Long range bolt gun

[Texas1911]

Originally Posted by dee

Sorry had computer problems but probally out to around 600 yds max not many long distance places up here but I've been looking does anyone have any experiance with the REM 798 its a mauser 98 var. buy remington thinking maybe .30-06 since I allready have an older one I just would rather keep it as a safe gun.

600 yards is pretty open for caliber choice. You'll want to use a heavier than normal grain weight for a .22 caliber like .223 Remington or .22-250, but either could be a viable choice for just having fun. Just remember that the heavy grain weight translates to a fast twist in .223.

I'm a fan of .243 / 6mm bullets as well as .30 caliber stuff. I personally would rather load out a .308 rather than .30-06. The .308 is basically a more modern .30-06 anyways.

What is your budget for the complete setup? Are you buying glass? Do you reload? These are the most important questions that are left out of the equation at the moment.

[dee]

Buget depends on if i could possibly find a longer range then I might spend the coin on a higher class action and as far as glass I'm looking into nightforce optics and yes I do reload.

[TAZ]

At that range, I would go with a 308. It is easy to load for, easy to find quality ammo for and easy to shoot.

[Texas1911]

Originally Posted by dee

Buget depends on if i could possibly find a longer range then I might spend the coin on a higher class action and as far as glass I'm looking into nightforce optics and yes I do reload.

.308 is a core standard, but since you reload you might want to opt for a .260 Remington (aka 6.5-08 A-Square). They are easy to work with since the parent case is the .308 Winchester; it's just necked down to the smaller bullet. If you want some extra push you can always Ackley Improve the shoulder, just have the chamber cut to a .260 AI chamber and fire form the brass. Since it's a .308 case, you just run a medium length action.

Nightforce is a good solution. A number of long-range competition shooters I know run Nightforce on their guns.

[dee]

The main reason for going with 30-06 is that I have a bunch of brass readily available for loading.

[dee]

This may be a stupid question but what is the major advantage of .308 over .30-06 besides the availlibilty of factory loaded ammo as far as I can tell ballistics are pretty much the same with the same grain bullets.

[Texas1911]

Originally Posted by dee

This may be a stupid question but what is the major advantage of .308 over .30-06 besides the availlibilty of factory loaded ammo as far as I can tell ballistics are pretty much the same with the same grain bullets.

.308 allows you to use a shorter action, which means you can maintain your cheek weld when you cycle the bolt. It ensures you are looking through the scope the same every time.

[mcss383]

and a shorter action is typically a stronger action.

[dee]

Ok makes since I wondered since ballistics were pretty much the same.

[WARHAWK357]

You guys will think I'm nuts but I love my 303 British Infield. It kicks like a mule but can do some good distance. I put six out of 10 on a 55 gallon barrel at about 550 to 600 meters. Its a good solid gun easy to care for and clean not to expensive but its a bitch to find good original mags and there not cheap. I found a good one at the Gun show in Dallas several years ago and paid 50 bucks for it and have not seen another good one since. The ammo can be a lil hard to find some times but it's not been to much more than some of the other more modern ammo. Most people would not want to hunt with mine on the long range because I have not and will not put a scope on it. It's just to damn pretty of a gun to put a scope on it and the vernier site does good enough for me.