Looking to get into a longer range rifle

[thatjdmlif3]

Hello, so ive been wanting to get a longer range (250+ yds) shooting for a while for hunting and for target shooting, ive been looking at the Remington micro 7 in 300blk, I held one is a gun shop and I like the short barrel, action, overall feel and how it is light and small so that would make it easy for transport and hiking up into the woods. Would you guys think this is an atiquite choice, im also trying to stay in a budget witch this micro 7 fits in (Its used with a 3-9 scope for $639)
PIcure of Micro 7 below:

 

[Skunkworx]

What’s your end goal in mind here? Are your intentions to find a fun handy rifle to use while hiking?

 

[thatjdmlif3]

What’s your end goal in mind here? Are your intentions to find a fun handy rifle to use while hiking?

yea pretty much, the Micro 7 caught my attention because I heard 300blk is a cool unique round and since I live in a ban state I can't get an AR with it. also like I said its tiny.

 

[flyer]

300 Blackout isn't really a long range round, too slow and not very good BC with common ammo.

What are you hunting?

 

[thatjdmlif3]

300 Blackout isn't really a long range round, too slow and not very good BC with common ammo.

What are you hunting?

Most likely Whitetail deer, I already have a 30-30 that my father uses to hunt, and IMO that's too beefy to carry in the woods with ammo and supplies

 

[Fig]

I wouldn't go .300 BLK unless it's one of many rifles. It's kind of a specialty cartridge, and very limited with a tiny case capacity for a .30 cal. Especially for a new shooting, and new to middle range a .308 will is far more capable and will serve you much better.

 

[Fig]

Most likely Whitetail deer, I already have a 30-30 that my father uses to hunt, and IMO that's too beefy to carry in the woods with ammo and supplies

Well, it is like a 30-30, but to me it's a light truck gun/woods gun. Beefy to me is 25+ lbs rifle. A 30lb rifle is starting to get HEAVY.

 

[thatjdmlif3]

Well, it is like a 30-30, but to me it's a light truck gun/woods gun. Beefy to me is 25+ lbs rifle. A 30lb rifle is starting to get HEAVY.

the 30-30 is about 12ish lbs loaded, and the reason that is "beefy" is because I will be hiking up into the woods and up hills at 5am when sunrise comes up

 

[thatjdmlif3]

I wouldn't go .300 BLK unless it's one of many rifles. It's kind of a specialty cartridge, and very limited with a tiny case capacity for a .30 cal. Especially for a new shooting, and new to middle range a .308 will is far more capable and will serve you much better.

I have thought about 308, do you know of any light-ish rifles in 308? I was looking at the ruger American, but I can also get that in 6.5 Creedmoor so idk

 

[Fig]

Even better.

 

[flyer]

I would suggest 6.8 SPC because it's a killer and pretty easy to shoot 500+ yards but kind of hard to find in a compact bolt action.

Is .223 legal for hunting? Barnes bullets will make it pretty effective and you could switch to 77 grain match bullets for shooting 7-800 yards, just make sure you get a fast twist barrel (1 in 7" or 8") so it will shoot heavies.

 

[spife7980]

Long range and 300bo dont belong in the same sentence. Its taking a small 223 case, cutting a bit off it to be even smaller and then asking it to drive a comparatively heavy bullet.

I would look at a 308, 6.5 creed, 6.5 grendel.

This howa has a not great stock but it would do the job, and is only 449 today with discount code vb4 plus a 10 dollar ffl fee for them and then your local ffls transfer fee. So 500 tops. Its9 lbs by itself not counting a scope but if you are going to be target shooting the heavier barrel will make that experience much more enjoyable. I shoot my favorite hunting rifles 20x more frequently at targets than I do animals so the weight is appreciated 95% of the time.

I also really like the ruger american predator that you mentioned, especially when they go on sale for 400 and below. Bought 2 of them myself (ones 300bo but only for 100 yard max hunting)

For scopes a swfa ss scope, the athlon talos btr, weaver grand slam tactical etc can all be had for 300 bucks and below.

 

[thatjdmlif3]

I would suggest 6.8 SPC because it's a killer and pretty easy to shoot 500+ yards but kind of hard to find in a compact bolt action.

Is .223 legal for hunting? Barnes bullets will make it pretty effective and you could switch to 77 grain match bullets for shooting 7-800 yards, just make sure you get a fast twist barrel (1 in 7" or 8") so it will shoot heavies.

NY state has no rifle caliber regulations, so I COULD hunt with 22lr. I heard that 223. would only be good with a dead on shot, there isn't as much room for error. is this true?

 

[thatjdmlif3]

Long range and 300bo dont belong in the same sentence. Its taking a small 223 case, cutting a bit off it to be even smaller and then asking it to drive a comparatively heavy bullet.

I would look at a 308, 6.5 creed, 6.5 grendel.

This howa has a not great stock but it would do the job, and is only 449 today with discount code vb4 plus a 10 dollar ffl fee for them and then your local ffls transfer fee. So 500 tops.

I also really like the ruger american predator that you mentioned, especially when they go on sale for 400 and below. Bought 2 of them myself (ones 300bo but only for 100 yard max hunting)

I will definitely check out the howa, and it seems like you guys agree on 308. and 6.5 so I will for sure check those out

 

[W54/XM-388]

One of the Ruger American rifles in .243, .308 or 6.5CM would be an excellent choice for a cheap, light, handy rifle to get started with.
Then if you want something a bit better, go up to the Tikka T3x series

 

[thatjdmlif3]

One of the Ruger American rifles in .243, .308 or 6.5CM would be an excellent choice for a cheap, light, handy rifle to get started with.
Then if you want something a bit better, go up to the Tikka T3x series

I just looked and on the first link I was able to find one in stock for $389! So that should leave room for a 4-12 or 3-9 scope so im really leaning towards it

 

[flyer]

NY state has no rifle caliber regulations, so I COULD hunt with 22lr. I heard that 223. would only be good with a dead on shot, there isn't as much room for error. is this true?

With a good expanding bullet it won't need perfect placement but as good as you can manage is always a good idea.

 

[thatjdmlif3]

With a good expanding bullet it won't need perfect placement but as good as you can manage is always a good idea.

Ok well that's good to know, that can also open a lot of doorways for different rifles, and maybe some semi-auto's but that's not for here to discuss

 

[SuperSneakySniper]

The Ruger American in .308 or 6.5 is an excellent choice! It's light, affordable, accurate, and there is a growing aftermarket for it, so later on if you want to change the stock (MDT makes great chassis for the Ruger American) or get a new barrel (a few gunsmiths make pre-fit barrels for the Ruger American) you can turn it into a longer range gun, varmint gun, target gun, you have the ability to do it all should you ever get the itch to in the future.

I will always vote 6.5Creed over .308, ive seen people regret getting .308 when they couldve had 6.5. 6.5 is a versatile round too, hunt with it, compete with it, plink with it, etc... Less kick than a .308, and plenty enough power to drop a deer quick and easy.

As others have pointed out, the Howa mini is also a great choice but i have no personal experience with Howa.

 

[CJS-6.5]

What is your past shooting history? Long range is pretty dependent on the shooter. I have seen some guys blown away at trying to hit anything at 400 yrds. Some of the guys here can literally hit 400 with their eyes closed. Not a good idea though. Just buy a lightweight hunting rifle I'm 6 or 6.5 mm and see what you can learn with it. Have fun!

 

[thatjdmlif3]

What is your past shooting history? Long range is pretty dependent on the shooter. I have seen some guys blown away at trying to hit anything at 400 yrds. Some of the guys here can literally hit 400 with their eyes closed. Not a good idea though. Just buy a lightweight hunting rifle I'm 6 or 6.5 mm and see what you can learn with it. Have fun!

Tbh im kinda getting into long range, ive been shooting since about 2008 and ive mastered basically 125yds and lower. This also applies for long range hunting