LongRange hunting and shooting, with what gear i have

[genesisaix]

Hi folks! Greetings from Norway of all places!

I have been hunting for the last 5 years, and have bagged a couple of deers and 12 foxes. Have also been hunting elk (moose or the equalent) and some Rundolphs - with no success (due to terrain)

After reading up and down this forum, I find it intellectual and thoughtfull - with an abundance of knowledge. Ive learned a lot, but I want to know more!

I want to start hunting on longer ranges (3-500m), and to try shooting on long range - up to 6-800m. The collective of hunters in Norway is a bit reluctant to long range hunting - so often it get hushed when the topic is brought up.

First a little presentation on what i have in my gun locker :

• Tikka t3 lite - in 6,5x55 - a nimble and lightweight rifle that i love - accompanied with a silencer it shoots like a baby.
  • Nikon Monarch 3-12x56
• Weatherby Vanguard S2 30.06 - with a silencer - that shoots lighter then my 6,5 without the silencer
  • cheap off-brand - 2,5-10x50
• Ruger M77 .243 Win - that i got from a friend, and havent gotten to try that many shoots with yet - also with a silencer. (a bit heavier then the 6,5x55 due to a wooden stock)
  • dont remember - but x50 and a familier brand (leupold?)

Can the gear be used for the topic? I am starting reloading my shells this fall for the first time - so a lot of testing will be done.
- anyone with load data that can fit?
- anyone with upgrade tips within reasonable price?

the Genesis

 

[dkhunt14]

The 6.5x55 or the 30-06 would be capable at those distances. You need a good scope that will click to those distances and be repeatable. Something like a Nightforce 5.5x22 NXS. You also need a good laser rangefinder to find distances. Something like a Swarovski would work for those distances. You need a click chart. You need to get the gun shooting good and practice at the distances. In the 6.5 I would shoot a 130 or 140 Berger Hunting VLD. In the 30-06 I would use a 165 to 180 Berger hunting VLD. Read all you can about longrange hunting. Try googling your cartridges and you might get load and bullet data. Matt

 

[dkhunt14]

There are a few guys that post on here from Norway that long range hunt. Contacting them might help you a lot. They might live close to you and would show you. That would be a big plus. Matt

 

[jasent]

a good quality scope imo is the most important peace of gear. It needs to dial reliably and some good glass helps as well. Get out there and start shooting. Practice practice practice.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

The monarch scope should work fine to dial consistently. Use it until you feel the need for something better. I use one on my favorite rifle and don't feel like I give up anything in a hunting situation vs higher end scopes other than I have to take the turret caps off. I do shoot with nightforce also and they are much nicer scopes. They don't make me hit the target better.

Do you have a chronograph? This will help you as much as anything to give you information to put into a ballistics program to tell you how much to dial your scope to hit your given distance target.

Then get a steel target so you can hear your hits and not have to wonder until you get down range to look.

Have fun, your budget does not have to break to do this.

Steve

 

[graywolf]

I agree the Nikon 3-12x56 will be sufficient to at least get your 6.5x55 ballistics at longer ranges sorted out. There is a good discussion of the long range capabilities of that caliber with carefully tuned hand loads in a recent thread on snipershide.com

 

[azsugarbear]

Welcome to LRH! You mention how light your rifles are, but not how accurate they shoot. Given the larger game you want to pursue at medium ranges, I would choose the most accurate rifle between the 6.5x55 and the 30-06. Don't spread yourself too thin. Pick one rifle and really get to know it.

At 300-500 meters, wind shouldn't be much of a factor, so either caliber will work well. At those distances, bullets with higher BC's won't matter as much. But since you will eventually want to shoot farther, get used to reloading and working with the VLD style of bullet.

Of the three scopes you mention, your Nikon should be your best choice. Confirm repeatability by dialing up several MOA/MRads and then back down to your zero. Does it return to zero every time? If so, mount it on your most accurate rifle.

Now for some gear you don't have: You will need a rangefinder. Estimating range using subtensions in your scope's reticle may work on larger game - but not on foxes and other small game at 500 meters. Get the Leica 16B or the Swaro.

You will need some kind of hand held weather station / wind meter. Kestrel is a good brand. Also buy a ballistics program app for your phone. Learn how to use both of these. Calculating a shooting solution for both elevation and wind using the rangefinder, Kestrel and shooting app are just as important as the rifle/scope combo.

You have a large learning curve ahead of you, but it is a fun climb.

 

[genesisaix]

Thanks for replies! they are really motivating

I have a rangefinder, but its limited up to 400-450m, so that is on the wishlist for a shopping spree.

When it comes to shooting experience:
Ive shot a couple of 1000 shots in some kind of sniper/hunters rifle - from 22LR to 375HH, and though I cant brag with a marksmansbadge - i put my tikka t3 within 4-5cm on 200m anyday (without any devices to help steady the rifle) - though not exactly where i want it (the rifle was shot in on 100m - and i put the rifle down range at a fixed point on the 30cm target).

with the silencer its no fuzz shooting - only issue is mirage...

the 30.06 is rarely in use due to the Tikkas weight and accuracy - but i am a bit worried about capabilities getting a deer down on 500m. Atm i shoot Norma fabric ammo - both the fullmetal jacket Jaktmatch (NORMA 6,5 x 55 FMJ Jaktmatch 7,8g
) and the Oryx (Norma 6,5 x 55 10,1 g/156 gr - v300-1862/e300-1210 (way to weak for bigger games (?)) - wich shoots almost exactly the same...
In the 30.06 its the same bullets atm (oryx 11,7 g/180 gr)

If id go for 1 rifle - its the 6,5x55 due to its multiple uses - from fox to moose/elk (never sure of which we have in Norway - they are not as big as theire american brother - and the range on that hunt will be 100-140m)

- i need to get reloading my own bullets - anyone knows forums that can provide best knowledge of the 6,5 caliber?
- i need a better rangefinder
- i need a cradle to help me keep the rifle steady

and again, thank you all for contributing

 

[dkhunt14]

I would google 6.5x55 and see what comes up. It should show you lots of sites to go read about your gun. Matt

 

[graywolf]

I would add that you already have a great rifle if you manage your rate of firing and it is already equipped with a reasonable scope to get started- the 6.5x55 has great longrange potential and the 6.5 bullets are superior. As was said, a good rangefinder and ballistic program are essential. The Zeiss PR may be less expensive in Norway (but I know from experience everything is expensive there) and it is good to go out to 800-1000 yards.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

I do not know if they can export any of the SWFA SS scopes, but if they can they are a very rugged and serviceable scope. . I would love to be able to hunt with a silencer but we can't here. . In the 6.5 Creedmoor I have worked up a fur load with fox and lynx in mind using the 144 gr Lapua fmjbt bullet at 2800 fps. I'm getting around 1" groups at 300 m with it. My caribou load is the 130 gr Swift Sirocco ll bullet @2940 fps. It doesn't have a super high bc but it holds together well. I wouldn't hesitate a second to take our Alaska/Yukon moose with it. .
I myself have a problem steadying a light weight rifle for precision long range shots. But a target style laminated stock can add weight .
I think you are on a good track. Please keep us posted. I need a good range finder as well.

 

[genesisaix]

I am going blind! read alot on a forum (have the thread open at home) and the author went through all the big manufacturers of 6,5x55 (barnes, swift etc) - ending on the AI version - a LOT of info - but i am still a bit overrun by all the stats, BC, weights and velocity.

What I really want is first to have a round that can fire far without having to take down an animal (long range shooting) - and in my head BC should be as high (?) as possible - full metal jacket? - in a weight that can get it to 600m without to much fuzz. I have made myself a readlist - but i cant find ppl that with sufficient info that can suit me - but the "hunt" is on!

And the silencer! its awsome! going to the range to be certefied for this years hunt is a pain - having .308s, 30.06s, 300 MAG, 375s laying beside you wreaking havoc with ur rounds - having the bang of a 22lr (with heavy load) and a recoil of almost non. I havent done this myself - but ive witnessed in my younger years that you can take down 5 out of 7 deers on a field given the time and propper positioning - without the flock going bananas. I have seen a elk/moose mother stop 10m on from her calf - he laying down nicely from a perfect placed shot from my 6,5x55. at first sighting/smelling me the mother ran away - 5 min after the shot.

In a way, a silencer can enhance the skill of a shooter due to less recoil and noice - and by that make the shooter more sure, efficient and reliable.


I also live by the saying that "norwegian hunting" lives by, never regret a shot you never took (regret the shot that made you spend 12 hrs looking for a maybe wounded animal)

 

[azsugarbear]

You will need to work up a load for each type of bullet you shoot. This can be rather involved, so just pick one hunting bullet and use it for everything. In the long run it is simpler, less expensive and you won't have to re-zero your scope every time you switch between bullets.

I would go with either the Berger Hunting VLD (or Classic if you want it to fit in the magazine) or the Nosler Accubond. Either the 130 gr. or 140 gr. should get the job done for you. Whatever you can get your hands on. Just buy 100 to start. If you find a load that works, then you can buy the same bullet in larger quantities to get a better price.

 

[Bravo 4]

If you are hunting in the Scandes then I would recommend something to measure angles (elevation differences)from you to target. An angle cosigne indicator, slope doper, or (as mentioned earlier and if you are shopping for one) a laser range finder that will compute the angle for you.