Long Range Precision Shooting?

[Steve_In_29]

If you can afford the freight I'd get the Ruger Precision rifle in the caliber of your choice.

From some of what I have read it seems the Ruger while accurate, isn't as accurate as others in the same price range. The Howa HCR is supposed to be a well below MOA rifle right out of the box from what owners have been telling me. That sub-moa accuracy is also guaranteed for life, so theoretically that means if you shoot the barrel out, Howa is going to replace it under warranty.

[Ranger1]

I use JP muzzle brakes on my 300 ultra. With that on it I can shoot all day with out killing my shoulder

[tobylazur]

If you are serious about long range/PRS type shooting stay away from big calibers and magnums. They are not fun, burn too much powder and barrel life is short. If you don't reload, get a 6.5 Creedmoor. If you reload look at 6.5x47, 260 or 6.5 Creed. 6mm is the most competitive in matches. 6Creed, 6x47, Dasher, 6BR are all good choices. Accuracy, low recoil and ballistics beat horsepower every time. Additionally matches require lots of rounds and heavy calibers or magnums with beat you up. Chassis systems or stocks with built-in bottom metal are what most competitors use. Muzzle brakes or a suppressor are pretty much mandatory for recoil management too.

What do you think about using entry level rifles as a basis to upgrade?

Brownells has Howa 1500 barreled actions on sale. I think the 24" 6.5CM is $390.

Or something like these Savages:

https://grabagun.com/savage-110-tactica ... yn-24.html

https://grabagun.com/sav-110-tactical-fde-hv-bbl.html

I can upgrade barrels, chassis, triggers as I go?

[TheRifleman]

All you'll ever really have is a really expensive entry level rifle.

[tobylazur]

All you'll ever really have is a really expensive entry level rifle.

If it does what I need it to do is that a bad thing?

I don't think I'll be able to justify a full custom rifle anytime soon.

[Harrier]

IMO... keep in mind your initial objective which I think you said was to try out the sport and see if you like it.

Even if you bought all the 'right' gear, you would probably still not place in the top 10 of your class. It may take years of shooting to catch up with the local members who have already developed their competition edge. Sure you can have fun and move up in rank over time... so score really isn't going to matter for a while.

Every sport has it's specialized gear designed to help one participate and then every sport also has their gear snobs that say only Ford/Chevy/Ram is the best.

Your deer rifle would go bang but probably isn't very suitable for playing that particular game, so you need to figure how best to get what you want. There are a lot of choices where to spend your money. Whatever choice you make is what your stuck with until you throw more $$ at the issue in some way.

If you just want to shoot long range and nothing else then sell your gun and get the best one above what you can now afford and cry a little until the pain is gone. Once you get into a game the gear upgrades seem endless no matter what you start with.

As mentioned you could upgrade what you have but in the long run you will have an expensive deer rifle you cant sell for near what you have in it.

If you think you want to use one gun for multiple purposes then get one that allows you options and one that doesn't require a lot of them to start. That is why i recommended the Savage link. I don't have one so I can't say good or bad about it but it does look to be set up for a variety of uses and would be more suitable for LRPS.
It ain't blueprinted and won't compare to a lot of the specialty gear you'll see but that can come later as you get into the game.

One nice thing about Savage is you can buy better brand target barrels (and stocks) for it down the road and switch them yourself a lot cheaper than having a gunsmith fit one to another brand (unless it is already setup as a switch barrel type)

Check into how much it would cost you to change caliber/barrels on a Howa or Ruger, as that is the most likely change if you already have a good stock and optic already.

Just my opinion, only you can decide what is best for you...

[428cj]

If you can afford the freight I'd get the Ruger Precision rifle in the caliber of your choice. My choice would be the 6.5 CM. The 308 is barely suitable for 1000 yards imo.

The 308 does the 1,000 yards with no trouble. Not that hard. The two on the left my rounds and the one's on the right is my friends 308.

[tobylazur]

IMO... keep in mind your initial objective which I think you said was to try out the sport and see if you like it.

Even if you bought all the 'right' gear, you would probably still not place in the top 10 of your class. It may take years of shooting to catch up with the local members who have already developed their competition edge. Sure you can have fun and move up in rank over time... so score really isn't going to matter for a while.

Every sport has it's specialized gear designed to help one participate and then every sport also has their gear snobs that say only Ford/Chevy/Ram is the best.

Your deer rifle would go bang but probably isn't very suitable for playing that particular game, so you need to figure how best to get what you want. There are a lot of choices where to spend your money. Whatever choice you make is what your stuck with until you throw more $$ at the issue in some way.

If you just want to shoot long range and nothing else then sell your gun and get the best one above what you can now afford and cry a little until the pain is gone. Once you get into a game the gear upgrades seem endless no matter what you start with.

As mentioned you could upgrade what you have but in the long run you will have an expensive deer rifle you cant sell for near what you have in it.

If you think you want to use one gun for multiple purposes then get one that allows you options and one that doesn't require a lot of them to start. That is why i recommended the Savage link. I don't have one so I can't say good or bad about it but it does look to be set up for a variety of uses and would be more suitable for LRPS.
It ain't blueprinted and won't compare to a lot of the specialty gear you'll see but that can come later as you get into the game.

One nice thing about Savage is you can buy better brand target barrels (and stocks) for it down the road and switch them yourself a lot cheaper than having a gunsmith fit one to another brand (unless it is already setup as a switch barrel type)

Check into how much it would cost you to change caliber/barrels on a Howa or Ruger, as that is the most likely change if you already have a good stock and optic already.

Just my opinion, only you can decide what is best for you...

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I guess i have kind of a two or three prong thing going right now. I'd like to shoot long range, whether by myself, hunting, or in matches. So ultimately I'd like a rifle that will be used exclusively to shoot at longer ranges.

I'd like to shoot some PRS matches, they look fun and challenging. But, who knows if I'll actually like it or not. There's a few local matches i can only stand to shoot in about once a year due to the club/attendees. I mostly just don't want to be the guy who shows up with equipment so far out everyone else just shakes their heads. I don't want to be the equivalent of "that guy" with the snub nose 5 shot revolver loading from my jeans pocket at the pistol matches.

I really have no expectations of placing, ha, that's funny. I'd just be happy to hit a few targets in the time allotted.

[Delfuego]

I mostly just don't want to be the guy who shows up with equipment so far out everyone else just shakes their heads. I don't want to be the equivalent of "that guy" with the snub nose 5 shot revolver loading from my jeans pocket at the pistol matches.

I really have no expectations of placing, ha, that's funny. I'd just be happy to hit a few targets in the time allotted.

Be that guy! Show up and shoot. You will learn so much more in your first match than you will ever learn here, at the LSG or shooting by yourself. It is a fun sport with nice people. we will help you and make sure you leave with a smile. I cannot stress this enough.

As for gear, most people think long range shooting is a gear race. Complicated answer is: It is and it isn't. If you saw me at a match you would think I am a gear whore (or gear queer ), but my first match I showed up unprepared with a 308 Savage FCP. I got worked, but had fun! I quickly caught the bug and started to improve my shooting and my equipment. This process took years. If you truly like the game (or any hobby) you will spend whatever you desire. It doesn't mean you cannot compete or have fun with entry level gear, just that the better gear/caliber/scopes/etc will help your scores and make the game easier to play.

Just bring what you brought. Don't make gear purchase mistakes early, they only cost you more money in the long run. Don't but anything before you shoot a match. The best deals on used gear will come from guys shooting these matches anyway. My upgraded gear was all 2nd hand from match shooters

[Steve_In_29]

Be that guy! Show up and shoot. You will learn so much more in your first match than you will ever learn here, at the LSG or shooting by yourself. It is a fun sport with nice people. we will help you and make sure you leave with a smile. I cannot stress this enough.

As for gear, most people think long range shooting is a gear race. Complicated answer is: It is and it isn't. If you saw me at a match you would think I am a gear whore (or gear queer ), but my first match I showed up unprepared with a 308 Savage FCP. I got worked, but had fun! I quickly caught the bug and started to improve my shooting and my equipment. This process took years. If you truly like the game (or any hobby) you will spend whatever you desire. It doesn't mean you cannot compete or have fun with entry level gear, just that the better gear/caliber/scopes/etc will help your scores and make the game easier to play.

Just bring what you brought. Don't make gear purchase mistakes early, they only cost you more money in the long run. Don't but anything before you shoot a match. The best deals on used gear will come from guys shooting these matches anyway. My upgraded gear was all 2nd hand from match shooters

Some excellent advice right here. Show up, try it out and then decide what to do.

[tobylazur]

I mostly just don't want to be the guy who shows up with equipment so far out everyone else just shakes their heads. I don't want to be the equivalent of "that guy" with the snub nose 5 shot revolver loading from my jeans pocket at the pistol matches.

I really have no expectations of placing, ha, that's funny. I'd just be happy to hit a few targets in the time allotted.

Be that guy! Show up and shoot. You will learn so much more in your first match than you will ever learn here, at the LSG or shooting by yourself. It is a fun sport with nice people. we will help you and make sure you leave with a smile. I cannot stress this enough.

As for gear, most people think long range shooting is a gear race. Complicated answer is: It is and it isn't. If you saw me at a match you would think I am a gear whore (or gear queer ), but my first match I showed up unprepared with a 308 Savage FCP. I got worked, but had fun! I quickly caught the bug and started to improve my shooting and my equipment. This process took years. If you truly like the game (or any hobby) you will spend whatever you desire. It doesn't mean you cannot compete or have fun with entry level gear, just that the better gear/caliber/scopes/etc will help your scores and make the game easier to play.

Just bring what you brought. Don't make gear purchase mistakes early, they only cost you more money in the long run. Don't but anything before you shoot a match. The best deals on used gear will come from guys shooting these matches anyway. My upgraded gear was all 2nd hand from match shooters

Ha, ok. Where do you usually shoot, and with what group? I'll see about getting to something in September or October.

[Delfuego]

Ha, ok. Where do you usually shoot, and with what group? I'll see about getting to something in September or October.

I just moved to town 2 weeks ago I did just get back from a PRS match in NM last weekend. I know there are at least 2 matches in the valley every month. Rio Salado and Dogtown. I think Big Sandy will be having some matches soon when the weather cools down. The long range rifle community is very welcoming of new shooters. I have never witnessed someone not helping a new shooter with eother gear or advice. I am hoping to make it out some of the local matches and for sure will be hitting the big ones like the TPRC PRS match in November.

[tobylazur]

Doesn't Rio only have a 500 yard range?

[Delfuego]

Doesn't Rio only have a 500 yard range?

550y I believe. However 500y from a compromised position or barricade is no easy feat and good practice.

[Ranger1]

If you can afford the freight I'd get the Ruger Precision rifle in the caliber of your choice. My choice would be the 6.5 CM. The 308 is barely suitable for 1000 yards imo.

The 308 does the 1,000 yards with no trouble. Not that hard. The two on the left my rounds and the one's on the right is my friends 308.

Anyone can get a plate and write 1000 yards on it and hit it with a ball-peen hammer.