Best beginner rifle for distance?

[benjamac]

best? idk, but a quick best cheap, best bang for your buck, and best rifle you could buy that is just a bit out of budget (not the $25k dream job)?

Eventually, if i can get my skills up, i would like to shoot bench style competitions, but obviously that will mean more money invested...

Mainly I think it's good to get the discussion going, and i have to decide quickly whether or not i but something cheapish before the precision rifle course I am about to take...

Thanks guys,
have fun!

[DennisCA]

Probably the 1st question is -

What is my budget?
(rifle and scope are separate)

Edit:
Also - what is your rifle experience?
(A lot/some/none at all)
This matters when you are selecting a rifle/caliber.

[benjamac]

Originally Posted by DennisCA

Probably the 1st question is -

What is my budget?
(rifle and scope are separate)

Ya, that's why I kinda gave three levels. I can spend whatever i want, but dont REALLY want to spend a ton of cash right now. Sometimes I talk myself out of that and spend serious cash though... I look for awesome used deals, but see the value in buying new, too.

Basically, if i read enough opinions, i can sort through the stuff that is not BS and use that to make a decision.

[DennisCA]

I only have one rifle that can be classified as a long-range shooter:

Winchester Model 70 in .270 cal (W/3X9 Burris scope)

I bought this back in mid-80's, mainly as hunting rifle but it taken some game at some pretty decent ranges.


(Both were taken with this rifle - the one on the left was taken with a 350 yard shot)

Being that said - I think you can't go wrong with a Remington 700 in .308 cal.

[rmfool]

I hate to say but possibly a rem 700. It is easy to upgrade if you need to. I started with 308. Ammo is fairly cheap and usually in stock. Is this the best prob not but I think it is a great start

[ASD1]

Remington 700 R5 milspec in 308 or 300 $1200-$1300 best rifle for the $$$

[MJB]

257 Roberts or 257 wby mag or 26 nosler.......can't beat those rounds for flat shooters and they pack a punch with lots of bullet wt to choose from.
As for models win mod 70 or the rem 700 has more aftermarket parts than the rest but savage is another to look at for builds.

Good luck

[tamalpias]

Originally Posted by benjamac

best? idk, but a quick best cheap, best bang for your buck, and best rifle you could buy that is just a bit out of budget (not the $25k dream job)?

Eventually, if i can get my skills up, i would like to shoot bench style competitions, but obviously that will mean more money invested...

Mainly I think it's good to get the discussion going, and i have to decide quickly whether or not i but something cheapish before the precision rifle course I am about to take...

Thanks guys,
have fun!

long ago i had such thoughts until i picked up a rifle and after shooting it realize I will never be at a competition level marksman and now have no desire to spend all that money into buying a gun that can shoot way better than I can ever do. If you are going to compete you have way more things invested than just a good rifle and scope, the reloading tools, and tons of time honing in both reloading for accuracy and shooting skills.

I now own rifles I reload that is good enough to take out ground squirrels at up to 300 yards or so and am happy. I just know my limitations.

[GJC]

Some great info for you

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=295218

[milotrain]

Eventually, if i can get my skills up, i would like to shoot bench style competitions, but obviously that will mean more money invested...

How do you intend to acquire skill? Serious question, as it will define what sort of rifle you should look at.

By bench style, do you mean Benchrest? And if so, then are you interested in Long Range Benchrest? Long Range Benchrest and NRA long range competition are very different and require very different hardware and skill sets. Neither are particularly cheap but NRA Long Range is cheaper. Both require a high degree of skill and are considered competitions you work up to rather than start with.

It's like golf. You don't start by saying, "I need a set of clubs so I can play in the Masters". You just need some clubs so you can go get some coaching.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by ASD1

Remington 700 R5 milspec in 308 or 300 $1200-$1300 best rifle for the $$$

Second the 700 5R milspec

Best bang for you buck hands down

[heycorey]

Best beginner rifle for distance ... is a Ruger 10/22 or a Bolt-Action 22LR. Because distance isn't the most important aspect of long distance shooting; the fundamentals of marksmanship are. And you can practice those with a 22LR more readily and more cheaply than anything else.

If you need a rifle for an impending precision course, ask the people putting on the course if they have a rifle available to rent during the course. Why not wear out someone else's barrel while you're learning about precision shooting?


But if you're just dying to spend your money ... Remington 700.

[Desertdoc]

This 3 shot group was attained by me shooting factory Federal Gold Medal
.308 169 Gr. SMK's using a bipod with Nighforce NXS 5.5-22x50.

It was shot at 100 yards. .308 diameter bullet x3 .309" group.

Working up handloads with Varget and 175 SMK's. This will be used for all ranges including 1K.

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by Desertdoc

This 3 shot group was attained by me shooting factory Federal Gold Medal
.308 169 Gr. SMK's using a bipod with Nighforce NXS 5.5-22x50.

One group means nothing.
It's likely a statistical outlier.
Show us 5 groups on the same piece of target paper so we can see how you really shoot.

[Desertdoc]

You have utterly missed the point of my post. I did not post because of what I can do. I posted to show what the rifle can do.

I did not know I would need to qualify my reason for posting.

[Lightstrider]

Yep, rem 700

[Lucky Scott]

Buy a remington 700 in .308. Why, because it is cheap, and popular and you can upgrade it later when you realize exactly what kind of shooting you want to do.
Don't get anything bigger, as it will cost more and be harder to shoot a lot of rounds in one day. The 5r is a great gun, but you could get a regular cheaper 700 in .308 if you want. If you want to go crazy later, you can have a smith change the barrel, stock, trigger, whatever. The sky is the limit. If you get tired of it later you can sell it.
It is also a good gun if you decide to take a class or get training. The best part of the .308 is it is very popular, lots of shooters shoot .308 and there is lots of data out there for you to use.
Other brands make the .308 also and make very good rifles, but the remington in .308 is the most popular and there is lots of upgrades available for it.

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by heycorey

Best beginner rifle for distance ... is a Ruger 10/22 or a Bolt-Action 22LR. Because distance isn't the most important aspect of long distance shooting; the fundamentals of marksmanship are. And you can practice those with a 22LR more readily and more cheaply than anything else.

If you need a rifle for an impending precision course, ask the people putting on the course if they have a rifle available to rent during the course. Why not wear out someone else's barrel while you're learning about precision shooting?


But if you're just dying to spend your money ... Remington 700.

You said it, heycorey. Among plenty of other things, a .22LR at 200 yards is a great way to learn how to read the wind.

[benjamac]

Thanks a ton guys, super helpful. I will shoot what i have for now and probably get a .308 700 down the road (and a .22lr too, for good measure!) I really like the idea of the customization of the remington, and the idea of learning wind on the 22 (thank you,guys

The instructor said my carbine will be fine for getting basics down, so hopefully I will be outshooting it soon and have a great excuse to throw money at my lgs!

[benjamac]

Originally Posted by GJC

Some great info for you

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=295218

Thanks man, super rad link! I'll have to make a trip on down to socal for one of their shoots

[milotrain]

Just for reference. A buddy of mine was shooting at the eastern games and asked a question about wind reading from one of the AMU coaches. The coach asked him what his average score was (765-780, Master bordering on High Master). The coach's response was "Oh, so you can hold. Ok then look for this."

The point being that this guy would be considered a very good shooter, but the coach wasn't going to give him anything to think about if he couldn't hold the rifle still enough to make it matter. We have a mutual friend who is doing very well and has won distinguished points in the last three LEG matches he's attended. He feels like it's coming too easy for him, that he doesn't seem to be struggling with wind and handloads the way some other guys are. The trick is that he doesn't bother stressing about them, he just shoots really good center shots and the rest takes care of itself.

I say all this to encourage you down the path you have elected to go. Fundamentals are not some of the game, they are 90% of the game. The rest is not worth stressing about until you know you can hold.

[radicalray]

Just picked up Savage 10T I bought from Cabelas $599, $650 OTD after rebate incl all taxes dros transfer shipping. Going to take her out to Sac Valley this weekend to see how she shoots. Remington 700 are always no brainers with lots of support

[LynnJr]

Tactical rifles cost more than Benchrest rifles.
If your shooting benchrest at 600 or 1000 yards you can do it with a single light gun in 6 Dasher or 300 WSM. You want a BAT dual port action a 30 inch #17 barrel a Jewell trigger a Shehane ST1000 stockstock and a Night force scope with 1/8 inch adjustments.

If your looking for a general purpose rifle that won't break the bank Savage makes a long range hunter in 338 Lapua that will make hits to 2000 yards with a bipod.

The main differences between the various disciplines is the stocks configuration and the barrels contour.
Most competition
rifles have a custom action and a Jewell trigger so the stock and barrel is the main difference.

[BillyGoatCrawler]

Originally Posted by LynnJr

If your looking for a general purpose rifle that won't break the bank Savage makes a long range hunter in 338 Lapua that will make hits to 2000 yards with a bipod.

I could have sworn that about a month ago it was borderline blasphemous among you guys to recommend a savage. Especially a savage in .338Lm

[JMP]

Originally Posted by Standish

I could have sworn that about a month ago it was borderline blasphemous among you guys to recommend a savage. Especially a savage in .338Lm

Who is "you guys"? It might have been me as I would not recommend a Savage unless the person was on a very restricted budget and wanted to shoot ELR. Getting a Savage 338LM, then rebarreling to 338LI is the cheapest way to get a 2,000 yard rifle. It's the barrel you need for accuracy, and you'd be replacing it. As for cycling it, yes the action is clunky and the bolt will wobble and get a bit sticky with higher pressure loads.

For the OP, ar15barrels (who posted in this thread) recently put together an all purpose lightweight rifle that would be EXCELLENT for a beginner.



Cartridge: 6mm Norma Benchrest, and it's extremely accurate and easy to shoot.

R700 short action ADL off the rack special: $350
Bartlein 6mm blank: $325
B&C Stock: $250
______________________
$925
+$150 for barrel installation
+$75 for stock inletting
______________
$1,150, it'll easily toast any 308 around. The 5r is a good starter rifle as well. If you don't reload ammunition, 308 or 223 are the way to go. If you do reload, the 6BR is excellent as it's dirt cheap.

I ended up spending a bit more since I got a few more things like a brake and a new bolt, but that stuff isn't necessary if you just want a very accurate rifle to learn on.

[ElvenSoul]

.284Shehane

[kygen]

Why has no one said Mosin?

[milotrain]

JMP, how's it feed?

[JMP]

Originally Posted by milotrain

JMP, how's it feed?

Feeds fine. Rather than blocking the rear of a standard metal magazine, I used the AICS polymer 223 magazine, which already has the back blocked to 2.5". These are only $39, then you need to open up the lips and carve out some of the plastics sections to load it. This holds 7.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/162...-polymer-black

But, oh, it looks like the geniuses may have got it discontinued. Still would work fine with a metal single stacking short action, but you'd need to cut the rear part of the feeder and install a block.

[benjamac]

Originally Posted by LynnJr

Tactical rifles cost more than Benchrest rifles.
If your shooting benchrest at 600 or 1000 yards you can do it with a single light gun in 6 Dasher or 300 WSM. You want a BAT dual port action a 30 inch #17 barrel a Jewell trigger a Shehane ST1000 stockstock and a Night force scope with 1/8 inch adjustments.

If your looking for a general purpose rifle that won't break the bank Savage makes a long range hunter in 338 Lapua that will make hits to 2000 yards with a bipod.

The main differences between the various disciplines is the stocks configuration and the barrels contour.
Most competition
rifles have a custom action and a Jewell trigger so the stock and barrel is the main difference.

Think I will end up going with something like this, as really long range shots are my goal- I would love to get shooting 1-2k yds...

[benjamac]

Originally Posted by JMP

Who is "you guys"? It might have been me as I would not recommend a Savage unless the person was on a very restricted budget and wanted to shoot ELR. Getting a Savage 338LM, then rebarreling to 338LI is the cheapest way to get a 2,000 yard rifle. It's the barrel you need for accuracy, and you'd be replacing it. As for cycling it, yes the action is clunky and the bolt will wobble and get a bit sticky with higher pressure loads.

For the OP, ar15barrels (who posted in this thread) recently put together an all purpose lightweight rifle that would be EXCELLENT for a beginner.



Cartridge: 6mm Norma Benchrest, and it's extremely accurate and easy to shoot.

R700 short action ADL off the rack special: $350
Bartlein 6mm blank: $325
B&C Stock: $250
______________________
$925
+$150 for barrel installation
+$75 for stock inletting
______________
$1,150, it'll easily toast any 308 around. The 5r is a good starter rifle as well. If you don't reload ammunition, 308 or 223 are the way to go. If you do reload, the 6BR is excellent as it's dirt cheap.

I ended up spending a bit more since I got a few more things like a brake and a new bolt, but that stuff isn't necessary if you just want a very accurate rifle to learn on.

This is all great, thanks! I looked at arbarrels, I will have to hit him up on via his bolt rifle site when I've got the cash all ready!

[milotrain]

Originally Posted by JMP

Feeds fine. Rather than blocking the rear of a standard metal magazine, I used the AICS polymer 223 magazine, which already has the back blocked to 2.5". These are only $39, then you need to open up the lips and carve out some of the plastics sections to load it. This holds 7.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/162...-polymer-black

But, oh, it looks like the geniuses may have got it discontinued. Still would work fine with a metal single stacking short action, but you'd need to cut the rear part of the feeder and install a block.

Good news and great info thanks.

[iroquois]

You can get a Ruger American predator 6.5 creedmor for $499.00 which is a 1000 yard gun. Ammo is not that expensive. You can get 200 rounds of Winchester Match ammo at MidwayUSA for $191.
This will allow you to budget some good glass and maybe a hand loading setup.

http://www.ruger.com/products/americ...or/models.html
http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/1000...ican-predator/


Cabala's has it for $429.00
http://www.cabelas.com/product/RUGER...ES/1872705.uts

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by milotrain

Just for reference. A buddy of mine was shooting at the eastern games and asked a question about wind reading from one of the AMU coaches. The coach asked him what his average score was (765-780, Master bordering on High Master). The coach's response was "Oh, so you can hold. Ok then look for this."

The point being that this guy would be considered a very good shooter, but the coach wasn't going to give him anything to think about if he couldn't hold the rifle still enough to make it matter. We have a mutual friend who is doing very well and has won distinguished points in the last three LEG matches he's attended. He feels like it's coming too easy for him, that he doesn't seem to be struggling with wind and handloads the way some other guys are. The trick is that he doesn't bother stressing about them, he just shoots really good center shots and the rest takes care of itself.

I say all this to encourage you down the path you have elected to go. Fundamentals are not some of the game, they are 90% of the game. The rest is not worth stressing about until you know you can hold.

very well put and very much overlooked.

I do the same with mu handgun shooting I've never been much of a hand gun shooter but the last few times I've been out to our shooting spot I've done nothing but focus on the fundamentals, very slow deliberate shots, Speed comes with technique,

Just as rifle shooting, slow deliberated, well executed shoots,

[Wyseguy]

Good thread.

[DSMeyer]

Hit up savage heavy varmit rifles first, savage trends to have a better barrel out of the box for accuracy and having the barrel settle in.
Next choice would be a remington 700P or 5R. Both of these will be good shooters for long range precision.
Both of these manufacturers have gobs of aftermarket stuff available for them to add as your skill level goes up.
Now cartridge/ caliber/ bullet weight/ velocity will determine your effective distance to place rounds on target where they need to be.
Next is the optics and related equipment, this is the most important aspect for distance shooting and where you cannot skimp/compromise on your equipment. Expect to pay over $1500 for your optic! Next is the base and rings, why would you mount a $2700 scope on Walmart rings and bases? Get some high quality stuff, preferably a base that includes 20-30 MOA of elevation.
So now you've got a precision blaster, now it's time to get precision ammo, hand loading is best, but you can try different manufacturers to see what feeds your beast the best and buy A LOT ( 2 cases) of the same LOT # so you'll have the same consistency.
Now it's time to fix the nut behind the butt. Consistency is accuracy! Be consistent on everything learn to read wind and you'll be able to hit a 1000yard target on the first shot.

[bsumoba]

Originally Posted by ElvenSoul

.284Shehane

I lover the 284 Shehane! that being said, you need to go custom for this cartridge or at minimum, an aftermarket barrel with a smith and a 284 shehane reamer.

[benjamac]

This whole thread has been awesome, thanks a ton Calguns!
I ended up getting a (used) .308 remington 700 in a mdt lss chassis for now, and just ordered a vortex viper pst 6-24x50 with the EBR-2c MRAD reticle.

Once the scope gets in, and I have time to get back to the range, I'll start putting rounds down the pipe and see if I can get my skills up!

Thanks again guys!

[SevenSixTwoNATO]

ammo is the other half of the equation, in addition to rifle.

[milotrain]

Where is "Hello!" ? Give us a general location and we can hook you up with matches in your area where you'll find some excellent coaching.