I am seeking advice!!

[Swatman05]

I am wanting a rifle that'll shoot excellent groups out to 1,000yds. I am seeking advice on caliber choices, barrel lengths and diameter, type of stock, etc. I'm also seeking advice as to whether I should start out building the rifle custom from the start or buying a stock rifle and swapping out parts as I go along. Thank you guys for any help and advice!!

 

[CJ6]

You can buy a "used" IBS or F-Open rifle and get your feet wet, then get a new barrel put on and compete. I'd say 95 % of these will be built on Custom actions and already have the appropriate stocks, trigger and in some cases dies and brass and optics to go with it. Calibers range from the 6 Dasher to 30 mags. Look at some of the equipment lists of the various competitions to get an idea of what type of setups and calibers being used.

 

[Swatman05]

I'm also wanting to use the rifle for hunting. I think an F Open Rifle might be a bit heavy.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Excellent groups is quite a open ended idea.

If you are shooting "for group" (i.e. maximum precision - all bullets as close together as possible)you need to follow on the long-range benchrest designs. 6 Dasher or BRX with a 105 VLD/Hybrid/ (103-106) custom bullet. Those rifles tend to have 28" barrels, but I've found 30" barrels to also shoot very good.

If you are looking for accuracy at 1K (i.e. putting the bullet in the center of the target). Then the human factor comes into play more. A 6 Dasher is more accurate than most, but wind drift becomes a factor more so than with bigger calibers. If there is a significant delay between shots, then larger calibers like 284 Win, 7WSM, and 300WSM and longer barrels become more attractive ala F-open.

Size and weight of the overall package makes those choices change a bit.

So the big question is what are the intended uses? Are you planning on shooting formal competition?

 

[CJ6]

I'm also wanting to use the rifle for hunting. I think an F Open Rifle might be a bit heavy.

In that case I'd say you're looking into the larger 7 mags up to the 338s depending on what you're hunting and YOUR capability of taking that game.

 

[Swatman05]

Excellent groups is quite a open ended idea.

If you are shooting "for group" (i.e. maximum precision - all bullets as close together as possible)you need to follow on the long-range benchrest designs. 6 Dasher or BRX with a 105 VLD/Hybrid/ (103-106) custom bullet. Those rifles tend to have 28" barrels, but I've found 30" barrels to also shoot very good.

If you are looking for accuracy at 1K (i.e. putting the bullet in the center of the target). Then the human factor comes into play more. A 6 Dasher is more accurate than most, but wind drift becomes a factor more so than with bigger calibers. If there is a significant delay between shots, then larger calibers like 284 Win, 7WSM, and 300WSM and longer barrels become more attractive ala F-open.

Size and weight of the overall package makes those choices change a bit.

So the big question is what are the intended uses? Are you planning on shooting formal competition?

Primary purpose is for long rang hunting and shooting. I want to be able to consistently hit a 12" steel plate at 1,000yds and hit an Elk with a good kill shot up to 1,000yds.

 

[Swatman05]

In that case I'd say you're looking into the larger 7 mags up to the 338s depending on what you're hunting and YOUR capability of taking that game.

So would you recommend a 7mm Rem Mag?

 

[CJ6]

So would you recommend a 7mm Rem Mag?

I don't recommend hunting at 1000, but the 7 Rem would NOT be on the list for my choice. 7 RUM , 7 DAK, 28 Nos, 7 STW for 7s ,300 Wea, 300 RUM, 300 DAK, 30-378 Wea, 8 mm Rem mag (highly under used caliber), then the 338 RUM , 330 Dak , 338 Norma, 338 Lapua, 340 Wea, 338-378 Wea. I want enough velocity to properly expand the premium hunting bullets I use and enough energy 1800 ft.lbs minimum at distance (this is my criteria for a hunting round and distances)

 

[bobinpa]

At 1000 yds, my 338 Rum with 225 gr Accubonds only has roughly 1100 ft lbs of energy. I don't think I would go any smaller than a 338 something. Shot placement is everything, especially at 1000 yds, because elk have the ability to absorb some energy....... ask me how I know. If you truly plan to shoot elk at 1000 yds, get the biggest cartridge you can handle comfortably and practice in normal shooting positions until you can hit an 8" target consistently or don't shoot past where you can hit an 8" target consistently. Wounding an animal will ruin your hunt!!!!!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

And they havent mentioned yet that a competition rifle is not gonna be a hunting rifle. Custom single shot actions, 2oz triggers, huge scopes, stocks made for mechanical rests, and calibers that arent big enough to reliably kill an elk are the norm. Sadly you just cant have both.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

May I add that groups are not the measure of a long range hunting rifle.

Cold bore accuracy is much more important.

As for hitting a 12" steel plate at 1k with every shot, well, that is the stuff of world champion quality F-class shooters. I can't do it "consistently" under all conditions and I have a little experience at long range...

With the big boomers that are being discussed for hunting, you may want to have two rifles - one for steel and another for meat.

 

[CJ6]

May I add that groups are not the measure of a long range hunting rifle.

Cold bore accuracy is much more important.

As for hitting a 12" steel plate at 1k with every shot, well, that is the stuff of world champion quality F-class shooters. I can't do it "consistently" under all conditions and I have a little experience at long range...

With the big boomers that are being discussed for hunting, you may want to have two rifles - one for steel and another for meat.

To add to that...That's in ALL weather conditions, not just the warm sunny days practicing at the range, get out and shoot in the worst weather you can (rain, wind and snow). Take 1 shot only and see how much closer you really need to be to keep in the kill zone.

 

[Swatman05]

Thanks for all the replies gentlemen! I'm leaning towards either a 300RUM or 338RUM. What would you guys recommend for barrel length, contour, and type of stock?For glass I can afford I'm thinking on getting the Votex Viper PST 6-24x50 in FFP. Any other good scopes out there you'd recommend for around the same price?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Are we talking about a hunting rifle now? You go with a bigger boomer you need to decide just how much recoil you can stand and how much youre gonna carry it. Gotta factor in the scope weight and stock type in your barrel selection

 

[Swatman05]

Are we talking about a hunting rifle now? You go with a bigger boomer you need to decide just how much recoil you can stand and how much youre gonna carry it. Gotta factor in the scope weight and stock type in your barrel selection

Yes sir, I'm focusing on a hunting rifle. I can handle stout recoil. Last big round I've shot is the 340 Weatherby Mag. I plan to hunt in open country and in some mountainous areas. If I can keep it under 12lbs, I guess that'd be good? I don't mind carrying some weight around. Done it before and I'm sure I'll do it again.

 

[hogpatrol]

I limit any hunting rifle I have to carry to ten pounds. After a few hours a ten pounder turns in to twenty. A few hours later, it's forty.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I have just what you could use, a Remington .300 RUM with a 26" s.s. barrel and Harrell's muzzle brake. 6.5-20x40 Leupold scope .

 

[rudysts]

Take a look at Alex Wheeler's 28 Nosler I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a long range hunt.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/28-nosler-build.3896846/

 

[Swatman05]

I have just what you could use, a Remington .300 RUM with a 26" s.s. barrel and Harrell's muzzle brake. 6.5-20x40 Leupold scope .

How much?

 

[FURMAN]

You should check out longrangehunting.com. I am currently shooting a 7-300win mag in a custom Pierce. I also have a custom 7WSM on a Stiller. There are a lot of factors involved in taking 1000 yd shots at animals. It is not as easy as just developing a load and developing drop charts. If I were you I would either put together a Savage or buy a used gun and start shooting to figure out what you like and don't like in a long range rifle. You will have to figure out for yourself how heavy a rifle you are willing to carry. Heavier is easier to shoot well. I suggest looking at a Manners EH-1, a Mcmillan game scout, or a Mcmillan A3. I have a sendero contour barrel and a #5. I prefer the #5. I also prefer longer barrels in the 28"-29" range.