Newbie with a bunch of questions

[stevierg]

Hi All,

I'm interested in getting into long range shooting, for the next year shooting paper at 200-600 yards and then the year after possibly hunting.

I've only ever fired a couple handguns a total of around 100 rounds and never a rifle.

I've read all the FAQs and probably need to do it a few more times. There is a huge amount of information to consume.


So I have a bunch of questions

1: Should I just go straight to the 308 or start with something like 223?

2: I was thinking of just buying a Remington 700 SPS, but I also saw this http://www.snipercentral.com/rementrypack.phtml
is it worth going straight for something like that custom built, or should I get the SPS first and start the upgrade process myself? My budget for rifle is around $1000

I'm also not too bothered to use the target rifle for hunting, I would be fine to buy a second rifle for that purpose.

3: Optics are a pain it appears, hard to understand the major differences, but from what I gather, I should have around another $1000 for that alone.

4: Is it worth just going to the range and practicing or are there good places for lessons?

5: In terms of ammo, do you guys buy in bulk? For practicing, what type of ammo is best to buy?

Thanks guys in advance! This forum rocks.

 

[lazy21]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stevierg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi All,

I'm interested in getting into long range shooting, for the next year shooting paper at 2000600 yards and then the year after possibly hunting.

</div></div>


over 2 million yards that's some super duper long range, had to be the first to pull your leg.........welcome

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

I personally would go straight to the .308 if you want a gun that will eventually double as a hunting rig.

I was in your shoes about a little over a year ago. I went the budget SPS-T route and a Falcon 5-25 scope just to get my feet wet and learn before I invested big $$ in a custom everything. For under $1000 I had a solid gun and a decent scope and it did everything I wanted. I routinely shoot that exact setup at 1K yds with good success. Don't let anyone tell you a budget gun and scope won't shoot. Are you going to win F-Classes and Tac matches with it? Probably not, but as a learning gun - you can't beat it.

What I think made the difference for ME was I sunk probably another $1k into getting a reloading bench setup including all the equipement and components. The $$ saved and the ability to load my own rounds tailored to my gun allowed me to shoot WAY more often and effectively than if I was buying factory ammo every week.

IN fact I think I learned MORE from having a basic factory shooter and reloading than I ever would have starting off with a custom GAP. It forced me to learn how to shoot rather than just rely on tack driver covering my mistakes.

As far as practicing - your best initial bet is to just make friends with locals on SH and at your range. hang out with the rifle shooters and you'll quickly find people you like and few shooters will ever begrudge you some informal lessons. Once you get some basic proficiency and you have the cash, then by all means go to a rifle school. But its not required and I think you'll get more out of something like that further down the road as you learn more on your own and can appreciate the more advanced stuff.

 

[stevierg]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stevierg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi All,

I'm interested in getting into long range shooting, for the next year shooting paper at 2000600 yards and then the year after possibly hunting.

</div></div>


over 2 million yards that's some super duper long range, had to be the first to pull your leg.........welcome </div></div>

Nice... great start

corrected the post

 

[Freerunner]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

ReaperDriver pretty well hit the nail on the head.

 

[Mgordon]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

The SPS is not a bad rifle to start with. The stock needs to be free floated and there is a good chance that the rifle might actually be a decent shooter! The Remington is a good rifle to start off with because you can do anything you would like after you start to formulate some opinions.

Here is a link to a SPS Package that I offer as a service, but it is not needed to go this route if your rifle shoots better than 3/4 MOA or so.

Mark

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

if it was me, id buy a used savage from here. there have been several nice ones. if your a 700 man, look into the group buy on the SPS tactical

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1882430#Post1882430

thats a good entry level rifle. i like savage, but if i bought a 700, id buy that to start with. otherwise id find a sweet savage 10fcp in the used section

 

[BrettSass844]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I personally would go straight to the .308 if you want a gun that will eventually double as a hunting rig.

I was in your shoes about a little over a year ago. I went the budget SPS-T route and a Falcon 5-25 scope just to get my feet wet and learn before I invested big $$ in a custom everything. For under $1000 I had a solid gun and a decent scope and it did everything I wanted. I routinely shoot that exact setup at 1K yds with good success. Don't let anyone tell you a budget gun and scope won't shoot. Are you going to win F-Classes and Tac matches with it? Probably not, but as a learning gun - you can't beat it.

What I think made the difference for ME was I sunk probably another $1k into getting a reloading bench setup including all the equipement and components. The $$ saved and the ability to load my own rounds tailored to my gun allowed me to shoot WAY more often and effectively than if I was buying factory ammo every week.

IN fact I think I learned MORE from having a basic factory shooter and reloading than I ever would have starting off with a custom GAP. It forced me to learn how to shoot rather than just rely on tack driver covering my mistakes.

As far as practicing - your best initial bet is to just make friends with locals on SH and at your range. hang out with the rifle shooters and you'll quickly find people you like and few shooters will ever begrudge you some informal lessons. Once you get some basic proficiency and you have the cash, then by all means go to a rifle school. But its not required and I think you'll get more out of something like that further down the road as you learn more on your own and can appreciate the more advanced stuff. </div></div>

+1! This is exactly what I did to start. I am currently buying up my hand loading equip and will be set up in a week or 2. This is the best advice you will get!

 

[desertrat1979]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

To be honest, get a .22 bolt rifle.You can get lots of ammo for cheap. Pick a scope that will fit your budget, give you experience, and while you are practicing technique you can shop around for your target/hunting rig. It may seem odd, but I would put the scope you plan to use on the big rifle on the .22. Then when you are ready to step up, swap it over. You wil already be familiar with it. Caliber selection is more of a personal preference. The .308 or most of the other 30 caliber rounds have lots of info out there. The 6mm, 6.5, and 7mm rounds have gained alot of attention, the .223 has been sent out to 1k but is not the first choice. 90% of the guys here load their own, it allowes you to custom taylor the round to your rifle, something factory ammo doesnt offer.

As far as custom or manufacturer built rifle its up to you and your budget. If you got $3500 to drop on a custom from the stary then do it, I would. Lot of guys including myself, do a build over time. For me a really long time. I picked up a R700 30-06 3 years ago from Walmart. All I have left to do is get the action trued and rebarraled. When I bought the rifle I knew nothing about long range shooting. I know a little now, and I am several years away from knowing enough.
Regardless of what you buy. The only way to beocme good is practice. Train, practice, train, and do it all over 1000 more times. I recommend you enroll in Lowlights online training and ask your questions to the pros. I developed some bad habits trying to teach myself, and some of the videos Frank posted helped me break them. One word of advise, dont buy something because it looks cool, tacticool, or what the other guy uses. Get it if you need it.
There are pros on here that are some of the most informative, and generous folks here. If you have a question there is most likely an answer. Just hop you got thick skin, it can get rough here for some of the weak and uneasy.

 

[Austincqc]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

I agree with everybody above.

The SPS is a good platform if you're going to build up later because they have the largest aftermarket support. Just be prepared to spend some $ for a gunsmith to do some work for you too. The options are limitless with Remingtons, but just check on the things you can do yourself vs what you'll need a smith for.

As Axeman stated, Savages make a great starter platform too. A lot more can be done yourself so you save some extra money that would have been spent on a smith. A lot of people will tell you that a Savage gives you more for your money. Take a look at the options and decide for yourself what's important (ie. detachable magazine, tactical bolt knob, etc...) to you and what you plan to do with the rifle. If you get one with an Accustock, you're set for your first rifle. No need to upgrade your stock, trigger or anything.

Either platform is great to start with. There are plenty of options for both. Go to a local gun store or outdoor store and pick up as many as possible to see which one you like.

I bought a Savage FCP because a similarly equiped Rem 700 would be $400 more. The rifles are equal in terms of accuracy IMO and the shooter makes all the difference. Just like stock car racing...all the cars put out similar HP, Torque, etc...the drivers make all the difference.

Building the rifle is about 1/4 of the battle. No amount of money will replace good quality trigger time. There's a lot of information on this site. Check the FAQ sections for links. There are a lot of people for you to connect with. There are a few books that give some decent basic information out there that will suffice until you get to meet some of the SH members.

I don't reload...yet. But from what people have told me that do reload is that I won't save ANY money reloading...I'll just have more ammo to shoot with.

Oh...and start with the .308. If you're going to hunt with the same rifle, be aware how much your rig will weigh with a new tactical stock (if you go that route), optics, bipod, etc... If you're a stand hunter, it's not a big deal. If you stalk or hike during your hunts, the weight will matter after a while.

 

[stevierg]

Re: Newbie with a bunch of questions

Thanks all! Yeah I think the SPS is my best bet. The AICS stalk really interests me, so I think the 700 is a good route for me.

308 I'll go with, I might pick up a 223 rifle if I find that ammo is getting too expensive with the 308.

Still need to figure out the real budget for a scope. I am going to go to a store and check them out see which suits me best.