Looking to buy a rifle for 300-600 yards
- Thread starter jake1945
- Start date
We(Iowans) have a very restrictive list of rifle calibers we are lawfully allowed to hunt deer with. I don't think the op is wanting to hunt (here in Iowa, at least) with this gun, just wanting something for long range target shooting.
That being said; I bought a Savage 110T in 6mm Creedmore for the purposes of long range target shooting/varmint shooting/medium western states game. This gun has totally surpassed any expectations I had for it. It shoots easily any bullet weight from 75grn to 108grn into 5/8" at 100yards with a couple of my loads going into less than half inch. I have done absolutely nothing to this gun but take it out of the box, clean it, and mount an optic. One of the best, if not THE best shooting factory gun I have ever owned.
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The 6.5 is a great caliber and I have a nice 6.5 Creedmoor setup using a model 600 action, a model 700 bull barrel all fit in a Boyd's laminate Thumbhole with a 6x18 scope.
But, it is hard to beat a 190 gr, bullet with a ballistic coefficient of .610 at 3100fps from a 300 wm, At 500yds it is moving at 2333fps an has 2297ftlb
a 168 leaves at 3200fps and at 500 is still going 2340fps and has 2043ftlb
A hot 6.5 140gr leaving at 3200fps is going 2154fps at 500 and has 1443 ftlb .
The bigger heavier bullets will gain in remaining velocity and energy as the distance increases
I think the 50BMG proves this point beyond any doubt.
But, for hunting your range estimation abilities as well as your shooting abilities are far more important past 300 yds than which caliber.
But, it is hard to beat a 190 gr, bullet with a ballistic coefficient of .610 at 3100fps from a 300 wm, At 500yds it is moving at 2333fps an has 2297ftlb
a 168 leaves at 3200fps and at 500 is still going 2340fps and has 2043ftlb
A hot 6.5 140gr leaving at 3200fps is going 2154fps at 500 and has 1443 ftlb .
The bigger heavier bullets will gain in remaining velocity and energy as the distance increases
I think the 50BMG proves this point beyond any doubt.
But, for hunting your range estimation abilities as well as your shooting abilities are far more important past 300 yds than which caliber.
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AJ
US Veteran
BearBio
Member
My rig (and I have taken game with 1 shot kills at 450+ yards several times) is a Howa .300 Win Mag with 180 gr Nosler Federal Premium ammo. Used for everything from ground squirrels to 6x7 elk. I also have a 338 Win Mag Weatherby Vanguard (also a Howa action) that has taken elk and mule deer, using 210 Nosler (same basic trajectory as 180 gr .300 mag).
My 300 has a B & C synthetic that absorbs some of the recoil and the Weatherby has a KDF.
Scope on each is a Leupold 3x9. remember, higher magnification doesn't make you shoot better; just see better!
Plan on spending at least as much on a good scope as on your rifle.
Regarding bull barrels: You will carry your rifle more than you will shoot it, if hunting!
My 300 has a B & C synthetic that absorbs some of the recoil and the Weatherby has a KDF.
Scope on each is a Leupold 3x9. remember, higher magnification doesn't make you shoot better; just see better!
Plan on spending at least as much on a good scope as on your rifle.
Regarding bull barrels: You will carry your rifle more than you will shoot it, if hunting!
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Not ugly if it shoots to POA.
This one is ugly. Mossberg (Howa) 1500, .223, Boyds Thumbhole stock, 24oz trigger, Tasco 4-16X scope and only shoots to 1.5 ma, but that might be my old and tired eyes.
AJ: "This is my 6.5X55 MM rifle. The action was made in 1902 and it was rebarreled by the Swedish government in 1966. It is a Swedish CG 63, no scope only iron sights."
6.5X55 was the caliber to beat in bench rest for many many years. Hard to beat that long skinny bullet.
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AJ
US Veteran
Remember that variable scopes let in less light at higher powers. I try to use a fixed power scope for all my shooting for the most part.
At least as much if not more money is well spent on the scope than the rifle. Can't hit anything if you can't see it.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
When I bought my Savage 110 BA in 338LM, my wife made the comment to a friend standing there that the cost of the accessories was always greater than the rifle. Case in point: I got a great price on the Savage 110BA, $1700 OTD! The Nightforce scope was $2250+tax. Benchrest die set is over $325. Brass (empty, new) is $2.25. It uses 94 grains of Retumbo or 104 grains of US 869. I got a deal on 500 packs of 300 grain Matckking and Berger Hybrid and don't remember the price. The bipod I use is $225+tax, Spare mags are $110. You get the idea!
Before my first shot I had spent just less than $6000. Was it worth it? It is to me! 10 years ago this October 5, I had a stroke. I had rehabbed and recovered enough that on MLK day a group of us went shooting! I was doing well at 500 yards, so I went for the Cigarette pack sized target. It was soggy out and the target had been pounded pretty heavily. I fired, then couldn't find the target. My 338 Lapua Mag pulled the target, stand, and concrete footing out of the ground and threw it 15 yards up the hill! I can hit it with just about any caliber gun. but the big boys do it with authority! I have an almost identical 308, It runs far less on ammo and is phenomenally accurate! But I do enjoy the 338 LM!
Ivan
Please excuse the non-informed question but I have been away from rifles for a very long time and note that the 6.5 Creedmoor seems to be the current rage. What can it do that a .270 Win or .264 Win or .257 Weatherby cannot do?
Flattop5
Member
My late grandfather hunted all over the U.S. He told me once: "if you can't do it with a .308 Winchester rifle, then you can't do it at all."
Indeed, I can take heavy game with my .308 bolt-action with 165-grain bullets: Buy Fusion Rifle for USD 38.99 | Federal Ammunition
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Indeed, I can take heavy game with my .308 bolt-action with 165-grain bullets: Buy Fusion Rifle for USD 38.99 | Federal Ammunition
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I like my Christensen Arms Mesa in 6.5 CM for hunting deer, antelope, coyote duty from 0-600 yards. Mine wears a Leupold VXHD6 2-12.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I have a 264 Win Mag.
The 6.5 Creedmoor will separate you from your hard earned cash to do less, but cost more. 257WM, 264 Win Mag, and 270 Win, are all traditional long range hunting rounds. Quality guns seem to be the norm now, but when the old boys ruled, EVERYBODY heard your shot!
Ivan
I haven't jumped on the Creedmore bandwagon, but here's an article offering some of the advantages The 6.5 Creedmoor Versus the .264 Winchester Magnum.
Nothing really. Basically it is a necked down 308 with bit straighter body and a 30° shoulder instead of a 20° angle for a bit more capacity. You could also call it a 6.5x55 improved You can get some great bullets with solid ballistic coefficient numbers for the 6.5. But, real advantage over the 270, none over the 264 mag or the 257 Weatherby except that it will work in a shorter and therefore theoretically stiffer action. In most cases the shooter will make more difference that the actual round IMHO
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SuperMan
Member
Since you like Remington and .308, I would like to suggest a 700 LRT if you can find one... 20" barrel, extremely accurate....
Another vote would be for the Ruger Precision Rifle also in .308...several friends have them in .308, 6.5 and .338 Lapua and they are very accurate...
Bob
Another vote would be for the Ruger Precision Rifle also in .308...several friends have them in .308, 6.5 and .338 Lapua and they are very accurate...
Bob
I would start with a Savage 110 in 308, heavy barrel, cryogenics - 300 below.com, Sharp Shooter trigger about 3-4 oz.,Choate stock, harris bipod,Leupold 4 X 14 X 40, mildot, then a careful 60 round break in. Then you need to practice, and if you reload work up a good 165-175 gr load and it will work for paper or animal out to 1000 yards. After a good cleaning and break in I also use Sentry Solutions Smooth Kote in the barrel. 3 shot, One hole groups @ 300 yards are easy. Check out Savage custom shop, a dedicated left hand, SS, with a bedded Savage stock, heavy barrel, threaded for around 700-800$ complete. Best option for accuracy from the factory. Enjoy. Be SAfe,
For long distance paper punching, the first thing you will need is a stock that fits you and has a flat beavertail forend. You will also need a very good trigger and strict attention to brass prep work. Chose what action you want from Winchester, Savage or Remington and call your gunsmith to see what he thinks about putting a barrel on one.
Find a rifle from a pawnshop that looks like it has been tossed in the back of a truck and used as a canoe paddle in long action if you want an 06 based or short if you want 308 based. All you want from a rifle is the action.
Consider a 260 Remington if you want a short action rifle, 308 necked to 6.5. It has a few grains more powder capacity than the Creedmore though it is generally held to 60 K psi where the Creed is nearer to 65K.
Find a rifle from a pawnshop that looks like it has been tossed in the back of a truck and used as a canoe paddle in long action if you want an 06 based or short if you want 308 based. All you want from a rifle is the action.
Consider a 260 Remington if you want a short action rifle, 308 necked to 6.5. It has a few grains more powder capacity than the Creedmore though it is generally held to 60 K psi where the Creed is nearer to 65K.
I looked around and could not find a 3 shot, 300 yd world record. I will see if I have any of the targets, but I was working on 200 yd one hole, than moved to 300 yard one hole, only have my wife as my witness. This is off a bench, with hand loads. My wife will not even shoot it off the bench @ 100- Boring. I was doing crop damage for a neighbor and had his 14 yo son dropping deer at 300 with ease. From the prone position, with this rifle, and ammo 300 yards is a chip shot, but I have been shooting for more than 50 years. I will admit that the first time you put 2 through the same hole, that third usually wants to move an 1/8 ". I shoot Savage 110 's in 308, 300wm, 338 wm and all shoot very well. Be Safe,
This might be what you're looking for but remember...
it's an adult caliber... not a junior caliber like 308.
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QcnoFE7Dc68[/ame]
We have an older Weaver T36 that is good for longer ranges punching paper etc etc.
FYI: Weaver said it can handle 375H&H recoil levels.
it's an adult caliber... not a junior caliber like 308.
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QcnoFE7Dc68[/ame]
We have an older Weaver T36 that is good for longer ranges punching paper etc etc.
FYI: Weaver said it can handle 375H&H recoil levels.
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