New to the LRH

[TheCoyoteAdict]

Hey there, Im new to the long range stuff 300 yrds has really been my max for the past few years tried 400 and 500 just dont have the accuracy with my 223. Was looking into a new caliber to get. I am really in love with my dads .308. But my buddy shoots a 300 WSM and I like it too. Im just asking what anyone thinks about a good starter caliber to buy. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Autorotate]

Welcome to LRH! There's a lot of knowledge available on this forum to help you with your goals.

To help get you the right info, provide a bit more info about the goals for your rifle in terms of critters/ranges you'll hunt. Do you or know someone that can assist you reloading your own ammo?

 

[TheCoyoteAdict]

Thanks for the quick reply! Mostly the gun would be used for longer range elk hunting, Coyote hunting in the Arizona flats, and long range target practice. By long range i mean 500 yards and out. I would love to shoot 1000 yards but dont have the knowledge to do so. I do have a friend I reload with, the hand loads we have made for my 223 are super accurate. Reloading for another caliber would not be dificult.

 

[roninflag]

ADDICT- the gun is more important than the caliber as long is the caliber is appropriate for the game. you Have to have the accuracy neccessary . most questions here can be answered with - remington sendero and leup 6.5-20.

 

[liltank]

While Ron like the Sendero, I am a Savage fan. 300WSM, 7WSM, 300Win Mag, 300 RUM, 7SAUM, 7Rem Mag, will all do what you need. The SAUM, 300WSM, and Win Mag are going to be the best options if you are considering a lot of target shooting. They will be a little easier on the barrels. If you have any plans of going past 800yds for Elk, then you need to consider the bigger powder capacity rounds. To 800 you could probably even get away with a 260, 7mm-08, 284 Win, 280/AI. The only reason I haven't added the 270Win, and 270WSM is that you will need to make sure you stay with heavier bullets, and they really excel in barrels not offered by most manufacturers. Though I do believe the 270WSM with a 150 Berger or Hornady SST will get the job done. This will get you started. Do your homework on all of these calibers and see which one suits your fancy. If you want to get a Remington or Savage action and put one together, then that just opens up other doors. Welcome to LRH.

 

[Autorotate]

Thanks for the quick reply! Mostly the gun would be used for longer range elk hunting,

Popular elk calibers span from 6.5mms, the 7mms, the Thirty Cal mags, and up the 338s.

Coyote hunting in the Arizona flats,

Any of the above calibers would do well here.

and long range target practice.

This should point you towards a caliber that has high quality brass available, and isn't overbore so the barrel lasts you a bit.

By long range i mean 500 yards and out. I would love to shoot 1000 yards but dont have the knowledge to do so.

But is sounds like you soon will But it's very smart of you to realize the limitation in your whole "system" (i.e. laser, ballistic computer, shooter, spotter, optics, etc), but I would build it towards that realistic future 1000 yd goal in mind.

I do have a friend I reload with, the hand loads we have made for my 223 are super accurate. Reloading for another caliber would not be dificult.

This will put affordable practice in reach, and help you obtain the precision you need to be successful at those distances.

Do you have a desired weight for this rifle?

If you're a truck/atv/road hunter, or very physically fit, than a 17-18 lb 338 might be the ticket. If your only vehicle while hunting are two LPCs (Leather Personnel Carrier) than the weight part of the rifle can play a role. It's just my humble opinion, that all the potential bad things going on during the recoil impulse makes lower recoiling rifle easier to shoot precisely/consistently. Your desired build weight may sway you to look at the smaller calibers. So what do you want this rifle to weight when it's all said and done?

Do you hunt with a horse/ATV scabbard that would potentially limit the overall length of the rifle? Do you have a desired overall length in mind?

 

[TheCoyoteAdict]

The rifle of choice for me would be a remington 700. I love the action and it is a very popular and reliable rifle. Round.. Im really leaning towards a .308. I have been told that depending on your loads, it really is a all around great round. As for weight, I am fairly in good shape but if a was packing around the mountains for a few days i wouldnt like a cannon in my arms. So I would say no more than 10 lbs

 

[liltank]

Well, then I would go with an SPS. Get a heavy barrel in 24". 1:12 will work for bullets up to 190 and sometimes 200grn. If you get the 1:10, then you can go as heavy as you want. A 180-190 grain bullet will do you well to 600 for elk, and probably even to 800 with good shot placement. You could load 175's for shooting 1000+yd for target and varmints. It's my belief that 24" is optimal length. If you go 26" or more than you will be able to take advantage of slower powders and heavier bullets, but the gain is minimal. I have a 28" 1:12 aftermarket barrel on mine. Next time around I am going full bull barrel to 24". Probably stick with the 1:12, but will look into the 11.25 used by the military. 155-180 are very good weights to use in a .308.

You'll want to Lapua brass, RWS, or Norma. All three are top notch. I use Norma and RWS. RWS is pretty expensive unless you buy it the way I did. I ended up buying their hunting ammunition at $20 a box. Shot it out and using the brass. CCI BR2 and Fed210M are your best options in primers, but the non match primers will work well too. Might want to try the wolf primers.

Get a 20MOA base of some type. That will help you reach out as far as it is capable. I know you said 500, but don't limit your self.

 

[TheCoyoteAdict]

Now that I have my idea of a rifle. What scope do you guys recommend? I have looked into the more high end vortex scopes. But dont really know what to be looking for?

 

[liltank]

I have the Vortex Viper 6.5-20. I would really like to have the PST. You want a minimum of 18x for really long shots especially if you want to hunt groundhogs or varmints of the same size. If coyote and bigger is your query, then 15x will work well to long range. Sightron 8-32 SIII, Vortex PST, I really like the Weaver Tactical Weaver 4-20x50 Tactical 30mm Rifle Scope . I've read that the Weaver is really well built with good glass. Here is a review: Weaver Tactical 3-15x50mm - Sniper Central

Here are some other reviews:
Sightron SIII SS 6-24x50mm Mildot Scope

Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm FFP Tactical Rifle Scope - Sniper Central

If you are looking at using the reticule for ranging and hold off, then you really should look for something in the FFP (First Focal Plane). If you are planning to twiddle your turrets, then it doesn't matter if you use the SFP or FFP. All the FFP does is hold the reticule to the same hold offs and ranging at all powers of the scopes adjustment.

If you can score a Leupy VXIII in a power range you like, then you can get target turrets installed.

What rifle are you going with?

 

[TheCoyoteAdict]

The rifle ill be choosing will be a Rem 700 SPS tac in .308. I found a company the customizes them the way i want. GPS Defense Sniper School - GPS Defense Performance Package 700P .308 let me know what you guys think about the barrel length

 

[liltank]

Don't know anything about the company, but the 18" will be fine. It will slow you down a bit. You will want to stick to a 155-175gn bullets to really reach out. I use 200gn Sierra SBT Gameking with good effectiveness. I use the 175's for long range work.