I want a long range gun, help please.

[Gdbyrd]

I don't want to have to buy a new gun.  I have well over 40..I know you can always have more, so I'm still thinking about buying another one, lol.

I have a 6mm rem 700, an AR-15, Mini-14, Encore and a Contender.  Those are pretty much my only guns that are smaller than a 36/06.   

I'd really like to stay with a .223, but I don't like shooting the AR.  It's an older gun, have about 20 rounds in it in the 14 years I've had it.  I am half-assed thinking about getting another .223, but in a bolt gun.  The contender/encore would be a good option, but I'm not sure how accurate they would be long range, I've read a bit about them never locking up the same way each time.  Any advice will be appreciated.  The 6mm is a bbl, a smith had his hands in it, it has a light trigger.

This will be a fun rifle to work on over a long period of time.  Adding bits and pieces as I go, so I can still shoot it whenever I want.  I reload.  Distance would probably be in the 300-500 range preferably, longer distances would be awesome though.  Just a toy/hobby to work with now.  If you have any rifles to recommend, add it in!  Trying to keep the inital price down. 

[wareagleguy]

6.5 x 55

Shot two deer this year at over 400 yards and one was over 500 yards.  I reload using 100gr Nosler partitions and it is a very nice round.

[Gdbyrd]

This will be for paper punching ONLY.  I may do some varmint type stuff, but it'd be rabbits not anything bigger.  I have heard quite a bit about that caliber.

I forgot to mention I also have a Ruger #1 varminter in 22-250, and a clip fed Remington in 22-250.  I can't remember what the model number, my dad used it this past season so it's at his house.

If it's going to be for a bigger caliber.  I have a Ruger #1 in .300 mag, M70 in .300 WSM, pre64 M70 in 30/06, Remington model 6 in 30/06, two .45/70's(H&R)

I'd really like to stay with a standard caliber so if it comes down to it, I can shoot easy to find factory ammo.

[Rangr44]

I would opine that, for effective 300-500 yard target shooting, one would need a magnum-cased .30 cal, shot from a heavyweight or bull barrel.

IIRC, the old Penna. 1,000yd Benchrest Club started with the .300 H&H, before they graduated to the really big slammers.
I also seem to recall that some pre-64 Winchester M-70 target rifles were in .300 H&H, too.

I think, today, I'd go with a varmint barreled .300 Win Mag - like the Ruger #1-V that was once available.

[the jigger]

There have been many long range matches shot successfully with the 308 win.

[roper]

I don't know how much shooting you plan on doing but your 6Rem would be about right for what you plan on doing.   Berger made a 95gr VLD and 105gr that isn't a VLD or the Hornady 87gr V-max would be another good bullet to try.  Well good luck

[Freezer]

    My choice would be 6.5-284.  It's taken the bench shooting crowd by storm.  It's great for long range shooting if you have a long barrel (26" or more) without the recoil of the big 30's.  My second choice would be 25-06.  With Hornaday lite magnum zeroed at 200yrds it drops 10.5" at 500 yrds.  I think you can can get this caliber barrel for your Encore and I have a heavy barrel for my NEF.

[Gdbyrd]

I really want to try to stay with a caliber I can still buy factory ammo with from local stores.  In the event I'm out at a deer lease screwing around and I run out of ammo, I'd like to have the option of letting the fun continue.  I usually hunt 3 hours away from home, so driving back isn't an option.  There is usually a wal-mart 30-40 minutes away that's at least accessable.

Do they rebarrel Ruger #1's?  I really like those guns.  I had heard that .223's were a great caliber to go with for long range shooting just for the fact that so much is available for them, low recoild, etc...but it's looking like that isn't true. I want something I can shoot pretty frequently..I think anything magnum would be too much recoil to do a lot with.

I'm going to get the 6mil out and see what kind of groups I can get out of it this weekend, for the life of me I can't remember.

[Freezer]

  Ok, how about .243?

  A gas station may not have 26-06 would Wally World will as would a gun shop.  With light bullets it would be great for varmint and 120 gr bullets for deer at distance.

[Gdbyrd]

That's what I'm thinking.  6mm is same bullet size as .243 isn't it?  It's actually supposed to be a better cartridge isn't it?  More powder capacity or something?

[The Sodbuster]

I reload.  Distance would probably be in the 300-500 range preferably, longer distances would be awesome though.  Just a toy/hobby to work with now.  If you have any rifles to recommend, add it in!

.308 Winchester will get you out to that range and then some.  It's the cartridge of choice for many police and millitary snipers.  Factory match ammo is available.  For reloaders there's a good selection of bullets, quality brass and reloading dies all designed to get the maximum accuracy out of that cartridge.  Every rifle manufacturer chambers rifles in .308 and both Remington and Savage make rifles in that chambering geared for target, varmint, law enforcement and/or military applications.  Other manufacturers probably do to.

[Gdbyrd]

What manufacturer and model would you recommend if I bought another gun?  Or would it be better to get a custom barrel(ala bullberry) for the encore/contender? 

Again, I want to keep initial costs down so I can enjoy/get comfortable with the gun as I modify it.

Just toying with my options atm.

[Mikey]

Gdbyrd:  I just love all these opinions, they are absolutely great.  You need not go completely crazy looking for a caliber that will reach out to 4-500 yds, be it on paper or bunny-wabbit. 

Wareagleguy mentioned the 6.5x55 - an excellent choice with ball, hunting and match ammo available.

The 6mm, 243, 6.5x284 and even the 223 have been mentioned. 

Sodbuster mentioned the 308.

I'll throw ya a winger - the 303 British.  This old warhorse will still shoot with the best of them.  If you want to keep the costs down, get yourself a good Savage or Long Branch made Mk4 No1 for about $150 and if need be, have it rebarreled in the original caliber for about the same cost and have a ball.  I have often thought about having one of my 303s rebarreled with a nice tight brand new .311 barrel with a proper chamber, just to see how far I can shoot it accurately. 

JMTCW.  Mikey.

[Gdbyrd]

Is ammunition for that caliber abundant?  what about reloading supplies?  I know very little on this caliber.  I think I even have an old mauser in 303.  It has a 28" or > barrel on it, flip up back sight....really a neat old gun.  It's an interesting idea and I'll look into it some more, but again I know nothing of that caliber.  That is really a great idea though

I think I'd just rather stay with a .223 in all honesty.  The more I think about it, I really don't know how often I'll be doing a lot of REALLY long shooting.  Those bigger calibers are so much louder, more recoil, etc.  It's all a trade off and I think at this stage I still don't know exactly what I want.

Please keep the ideas coming.  I still don't know if it'd  be a better option to stay with a current platform(Contender/Encore) and get a new barrel, use and modify one of my current guns, or buy new altogether. 

[wareagleguy]

My handloads on the 6.5 x 55 will shoot as flat as a 7mag and with VERY LITTLE recoil.  The rifle is a CZ 550 American.  After years of shooting able every caliber out there the 6.5 x 55 is the finest thing I have ever had the pleasure to shoot!!!  I would have saved a bunch of cash if I had found this round years ago.  I do believe it is the DO-ALL caliber. 

[Freezer]

    INHO, get A 6.5x55 barrel for the Encore and spend you money on a scope.  The only hassle with a break action is on the bench you have to take it out of the sand bags.  Not a problem if you not a competitive shooter.

[Catfish]

You can get to 500 yrds. with about any thing. If you wanting to go on out to 1,000 yrds. The pick of the litter would probably be the 6.5-284. If your wanting a varmint rifle I like the .22-6mm. From the bench at 500 yrds. in a 15 plus mph cross wind I was able to put 3 shots in at abt 2 1/2 in. At 600 yrds. with alot less wind I did a little better. I still haven`t settled on a load yet, but with a good scope with target knobs and a range finder, I figure it should be a 90% kill on first shot on coyotes if they stop, there`s not much wind and you have a good range finder and drop chart.

[Cheesehead]

The 308 Winchester gets my vote again. Numerous match grade component bullets available as well as match grade brass and loaded ammo as well. The list of rifles for this cartridge is very long.

Cheese

[Cement Man]

+1 to what Cheese said.

You might enjoy Barsness' article in the Feb/Mar '08 HANDLOADER magazine about the .308 - "You say you want acccuracy?"

[slickest]

according to some hand-loaders and some other people I know the .308 gets its excellent accuracy because of the angle that the casing is necked down? Is this true? I heard the only other thing that comes close to meeting the accuracy is the .338 lapua

[Cement Man]

I am just not knowledgeable enough to fully know why the .308 has an edge on accuracy - but I have read and heard the case shape referenced often.  Also suggested is that the short actions are stiffer.  Maybe a bit of both, and perhaps some other factors.  I read an article in which the author consulted with the ammo and component manufacturers, who do a lot of testing when researching and manufacturing their products, and the .308 is definitely a benchmark for accuracy testing and performance. 

[Gdbyrd]

Well, I did a bit of looking..and I think a .308 might be in my future.  I stumbled upon a certain article for the Savage 10FP-LE2.  In stock form it seems to do very well.  I might get that as my base gun and work from there.  For now the plan is still going to be to try to get my 6mil into shape.  I'm in the process of dumping a little over a grand into my childhood 10/22, so funds for other toys are short.  As soon as I get that whipped together, I can focus more on this.

Please keep the ideas coming.

[Mikey]

I've already thrown ya one winger with my recommendation for the 303 British, but understand tehre are lots of calibers that outshoot or hang with the 308 for accuracy, including both the 6.5 Swede and your own 223.

You mentioned you already have a seldom fired AR in 223.  You can purchase new uppers or target uppers for that AR that will group good loads into half an inch or better at 100m and easily shoot right along side a 308 at the ranges you mentioned.  If the trigger on your AR is not to your preference, new and better trigger assemblies can be purchased that will make your AR a long range tack driver.   

You seem to have lots of options without spending the big $ for a new rifle.  And for your information, the 30-06 and the 303 British have both out shot the 308 at the Wimbleton matches.  I think the 6.5 takes most of the honors in the European shoots.  Lots of options here.  Mikey.

[DalesCarpentry]

The 243 has come up and I second that one for sure. I have a Remington 700 SPS 243 Varmint and is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot or owned. I can shoot groups at 100 yards that measure 3/8" or less and I have shot groups at 300 yards that have measured 7/8". With that said when I shoot this barrel out it will start a new life as a 260. The 260 is a very accurate and flat shooting round. Here is a target I shot at 300 yards with my 243. Dale

[Qaz]

 I also favor the 243 and have a rem 700 in 243, it is incredibly accurate. I also have a 223 SPS varmint and I love it. You have a 22-250, 6mm and 300 win mag, that should cover all bases. If you just want something to play with, I would suggest a Rem 700 light tactical in 223. It has a 1-9 twist 20" heavy barrel on it for the 70+gr bullets that you need for the long shots. Get it and tinker away!

[Badnews Bob]

.204 ruger would be my choice if I was staying with a smaller caliber, .308 or 6 to 7mm if you want more thump. Bigger bullets carry better at longer ranges but the .20 and .22's can do it also.

[RipOne]

Those are all great / no mention of the 7MM-08  ( 308 necked down to 7MM ), low recoil and can reload light to heavy - select fit / a fun cal to shoot and ammo available all over the place.

All nice calibers -

[torpedoman]

I don't want to have to buy a new gun.  I have well over 40..I know you can always have more, so I'm still thinking about buying another one, lol.

 
women buy shoes men buy guns

[tn_junk]

.338 Federal. Friend has one and it is deadly accurate out to 400 yards (the longest place we can find to shoot). Not bad recoil.

alan

[DalesCarpentry]

.338 Federal. Friend has one and it is deadly accurate out to 400 yards (the longest place we can find to shoot). Not bad recoil.

alan

I have been hearing a lot good things about that round. Dale