $2499

Not that you would need the range finder on the scope for 400 yards. Then again, 338LM for 400 is way overkill anyways so why not?
laugh.gif


 
#20
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

For what you're asking, IMO you answered your own question. A DTA SRS. You can buy a .308 barrel, .300 WM, cheaper for 1,000, and if you want, .338LM. And only buy one decent scope. If i were you, I'd go .308/.300 WM now, get a GOOD scope, and reloading equipment if you don't already own it.
 
#21
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

1. Accuracy International AE in .308.

2. For my money NF is the better value.

The image in an SB is usually much better than in a NF, but it might be the coatings and not the glass. Either way, glass at that level of optic isn't that important.

3. The BORS is a tourist trap.
 
#22
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Semmens</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Im looking at a .308 or .338 lapua for the cartridge. I know 400yds is not that far for a .338 or even a .308 but a .270 will have a 5" group at 400yds while a good .338 will have a -2" group. </div></div>

Says who? The rifle's accuracy is not dependent on the chambering. There are .270s out there that are very accurate, just as there are inaccurate .338 Lapuas. And for shooting that range, you're wasting time and money on a .338 lapua. Get a good 7mm and call it a day.
 
#23
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sami</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Zeiss Victory Diarange 2.5-10x50 T*, $2499 </div></div>

i don't like the diarange at all. i'd rather get a decent normal scope (without anything fancy). a normal 'hunting' recticle (s&b fd7, for instance) or a simple mildot recticle. -> s&b 3-12x50. more than good enough for deer and paper.

if you want to range, get something that was specifically made for it. the swaro, or personally, rather a leica. as you said yourself - stick to few and simple tools.

for instance, i wouldn't carry around a rangefinder when i head out for the range with known distances most of the time. and for deer to about 200m, you can estimate the distance good enough with any recticle.
 
#24
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: threetrees</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i don't like the diarange at all. i'd rather get a decent normal scope (without anything fancy). a normal 'hunting' recticle (s&b fd7, for instance) or a simple mildot recticle. -> s&b 3-12x50. more than good enough for deer and paper.</div></div>
I do agree. Zeiss Victory 3-12x56 with ill. #60 is most likely going on top of my next hunting rig. For big game I have 1.1-4x Varipoint #0.
 
#25
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

As you are in the Dakotas, I would say 7 WSM. Slightly less recoil than the 7 Rem Mag, and at least as accurate. If you were in timber most of the time, I would go with 7-08 or 300 WSM, depending on the game.

For deer, I would use the 7-08. Same as 308, only flatter shooting and more downrange energy at a distance. Moderate recoil. If going for elk, I would want a little more knock down power.
 
#26
Re: Looking for a hunting rifle/ Long range rifle

yeah I know... first post so what do I know...You might take a look at Steyr...They have some pretty sweet rifles...I have an SSG04 in .308 and love it, but they have other calibers and rifles as well...

edit: sp
 
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