I am pretty conversant here with the forums; over the past year, I have been reading them and learning. I have only been shooting for a year and a half, and in that time, I have only shot 12-15 times. I would now like to get into competitive shooting. Ideally, I would like advice on which type of rifle would be suitable for a 36-year-old, 108 pound, 5ft 4 girl. I have used a 22 Shotgun at 100 yards, which is insanely easy, and have also shot an AR-15 at 100 yards, which is quite easy as well. I am not looking for something cheap. To start, my max budget on a rifle for now would fall somewhere between $1000-$2000. I would appreciate any all-around and insightful advice.
Damsel needs advice-what rifle is suitable for long distance competitive shooting?
- Thread starter Tori.F
- Start date
I honestly have no clue. I had discovered last year that I was pretty talented at shooting, and therefore I have decided to try competitive shooting. Honestly, I do not know much about it, I am guessing I would like something that would shoot 600 to 1000 yards. Yes, aspirations for F class.
Oh boy lol. I am being serious about this; however, I do love a good laugh.
Retired Grunt
F Open Shooter
I would say it depends on the type of Competition, 6's to 6.5's are lite recoiling. 223/.556 for Service Rifle High Power are no recoil because the Buffer absorbs the little recoil.
MGYSGT
Silver $$ Contributor
In your price range go with the ready to shoot Savages. A new target BR gun can be had for about $1300 on sale. Stay away from the plastic stocks that some come with. Laminated wood is the way to go. The BR stock can also be used for F Class by installing a rail under the forend (two birds one stock). The 6BR if you are trying for 1,000 yard or the .223 for 600 yard and under. The 6BR is F open and the .223 is F TR. Then look on the classified here at Accurate Shooter for the Scope. You can pick up a 8.5X25 Leupold for about $850 or a Vortex for about the same perhaps a little less. Try and stay away from fixed 36 or 45 power if the weather gets warm where you are. The mirage in those when it gets hot is miserable. With the variable you can turn down the power and some of the mirage goes away. Good luck.
Absolutely perfect information. Thank you. Exactly the type of answer I needed!
Wait, since I have not shot in a competition before, I need a rifle for the F-TR, a .223, correct? So what would you recommend for that? I also need to know the scope type for it. Please!
F-TR, 600 yards..
Are you reloading or buying factory ammo?
If you would like to shoot F-Class, then you have two options F-TR (Target Rifle) which limits you to either .308 or .223. The gun can be up to ~18.2lb, use a bypod. The other option is F-Open. In this class you can shoot any caliber and use a front rest. There seems to be two popular calibers although the field is wide open, .284 Win and 6MM (with tons of variations on this). In my opinion, the .284 Win seems to be used by many of the National Champions.
Cost wise, F-TR is more affordable to get started. to start, bipods are much cheaper than the front rests. Generally $200-$500 depending on type compared to the front rests than can easily run $1000 and more. The rifles will run you about $2000 give or take for a competitive rifle and I would highly recommend starting with a used gun which could help you save even more and see if you like it.
Scopes will run you between $1000 & $2500. Again, you can always start with used as many competitors are constantly buying and selling equipment there are a lot of good quality glass out there to be had. You will want something adjustable up to 50 power, 30mm tube.
In addition you will need a mat to lay on, a rear bag and of course reloading equipment if you want to really compete. Sadly, store bought ammo will not be competitive and will only frustrate you. Again this equipment can be purchased used, but does not often come at much of a savings. You don't need fancy to start, a good single stage press, competitive dies, a good quality scale, etc.
On the scale, don't bother buying cheap $100-$200 digital scales. They just don't have the accuracy or repeatability that is required. Again, you can find used. I got my Sartarius which new sells for well over $3000 for $250 at an auction for a lab. You can start with a good beam scale such as a Haus 10-10 which can be very accurate.
I started with a standard rifle and over the years have spent more than if I had just purchased something used and got started and would have most likely been money ahead if I had. But you can start off with some of the basics.
If you are interested, check for ranges near you that have F-Class matches and go and watch a match. Talk with those there about getting started and they can help you get started. Many competitors will even loan you equipment to get started. A great way for you to see if you want to get really involved in this insanity. Through these networks, you can also find people to help you learn how to reload for competition, find good used equipment and generally make as few mistakes as possible.
Good luck and enjoy. You will find that the majority of competitors are very friendly, more than willing to help someone just starting out.
Cost wise, F-TR is more affordable to get started. to start, bipods are much cheaper than the front rests. Generally $200-$500 depending on type compared to the front rests than can easily run $1000 and more. The rifles will run you about $2000 give or take for a competitive rifle and I would highly recommend starting with a used gun which could help you save even more and see if you like it.
Scopes will run you between $1000 & $2500. Again, you can always start with used as many competitors are constantly buying and selling equipment there are a lot of good quality glass out there to be had. You will want something adjustable up to 50 power, 30mm tube.
In addition you will need a mat to lay on, a rear bag and of course reloading equipment if you want to really compete. Sadly, store bought ammo will not be competitive and will only frustrate you. Again this equipment can be purchased used, but does not often come at much of a savings. You don't need fancy to start, a good single stage press, competitive dies, a good quality scale, etc.
On the scale, don't bother buying cheap $100-$200 digital scales. They just don't have the accuracy or repeatability that is required. Again, you can find used. I got my Sartarius which new sells for well over $3000 for $250 at an auction for a lab. You can start with a good beam scale such as a Haus 10-10 which can be very accurate.
I started with a standard rifle and over the years have spent more than if I had just purchased something used and got started and would have most likely been money ahead if I had. But you can start off with some of the basics.
If you are interested, check for ranges near you that have F-Class matches and go and watch a match. Talk with those there about getting started and they can help you get started. Many competitors will even loan you equipment to get started. A great way for you to see if you want to get really involved in this insanity. Through these networks, you can also find people to help you learn how to reload for competition, find good used equipment and generally make as few mistakes as possible.
Good luck and enjoy. You will find that the majority of competitors are very friendly, more than willing to help someone just starting out.
Retired Grunt
F Open Shooter
12 F/TR | Rifle for Long-Range Competition | Savage Arms
The 12 F/TR is built for long-range accuracy and competition with a 30" full-profile barrel, adjustable Target AccuTrigger, and single-shot Target Action.
The best advice I can give you at this stage in your development is to find a mentor in the specified class of shooting you want to do and wait to buy any rifle scope or other equipment until you do. Most clubs or ranges in your area will have folks that have the necessary experience and will be glad to help you. If you list your geographic area here, you will probably find a few seasoned shooters that will be generous with their time.
NZ_Fclass
Silver $$ Contributor
All good advice. Go to a local F-Class club, meet the guys and hopefully girls. See what happens and the type of shooting and rifles they are using. If it floats your boat, get local advice and go from there. F-Class and FTR - shooting in general - is the sport where men and women ( and even the woke gender fluid mob) can compete equally.
Someone on here will recommend a club/range within a sensible distance for you.
Someone on here will recommend a club/range within a sensible distance for you.
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Ironman308
Gold $$ Contributor
Lots of good advise has been given. I suggest a .223, maybe used, seeing that it could have everything you would need for shooting out to 600 yards. If you want to build a rifle keep in mind “buy once cry once”. There are lots of options. My Remington 223 shoots great and there are lots of aftermarket parts available. Ruger also makes a RPR that lots of folks like. I also agree a mentor to help you get started will help you get a jump start on learning the proper way to shoot Your new rifle. This forum is a great place to ask questions. Lots a great shooters here.
define the type of competition or casual target shooting FIRST then look for a rifle.
simple at this point would be a 6br/6bra/6dasher.
are you going to load for this( best idea) or shoot purchased ammo....
go to some matches and see what is involved. most clubs will let you shoot a gun to see real life
where are you ??
with a 36 yr old female at 108 and 5'4...there is going to be a LOT OF MALE HELP AVAILABLE
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