I have a question on setup for a new shooting adventure for me.

A note for us older guys. I've roamed this planet for 72 years and like most of us more experienced guys ☺, I eventually needed cataract surgery after wearing contact lenses for decades. I asked my cataract surgeon for the best possible long-distance vision in my right eye (strong eye) and the best close-up vision on my left eye... two different magnifications. He said, "No problem."
It works very well. My mind compensates for day-to-day activities. But, I have better than 20-20 vision in my right eye... perfect for long-range shooting. I shoot as well... or better... than most of the 20 year old guys. And, I can tie #28 trout flies.
Cataract surgery... one of the "benefits" of getting older.
 
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I may have missed if anyone mentioned a good ballistics app? The previous poster has a very good one called Eagle Ballistics and not very expensive at $25-$30 a year as well as a chrono graph and level on your rifle. When you get past 400 yards there is a lot more things influencing you bullet poi. Velocity, spin drift, rifle can't, corealis, wind, and atmospheric conditions. James Eagleman has a lot of helpful videos to go with his app. It's a lot of fun and rewarding. I'm guessing you are talking about the range in Oak Ridge which is really nice. I live in Atlanta but in the process of joining to get access to another 1000 yard range. Good luck on your journey it's not as hard as you might think once you get the basics down.
 
Mike22 said:
As the title says new shooting adventure for me. A shooting buddy want to try an shoot out to 1000yds. So I guess I'm going to start small an see how I like it and grow from there. I currently have available a Savage Tactical in .308 win. Its the older action with the round front and nearly flat rear. I have a Leupold one piece base currently for it. So the first question is. Will that base even work or do I need a 10 or 20moa base for it? Next question is how much magnification do I need? 18x ,25x or more? I realize this can be a very expensive adventure and trying to keep the cost down to begin with and see how i like it. Yes I will be reloading and working our way out to that distance at a local range. Any suggestions would be appreciated. No intention to hunt that distance just target practice.

Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...

How far are you from Oak Ridge? A club used to shoot there regularly from 200, 300, 600 and the Palma course 8-1000. I said "used to" as I haven't shot there in years.

If they were still active it might be worth your time to watch a match and get some help from any of the members.

Unsolicited advise on bullets, try the 168 berger hybrids. They have the same BC as the 175 SMK. I ran them at 2800 through the M14 platform and they did real well on 1000 yard matches.

I ran the 185 juggs through the 14s as well. Coming out at 2650, I could not tell the difference in the wind against the 168s at 2800.

The new breed of SMk, 169, might be just as good as the Berger I just have not them shot them past 500.
 
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Im surprised that nobody mentioned or asked, how are you spotting impacts? Is your buddy always going to be there with you when you shoot? Does he have a high power optic to spot with? Spotting scope? Or can you spot your own impacts? This would suggest you are running a suppressor or quality muzzle break!? Or, I guess a prs style stock/chassis with the ability to add weight to it. Point is, there is other things to consider other than just pulling the trigger.
Good luck and let us know what route you choose on your set up!? 👍
 
My boss at the shop taught me to look thru a potential scope at tree leaves. Get them sharp and clear in the center of the lens. Then move the scope so that you are looking at the same leaves at the 4 quadrant edges of the lens. That can be an eye-opener!

And it dovetails nicely into why you want a non-zero MOA/MIL base, or Burris Signature or Posi-lign rings, or both.
 
Rick Richard said:
Great advice in taking incremental steps and goals. Believe me, there is a WHOLE lot more going on when shooting at a grand.1000 yards will humble the most cocky shooter when they think it will be just a walk in the park…speaking from experience.
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When I shot my 20 inch AR15 with irons or the 14 across the monthly Palma course, I tell people 800 is easier than 600 because of the larger scoring rings, 10 inch X ring vs the 1 moa at 6. 900 is harder than 8, 1000 is twice as hard as 9.

Matches are prone, sling, off the shoulder.
 
I believe that it would be money well spent to attend a long range shooting school to learn the fundamentals of ballistics and distance as well as shooting technique. If it were me I would go to Barbour Creek and learn the vast majority of what you don't know as well as shoot out to 1000 with their rifles. Most of your questions and skills (or weaknesses) will be exposed and corrected. You will be well ahead of the game.
 
daddaman said:
I may have missed if anyone mentioned a good ballistics app? The previous poster has a very good one called Eagle Ballistics and not very expensive at $25-$30 a year as well as a chrono graph and level on your rifle. When you get past 400 yards there is a lot more things influencing you bullet poi. Velocity, spin drift, rifle can't, corealis, wind, and atmospheric conditions. James Eagleman has a lot of helpful videos to go with his app. It's a lot of fun and rewarding. I'm guessing you are talking about the range in Oak Ridge which is really nice. I live in Atlanta but in the process of joining to get access to another 1000 yard range. Good luck on your journey it's not as hard as you might think once you get the basics down.
Click to expand...
The Eagleman app is incredible.
If you have a Tract scope, and use the Tract app on the Tract web site, you can print a dope sheet with your reticle that has distances marked on the stadia lines out to any distance you might shoot.
Simple and fast work for simple and slow old guys.
 
Mike22 said:
I have a base and no rings currently. And no scope that I would want use.
Click to expand...
Take a good look at the Arken EP5 7-35x50 FFP IR MOA scope. I just built a 300WSM for 1000-1200yd bench rest shooting.
I've only had the opportunity to use it out to 500yds do far, and so far, I'm surprisingly impressed with it
 
osok-1k said:
I believe that it would be money well spent to attend a long range shooting school to learn the fundamentals of ballistics and distance as well as shooting technique. If it were me I would go to Barbour Creek and learn the vast majority of what you don't know as well as shoot out to 1000 with their rifles. Most of your questions and skills (or weaknesses) will be exposed and corrected. You will be well ahead of the game.
Click to expand...
Barbourcreek no longer exist for Shooting School. I moved my school to Legends Ranch in Michigan LongRangelr.com. This is James Eagleman formally of Barbourcreek.
 
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G Arlen Good said:
A note for us older guys. I've roamed this planet for 72 years and like most of us more experienced guys ☺, I eventually needed cataract surgery after wearing contact lenses for decades. I asked my cataract surgeon for the best possible long-distance vision in my right eye (strong eye) and the best close-up vision on my left eye... two different magnifications. He said, "No problem."
It works very well. My mind compensates for day-to-day activities. But, I have better than 20-20 vision in my right eye... perfect for long-range shooting. I shoot as well... or better... than most of the 20 year old guys. And, I can tie #28 trout flies.
Cataract surgery... one of the "benefits" of getting older.
Click to expand...
I did the same thing you did, but reversed it as I am a lefty.
 
Arken are 20% off for another day or so. Consider this one or the 6-25X.
 

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