**RIFLE VANITY** Long-Distance Shooting and Hunting

12/17/2011 | Moi

[rabidralph]

I am looking to buy a rifle that would serve two purposes: primarily a long-distance shooter and secondarily a larger game taker downer :-)

I like to shoot beyond 600 yards and I want a rifle to suit that purpose. From info I've gathered, I should get a larger-calibered rifle, with at least a 24" barrel. I would like to keep the rifle below 10lbs because I also want to hunt with it some day. I am interested in hunting elk and moose, eventually. So I am thinking of a .308.

[donmeaker]

You may consider a .408 cheytac for long range target shooting.

[x1stcav]

.338 Win Mag or Lapua. One of the most accurate rifles I ever owned was a BAR I bought back in ‘71. My eyes were stronger then, but it was good on ground squirrels with iron sights out to about 150 yards.

On larger targets it was probably good to 600+.

[rabidralph]

I’m not shooting moose and elk at 600. I want to only target practice beyond 600.

[41Thunder]

Sako 85 Classic. Accuracy for distance shooting, great knockdown power for hunting in the 150-250yd distance. Weight is nice, bluing is outstanding and the stock in gorgeous. The Finns know how to build a fine rifle.

http://www.sako.fi/pdf/specs/85Classic.pdf

[Errant]

Given your constraints, I'd look at getting a bolt action Remington or lower priced Savage in either 30-06 or 300 Mag and add recoil reduction and a bi-pod. You're going to need a good scope and that can set you back as much one of the rifles above.

If you plan on shooting a lot, get into reloading which will greatly reduce your costs.

[buffaloguy]

The functionality that you describe is the .460 class rifle:

.457 through .460 and there are a lot of them.

The rounds are expensive (2.00 per round)to buy as factory loads but they are cheap to reload. I reload .45-70 for about .14 per round for a 405 grain bullet. If I plink with a round ball, they cost about 5 cents apiece. If you get a long barreled rifle, you can also shoot black powder and use it as a 48 gauge shotgun.

The most fun you can have with a rifle is the .45-70. Endlessly entertaining. And they will splash anything on the planet.

Ruger #1 might be just the ticket, or Pedersoli has some rolling block models that are quite beautiful. H&R of course has their Buffalo Classic in .45-70 which is very popular and a good large critter rifle as well as accurate at 1000 yards.

[Melinator]

I hunt for deer, elk, moose and bear. A 1993 Browning A-bolt Medallion in 7mm RM is all I’ve ever used. It shot sub minute of angle right out of the box. 7mm has a great ballistic co-effient, shoots flat and will take the largest north american game easily. Using 165 grain nosler partition at 100yards, I once shot through a 6’6” black bear lengthwise.

I have never tried to shoot an animal in excess of 400 yards and would not recommend it unless you are a freakishly good shot.

I’ve seen what a .300WM will do. It is a killer for sure. It also destroys a lot of meat in the process.

[SkyDancer]

For outright varmint shooting like prairie dogs out to 600yds (if you’re into that sort of thing) I have a .22-250 which is sighted in at 500yds. I use a 4,000fps round for it.

[rabidralph]

LOL! This thread will only be beneficial to me if people read what I've actually asked advice on. I am not shooting animals at 600 yards. I enjoy the challenge of shooting long-distance targets but I will shoot the game within 200 yards.

[Glennb51]

I think your original post was pretty clear. Based on your requirements, I think the poster that suggested the 308 winchester hit the nail on the head (if you will excuse the pun).

It all boils down to bullet placement. I have used a 30 calibre weapon in Africa with a 165 grain bullet that has taken everything from elk sized game down to coyote sized game.

The recoil is relatively mild and ammo is less expensive than the whiz-bang magnums.

Which make? Go to a gun store and try different weapons and see which one fits you best as far as price, cheek placement, etc. Be careful though, you may end up with a safe full of weapons.

[calex59]

I am not shooting at animals beyond 250. I want a rifle with a large enough caliber to shoot Moose and Elk at reasonable distances but I also want to use it for long distance targets. Two different purposes with one rifle. I don’t have money to buy a rifle for every purpose. Thanks.

I'm glad you made this second comment. I was about to go postal on several of the FReepers on here who can't seem to read. You made it perfectly clear in your post you were wanting to target shoot out to 600 yards but were going to hunt at normal ranges. Why else would you ask for a rifle that could do both?

I think reading comprehension classes would help many of our FReepers.

[CaspersGh0sts]

Might want to consider a 338 RUM, as well.

[rabidralph]

Thanks for the recommendation. I’m not familiar with Weatherby but I will check them out. And their rifles seem reasonably priced.

[MCF]

If you want to shoot critters at long range go after prairie dogs with a .243 Win. in a Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Sub MOA. For big game keep your shots under 400 yds. Use a 300 Mag. ,340 WM, .325wsm, or any thing in that class standard or wildcat. Practice shooting at unknown distances and and doping the wind.

[IMR 4350]

Before you buy check the game laws in the states you plan on hunting in.

They may require something with more power than a .308 for the larger game.

[Lurker]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Any of the platforms you mentioned would be suitable for those purposes but as I said I’d prefer something a little heavier than .308 for the game animals you’re after.

Just a personal preference.

[calex59]

I have used a 30 calibre weapon in Africa with a 165 grain bullet that has taken everything from elk sized game down to coyote sized game.

I agree with the 165 grain bullet, my favorite for .30-06 and .308. I also use them with my .300 Winchester Mag. Better sectional density than the 150 and flatter trajectory than the 180.

[arrdon]

7mm.06 is highly recommended.

[rabidralph]

Good golly! Thank you, for comprehending!

[rabidralph]

Thanks :-)