Looking for advice

[jimbo308]

I need some advice. I've been shooting and loading for years but my passion for shooting has always been centered around hunting. I'm getting too old to ride my dirtbike and have decided to take up shooting for a hobby. Until recently I had never loaded much target ammo. I've been experimenting with different loads and have found a couple that shoot fantastic...at 150 yards. That's the maximum distance at my range.


I'm wanting to get into some longer range shooting. I have an oppurtunity to shoot in a match next month. The targets range from 600 to 1000 yards. Describing my equipment below, I'd welcome any comments anyone might have.

Remington 700 Varmint .308
26" barrel. 1-12" twist
Bushnell Tactical 3200 5-15x
B&C Medalist Tactical Stock

Best load so far has been:

175mk
44.6 gr IMR4064
Fed 210m
2.840 COAL
Hornady match brass fire formed, weight matched and neck sized only. Shot a few dime sized groups with this load at 150 yds.


2nd best load:
168 A-max
45 gr Varget
Fed 210m
2.855 COAL
Hornady match brass same as above. Also shot some dime sized groups with this load at 150. Average group size only slightly larger than the 175mk.

Don't have a chronograph so not sure on my MV.

Wouldnt the 175mk be the better choice to "attempt" shooting out to 1000 yards? Do I stand a chance of actually hitting some steel? There is a practice day before the match. The other shooters seem very willing to help a newcomer. If the wind is calm, I hope to get at least a few rounds on target.

Again, any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Lucks]

Re: Looking for advice

If you use the load for your 175's, consult a ballistic calculator (maybe use ~2700fps for velocity), and show up for the practice day.... I bet you'll do better than fine.

Welcome to competitive shooting....it's a blast!

 

[macgulley]

Re: Looking for advice

I agree with Lucks. 175s are definitely the way to go. You should be getting 2650-2700fps from your load. Show up on practice day and someone will be able to help get you dialed in.

 

[macgulley]

Re: Looking for advice

Here's a good ballistics calculator that runs in Excel and the price is right: free.

http://www.jacksonrifles.com/ballistics.htm
If you're going to Hardrock, I think the elevation is ~375 ft.

 

[jimbo308]

Re: Looking for advice

Thanks a lot guys. I am going to Hardrock but not this weekend. I'll be there for the March shoot for sure. Looking forward to it. Interested to see how much work it'll take to get on target from those ranges. I'm hoping my 15x Bushnell will be at least adequate. I have about +13 mins of elevation adjustment from 100 yd zero. We'll see.

 

[macgulley]

Re: Looking for advice

13 minutes won't even get you to 600. You're gonna need another scope or a 25moa base at least. It will take ~35 minutes to reach 1000 from your 100yd zero.

 

[jimbo308]

Re: Looking for advice

Budget won't allow for new scope but I'll definitely look into the 25 moa base. I assume that's a base that mounts the scope at an upward angle? Wouldn't I lose my ability to zero at 100yds?

I'd buy a scope if I could find something in the "few hundred dollar" range but I'd rather keep saving for something nice.

 

[macgulley]

Re: Looking for advice

I definitely understand budget limitations. You may still be able to zero for 100, see how much total elevation you have and then you will know. As far as low budget scopes go, I have a Swift 669MA that I'm very happy with. I've never had any problems with it and adjustments are accurate and repeatable. I do wish I'd gotten one with mil-dots, though. Check them out. http://swfa.com/Swift-Premier-Rifle-Scopes-C197.aspx I've read some good reviews about Mueller scopes in that price range, too.
You'll still probably need a tapered base, 20moa is pretty standard.

 

[jimbo308]

Re: Looking for advice

I have about 32 moa down so I guess I could still zero at 100. I appreciate the information. Any shopping ideas for buying a base? I would rather buy from a local place but will order online if needed.

 

[macgulley]

Re: Looking for advice

Not sure where you could find it in Montgomery. I'd check the classifieds forum and if there's nothing there, go to the commercial sales forum. I'm sure there are several members who'd be glad to fix you up.

 

[tullius]

Re: Looking for advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JIMBO308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Budget won't allow for new scope but I'll definitely look into the 25 moa base. I assume that's a base that mounts the scope at an upward angle? Wouldn't I lose my ability to zero at 100yds?

I'd buy a scope if I could find something in the "few hundred dollar" range but I'd rather keep saving for something nice.</div></div>

It'll angle the scope down, actually, and thus the barrel up.

You'll need at least a 30 MOA base to go shoot.

Get a 30 moa EGW, you'll have plenty to still zero. Your loads are more than sufficient, including the 168. I need between 37-39 MOA to get to 1000yds from a 100yd zero, and I'm shooting 168's. Also check out the Bushnell 10x40mm 3200 Elite mil-dot scope, they have at least 80 MOA adjustment and very very clear glass, and they're $153 right now @ Midway. I have 3 of these and regularly run two of them out past 1000yds.

 

[ida83704]

Re: Looking for advice

I'm happy with my EGW 30moa base.

For the first match show up looking to learn something and have fun, if you are not in last place you are doing pretty good. If you are in last place the only place to go is up.

What equipment you need to add to your kit will be easy to identify once you start shooting matches. So show up with what you got.