Looking for some long range rifles

[footballdude2k3]

Alright, so I have shot a lot of pistols before, but I really want to start doing rifles and work my way up to 1000+yards.

I wanted to start with 100-300, so I was thinking a marlin 60 .22lr, but everybody I know says that ammo can still be pretty hard to find and overpriced. So I thought I would come to you guys and try to get a ballpark of the prices for ammo right now.

Also, what are some decent guns that can be accurate at longer ranges where the ammo is not going to break the bank?

Thanks

 

[PhulesAu]

Search all of the EXISTING threads, on this very subject.

 

[diveRN]

Click here.

 

[Dawico]

Get a Savage with an accutrigger and heavy barrel in .223. That will get you to 600 accurately. If you need more then go with a .308.

 

[Vaquero]

I'm gonna recommend a .243 Win.
Savage would be a good choice.
It'll hunt well too, for native game.
Get good with it, then go .308 and lob some lead.

 

[dee]

I'm gonna recommend a .243 Win.
Savage would be a good choice.
It'll hunt well too, for native game.
Get good with it, then go .308 and lob some lead.

243 is far better than 308 besides barrel life and energy.

 

[Dawico]

I'm gonna recommend a .243 Win.
Savage would be a good choice.
It'll hunt well too, for native game.
Get good with it, then go .308 and lob some lead.

I don't see the need to go from .243 to .308. Many competition shooters actually move the other direction.

I just recommended .223 for cheap ammo and low recoil for a beginner.

 

[Dawico]

Dammit! Ninja'd

 

[Vaquero]

243 is far better than 308 besides barrel life and energy.

Shhhh! Don't tell everybody. I'll have heck finding bullets.

 

[robertc1024]

I like my .243. It's damn accurate. I know people who shoot them a lot burn out barrels - not my problem. Never put my paws on a .308.

 

[dee]

Shhhh! Don't tell everybody. I'll have heck finding bullets.

The more tgat go 243 the better. It keeps less from grabbing my 7mm bullets.

 

[xmattedgex]

.22 is a great place to start. You'll have to learn wind hold and elevation hold as early as 200 yards. If you don't have access to 1000 yards all the time. .22 lr is the perfect round to learn what it takes to shoot long range and develop your fundamentals.
I HIGHLY recommend the savage Mark II FVSR

 

[trigger643]

I also think the .243 is a great choice. Low real coil, flat shooting, excellent terminal ballistics. The Ballistic coefficient of the 6mm bullets are some of the best out there.

You can buy it off the shelf or roll your own.

The last 1,000 yard rifle I built is in .243AI. I reload substantially below maximum and float those 105gr bullets out there at a pedestrian 2,900fps. At that speed I anticipate my barrel life won't deviate much from a .308...

Now if I could only find a place around Houston where I could get out beyond 600 yards without driving for half a day. ..

 

[dee]

I don't think you're going to get 308 barrel life but 4000 doesn't sound unreasonable.

 

[trigger643]

I don't think you're going to get 308 barrel life but 4000 doesn't sound unreasonable.

My last .308 barrel went south at less than 2,500 rounds (Lilja), though I have a couple other .308's that are well over 5,000 and continue to produce excellent accuracy (Douglas, Tikka/Sako). I'm not that particular. As long as they can hold under 3/4 MOA I'm generally satisfied.

 

[dee]

That's extremely low round count for a 308 to go. What was determined bad?

 

[trigger643]

That's extremely low round count for a 308 to go. What was determined bad?

No idea. Eroded throat. Went from .5MOA to 3MOA in less than 20 rounds. I set it back and rechambered and have about 300 rounds out of it now. It's sub .5MOA (again), but doesn't see much use.

 

[Ny700]

What's your price range?? Do you want just a bench gun or a tactical rifle or a practical hunting rifle. Do you reload ammo or are you buying off the shelf?

 

[dee]

No idea. Eroded throat. Went from .5MOA to 3MOA in less than 20 rounds. I set it back and rechambered and have about 300 rounds out of it now. It's sub .5MOA (again), but doesn't see much use.

Wow. I'd be concerned about why at such a premature time. I wonder if the steel had any impurities or something to cause it. I'd likely be calling the manufacturer and asking for their opinion.

we are talking 308 winchester and not 308 Norma right?

 

[Ny700]

A .308 shouldn't drop off like that. Those are crazy number even for a benchrest guy shooting crazy hot. Did you contact Lilja. Assuming the chamber was cut right and clean and based on the initial .5moa numbers I would assume it was and all else being right there had to be a issue with the barrel. Lemons do happen. A quality .308 barrel assuming your not running crazy hot loads rapid fire should serve up atleast 7k rounds. And just an FYI to all. I know this always starts debates but more barrels are killed by over cleaning or improperly cleaning. Use a quality bore guide like a Lucas guide and barrel break ins on quality barrels is absolutely needless