“... I like to target practice at long distances....”
Google “.260 Remington”. Find the article: “The case for the .260 Remington”. Then read it. Personally, one of my favorite combinations for long distance work is a the old bolt-action Remington 700 rifle originally in .243 cal, that I replaced the barrel with to a varmint 6.5mm (.260 Remington) purchased from Lilja Barrel, MacMillan stock, Nightforce scope, Jewel trigger, everything precision-machined, squared, etc. along with a few other goodies such as a Benner Cooley muzzle brake. I shoot a 123gr. HPBT Lapua Scenar bullet in a necked-down .308 military case...precisely custom-loaded specifically for my barrel. I easily and consistantly drop coyotes at over 500 yards with one shot with this combination but basically bench-rested when I do and sighted in for it. I do not take shots unless I know for sure I got a good clean kill. Some will argue that’s not a “hunting bullet” and it’s inhumane. Tell that to the pile of sun-bleached bones in the back corner of my property. I’ve only had one that I had to dispatch with a 2nd shot. I hate what they do to deer and livestock.
LMAO at some of the responses on here, but hey, to each his own. I just know the combos that what work for me.
Knowing the combo that works for you is the most important thing. I do appreciate all of the advice and info from everyone. Thanks for the recommendation.