Long Range Rifle On A Budget, by Jerry Teo

[meatpacker]

I know this will sound silly, but can you tell me how to read the original story?

[Mysticplayer]

Thanks to all with your kind comments on my article.

mp, go to the home page and read the article there.

dogdinger, I am going to guess that you have not done a lot of LR shooting. If so, you might want to start at much shorter distances like 400 to 600yds. That is already a very big challenge in real world setting.

There is no such thing as build a gun with a fancy scope and hit whatever you want out to 1000yds. ALOT of practise and field craft occurs first.

Start with a fast twist 223 and 75/80gr Amax and learn how to shoot out to 600yds. That will be a several thousand rds from now. By then, you will have had time to research all of the many cartridges discussed on this and other forums.

You'll also get a very real understanding on how tough your goal is but also, what it will take to make it happen.

I am presently plinking to a mile with my 223 so don't think that it is only for short range fun. Want to learn about wind changes? Shoot a 223 that far and a gopher fart means something.

Learning to read conditions is what separates those that hit and those that don't.

Bigger is usually better the further you go and a 6.5 with suitable bullets is not too big for 1000yd pokes on coyotes.

However, first things first. When you can hit a pop can first time everytime at short range (out to 500yds) on any given day, come back and I will give you more info on going further.

A coyote kill zone is two pop cans side by side.

mwh, talk to your smith on your actions. He can give you the info you need on bolt face and options to modify. You may have all you need and they are great for a starting point.

The measurement is much smaller then a small bolt face. Maybe for a 22 hornet? Best to get some help on this one.

Jerry

[dogdinger]

i am just getting started at this long range stuff but am no rookie shooter. i have killed game out to as far as 750 yds but only did so with hold-overs and kentucky windage....made a kill on a coyote last yr at 630yds with my 22-250.....i know, i know....prob just luck. i have a 7mag now that i have dialed in pretty good out to 600yds for milk jugs...i wouldlike to burn a little less powder and have less recoil than this set-up....i do plan on doing lots of practice shooting , but i want to start with what i consider the right tool for the job at hand as you so eloquently described in one of your last postings. "You don't use a spoon when you need a knief."

i also want the experience of building my own rifle. my thoughts are that i should go with the 6mm caliber, something like a 6mm06 to get a 105 grain amax doing something like 3000 fps...
i already have a stevens in 22-250 but im thinking i will prob need to go with a long action unless you know of a better way to go with the action i have.... i want to push a bullet big enough to do the job on a coyote at those ranges....the 22-250 just punched a needle hole through the dog at 630yds.....never expanded at all. you dont have to tell me how big the kill zone is on a coyote.....having skinned over a thousand i know there is a lot less to hit than most people ever imagined. i have hunted them hard ever since the mid seventies and have had lots of succes, but they always seem to know that magical distance that they can stand and not be in harms way. i want to re-educate some of these that have gotten so smart! Any help would be appreciated.....AJ

[landcbeitner]

I know guys that are getting 3000fps with the 105 Berger VLD with the standard .243 win. In fact I know a guy on another forum who competes in sniper/tactical competitions and uses 115gr DTAC's with moly and is getting 3150fps out of a 243! If you want a little more performance and don't mind fire forming the 243 AI may be the ticket. Both of these options would allow you to use the action you have now. Just my .02.

Here's an informative link
.243 Win + .243 AI Cartridge Guide

[Mysticplayer]

dogdinger, that is a lot of pooches. So here goes...

First off, you need ALOT of impact velocity AND you need a very fragile bullet. The only bullet I know of that will expand reliably at or near the speed of sound is the Amax. The SST's and ballistic tip are not bad but not so good when impact velocities drop below 1700fps.

The best bullet I know of is the 162gr Amax and a 7RM. You get a muzzle velocity of at least 3000fps and superb ballistics for increased retained energy and velocity PLUS the highest BC in a soft bullet. If you plan on hunting more beyond 600yds, having the extra horsepower can't hurt.

The 140gr 6.5 Amax is not bad but BC is not as high as it could be. The 105gr Amax is also a contender.

Think 3000fps as a good starting point.

There are many who hunt with MK's and Bergers. I find the MK's to be a tough bullet at low velocities and have no personal experience with the Bergers so you can give them a try.

In your rifle build, you are going to need the best quality pipe you can get. In order to hit your mark, you need a 1/4 min rifle. Unfortunately, you will be limited in bullet choices and need to go as fast as possible. Not so easy.

A muzzle brake is imperative unless you will hunt with a spotter. I like a 26 to 28" fluted #7 pipe for a contour to keep things manageable for weight and size. consider adding one to your present 7RM.

I like a light trigger and strive for a clean breaking 1lb pull - this you go with what feels good to you.

For stocks, also personal. Buy what fits your hunting style and positions. If in the field, most tactical styles work well. If off a bench, I like to be as close to a wide forend BR stock as possible.

Look at my article on choosing and setting up a scope for LR hunting. This will give you the info to choose and get a proper scope shooting its best.

I am playing with an Elite 4200 tactical and am very impressed with both optics and mechanicals. I think this makes a great hunting scope. Burris rings and you can dial in a very long ways.

After that, just have it assembled, bedded properly and work up a load. Practise, etc.

You should look at the 6mm-284. That has been working very well for shooters using a short action. I would expect 3100fps at moderate pressures. 3200+fps might be possible.

I don't like small cases at extreme pressures in a hunting rifle. No room for error or locked up actions.

Hope this gets you pointed in the right direction.

Jerry

[dogdinger]

this is exactly the kind of info im wanting....i had not even considered the 6X284.....this would work well with the action i already have...i do not have any experience with any of the barrel makers and their products, so i would appreciate your recomendations there also. what brand,length, contour, twist, etc......3 groove?, 4 groove? best turnaround time....easiest installation...

i am pretty sire i am going with a boyds thumbhole stock.......and i'm liking the super-sniper 16X scope....

anyone else feel free to chime in with advise......thanks to all...AJ

[Mysticplayer]

Go to benchrestcentral or 6mmbr and there are many top level barrel makers listed and discussed. You really need to look at this level of pipe in order to hit such a small target at distance.

You may not get what you want the first go round as some barrels can be fussy about the bullet it will shoot. So talk to the barrel makers and see if they give you some insight on what works for their pipes.

For turnaround, pricing ,etc. best to talk to the manf directly.

Groove number really doesn't matter. I have shot 2 to 6 groove barrels with no obvious benefit in any area.

Contour has more do with carry weight then accuracy. AFter all this is a hunting rifle, not for suppressive fire so a mondo pipe is really not necessary. As I said a #5 or #7 fluted gets my nod.

For optics, I shy away from the Super Snipers because LR resolution is poor. I use Bushnell Elite 4200's and these have served me very well for almost a decade. Testing the new Tactical and the optics and mechanicals are superb for the pricing. The mildot reticle comes in very handy too.

Products from Nikon, Sightron are also making waves. You need clear glass and good mechanicals. Having goobs of adj. isn't necessary at the distances you plan on shooting. 30mins is more then enough given your cartridge choices.

Remember that you are not looking for a scope clear enough to see the pooch (almost anything will do that). You need it clear enough to see where the bullet missed or hit on the animal. That requires very good glass and minimal shake during recoil (ie muzzle brake).

I also like the Boyd thumbhole stocks and they are well priced. Look great too.

I think you are well on your way. Let us know how it turns out.

Jerry