Good target guns in standard calibers

[oldnewshooter]

I've been getting back into formal target shooting over the past year, with a fairly stock Savage Mark ll heavy barrel. I'm enjoying it immensely and I'm thinking about getting something similar in a centerfire rifle soon. I might some day do a little competitive shooting but as I surf the net it appears as though the only way to have a chance in hell is with some wildcat or oddball cartridge.
What is a good cartridge choice among standard calibers for general medium range (100-200 yards) target shooting? I used to reload and I might get back into that at some point but I really don't have the money to get into a custom chambered rifle.
Being a target gun I'm interested in something with relatively mild recoil; sighting in my 308Win sporter is too much like work!

 

[jlc204]

For what you're describing, I think it would be hard to beat a .223 remington. Savage makes a bunch of nice rifles chambered in .223 that would serve you're purpose. However, if it we're me, I'd get a 1 in 9 twist barrel so you could shoot the 68/69gr bullets at longer ranges, if you so choose.

 

[cb1229]

I agree Savage has some good rifles I had a long range precision varmiter 1/7 twist good for target shooting of all kinds. Used 90gr down to 69gr at 100yds all touched all the time if you do get one bed it using devcon makes a world of difference. Friend of mine has a f/tr in 223 1/7 shoots 1k with it last shoot he shot a 567 out of 600 not bad for factory rifle I have won a couple factory class with mine at local matches this is just a testimony for Savage rifles also those rifles have a 6oz. trigger good luck

 

[Tozguy]

Browning Abolt target model in 223. Have a close look at this gun, it is ready to go out of the box. The set trigger is better than Remington, Savage, CZ or Tikka's trigger.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?cid=035&tid=189&fid=001B&cattype=035189

 

[walker2713]

Check out the Savage 12 F/TR in .223......mine's a 1-7 twist and loves the Berger 80gr VLD and TAC powder.....

George

 

[oldnewshooter]

Thanks guys! With the exception of the Tikka, a good quality 223 Varmint gun looks to be in the $1000 range. May just exercise a whim and have a rifle built, using the Savage precision target action, a real good barrel in 1- or 1-8 twist and a decent stock. Should be able to do that in roughly the same price range. It would wind up being a pure range rifle but that'd be OK, wasn't really planning to do any hunting with it. Going the custom route I could go with some other caliber, 6BR or the like but with the exception of the Pricey Norma ammo it'd pretty much be a reloading project from the get-go.

Thoughts?

 

[4xforfun]

6mm BR.. is not an "oddball wildcat".....there are factory guns chambered for it. If I wanted to start with factory stuff, it would be a savage BR or "F" class gun in 6mm BR. I have gotten my ass handed to me at more than one IBS 1000 yard match by a "lowly" Savage!!

Just my .02.
Tod

 

[NateHaler]

I might some day do a little competitive shooting but as I surf the net it appears as though the only way to have a chance in hell is with some wildcat or oddball cartridge.
What is a good cartridge choice among standard calibers for general medium range (100-200 yards) target shooting?

100-200y isn't really medium range (I'd call it short range, especially on a forum that discusses F-Class so much). A suitable rifle and chambering will depend on the type of competition. If you want to practice heresy and shoot from the standing position, then you'll want a .22 rifle -- like you have now. Metallic silhouette is the game. Or if you can find a reduced course of fire, e.g. 200m with metallic targets downsized to match for centerfire rifles, then you'll do fine with a .243 or .308.

If you want to shoot centerfire benchrest, then a .223 might do okay. You probably won't win anything, but you might... And if you're about winning then you'll quickly learn what else you need to do. Rimfire benchrest will require a far more accurate rifle and especially exceedingly good (and expensive) factor ammo.

In other words, you need to decide what sort of competition you wish to try. You can't just show up to the range on the weekend and expect to find some sort of generic 100y-200y shooting match. All of the disciplines have specific protocols, and you'll probably have to travel a good bit to find various sorts of matches, unless you're near a range that offers a variety of such events.

 

[BoydAllen]

This may seem like funny advice, since it is being offered on the internet, but before you make any plans at all, you need to attend one or more matches of the type that your are anticipating participating in. Don't buy anything before doing this. The internet is a great resource, but IMO you need to make some face to face contact. If you look around, take some notes and pictures, and ask questions, I am sure that you will learn a lot, and get plenty of good advice. After you do, come back and tell us what you have learned. All of the CF benchrest that I am aware of, requires handloading to be competitive. Also, many times it is better to buy a used benchrest rifle than to have a new rifle built from lesser components. The price can be very similar. There is a fellow that has a huge inventory of these rifles. Here is a link. http://www.benchrest.com/shooterscorner/
He is very experienced, and has an impeccable reputation. If you look at his list of used rifles that are for sale, I am sure that you will find several that are in your price range, that will shoot better than any factory actioned rifle at 1-200 yd.

 

[FroggyOne2]

That is good advice Boyd is giving you...

 

[pintopete]

+1 on BoydAllen and FroggyOne2. Have had many positive purchases from Shooters Corner. All square and very fair IMO.

Peter.

 

[woolenmammoth]

This may seem like funny advice, since it is being offered on the internet, but before you make any plans at all, you need to attend one or more matches of the type that your are anticipating participating in. Don't buy anything before doing this. The internet is a great resource, but IMO you need to make some face to face contact. If you look around, take some notes and pictures, and ask questions, I am sure that you will learn a lot, and get plenty of good advice. After you do, come back and tell us what you have learned. All of the CF benchrest that I am aware of, requires handloading to be competitive. Also, many times it is better to buy a used benchrest rifle than to have a new rifle built from lesser components. The price can be very similar. There is a fellow that has a huge inventory of these rifles. Here is a link. http://www.benchrest.com/shooterscorner/
He is very experienced, and has an impeccable reputation. If you look at his list of used rifles that are for sale, I am sure that you will find several that are in your price range, that will shoot better than any factory actioned rifle at 1-200 yd.

There is no better advice that you will find on the subject than this.

My introduction to BR was actually shooting with Bob White at my local range, and while I wouldnt quite call Bob a mentor, he certainly is an inspirational figure and about the most patient and encouraging fellow out there that I have met when it comes to bringing new people to the sport. Not only is Bob the nicest guy around, he's an incredible shooter and an excellent smith, he will absolutely not lead you down the wrong path.

I wish I had followed the advice to buy a used BR rig right from the start, and on that subject I will say this, which lots of us should take a minute to think about. Used BR rifles with barrels that are "shot out" should really be evaluated in regards to your skill level. While that shot out barrel might not be competitive any longer for someone with a great rest setup, flags, is an expert reloader, and can make all things things work in harmony, that same barrel for many of us who dont have a perfect rest, have only been reloading for a few years, dont religiously shoot over four flags all the time, etc, guys in this boat may never ever see the accuracy potential that is left in that "shot out" barrel in the first place. Sure took me a long long long time before my skill level with reloading especially and then my shooting could even get near to take advantage of what was "left" in a "bad" barrel. Everything is relative, and a used gun from Bob White in so many cases is just such an exceptional value all around.

Nothing better than actually showing up to a match to take a look, it is my experience that nobody is particularly secretive and most guys usually want to help, especially if you are curious. You learn some things that should be obvious but might not be, the first one of those for me was not showing up to a score match with a 20 cal when you can bring a 30... heh.

 

[lal357]

go with a savage i started f class with a used savage 308 i picked up for 600.00 after about a year i was ready to take it to another level so i picked up a savage pta in 223 for 700. bought 2 used barrels from here and another site did a barrel swap myself the origonal savage is now a 223 with a 1-8t bug hole barrel (was Mcgowen now cbi)and the pta has a shilen select match 308 on i.t all 3 barrels only set me back 500.00 for all of them plus i have sold off some of the old stuff to recoup my money.