Hello all,
I have been working my way back from the very first posts archived on these pages to try and answer the questions I have before I post. Let me tell you what little I have, what my goals are, and what I think I should do.
Equipment
I have limited equipment. I inherited a Ruger M77 in .270win with a 3x9 Leupold Gold Ring Vari-X II Scope on it. I used it to take deer over the past 2 years, with multiple taken this past fall with the longest shot at around 330yds (ranged by using mapping software, as it's down a slope and up another). I also have a .300 Savage, in model 99 (think I can shoot 1500 yds with that? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) I have little else for the gun sports being a bowhunter.
Goals
I definitely want to be able to rain down on deer out to 500yds and put them in the freezer. I'd like to take the occasional pop shot at woodchucks, but they aren't overly plentiful here. I have no other large game here to take. I'd love to be able to eventually shoot in the 800-1000yd range (w/in reason).
Action
I've been thinking about a .308, reason being that for the beginner there is tons of data, bullets, etc. Also, cheaper to reload than those pushing 2x as much powder and a little more exotic lead as well as longevity of gun. I have been reading and am leaning towards something in the Savage line to get started easily enough out of the box. If I can get up and running with the .270, great! (As an aside, I've read where someone breaks in even used guns as if they are new since he doesn't know what shape they were in. Good idea or not?) Since reading I had also played with the idea (of course) of a Rem 700 or even trying to find a Win 70 Stealth.
I plan to begin reloading and am gathering information on a good reloading setup that will meet the needs. I also have seen a few books mentioned here, one being something like "Shooting 1000yds" or thereabouts. I plan on purchasing that once I find it again.
I know I can get my brother into this and he'll work as spotter with me.
What else should I be looking at? What am I missing? Where is the absolute starting point? I don't want to build on bad habits. Should I go back and find the Army's manual on rifles and work on technique there, or what?
ANY ideas or links or anything is appreciated.
Thank you
I have been working my way back from the very first posts archived on these pages to try and answer the questions I have before I post. Let me tell you what little I have, what my goals are, and what I think I should do.
Equipment
I have limited equipment. I inherited a Ruger M77 in .270win with a 3x9 Leupold Gold Ring Vari-X II Scope on it. I used it to take deer over the past 2 years, with multiple taken this past fall with the longest shot at around 330yds (ranged by using mapping software, as it's down a slope and up another). I also have a .300 Savage, in model 99 (think I can shoot 1500 yds with that? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) I have little else for the gun sports being a bowhunter.
Goals
I definitely want to be able to rain down on deer out to 500yds and put them in the freezer. I'd like to take the occasional pop shot at woodchucks, but they aren't overly plentiful here. I have no other large game here to take. I'd love to be able to eventually shoot in the 800-1000yd range (w/in reason).
Action
I've been thinking about a .308, reason being that for the beginner there is tons of data, bullets, etc. Also, cheaper to reload than those pushing 2x as much powder and a little more exotic lead as well as longevity of gun. I have been reading and am leaning towards something in the Savage line to get started easily enough out of the box. If I can get up and running with the .270, great! (As an aside, I've read where someone breaks in even used guns as if they are new since he doesn't know what shape they were in. Good idea or not?) Since reading I had also played with the idea (of course) of a Rem 700 or even trying to find a Win 70 Stealth.
I plan to begin reloading and am gathering information on a good reloading setup that will meet the needs. I also have seen a few books mentioned here, one being something like "Shooting 1000yds" or thereabouts. I plan on purchasing that once I find it again.
I know I can get my brother into this and he'll work as spotter with me.
What else should I be looking at? What am I missing? Where is the absolute starting point? I don't want to build on bad habits. Should I go back and find the Army's manual on rifles and work on technique there, or what?
ANY ideas or links or anything is appreciated.
Thank you
