New Member -- Advice/Experience Wanted!

Brydawg512

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2018
Messages
442
Location
Idaho
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!
 
Welcome to LRH!
In my opinion you already have the rifle to get you where you want to be. If it were me, I would make some changes to that rifle and see how it works. The 7mm Rem mag is a great all around cartridge. Take your $1200 and upgrade your scope, that would be my first change. Then as you get into longer shooting you can make further upgrade like, stock, trigger, reloading equipment, etc. If you are set on a 30 caliber, I would go with a 300 win mag. You can send your rifle to a good gunsmith and have him rebarrel. I have always been a big fan of Remington 700's, but have been very disappointed in most of their new factory rifles.
 
How's your current rifle shoot? It's current chambering is more than adequate for your stated purpose. If nothing else maybe use it for a platform to build on.
It shoots just fine, I have been extremely happy with it. I have never done it, but how hard is changing the stock, trigger, etc. on one of these guns? Is there many modifications available for this gun?
 
Welcome to LRH!
In my opinion you already have the rifle to get you where you want to be. If it were me, I would make some changes to that rifle and see how it works. The 7mm Rem mag is a great all around cartridge. Take your $1200 and upgrade your scope, that would be my first change. Then as you get into longer shooting you can make further upgrade like, stock, trigger, reloading equipment, etc. If you are set on a 30 caliber, I would go with a 300 win mag. You can send your rifle to a good gunsmith and have him rebarrel. I have always been a big fan of Remington 700's, but have been very disappointed in most of their new factory rifles.
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!
 
Asking questions is how you learn. Winchester Model 70's are not difficult to work on. My first long range build was the same exact rifle that you have. Great shooting rifle. Most of what I know about changing stocks, triggers, etc, I've learned either here, by watching YouTube videos, and trial and error. As far as scopes go, it really comes down to personal preference and shooting style. My recommendation is to go to a sporting goods store that caries a good variety of mid to high end scopes and look through all of them. You will see the difference in clarity, brightness, etc between a $500 scope and $1500 scope. I have used many different scopes over the years. My favorites are Nightforce, higher end Zeiss, Swarovski, and higher end Vortex. There are many other companies that make great glass.
 
Asking questions is how you learn. Winchester Model 70's are not difficult to work on. My first long range build was the same exact rifle that you have. Great shooting rifle. Most of what I know about changing stocks, triggers, etc, I've learned either here, by watching YouTube videos, and trial and error. As far as scopes go, it really comes down to personal preference and shooting style. My recommendation is to go to a sporting goods store that caries a good variety of mid to high end scopes and look through all of them. You will see the difference in clarity, brightness, etc between a $500 scope and $1500 scope. I have used many different scopes over the years. My favorites are Nightforce, higher end Zeiss, Swarovski, and higher end Vortex. There are many other companies that make great glass.
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!
 
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)
 
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!
 
If you have a buddy that reloads and can be your mentor, put a set of dies on your christmas list. Even if you don't have one theres no better time to start with xmas and birthday gifts and as budget allows.
Quality optics, gun, shooting ability, range finder and consistent ammo are the keys to shooting long range take one away and it's all for not.
 
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