Cheapest 1500 yard rifle and cartridge for competition

[Wanttohuntmore]

I'm looking for a rifle for shooting 1400 yards for a fun comp that I'll be in.  Will be making 200 shots per day.  I have good equipment but realized my rifles/loads rate of twist peter out at about 1200 or are too heavy (comp includes endurance runs).  Is sub-$1000, 1/2 moa, sub 8lb, and low kick possible?

Other criteria that also negates some of my equipment: brass and match bullet availability, keeping MOA adjustment overall under 75.

On my radar -> 6.5 cm, 308, 30-06.  Also considering building a savage...

[Special T]

I know that when BH talked about "reasonable" long range guns that won't break the bank 300 win mag  was regularly discussed with long heavy bullets.

[Reidus]

Building a savage is probably best bang for your buck accuracy wise. Get a savage action and buy an x-caliber pre-fit, a stock and a trigger.

As for caliber.....with that volume of shooting you're probably going to want something wit low recoil. I'd figure out what BC bullet and velocity you need to remain supersonic at 1400yds and then work backward from there to see what cartridges can provide the bullet bc and velocity. I'd go with smallest case that could do this.

[MtnMuley]

I'm curious to hear what the knowledge gun nuts think about a 1400 yd gun, under 8lbs, that shoots 1/2 moa at under $1K will have to say........

[Reidus]

1/2 at 1k yds is a lot to ask for.....1/2 moa at 100yd with a savage with an aftermarket barrel is doable i think.

[Eric M]

My brother in law bought one of these. He's in love with it. Not cheap though.
http://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html?r=y
This video might give you something to chew on, especially if you don't want to get beat up by recoil. I'm not sure the distance is repeatable as many rounds as you plan to shoot. Interesting though.

[jackelope]

Wow.

[actionshooter]

I have seen some guys getting decent results with the Ruger rifle.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Not sure what I'm about to embark on,  i remember when 700 yards seemed far!  😂

[JJB11B]

I'm curious to hear what the knowledge gun nuts think about a 1400 yd gun, under 8lbs, that shoots 1/2 moa at under $1K will have to say........

@jay.sharkbait @yorketransport

[rbros]

It's possible to build a sub 8lb rifle that will shoot under 1/2 moa.  The trick is shooting it consistently at distance.   In the endurance comps we have done we ran rifles in the 10lb range.   Much easier to shoot under pressure.   For cartridge choice, a 6.5 creedmoor is a good choice. 

[MooseZ25]

I own a Ruger Precision in a 243 and it is not a 8 pound gun.  I think mine all decked out is 18 pounds.  It is a shooter all the way out to 1400 yards.

[jackelope]

I own a Ruger Precision in a 243 and it is not a 8 pound gun.  I think mine all decked out is 18 pounds.  It is a shooter all the way out to 1400 yards.

The heaviest the website shows them at 10.8 pounds. The .308 is 9.8 pounds. The only reason I mention that is because I'm interested in the rifle, but not at 18#.
Is it really 18 pounds?

[jay.sharkbait]

That's a tough one.

If I had to try this with the brief being 1400 yd target, 1/2 MOA 8 lb and under 1k I would consider the following.

Caliber= 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Rem, 7mmWSM, 6.5 SAUM.

Rifle= Re barreled Savage and a used composite stock.

          Find a Win Coyote 7WSM and put it on a diet.

          Wing it with a bedded Ruger Predator or Savage Axis and spend the extra dough on practice at that distance.

          Sauer 100 http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/05/daniel-zimmerman/new-sauer-sauer-100-classic-xt-rifle/

What is the course of fire? Will you really need a detachable mag?

[jackelope]

My Remington 700 Long Range shoots in the 0.7's out of the box with factory ammo.
 
Probably an accomplished shooter, a little work and handload would put it into the .5's but it's 9.5 pounds-ish.
$599

[MooseZ25]

I own a Ruger Precision in a 243 and it is not a 8 pound gun.  I think mine all decked out is 18 pounds.  It is a shooter all the way out to 1400 yards.

The heaviest the website shows them at 10.8 pounds. The .308 is 9.8 pounds. The only reason I mention that is because I'm interested in the rifle, but not at 18#.
Is it really 18 pounds?

Yes that is with a magnum suppressor, bipod, two loaded magazines, sling and 5-30 Huskemaw scope.

[Woodchuck]

I own a Ruger Precision in a 243 and it is not a 8 pound gun.  I think mine all decked out is 18 pounds.  It is a shooter all the way out to 1400 yards.

The heaviest the website shows them at 10.8 pounds. The .308 is 9.8 pounds. The only reason I mention that is because I'm interested in the rifle, but not at 18#.
Is it really 18 pounds?

Yes that is with a magnum suppressor, bipod, two loaded magazines, sling and 5-30 Huskemaw scope.

What size wheels does it have? 

[jackelope]

I own a Ruger Precision in a 243 and it is not a 8 pound gun.  I think mine all decked out is 18 pounds.  It is a shooter all the way out to 1400 yards.

The heaviest the website shows them at 10.8 pounds. The .308 is 9.8 pounds. The only reason I mention that is because I'm interested in the rifle, but not at 18#.
Is it really 18 pounds?

Yes that is with a magnum suppressor, bipod, two loaded magazines, sling and 5-30 Huskemaw scope.

OK, so it's a 9.8# rifle plus 9 pounds of bolt-on's.
Thanks for clarifying.

[MooseZ25]

I own a Ruger Precision in a 243 and it is not a 8 pound gun.  I think mine all decked out is 18 pounds.  It is a shooter all the way out to 1400 yards.

The heaviest the website shows them at 10.8 pounds. The .308 is 9.8 pounds. The only reason I mention that is because I'm interested in the rifle, but not at 18#.
Is it really 18 pounds?

Yes that is with a magnum suppressor, bipod, two loaded magazines, sling and 5-30 Huskemaw scope.

OK, so it's a 9.8# rifle plus 9 pounds of bolt-on's.
Thanks for clarifying.

Yes sorry about that I added all the extra weight to it.  I will say that is truly is a great shooting rifle for the price.  It shoots the 105 VLD like a dream and will put five shots into a ragged hole at 100 yards and on steel out 1400 yards. 

[MichaelJ]

I'm looking for a rifle for shooting 1400 yards for a fun comp that I'll be in.  Will be making 200 shots per day.  I have good equipment but realized my rifles/loads rate of twist peter out at about 1200 or are too heavy (comp includes endurance runs).  Is sub-$1000, 1/2 moa, sub 8lb, and low kick possible?

Other criteria that also negates some of my equipment: brass and match bullet availability, keeping MOA adjustment overall under 75.

On my radar -> 6.5 cm, 308, 30-06.  Also considering building a savage...

I would only build a sub 8 lb rifle for shots in the 800 or less range.  Past that the light weight is really a hindrance to the shooter.  Not in accuracy capability of the rifle, but as Travis said above, being able to shoot it consistently.  10-11 lbs scoped is where you want to be for consistent results.

Cheap, Accurate, Lightweight.... Pick 2 of the 3.

Mike

[syoungs]

Depending on course of fire and magazine requirements, I think your going to have to bump the budget.

Savage stealth in a 6.5 creed would be a good start for an off the shelf option imho, find something that will match mags you already own would be a benefit, ( assuming you own some aics mags already)

[yorketransport]

That's 8# without a scope right? You'll have a hard time getting a Savage down below 8# without compromising the stock quality at the very least. The 1/2 MOA at 1400 is a pretty tough number to hit as well reguardless of other requirements; .75 MOA a lot easier.

You could think out side the rifle box. My 19" 284 Win Striker will shoot between .75 and 1 MOA at 1380 yards and it weighs less than 8# without a scope. I'll shoot it against any rifle out to about 1200 yards without giving up much practical accuracy.


For chamberings I'd look at either the medium 6.5s like the 6.5x47 Lapua, Creedmoore and 260 or just a plain old fast twist 243. I think I even have a fast twist 243 sitting somewhere. I haven't seen that thing in months though..... 

[mountainman]

I'm looking for a rifle for shooting 1400 yards for a fun comp that I'll be in.  Will be making 200 shots per day.  I have good equipment but realized my rifles/loads rate of twist peter out at about 1200 or are too heavy (comp includes endurance runs).  Is sub-$1000, 1/2 moa, sub 8lb, and low kick possible?

Other criteria that also negates some of my equipment: brass and match bullet availability, keeping MOA adjustment overall under 75.

On my radar -> 6.5 cm, 308, 30-06.  Also considering building a savage...

I would only build a sub 8 lb rifle for shots in the 800 or less range.  Past that the light weight is really a hindrance to the shooter.  Not in accuracy capability of the rifle, but as Travis said above, being able to shoot it consistently.  10-11 lbs scoped is where you want to be for consistent results.

Cheap, Accurate, Lightweight.... Pick 2 of the 3.

Mike

👍

[Wanttohuntmore]

Thanks for the replies.   I have a sporter weight 30-06 that will pull 1/2 moa at 500, but i know that +1000 becomes really difficult.   I secretly am hoping for an excuse to buy a kimber hunter in 6.5, but know that barrel probably can't handle the amount of rounds, and the weight would make it difficult to shoot.

[JLR]

I'd like to know what competition this is?  Sounds interesting!

[fly-by]

Do you need a detachable box magazine for this competition?  If not, the Savage long range hunter weighs 8.65 pounds and comes in several chamberings suitable for long range competition (6.5 cm, .260 rem, 6.5-.284, .300 wsm, .300 wm).   You can get the .300 wm for $650 now but the others seem to be more in the $850 range which is still under budget.  I picked up the .300 WM and it is around 0.875 MOA with Prvi factory loads that I bought for the brass. I expect 0.75 or better with handloads.

[Wanttohuntmore]

No requirement on the magazine.   Was also looking at the Savage 10T. A little heavier, but possibly workable?  The shoot is over near spokane in may.   My buddy has the details so I'll see if i can them.

[Stein]

Once you figure out the solution to the under $1000/1500M tack driver/ultra light weight shooting package let us all know.  I'd be interested in seeing what worked for you because I can't imagine ANYTHING that will fit that bill.

I have a bit over $1,000 into a Remmy 700, stock, middle of the road Vortex and Timney trigger.  I would think you need more than $1,500 for your scope budget alone.

[jay.sharkbait]

This doesn't include optic, right?

[Wanttohuntmore]

Not including optics.   I may sacrifice the weight requirements to up to 10lbs, though sub 8 would really be nice.

[jay.sharkbait]

Not including optics.   I may sacrifice the weight requirements to up to 10lbs, though sub 8 would really be nice.

What event is this? It wouldn't be the Bull Hill Shootout would it?

[jasnt]

I'd like to know what competition this is?  Sounds interesting!

[Wanttohuntmore]

It's the national rifle league comp in may.  I'm not into comps but I think I could learn a bunch with a dedicated LR platform that could be applied to hunting yotes.

[xXLojackXx]

It's the national rifle league comp in may.  I'm not into comps but I think I could learn a bunch with a dedicated LR platform that could be applied to hunting yotes.

If you're referring to the JC Steel Challenge in May, you'll shoot 80 rounds a day. Not 200. I will be shooting that match with an 18lb 6mm rifle, for what its worth. There isn't much "endurance" needed, other than keeping your head together for a weekend of competition.

1400 yards, sub 8lbs, 1/2 moa and less than $1000? You're searching for a unicorn. If you find it, capture it and keep it alive and hydrated. I would like to study it.