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Long Range Hunting & Shooting
Lessons learned. Now your advice on equipment.
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<blockquote data-quote="RDM416" data-source="post: 491990" data-attributes="member: 3745"><p>RangerBrad, </p><p></p><p>I am with you on buying the best hunting equipment one can afford...... Buying the best always pays off in the long run, both in terms of cost and more importantly function. </p><p></p><p>Like you, I am not a bench rest or match shooter..... just a hunter that likes to reach waaaaay out there. </p><p></p><p>Everyone has an opinion, and you have asked an opinion type question. So here is mine. </p><p></p><p>Go with a 338 caliber, RUM, Lapua, 338-378, or one of the "improved" versions of those such as the 338 Edge, Lapua improved, 338 Khan, etc. With the the 338 you get to shoot big heavy bullets with great BCs. Lots of downrange energy at very long ranges for larger critters. </p><p></p><p>Rifle; Get a custom rifle built by a reputable smith or company. There are several on this site. I have personal experience with Kirby Allen (Allen Precision Shooting) and Shawn Carlock (Defensive Edge), both build great rifles and I would highly recommend either. (keep an eye on the items for sale threads, occasionally one of their rifles come up for sale) There are other good smiths out there, but those are the ones I have personal experience with. Why a custom? You know starting out you have a rifle capable of 1/2 moa accuracy or better (usually better with those guys). With a factory rifle you can get a good one, or chase your tail trying to get it to shoot...... back to your idea of "buy the best". Rem 700 actions are great, or any number of custom actions, I have experience with Nesika, BAT and accurized rem 700's, talk to the smith about those. </p><p></p><p>Optics. I am a Night Force fan. A 5.5-22X50 NXS is hard to beat. Use a Badger or NF 20 moa rail and NF or Leupold MK4 rings to mount it up. Install a scope level (I like the clamp on the scope tube one from US Optics) and an angle co-sine indicator. </p><p></p><p>You will also need a spotting scope, I have owned both Swarovski and Zeiss scopes, both are great. There are other good ones out there, I just don't have any field experience with them. </p><p></p><p>The Swarovski rangefinder is the best there is in consumer grade equipment, so unless you want to spend $5,000 for a Vectronix the swaro is it. </p><p></p><p>I don't have much to say on factory ammunition. If you are going to shoot at long range (to me that is 500 to 1500 yards) you NEED to handload. There is some pretty good premium ammunition out there, but you will go broke shooting it and you will be unable to chose what bullet you want to shoot or fine tune a load. On top of that, what happens when you spend all that time and ammo getting a dialed in, and next season they quit making that specific load??? </p><p></p><p>None of the stuff I have recommended is cheap (or inexpensive), but it is stuff I have experience with and will "ABSOLUTLY WORK THE FIRST TIME EVERY TIME!!!" <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RDM416, post: 491990, member: 3745"] RangerBrad, I am with you on buying the best hunting equipment one can afford...... Buying the best always pays off in the long run, both in terms of cost and more importantly function. Like you, I am not a bench rest or match shooter..... just a hunter that likes to reach waaaaay out there. Everyone has an opinion, and you have asked an opinion type question. So here is mine. Go with a 338 caliber, RUM, Lapua, 338-378, or one of the "improved" versions of those such as the 338 Edge, Lapua improved, 338 Khan, etc. With the the 338 you get to shoot big heavy bullets with great BCs. Lots of downrange energy at very long ranges for larger critters. Rifle; Get a custom rifle built by a reputable smith or company. There are several on this site. I have personal experience with Kirby Allen (Allen Precision Shooting) and Shawn Carlock (Defensive Edge), both build great rifles and I would highly recommend either. (keep an eye on the items for sale threads, occasionally one of their rifles come up for sale) There are other good smiths out there, but those are the ones I have personal experience with. Why a custom? You know starting out you have a rifle capable of 1/2 moa accuracy or better (usually better with those guys). With a factory rifle you can get a good one, or chase your tail trying to get it to shoot...... back to your idea of "buy the best". Rem 700 actions are great, or any number of custom actions, I have experience with Nesika, BAT and accurized rem 700's, talk to the smith about those. Optics. I am a Night Force fan. A 5.5-22X50 NXS is hard to beat. Use a Badger or NF 20 moa rail and NF or Leupold MK4 rings to mount it up. Install a scope level (I like the clamp on the scope tube one from US Optics) and an angle co-sine indicator. You will also need a spotting scope, I have owned both Swarovski and Zeiss scopes, both are great. There are other good ones out there, I just don't have any field experience with them. The Swarovski rangefinder is the best there is in consumer grade equipment, so unless you want to spend $5,000 for a Vectronix the swaro is it. I don't have much to say on factory ammunition. If you are going to shoot at long range (to me that is 500 to 1500 yards) you NEED to handload. There is some pretty good premium ammunition out there, but you will go broke shooting it and you will be unable to chose what bullet you want to shoot or fine tune a load. On top of that, what happens when you spend all that time and ammo getting a dialed in, and next season they quit making that specific load??? None of the stuff I have recommended is cheap (or inexpensive), but it is stuff I have experience with and will "ABSOLUTLY WORK THE FIRST TIME EVERY TIME!!!" :D [/QUOTE]
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