Modify what I already have.....or buy new??

[JL523]

Hello all! I have been lurking on here for awhile, but this is my first post......

I will try to keep this as short as possible......

I have been shooting long range benchrest for a short while, but have managed to have some success. I got to thinking the other day that I would like to set up one of my hunting rifles for some potential long range shooting. I would like to use my benchrest gun.....but the weight, no sling swivel studs, and the bright blue stock may not be the best setup for hunting!! lol!!

I figured of the rifles I own, my Weatherby Accumark in .30-378 would be the most likely candidate. I have never shot any handloads through it, but plan to in the near future. I've had the rifle for about ten years.....and haven't shot it on paper in probably 6 or 7. At that time, I had very good luck with 180 gr. Barnes-X factory loads. Despite what I have read in various places, the accuracy was "there". I limited it to 3-shot groups with my best being around 1/2 moa at 100 yds. My only doubt about this rifle is the amount of freebore.......and I'm afraid I won't be able to shoot the load that I want to work up. I'm not really concerned about not using the magazine though. Thoughts?

The next issue is the scope. It was bought with the gun and has been on there since. It's a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x50. I shoot a NF on my benchrest gun...and love it, but hate to spend the $$$ if I don't have to. What I was thinking about doing was: send the scope to Leupold for some M1 knobs and possibly a reticle change. The only thing that keeps me from thinking this will work is the max power will still only be 14x. I would buy a BullzEye booster....but this scope is too old to have a threaded eyepiece. I also figured I would remove the current bases and rings and add a Ken Ferrrell 20 moa base and some picatinny rings.

When I say I want to setup a long range hunting gun.....in reality, it's probably just gonna be a "mid-range" gun. Most places where I hunt.....500 yds is just about max....other than some groundhogs.

So what do you guys think I should do? I want to keep from spending too much $$$.........because I like to fund my benchrest habit as much as possible. It seems there is always something that I "need" to keep it going!! lol!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[AJ Peacock]

Welcome to the site.

Your current Leupy will work fine. I use one on my 7RM (4.5x14x44) and it works fine. I have a couple NF's as well and I feel your pain . Although others feel that 20x or more is required for biggame hunting, I feel that 14-15x is plenty for big-game. What reticle do you currently have in your Leupy? Do you intend to click for longrange or use a ballistic reticle?

I'd start by doing some handloading and see how good the rifle shoots, if it shoots good enough at longrange. The 30-378 is obviously a great cartridge for longrange.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

AJ

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I agree with AJ. I see no reason to spend any more money. You are well equipted to go well beyond 500 yards with what you have. 14 power is plenty for big game hunting and clicks on the leupy are typically very consistent and repeatable. As far as your freebore question I don't really understand what your asking. With that cartridge freebore is a necessity to get the performance out of it and freebore rifles shoot just fine. I got a bunch of them if someone wants to try and disprove that. The primary issues are you can't seat bullets to the lands and you can load them hotter which is a good thing. Different rifles shoot better at different seating depths anyway. However typically most rifles will shoot better with bullets seated at or near the lands. With big boomers off the 378 case freebore though is a part of life in most rifles chambered for them.

 

[JL523]

Thanks for the help guys!! I appreciate it!


AJ,

I have the fine duplex reticle....but I am thinking about having it changed to the "TMR" reticle. Also, I will "click" for elevation as opposed to a ballistic reticle. I am comfortable with this method. I shoot in 500, 600, and 1000 yd. matches and I am used to using drop charts and adjusting the elevation so I can hold dead-center.

I am almost positive that I will need a 20 moa base though, right? I know the VX-III has more adjustment than my Nightforce, but I still don't think it will have enough. Any thoughts?

 

[AJ Peacock]

Thanks for the help guys!! I appreciate it!


AJ,

I have the fine duplex reticle....but I am thinking about having it changed to the "TMR" reticle. Also, I will "click" for elevation as opposed to a ballistic reticle. I am comfortable with this method. I shoot in 500, 600, and 1000 yd. matches and I am used to using drop charts and adjusting the elevation so I can hold dead-center.

I am almost positive that I will need a 20 moa base though, right? I know the VX-III has more adjustment than my Nightforce, but I still don't think it will have enough. Any thoughts?

I don't think you'll need a 20moa base, the leupy has 120moa adjustments, which should give you around 60moa up. 60moa from a 100yd zero with the 210bergers in your 30-378 will get you near 1700yds ! (depending on altitude).

AJ

 

[JL523]

I didn't realize it had that much adjustment. Cool deal!!

Well, while I have the scope off, I may change the bases and rings anyway. I may either go with Talley.....or a "flat" Ken Ferrel base with picatinny rings. What do you think?

On a side note...I walked outside about 45 minutes ago to look through my scope. I turned it up on 14x....took a decent rest....and looked over on the opposite hill (about 625 yds). I think that will be plenty of scope power. Also, I think I will stick with that reticle as well.

 

[AJ Peacock]

If you are gonna change the base and rings, you have tons of options. I have Seekins rail and rings on my Rem 700, but I don't know if they make them for a Weatherby Seekins Precision :: Innovative Products for Precision Shooters


Or you could use Nightforce rings and then get the ACI/level from Shawn at Defensive Edge. Defensive Edge Products

Really is a nice way to have a level and ACI on your scope.


There are tons of threads that are discussing mounts/rings. I know the burris rings with the inserts let you adjust moa cant.

Even though you probably have plenty of moa adjustment, if you are getting a rail, I'd still get a 20moa rail so your normal settings will be more centered in the scope travel.

AJ

 

[roninflag]

i think you should load it and shoot it. the guys who shoot br here in az would not think of shooting anything that takes more than 29.6 of n133 . you should not need a 20 moa base .

 

[JL523]

i think you should load it and shoot it. the guys who shoot br here in az would not think of shooting anything that takes more than 29.6 of n133 . you should not need a 20 moa base .

Lol....I hear ya!! My BR setup uses 39.2 gr. of H4350. This Weatherby setup will be for hunting. I'll stick with the 6x47 Lapua for BR 1000.

The only thing I like about the 20 moa base is that once you start cranking it up.....you are still in the middle of your scope.....and have pleny of tension on the adjusters.

 

[loaders_loft]

if your trigger pull is comfortable and your getting M1 knobs, I'd say that's about all you need. Make sure the scope height is comfortable with your face planted against the stock, and then go shoot...

L_L