Long Distance Shooting...

[MichaelJ]

Well since this topic is soo popular lately I was curious about the kind of equiptment needed to start shooting at the Range at long distances.... I'm sure you can use a factory rifle and factory ammo but I'd like to get more in depth than that.

For those of you that use the same rifle for hunting as you do at the range, whats your combo and do you reload and if you do, what type of bullets/powder are you using?

My rifle combo is pretty simple, got a Rem 700 30-06 with a Weaver GrandSlam 3-9x40mm scope.  I typically shoot Federal premium Sierra Game Kings in the 165 for deer/elk/bear and it's worked awesome.  I can shoot 3 hole groups at 100 with two touching and one in the same hole.

What would be your first upgrade to the rifle to increase that down range accuracy?  Thanks.

Michael

[GoldTip]

If your rifle groups like that, I would not change a thing.  Truthfully however you don't with that rifle combo have the downrange energy that most feel is necassary for the 800-1000 yard shots.  For that you would need a completely different caliber, probably the 300 win would be on the low end and then all the way up to the 338 Lapua on the upper end.  Probably good off the shelf gun to start with would be a weatherby accumark either in 30-378 or 33-378.  Also a higher power scope with adjustable turrets.  Then you just need a lot of long range practice and a very accurate rangefinder and a lot of time watching bullets strike paper or steel gongs down range.

[CP]

How far do you want to shoot?  Sight your rifle in 3” high @ 100 yards and you will be dead on at about 250 and about 3” low at 300. 

[Intruder]

Long range is kinda a personal thing.  To a lot of folks 300 yards is a long shot.  What kind of ranges are you defining as long?  That has a ton to do with really answering your question.  Based on what you've described as your current setup, I would think that 400 yard shots are well within reason with what you use.... assuming adequate practice of course.

Reworking your trigger can do wonders for accuracy.  A new recoil pad can too if you tend to feel your gun more than you like.  Again though, a lot really depends on what you trying to achieve as well as your budget.      

[jjhunter]

MJ, I would start with a trigger job and getting your rifle glass bedded.  The 30-06 is not a super-magnum, so speed is not of the essence.  I would switch to a bullet with .500 B.C.'s.  Most of the tipped hunting bullets will work (BT, Accubond, Accutip, TTSX, etc).  Work up a good accurate load and chrono.  Put info into a ballistics program and shoot and adjust as necessary.  Over time, you can rebarrel to a caliber of your choosing.  The options are really unlimited.  The good thing is, you have a 700 action which is a perfect platform for a semi-custom long-range hunting rifle.

I use Nightforce scopes, Nightforce ballistic program, Hart barrels, Berger bullets, 700 or custom actions, Mcmillan or HS stocks, and most importantly - a Swarovski rangefinder!

[whacker1]

I am in a similar position as you mentioned with my .270 on a Savage frame.  Very important that you define how far you want to shoot and take suggestions from above, but most importantly.  Shoot a lot from various positions to see at what distance you groups fall apart.  I am accurate out to about 550 for a deer.  My longest successful shot with the .270 is 440 on a small 3x3 mule deer. 

however, i am just starting the process on Remington 300 RUM.  topped with Zeiss 4.5 x 14 with z-800 reticle.  Just getting started on loading, so I won't know how it will perform until this spring.  I use a Leica Range Finder.  Can't stress enough how important the quality range finder is.  The Bushnell's and Nikon's we used in the past don't cut it. 

When loading - finding out what shoots best in your gun is the biggest key.  It sounds like you have had pretty good success @ .5/ 3 @ 100 yards.  Do those groups open up at longer range or do they hold together?  If they hold together, there may not be much point of changing too much.  Just practicing at longer distance.  Maybe a longer range scope and quality range finder.

Neil

[MichaelJ]

Thanks for the responses guys!  First off this isn't a post about long distance shots on game animals (unless it's a yote  ), its talking about at the range.

I myself don't plan on making any long distance shots on game, but I would really like to get out to 500-600 (maybe farther with practice and time) on the range just for fun, so the energy of the 30-06 isn't a factor.  I think making those kind of shots are a ton of fun and would like to see myself improve...

My groups are good at 200, probably 1-2" if I don't have a flyer (my fault for getting anxious behind the trigger, or not pulling straight back with my trigger finger).  I would be interested in a new stock and would like to bed the barrel myself if at all possible (I know NOTHING about that process), and I could see some trigger work too.  Don't want to swap out barrels though, I'd like to keep my setup as light as possible (I take this thing into the high country too).

So what kind of trigger setups can I do or buy and what about the barrel bedding?  Also my dad is starting to reload and I'd like to work up some loads for my gun (trust me, I know atleast to stay out of the "hot loads" until you get the process down and start getting accurate figures worked up).  What bullets would you recommend that have that high B.C.?  Guess its time to research!

Michael

[Antlershed]

The Rem 700 triggers are adjustable, but if you want a nicer trigger, I would suggest Jewell. That is what my Sendero is going to be getting.

[high country]

michael, get some turret on it. add a 20 MOA base, find a high bc bullet it likes.........practice practice practice. that is it. I watched a DOE sniper make a 800 yard poke on a threat target in a horrid wind shooting down hill.........308win 190gr bullet. run whatcha brung, you will be a better shot to shoot one gun all the time.

[Gobble]

You can't go wrong with a Rem 700. Glass bed, free float the barrel that will give you consistant accuracy

[Bofire]

 :)I would say you cant make a hotrod into a sedan, if you are serious about paper at long range, leave your hunting gun alone, sounds like it shoots well. buy a used, set up 308 heavy barrel, good action and go shoot about 2k to 5k rounds at 300 plus yards. As you learn you'll decide what you want to do, and you'll be a much better shot!! Until you do, the shooting, you'll be guessing at what gun and "stuff" will suit you.
Its a lot of fun, but lots of folks find it very boring to try to shoot with the precision it takes.
Carl

[high country]

he's already shooting sub MOA. take the bal and run with it!

[MichaelJ]

:)I would say you cant make a hotrod into a sedan, if you are serious about paper at long range, leave your hunting gun alone, sounds like it shoots well. buy a used, set up 308 heavy barrel, good action and go shoot about 2k to 5k rounds at 300 plus yards. As you learn you'll decide what you want to do, and you'll be a much better shot!! Until you do, the shooting, you'll be guessing at what gun and "stuff" will suit you.
Its a lot of fun, but lots of folks find it very boring to try to shoot with the precision it takes.
Carl

Thanks for the advice Carl... but I'm not serious about paper at long range... I like my rifle and am just wanting to use it to start shooting downrange...  if I decide I like the hobby, maybe in the future I'll get a new rifle and set it up just for Range practice.

High Country, how much and what would a 20 moa base run me?  I assume you're talking about the scope adjustment 'turrets' right?  If not then I apologize!   

Michael

[Justin C.]

High Country, how much and what would a 20 moa base run me?  I assume you're talking about the scope adjustment 'turrets' right?  If not then I apologize!  

Michael

Hey Michael the 20 moa base is a base for the scope that is 20 moa higher in the back I think.
Sounds like you have your gun  shooting very good, I wouldn't change a thing if it shoots sub moa.

[Intruder]

As most have already said.... you very close to being there with what ya got.  The accuracy that you already have is pretty dang good.  I'm not sure I'd mess w/ stuff too much.... you can always get more accuracey but at some point there's deminishing returns on your investment.  Try some of the basic low cost stuff folks have suggested and see how it goes. 

[high country]

the canted bases can be had from anywhere between 20 and 200bux. you might get some stoney point or have leuy install some turrets on your scope. if you can pull off moa out to 3-400 yds you oughta be able to do it at a lot more. don't get too worked up on a scope. I have broke many a clays at 800-1000yds with my 3.5-10. I stand by my advice, keep shooting what you have and that you will be a better shot if you just shoot one gun.

if you take it apart and bed it or do trigger work there is always the chance it will be worse then it is now. sub moa guns are not as common as you might think. many guns shoot a good group here and there and some times more often then not, but still toss em' for no reason on the next day.

[MichaelJ]

Thanks for the advise guys!
Okay now for a quick question...
If each click on my scope is ~ 1/4" at 100 yards, then is it a 1/2" at 200 yards? and 1" at 400 yards? then 2" at 800 yards?  yes, no?
And honestly, how accurate are the charts from say federal on their bullets drop out to 500-600 yards?

Thanks guys!

Michael

[bobcat]

Yes you're right about the 1/4 inch click being equal to 1/2 inch at 200 yards and so on. As far as the Federal bullet drop charts, they should be pretty close if you're using their bullets but you'll want to shoot at those ranges to be sure.

You can also use some of the online ballistic calculators that are available such as this one:

http://www.biggameinfo.com/BalCalc.aspx

You will need to know your muzzle velocity and the ballistic coefficient of the bullet you're shooting.

[high country]

michael, be careful basing your trajectory off of any thing other then your own notes. when you get out a ways.......6-7-800yds things like sight height and gun level become important. I would advise you to get to shooting at long range at big targets. I use a simple frame and butcher paper with a small 1" or 1 1/2" orange dot. the smallest you can see. the theroy aim small miss small holds true for me. anyhow use the figures from a balli chart or your box and send a couple down range......go check it out. if you can't hit it get closer. record your hits and holdovers, pretty soon you will have a dope book going and be onyour way to being one heck of a long range shooter.