Re: Realistic group sizes at distance
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cpt. Coughtry</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The best way to determine what you can do at say 1000 yards to make the math quick is to start off with sets of three shots at 100yards. Figure your MOA and multiply that by ten and you should get a reasonable group figure for the 1000 yard. Before hand loading I was shooting 1/2"MOA at 100 yards, but had a good day and shot 3" groups at 1200 once. Realistically I was lucky since I was only expecting 6" groups. Now that I'm hand loading I get 3/16"MOA at 100 yards and just made some new adjustments to my load so I'm excited to see what I can do at 1000 yards. What ammo you use is the trick. If your receiver and barrel are square and seated properly the rest is left up to you and your ammo. I've made a few changes to my stock Rem 700 30-06 24"barrel such as fully floating the barrel, adding weight to the stock, and padding the barrel to absorb vibrations.
Once I get a response to some figures I need from IMR, Hodgdon, and VihtaVuori I plan to upgrade my barrel to a 32" bore barrel. If my calculations are right at 50K cup using the right powder I should get 4045fps to reduce my drop by 220 inches at 1000 yards. This will help me out a lot, but I might have to upgrade to a 300 RUM when I chamber the barrel since I don't think a 30-06 will hold enough powder even at 80% charge for such a slow burn. Loading IMR 4350 at 48 grains almost needs to be compressed and with a 168gr BTHP this causes issues. I do know with a 26" barrel the 300RUM tops out at 3450fps with this bullet. Now if you want to take a look at something that will really kick your but check out the 20mm sniper rifle. Forget about the 50bmg the 20mm isn't a gun it's a cannon. I would hate to run threw a box of ammo and wake up the next day with out lortab. lol
Does any one know a good reloading manual to accommodate long barrels and sniper rifles? Does any one know of powder burn rates with actual figures and pressure measurements? I don't need a list of powders in order of there burn rate when it doesn't tell me what those rates are and no pressure output. I also need an optics upgrade from my Nikon. Any suggestions of a scope that will hold a zero and won't brake after a few thousand rounds? Well thanks
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Up to this point, it appears, you have let popular culture, determine your fate. You may want to get some training from someone who knows how to shoot and can teach it to you, as right now you have a perception about what it takes to get the job done largely based on fantasy rather than fact.
Shooting at LR is like shooting any distance short of it, except at LR, angular errors produced by sight misalignment, parallax, and position inconsistency are unmasked. These are errors, which increase with distance and seperate those who indeed know something about good shooting from those who don't. Certainly, ammunition must be perfect, as well as the rifle; but from there, it's all about the shooter maintaining a consistent position, and adjusting the sight/s to counter for the effects of wind and weather. Long barrels and long bullets can help a shooter counter the effects of wind and weather; but, there's still no substitute for basic prone marksmanship knowledge and skill.