New Member -- Advice/Experience Wanted!

[WildRose]

Hello all,

I am brand new to this forum and am wanting to get into long range hunting/shooting. I will admit I have alot of learning and practice to do, but I am more than willing to do it.

So, first things first... Getting a firearm that will do what I need it to do. I hunt black bear, deer and elk. I would like to be able to shoot out to 600-650 yards at a max range. Currently, I have an older (probably 70s or 80s) Winchester model 70 wood stock chambered in 7mm with a Leupold VX-11, 3-9x40. However, I am looking to purchase a newer rifle chambered in 300, but I am open to other caliber options that would best suit the distance/game I am hunting.

So, I have been looking at the Remington 700 as an option, however, I am open to hear other recommendations.

So, if you are willing to recommend a good "starter" set up it would be much appreciated. I would like to stay under $1200 total for the full build, but understand that may not be a possibility. I apologize for my lack of knowledge, but I am always interested in learning more.

Gun?
Caliber?
Scope?
Any other modifications (barrel, stock, etc.)?

Thank you very much in advance!

Great, I am eager to learn more about this! I most definitely will need to search for a different option for my optic. As far as magnification goes, would something like a Vortex Viper PST4-16x50 meet my needs? Would I overmagnify something at 100 yards with the scope? Thanks again for your help!

I'm not a fan of the Vortex but many are. I had 5 of them three of which had to be returned immediately because they would not zero or would not hold zero from one outing to the next.

My advice would be to saver your money and pickup a Zeiss Conquest or Leupold VX-6.

On the latter I have 3 of the 3-18x50's and 2 of the 4-24x52's and they have all been fantastic.

I've learned the hard way not to waste my money on cheap glass because odds are you'll go through several of them before you get one decent scope and by the time you go through all of that you've spent far more than you would have on a decent one to begin with.

Upgrade your glass, get the rifle bedded and floated or spend some time on youtube learning to do it yourself. If you stock doesn't have pilllars installed already I'd start there and then bed it and float it.

 

[xsn10s]

I hunt black bear, deer and elk. I would like to be able to shoot out to 600-650 yards at a max range.

Depending on how accurate and repeatable your rifle is your current set up is you're close to your needs right now. I'd upgrade the scope or see if Leupold's custom Shop could change the reticle, they might be able to put in a mildot reticle. Maybe change the stock of have it bedded. But if 600-700 yards is your current max it's possible to do it with your rifle. Some might argue that a 300 win mag would be better for bull elk. That would be a barrel swap with your rifle. I'm going to build off of Remington actions. but I really favor the bolt angle of my pushfeed Model 70. So a scope, bedding or a new stock, maybe a rangefinder, binos and you're pretty much set. Save the money ammo or a new barrel when the time comes.

 

[Brydawg512]

That is the beauty of a variable scope you will not over magnify at 4X. Personally I like the lower end to be 4x-5 and upper 20x-25 for ranges past 500yds. You can always turn it down but if your at max. power and need more and you havent got it. As your skills improve and you extend the range more power helps to aim small shoot small.
As stated above use your budget to improve on your optics and if you dont reload I highly suggest get a mentor and learn consistency is the key and I've seen some pretty poor E.S out if factory ammo.(100F.P.S)

Yes, thank you very much! I will most definitely stay with my current rifle, considering I know and love the gun so much. So from what I'm hearing, upgrade the scope and then find consistent rounds? Also, the Vortex Viper PST 4x16-50 would or would not be suitable for this 500-600 yard range? Sorry for my lack of knowledge...

 

[Brydawg512]

Like others have said..Spend your 1200 on the rifle you already have!
Sorry to say but 1200 bucks really doesn't go that far buying new stuff.
Heck a set of good rings and you're down to 1050?
Quality used stuff will help extend your buying power...I would not worry about reloading at this budget point! You will eat up your cash and still not have everything you need plus nothing left to spend on your rifle!

Ok thank you for the advice! I will most definitely stick with my current rifle and build it over time. Thank you!

 

[L.Sherm]

The reason I say is reload or start having a buddy help you is this scenario about a year ago.
I had a guy call me and was convinced he had a rifle problem to make a long story short there was nothing wrong with the rifle he was shooting factory ammo .5 moa all the sudden it was a 2"+ m.o.a rifle tried 3 different scopes and still no change. I set up my chrono and his rounds were 100f.p.s difference one box had 3 brass colored primers the rest silver. He had another box that had 6 brass colored and rest silver. Same brand same bullet, same kind he thought. Obviously the manufacturer changed components mid stream.
My point is you never know until something like this happens, unless you load yourself.
That is why I say learn to reload he fought this for 3 months thinking it was the rifle or scope.

 

[L.Sherm]

By the way he thought he was paying for premium ammo, it was only the price.

 

[Brydawg512]

By the way he thought he was paying for premium ammo, it was only the price.

Wow, crazy there can be that much variance in rounds, especially being the same brand and all. Makes it very clear why reloading may be a smart option.

 

[Alibiiv]

Hello all,

I am brand new to this forum and am wanting to get into long range hunting/shooting. I will admit I have alot of learning and practice to do, but I am more than willing to do it.

So, first things first... Getting a firearm that will do what I need it to do. I hunt black bear, deer and elk. I would like to be able to shoot out to 600-650 yards at a max range. Currently, I have an older (probably 70s or 80s) Winchester model 70 wood stock chambered in 7mm with a Leupold VX-11, 3-9x40. However, I am looking to purchase a newer rifle chambered in 300, but I am open to other caliber options that would best suit the distance/game I am hunting.

So, I have been looking at the Remington 700 as an option, however, I am open to hear other recommendations.

So, if you are willing to recommend a good "starter" set up it would be much appreciated. I would like to stay under $1200 total for the full build, but understand that may not be a possibility. I apologize for my lack of knowledge, but I am always interested in learning more.

Gun?
Caliber?
Scope?
Any other modifications (barrel, stock, etc.)?

Thank you very much in advance![/QUOTE

Not quite certain about what you are currently shooting? 7mm Rem mag or a 7X57? The action that you already have is not a bad action to start with if it is a Classic model. Are there any better, yes but what you have isn't bad to start off with; ought to be able to save some money there. And....I too am new to this whole scene of long range shooting and truly not an expert. The only reason that I am asking about the caliber is to try to figure out what you have for a bolt face. And....for game that you are hunting and the distances that you have quoted in your post, a 7mm RemMag ought to get the job done nicely. There's lots of good 7mm bullets out there to choose from so you have a great amount of diversity. What I have been doing is comparing a factory cartridge to a wildcat cartridge to see if there is something that is already on the market instead of reinventing the wheel. I currently have a .270 Winchester and I am considering the .270 Sherman. There are factory cartridges that will come close to the ballistics, however I simply want something unique and that is what I am going to build. I too plan on using this rifle for hunting deer, mule deer and antelope (hopefully/someday) and simply long range shooting out to about 500-600 yards maximum. And.... "if" the shot presents itself, I'd like to have a rifle that will do its job if I do mine. For me I have been doing a lot of reading and researching and trying to make a rifle that I am going to be proud of and happy to shoot well with. Good luck with your build.

 

[Brydawg512]

My apologies for not clarifying, I shoot a 7mm rem mag. I am on the same track as you as for as the use of my rifle. I am already seeing now... time to start saving for a new scope lol

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Yes, thank you very much! I will most definitely stay with my current rifle, considering I know and love the gun so much. So from what I'm hearing, upgrade the scope and then find consistent rounds? Also, the Vortex Viper PST 4x16-50 would or would not be suitable for this 500-600 yard range? Sorry for my lack of knowledge...

That's more than enough scope. I have that same scope and have shot it out to 1450 with great results. Recently bought a gen2 pst 5-25. No comparison between the two. Gen2 has way better glass

 

[entoptics]

Yes, thank you very much! I will most definitely stay with my current rifle, considering I know and love the gun so much. So from what I'm hearing, upgrade the scope and then find consistent rounds? Also, the Vortex Viper PST 4x16-50 would or would not be suitable for this 500-600 yard range? Sorry for my lack of knowledge...

Any scope from a reputable maker in the 4-16X range give or take, that costs about $500 or more, will be adequate for your purposes most likely. Nikon, Bushnell, Burris, Leupold, Sig Optics, and Vortex all have good stuff in that range. More $$ is usually better, but benefits start to drop off exponentially as you approach the $800-$1000 range, and unless you want the most bomb-proof construction, you probably won't see much benefit in going above $800 in the ~16X magnification range.

As for the PST specifically, you probably don't need it, as illumination is not really necessary for hunting scenarios, and it usually costs an extra 20%. The Vortex HS-T line is good, and very reasonably priced (especially if you look for deals).

Beyond quality glass and robust build, the things you need to look for in a scope are...

1. Finger adjustable turrets. I like exposed turrets, but they can shift on you when hiking (see below about zero resettable/stop turrets).
2. Zero resettable turrets (ideally with a zero stop also). This allows you to set your zero, and easily return to it without counting clicks.
3. A measuring reticle (not just generic hold over "BDC" types). The reticles will be referred to as "MOA" or "Milling" reticles, and have hash marks for angular measurements (MOA or Milliradians). This allows you to do holdovers at some ranges, but more importantly, it will allow you to measure group size, and bullet drop and windage offsets, from the bench. The "BDC" or "Ballistic" reticles with aiming points at various yardages are better than nothing, but are "one size fits all", which means they rarely fit anything quite right.

You will also need a good bipod, a decent range finder in the "1000 yd" class, some shooting bags, and it wouldn't hurt to get a chronograph.

As mentioned already, I also think the rifle you have is probably just about perfect, so spend your money on the gear to support that rifle. Your budget should get you there, but as also mentioned, there's something to be said for "Buy once, Cry Once", so try and save up money, and be patient looking for deals and coupons. $700 on a scope, $400 rangefinder, $300 on "miscellaneous" would put you in great shape.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

The 7MM Rem Mag is a GOOD Elk- Moose caliber IMO,.. I'd buy; (1) a GOOD Scope,.. 4.5X X 14X Burris', are very reasonable and plenty of Scope, to 700 Yards, on Big Game ( or, similar ) The Burris 3x - 15X 30MM Veracity, is even nicer ( 2) Reload 154 grain Horn Interbond's, 160 grain Nosler Accubond's or 168 Berger Hunting Bullets for, plenty of "punch" to 700 Yards on Elk ! All the Bullets stated have, fairly flat trajectory, with, LOW recoil off, a Bipod, Sticks or, Pack ! (3) another MUST HAVE is, a GOOD Timney or other good Trigger for the Rem. M-700, set at about, 2 to 2.5 Pounds for Hunting (4) Glass BED the Rifle, as stated by others or, pay a "good" Gunsmith, to do it and "free float", the Barrel.
(5) Practice "Field positions" after your loads are VERIFIED, at the ranges necessary and then,.. PRACTICE some more, until you can hit a 10" Steel Plate, at 400 yd's sitting on a Hillside, over "Sticks" , every time ! ( I use Hunters Specialties, the wood, $15.00 ones) with, my Pack rested, on my Chest, under the Rifle's "Toe" firmly supported. And then, practice to 700-750 yards over, the Pack/ bi-pod with, good "Toe" Support ( I use a Hollands Field rest ). You will also NEED to learn Wind reading, Skills as the Wind,.. is usually blowing when, Elk Hunting ! PS I only like a moveable top Turret as, the side "windage" Turrets, get bumped, quite often! And YES, "Zero" at 200 yards as, the 7 Mag is a Flat shooter with, medium weight, Bullets ! Good luck and have FUN !

 

[Alibiiv]

Thank you! Ok, will be sure to look around. Honestly, I understand very little about scopes. What would you recommend as far as a scope? Brand? Magnification? Also, how do you go about sighting the rifle in? Am I able to "zero" my gun to be dead on a 200 yards and each tick below is an additional 50-100 yards, or is it not as simple? Again, my apologies for the dumb questions! Thank you very much!

Me again here. I'll probably get some feedback on this one, but it's my two cents worth. I like Leupold scopes, have a gun locker with about 15 or more them. I have VX IIIs for the most part, sort of a middle-of-the-road price range. What I do like about them is that they carry a lifetime warranty with them. I recently purchased a used Ruger 77 with a 3.5-10 VXIII scope on it. The scope was a bit cloudy and really needed to be upgraded. For me the scope was worth what I paid for the rifle because I knew that I can send it back to the factory for repair. My thoughts here are that there are a number of used scopes on sites like Gunbroker or Guns International and some are at a very reasonable

 

[Idaho Lefty]

In MY Family, we have, ALL,.. Burris scopes ( about , 10 of them, now ! )
I used to LOVE the Leupold's,.. SOLD them, all !
My 6.5-20X Leupold was the first to GO as, I noticed that, my 6.5-20X Burris Varmint scope, was much, CLEARER than, the Leupold ! We compared my 4.5-14X 42mm to Vortex's (same power) in the evening and the Burris scope was, BRIGHTER ! My son took his New Vortex back, for a refund and bought, a 4.5-14X Burris, too !
Buying a scope, is a "Personal choice", tho ! I can afford more expensive scopes BUT, Elk, Deer, Moose, are pretty big Targets and these scope's "work", for "normal" ranges, just fine!