New to Rifle Shooting: Where to start?

[jgrimes]

I am an archer and bowhunter at heart, but want to get into the rifle side of things; specifically long range shooting. I have very little experience with rifles and would like to get some feedback on where to start; books, videos, people and places to learn from. Any info is greatly appreciated, thanks.

[JimmyHoffa]

I would say that getting a .22LR might be a good idea.  You can get lots of time on the trigger for a good price.  Get lots of practice with squeezing and breathing.  But at the same time practice with the long range rifle you get.
You could see if they still have CMP going on and if there is one in your area.

[pianoman9701]

I know you passed hunter's safety, but there's no harm in review if you haven't shot a firearm in a while;

http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp

Also, here are ten tips for rifle accuracy:
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/2010/09/23/shooting_tips_10_tips_accuracy/

Have fun and be safe.
PMAN

[FC]

Jimmy gives good advice, I would suggest a Savage MkII in 22lr, it's a very accurate model that won't break the bank.

[Huntboy]

Plenty of forums that cover this also.

[Biggerhammer]

Decide on a cartridge, purchase the rifle or have one built accordingly. Select your glass, purchase a range finder and possibly a basic Ballistics App like on a iphone. Purchase a pile of powder, bullets and primers for your rifle/ build. Then it's trigger time, trigger time, trigger time, trigger time.

[bobcat]

I'd recommend you start with a rifle in 308 Winchster. Well, possibly after the 22 rimfire. But for a centerfire cartridge that will work for long range shooting, that's what I'd get. Low recoil, accurate, and low priced ammunition- you can't beat it.

[jgrimes]

I'd recommend you start with a rifle in 308 Winchster. Well, possibly after the 22 rimfire. But for a centerfire cartridge that will work for long range shooting, that's what I'd get. Low recoil, accurate, and low priced ammunition- you can't beat it.

That's the kind of system that I'd like to set up. What do you think of the 300 WSM or a 7 mm cartridge?

[FC]

That's the kind of system that I'd like to set up. What do you think of the 300 WSM or a 7 mm cartridge?

Both are good cartridges, both kick harder and both cost 5 times as much or more to shoot than a 308 unless you are reloading.

[Biggerhammer]

I'd recommend you start with a rifle in 308 Winchster. Well, possibly after the 22 rimfire. But for a centerfire cartridge that will work for long range shooting, that's what I'd get. Low recoil, accurate, and low priced ammunition- you can't beat it.

That's the kind of system that I'd like to set up. What do you think of the 300 WSM or a 7 mm cartridge?

All three mentioned are excellent cartridges, the best " Long range " cartridge is a matter personal opinion or experience. Allot of cartridges that are great for shooting paper don't do so well  for a hunting situation at extended distances where a little more horse power would be optimal. You have to start somewhere, can't go wrong with a .308 win. If you then decide you would like a bigger cartridge. You could up grade or for that matter have the .308 bolt face opened, Sako extractor installed and the chamber re cut to .300 WSM. the standard 12 twist of the .308 barrel will still shoot the 168 real well with a .300 WSM chamber.

I have a .308 Win Rem700 PSS I have had since 1990 that I'll be sending to Benchmark to have re chambered and re worked to .300 WSM. After the factory barrel is shot out, I will have Bench mark re barrel it with one of their own in who know what?

[huntnphool]

 Another vote for the 7mm mag, Hart barrel, Jewell/Timney Trigger, 168 berger VLD or 168 Barnes TSX

[bobcat]

Another good message board to check out, besides this one, is www.24hourcampfire.com.

There are some really knowledgeable people there, including John Barsness.

[Helix]

If I was going to start you off I'd say find a good used 22 lr  bolt action is preferrable but a ruger 10/22 can be a lot of fun too.  If you get a ruger 10/22 be sure to use the factory mags as the plastic liped after market mags will not feed near as well.  You can pick up a used .22 at a gunshow, pawnshop or if you are lucky a garage sale.  Most good used .22s will run you well less than $200 and a brick of bulk ammo will cost about $20 for 525 rounds.  The really good thing about .22lr is the barrels seldom wear out from shooting.  The old ones usually shoot as good or better than a brand new one. 

Once you master the .22 move up to a .223 remington or a .308 win but don't be in a hurry to move beyond minor calibers.  If you jump to calibers with major recoil (even 308) before you master the techniques of trigger control, followthrough, breathing control, and sight picture you will develop bad habits of flinching and the whole expreience will become counter productive. 

[high country]

I suggest a single rifle. It is much easier to memorize all its functions and ballistic performance on one rifle. Do not get sucked in to magnums. Big rifles are a hoot, but you stan way more chances at developing bad habits on a hard bucking rifle. I would give the 260 and 7-08 a look. Both can be serious long range performers.
Do not skimp on your scope. For long range shooting at game, I like a true mil dot as it can be a effective range device and offers hold over points too.

About the time you get ballistic hold over correction figured......you can learn how to dope the wind.

[SniperDanWA]

I started archery and moved to rifle for sport.  Started with a Ruger 10 22 with a marksman barrel.  Cheap, reliable, and quite fun.  Agree on the factory clips.  Plastic ones jam, break, etc.  Now, shoot 30-06.

Hunt with 30-06
Hunt 12ga
Sport shoot 22
Sport shoot 12ga
Sport shoot PSE compound

[Curly]

For a long range rifle, you should take a look at rbos: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,51097.30.html

http://rbrosrifles.com/gallery-rifles.php

Maybe a 7 WSM with a break on it would fit the bill........

There is a forum specifically for long range hunting/shooting that you may want to read thru: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/

[Nape.257]

I have been doing the long rang hunting thing for about 4 years now because where I hunt most shots are from 300 yards on out to 1000+.

The first step to LRHing is how far do you want to shoot and what are you going to shoot at.

Things u will need.

Reloading equipment for accuracy and consistency.

A ballistic program mine is on a itouch (knight armerment and ballistic FTE to name few)

A weather station kestrel 3500 or better barometric presser is what it needs.

Range finder lica and swaro are good ones.

Scope plan on spending $800+ on a good one, I like MOA one with an MOA reticule and MOA turrets will make thing ez.

Mose guys want a rifle that shoots 1/2moa meaning 3inch  three shot groups at 600yards or 5inches at 1000. Which is why most guys go custom. I wish I had right out of the gate.

LRH.com is a good site search for the thing you want to know.

[jgrimes]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I like the 22 lr approach for working on the parts of shooting that I can control since I have very little experience behind the scope. I've checked out a number of the long range forums that you guys have suggested and they are loaded with tins of great info. I'd like to get a system that will put me back about $2500. Is that a reasonable budget? Anyone here put together a rig for around that?

[Curly]

You could always try a Savage http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/  long range hunter series and get a good scope with Turrets for it and see how you like that.  Then later down the road you could go the custom route.   You'll want to get setup with reloading too.

[huntnphool]

I'd like to get a system that will put me back about $2500. Is that a reasonable budget? Anyone here put together a rig for around that?

 

[Bofire]

  First.. shoot.   then shoot, a 22 rifle is mandatory, then shoot, then shoot other stuff different ways, then shoot some more. Then shoot with iron sights then with a scope then shoot and shoot a bit more. shoot some shotguns too. then get an 06 or 308 and shoot. above all else shoot. along here you will learn how or not.
Carl

[Helix]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I like the 22 lr approach for working on the parts of shooting that I can control since I have very little experience behind the scope. I've checked out a number of the long range forums that you guys have suggested and they are loaded with tins of great info. I'd like to get a system that will put me back about $2500. Is that a reasonable budget? Anyone here put together a rig for around that?

You can do well with this size budget.  you should check out http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

The savage law enforcement series especially will get you in a Very accurate heavy contour barrel without breaking the bank and then you will have $$$ to spend on glass.  For this type of build consider spending as much on glass as the rifle... Unless you go custom rifle then more for the rifle...  you might consider a fluted barrel as well, not for accuracy advantage but to speed cooling.  if you are spending the kind of range time you need to to get these skills it will be more fun if your rifle can cool more efficiently.  I like the savage 10 FCP Mcmillan and 10 FCP HS precision, and the 10 precision carbine.  I've shot the 10 BA which is very accurate but way too heavy for a hunting rifle. 

For glass consider first: Nightforce NSX,  then maybe vortex razor HD, then a Vortex viper PST if you want to spend a little less.  you could also look at balistics compensating custom turrets but they are not needed.  you can actually dope your own turets and mark the range on them in a piece of masking tape.

For a scope of this quality and to do this job, expect to spend $1K or more and make sure you get turrets that match the substentions in your reticle (MOA/MOA or MIL/MIL)  I like MIL/Mil in my Vortex.  this will allow you to measure the difference between point of aim and point of impact and make real time adjustments to your turrets.  I also recomend getting a first focal plane reticle meaning the substentions in the reticle will work for ranging at any magnification without a conversion formula. 

At a thousand yards+ the quality of your glass will make the difference between not being able to see your target and hitting it.  Also I would look for a scope with at least a 4:1 power factor like a 6-24x50mm.  this will allow you to spot your target on a lower power then zoom in to a higher power.  If you don't have that low power end you will not be happy as you will see something in the spotting scope then never be able to find it in the rifle scope because your field of view will be too small.  you should also consider getting a spotting scope with substentions that match your rifle scope. This way if you work with a spotter they can call corrections to you that you can read in your reticle without converting anything. 

[Helix]

The one thing I would add to the novel I just posted above, is don't expect a $2500 rifle and scope package to jump you ahead in shooting skill any.  You still need to start with a minor caliber and develop sound fundamental shooting skills before you make the jump to trying to shoot uber long range.  It won't be any fun if you skip step one.  You will buy all this crap in a high end rifle and accessories and try it for 6 months and sell it all for half what you paid for it disgusted and confused as to why you started. Missing at 1000 yards is less fun than it might seem.  if all you are looking for is a big boom and making something dissapear shoot at 100 yards and get yourself a 45/70.  you'll have a blast even if you miss.   

[rgalanti21]

The key is just get to the range with a mid-cal load, if you don't want to start out at a .22. A .270 would be a great transition to the world of rifle shooting