Long Range Shooting Advice

[mdslammer]

Hello,

My first post here. Sorry for the "newbie" question in advance.

I would like to shooting competitively (and possibly hunt in the future) up to 1000yds. or so.
I've been reading a lot of posts, speaking to various dealers etc. trying to educate myself on which rifle to purchase.

I spoke to a gentlemen in the custom shop for Remington today and out of the
four models I named (700 Sendero SFII, 700 Tactical, 700 XCR Tactical Long Range & 700 XCRII), he said the
Sendero keeps coming back as the gun of choice for long distance shooting.

I think I'd be interested in either the .300 Win Mag or the .300 Rem. Ultra Mag caliber.
He suggested a muzzle break to help minimize the recoil.

Any suggestions, advice as to any other rifles, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Mark Dalzell
Las Vegas, NV

 

[liltank]

The Sendero is a great starting point, but can be quite pricey. It isn't always necessary (especially if ordered from the custom shop), but sometimes accurization is necessary to really get a Remmy to shoot. That is to have the stock glass bedded, trigger work done, and a lot of guys get the action tuned. Not sure if you have looked into Savage rifles, but they offer a pretty good line of rifles that will lessen the bill and allow for more money to be used toward better glass for your rifle. They have a new model Savage Arms Firearms > 111 Long Range Hunter that is in the one caliber you are looking for. For target shooting at long range and even hunting, the 300 Win Mag will get you there with proper reloading. There are a few ammo companies that provide high quality ammuntion for sale that will do what you want, but to take this sport seriously one should really consider reloading. This will help to reduce the cost of ammunition and accuracy will be second to none against factory ammo.

The rifle I have suggested provides some great innovations to the rifle shooter starting out in long range target and hunting. It comes with the new Accu-stock, Accu-trigger, Muzzle Break, heavy barrel, and adjustable cheek rest. The stock has a fully integral aluminum bedding block offering a solid platform. The Accu-trigger is fully adjustable by the gun user from 6 to 2 pounds without any gunsmithing knowledge necessary. It usually comes from the factory at its lowest setting and in my opinion a very crisp trigger. They do offer other models in their tactical line that provide good aftermarket stocks on their factory rifles. The McMillian A5, Choate, and H-S Precision are the 3 that are used. They too also have a custom shop that would allow you to have any caliber put on your rifle that you should want.

I wouldn't suggest the RUM for target shooting. Barrel life is going to be very short compared to the 300 Win Mag and recoil will be much greater also. They do offer some varmint models that you can have barreled in what ever caliber you want also. Another advantage to having a Savage is ease of use. Should you want to make a switch barrel rifle, then it is pretty easy with a little bit of reading and the proper tools offered by many distributors allows a person to make different calibers on one platform. Other models are the Model 12 line and deffinately look at the tactical rifle line. There are a few pricey models, but should be worth the money if you are not on a budget.

Another aspect of long range shooting is the optics. It is wise to purchase the best that you can afford. You will thank yourself later. Good rings, base, and scope can go a long way in your ability to see in bad weather, and clearly at long range. I hope this helps and welcome to LRH!

Tank

 

[mdslammer]

Tank,

Thanks for taking time to reply and your advice. I'll check out the link you've included.
Best.
Mark

 

[liltank]

Tank,

Thanks for taking time to reply and your advice. I'll check out the link you've included.
Best.
Mark

No problem. Take a look at Howa rifles also. They have a very good action and the rifle that I used for hunting was very accurate. It is a Mauser replica and very strong. A little smithing like you would do to the Remmy would make a real tack driver. It will cost the least out of the two rifles previously discussed. You can just purchase a barreled action and put into many different stocks.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Tank

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Weatherby Vanguard (HOWA) would be my choice. Better action with lots of features that are considered upgardes for a remington action. You can spend the extra money on the sub moa model but I dont recomend it as the rifle is nothing more than a standard grade that shot better in there factory test.

I would go 300 win mag but thats my choice

 

[Chas1]

Of the 2 calibers you mentioned and if your just starting out I'd go with the 300wm. If you like alot of recoil or don't mind a break then by all means go with the 300rum. Liltank's right...go with the best glass you can afford and spend your money once, besides you can always use the scope on another rifle if you choose to later on. Some guys swear by the remingtons but my experiece is it's a roll of the dice with a remmy, although less so with the Sendaro. I'd give Savage a hard look.

 

[mdslammer]

Of the 2 calibers you mentioned and if your just starting out I'd go with the 300wm. If you like alot of recoil or don't mind a break then by all means go with the 300rum. Liltank's right...go with the best glass you can afford and spend your money once, besides you can always use the scope on another rifle if you choose to later on. Some guys swear by the remingtons but my experiece is it's a roll of the dice with a remmy, although less so with the Sendaro. I'd give Savage a hard look.

If I had a muzzle break installed on the 300RUM, wouldn't this help with the
recoil or would it be minimal?

Also, what do you mean about "but my experiece is it's a roll of the dice with a remmy". I thought Remmy was known for it's consistency and quality control.
Thanks for posting.
Mark

 

[Chas1]

If I had a muzzle break installed on the 300RUM, wouldn't this help with the
recoil or would it be minimal?

With a good brake it would be at a minimum similar to a 308.

Also, what do you mean about "but my experiece is it's a roll of the dice with a remmy". I thought Remmy was known for it's consistency and quality control.
Thanks for posting.
Mark

Remington used to be known for quality but, in recent years the quality isn't consistently there and if you do a search you'll find it's been debated at nausium here on LRH. Some agree quality is a roll of the dice and there customer service is seriously lacking while some swear by them. I'd suggest doing some searches and reading some of the posts...pretty informative from both sides. Either way if half haven't had good experiences and half had...then you got a 50% chance on getting a good one...hence the roll of the dice comment.

 

[liltank]

A good break will definitely tame the recoil. If you are just hunting with the rifle, then I would suggest the RUM. But since there is going to be target shooting involved IMHO, the 300 WM. When you look at loadings you will see that the RUM hold 100+ grains depending on the bullet you select vs 75 to 85 grains for the 300WM. When it comes to buying powder, you will get a few more rounds with the WM. Not to mention, barrel wear is much less.

RUM= 800-1000rnds depending on loads and bullets.
300WM= 1500 to 2500 depending on loads and bullets.

Just a thought,
Tank

 

[mdslammer]

Remington used to be known for quality but, in recent years the quality isn't consistently there and if you do a search you'll find it's been debated at nausium here on LRH. Some agree quality is a roll of the dice and there customer service is seriously lacking while some swear by them. I'd suggest doing some searches and reading some of the posts...pretty informative from both sides. Either way if half haven't had good experiences and half had...then you got a 50% chance on getting a good one...hence the roll of the dice comment.

Well, thanks for the advice. 50/50 isn't good enough IMHO. I'd rather spend a few more $$$ and have a rig that is going to do what I want rather than be
frustrated not knowing if it's the shooter or the rifle.

Best.

Mark

 

[bota]

I bought a slightly used sendero in 300rum from the classified ads on this site. THe previous owner had done load work up, had a break installed, and break in. THe gun shoots awesome, and i was able to shoot a 2" 600yd group (3 shots) with the gun. I then bought a new sendero in .264 mag, and it is a shooter as well. I have only been to the range with it once, and all of the load i tried with 140gn bergers shoot under .75". I really like the feel of the sendero, once i put a DE cheekpiece on the stock. Thats my limited experience with the senderos, but i am also a newbie....

 

[sniperjwt]

I agree with Chase1, Remington has gotten focused on quantity not quality. Now that being said that does not mean all the rifles they make are junk. That is not the case. Some you get will be tack drivers but some wont. My opinion of the two calibers you mentioned well i would go with the 300 WSM. Alright i know its not one of the ones on the list but i belive it is a better calliber than both of the ones you mentioned for target shooting and hunting.

 

[liltank]

I agree with Chase1, Remington has gotten focused on quantity not quality. Now that being said that does not mean all the rifles they make are junk. That is not the case. Some you get will be tack drivers but some wont. My opinion of the two calibers you mentioned well i would go with the 300 WSM. Alright i know its not one of the ones on the list but i belive it is a better calliber than both of the ones you mentioned for target shooting and hunting.

I would have to agree, but like you said, not on the list. I own a 300WSM as well. They make that in the LRH Savage Mod 11!

Tank

 

[Chas1]

True, all Remmys are not junk, some are good and some not so good. While I have no personal experience with a 300wsm, I have read plenty of post from those that do and I can't recall a one that had anything negative to say...they all seem to love them. You may just want to give it at least a look even though not on your list...liltank knows his stuff so it couldn't hurt to take a look.