Advice for a newcomer to long range hunting

[94Winchester]

After reading a few articles and post on this website I decided to give long range hunting a try. I am trying to acquire a sporterized m1903a3 to use for long range hunting, and have a few questions about the rifle and long range hunting in general.

If the rifle's barrel is not accurate enough where can I find a 26" barrel for the m1903a3(preferably with 5r rifling)?

Do I need a gunsmith to install the replacement barrel and to glass and pillar bed the rifle?

Where can I find quality sporter stocks for the rifle?

Which brands of rifle scopes are suitable for long range hunting but have a low price?

Which is better mil dots or some other type of scope; what are the advantages and disadvantages to each(I am willing to learn to use a mil dot if it is better)?

Where can I learn long range shooting, or are there books and videos that can teach me?

 

[roninflag]

After reading a few articles and post on this website I decided to give long range hunting a try. I am trying to acquire a sporterized m1903a3 to use for long range hunting, and have a few questions about the rifle and long range hunting in general.

If the rifle's barrel is not accurate enough where can I find a 26" barrel for the m1903a3(preferably with 5r rifling)?

Do I need a gunsmith to install the replacement barrel and to glass and pillar bed the rifle?

Where can I find quality sporter stocks for the rifle?

Which brands of rifle scopes are suitable for long range hunting but have a low price?

Which is better mil dots or some other type of scope; what are the advantages and disadvantages to each(I am willing to learn to use a mil dot if it is better)?

Where can I learn long range shooting, or are there books and videos that can teach me?

you do not say what you are hunting; or where. try to not aquire the m1903 there are about 20 reason why. the 30-06 is a good long range round but the m1903 is not a good long range rifle. try to aquire a remington 700 sendero . if they are too much get a remington 700 sps varmint in 308 or 243. there is an article on cheap scope else where on lrh. i use bushnell elite 4200 and leup scopes. i find side focus and target turrets easier. i like at least a 4.5to 14 power. i like mil dots or a target dot. you can learn a lot by reading, but the sooner you start shooting the quicker you will learn. factory ammo is expensive ; in order to shoot more most reload their own ammo

 

[94Winchester]

you do not say what you are hunting; or where. try to not aquire the m1903 there are about 20 reason why. the 30-06 is a good long range round but the m1903 is not a good long range rifle. try to aquire a remington 700 sendero . if they are too much get a remington 700 sps varmint in 308 or 243. there is an article on cheap scope else where on lrh. i use bushnell elite 4200 and leup scopes. i find side focus and target turrets easier. i like at least a 4.5to 14 power. i like mil dots or a target dot. you can learn a lot by reading, but the sooner you start shooting the quicker you will learn. factory ammo is expensive ; in order to shoot more most reload their own ammo

The rifle is going to be used for long range and short range hunting. I plan on using it on deer, elk, maybe maybe bears.

"try to not aquire the m1903 there are about 20 reason why."

Right now I need to make the most of every dollar I have and I would be able to get the m1903a3 for much less than the remington 700 sps varmint.

"the 30-06 is a good long range round but the m1903 is not a good long range rifle"

I am kind of curious to know why. It should not be do to accuracy from what I have read about the rifle.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I am no 1903 expert but I must say It would not be my choice at all. Have you looked at the Weatherby Vanguard or HOWA rifles(they are the same thing)? I dont think it would be a stretch at all to find a great used rifle at the gun shop for 3 to 350$

The plus about the Vanguard is it comes with a M16 style extractor, GREAT tunable trigger a fair stock, takes rem 700 scope base's and they all seam to shoot great.

Just try and stay away from the Weatherby chamberings if you dont reload as they are real pricey to shoot.

On scopes look at SWFA super sniper

 

[flyin lizard]

Have you looked at what Savage has to offer? Great shooters out of the box and in many ways easy to upgrade without the need for a gunsmith. Also they are not crazy expensive so you can save some $ on the rifle and put it into better glass. I just put a Vortex Viper on my 300wsm and like it a lot.

 

[94Winchester]

I am no 1903 expert but I must say It would not be my choice at all. Have you looked at the Weatherby Vanguard or HOWA rifles(they are the same thing)? I dont think it would be a stretch at all to find a great used rifle at the gun shop for 3 to 350$

The plus about the Vanguard is it comes with a M16 style extractor, GREAT tunable trigger a fair stock, takes rem 700 scope base's and they all seam to shoot great.

Just try and stay away from the Weatherby chamberings if you dont reload as they are real pricey to shoot.

On scopes look at SWFA super sniper

I have not looked at the Vanguard or Howa rifles but I have looked at the Savage rifles and the TC Venture. I probably should have explained this in my first post; My father recently said that if I got high enough grades in my summer college class, he would give me his sporterized m1903a3. Since the rifle can not be put back into military configuration because it has been drilled to mount a scope and made into a 30-06 AI, I decided to see if I could turn it into a long range hunting rifle.

 

[roninflag]

you do not say if you reload. you can get a good scope put it on the 1903 and try it. the 30-06 is a great long range round.

 

[94Winchester]

you do not say if you reload. you can get a good scope put it on the 1903 and try it. the 30-06 is a great long range round.

I currently don't reload, but I planning to.

 

[roninflag]

i found a bushnell 5-15 for 200. most reload because it is cheaper. put a scope on it and start shooting. do you shoot a model 94??

 

[94Winchester]

do you shoot a model 94??

Yes. They are nice rifles.

 

[trebark]

ok - so you've got a rifle for free. That might be the best kind.

Now you need an inexpesive scope. Based on this article:

Low Priced Long Range Scopes

I bought a Bushnell 3200 10x with mil-dot reticle. Mounted the scope on my 308

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-308-1k-rifle-evolution-continues-43510/

Used it to kill a ground-hog at 810 yards. If you read through the description of my 308 you will learn some of the basic things you can do to help improve the accuracy potential of your rifle.

I don't think mil-dots are optimal, but you can learn to use them.

Once you've got a scope mounted, the next thing to do is to start shooting. Read all the "stickies" at the beginning of this forum:

The Basics, Starting Out - LongRangeHunting.com Online Magazine and Forums

From there you will learn all the basic....trigger control, breathing, prone etc.

Once you've done your reading...go shoot. Then come back here and post your questions.

Have fun!

 

[justgoto]

I shoot a sporterized 03, you should do well with a nice scope.

I tried two Bushnell 10x 3200 mildot scopes, they both died on me in less than 200 shots, the first one died within 20. Just my opinion, get something else.

I also shoot a win94; made my best shot ever with that rifle.