Long(er) range shooting for newbs?

[Nubster]

I just recently acquired my first decent rifle though it's not a high end 1000 yard shooter. But I do think I can have fun with it for 300-500 yard paper punching and varmint shooting. Anyways, never having shot a rifle of any quality and certainly nothing over 100 yards, I was wondering if I could get pointed in the direction of some good resources as far as reading or videos that I can use to learn better shooting habits and techniques. I'm also looking in to hand loading so I've been try to learn as much about that as I can but I guess that's a whole other discussion.

BTW...I'm in eastern WV if there's any chance that anyone reading this is not too far away. The rifle I got the other day in case anyone is wondering is a Ruger M77 MKII Varmit Target in .223. Like I said, not a 1000 yard precision rifle but when all you're used to are 50-75 yard shoots in the woods with an open sight 30-30 lever action or bustin' caps with an AR-15...it's quite a step up...lol

Anywho...I appreciate any info you guys can provide and I can't wait to start pouring over the threads here. Looks like TONS of great info.

 

[joshb]

Do what I did. Scour this forum and it's history, for what you can, until your eyes cross. Stop, relax, and start again. Lots of good stuff here. Welcome to the best library and "professors" of precision shooting.Nice gun by the way. Good start.

 

[22BRGUY]

This is a good starter vid in my opinion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weBuYmnpg38&list=PLDXnPFbwxxSZJb6CTrhfjQoYuju4kRdUC

 

[bsumoba]

Great vid on long range shooting. Some good info here, easy to watch, and very entertaining IMO. This goes more into the science and theory behind precision long range shooting. Not so much marksmanship, but definitely good stuff to know.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJUaiRIEduNXoal2_PkBZi0vDCIcEPxUn

Just remember, there is no substitution for wind reading than going out there and shooting in it. Wind reading is an art, not a science. And that .223 will definitely teach you about wind reading when you get out to distance :

I think the only way to go when getting into precision shooting and especially long range precision shooting is you MUST reload. No way around it. I like this book a lot: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1571573712/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Nubster]

This is a good starter vid in my opinion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weBuYmnpg38&list=PLDXnPFbwxxSZJb6CTrhfjQoYuju4kRdUC

Funny...I just finished watching that before I checked back to see if there were any posts. Some good tips in there. And thanks for the responses so far. I'll definitely be reading as much as I can here.

 

[JAnderson94]

read all articles that interest you, sleep on it, re-read them. Look into some upgrades you can do to your rifle if you plan on keeping it (Bedding, Trigger, Etc). Reload if you don't already, and just have FUN.

 

[joshb]

If you can, get a copy of Tony Boyer's book. The best source, ever, and well written. I've read it about 6 times and I'm still getting tips from it. As you learn more the more you get it.

 

[jonbearman]

There are a myriad of long range shooting books by david tubb and a lady that I forgot her name who wrote a book about wind and mirage in it. Somebody jump in, I am having a senior moment. On you tube check out the 5 or 6 part video about benchrest shooting by jack neery.

 

[Joe R]

and a lady that I forgot her name who wrote a book about wind and mirage in it

Nancy Tompkins see http://www.rifleshootingbynancy.com/about-the-author.html

 

[22BRGUY]

There are a myriad of long range shooting books by david tubb and a lady that I forgot her name who wrote a book about wind and mirage in it. Somebody jump in, I am having a senior moment. On you tube check out the 5 or 6 part video about benchrest shooting by jack neery.

I believe the book you are thinking about is The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters by Linda K. Miller

 

[Nubster]

Thanks again for the links and the info.

Is anyone familiar with this rifle and what the capabilities are (taking me out of the equation)? Anything that I can do to improve this gun specifically? I've heard the trigger leaves something to be desired and I assume that most or all rifles benefit from proper bedding which I'll look into for sure. I plan to reload so I'll be able to play with ammo configurations. Just wondering if there's anything else I can do that doesn't involve replacing major parts like the barrel or bolt. Or being new should I not even be worrying about this yet?

 

[wapiti25]

You need to spend your money on "good" precision loading dies. For use in a bench loading press, the Lee collet die does good for neck sizing, Redding makes good dies and I use their Comp Seating Die for my 223 used for 600 yd shooting. What is the twist rate of your barrel? Select bullets such as Berger's or Sierra match kings as they are more accurate than the 55 FMJ military type bullets. The 53 gr Hornady V-max is a good bullet for the money but limited to about 300/400 yds and they will shoot in the 1:12 twist barrels. The twist rate will be the deciding factor as to how long (weight) of a bullet you can stabilize in your barrel. Good luck and good shoooting

 

[Nubster]

It's a 1:9 twist 26" barrel from the factory but it's had a muzzle break installed by the PO so I don't know how/if that affects anything. The muzzle break adds another 1 3/8" to the total length.

 

[seymour fish]

Nubster, I would have it pillar-bedded, have the trigger slicked up, get a lower set of rings on it so you have some chance of a cheek-weld (if you still cant get a cheek-weld out of it, break out the pipe insulation and duct tape), get some decent factory ammo in 55 to 69 gr bullet weight, and go have fun with it. Seymour

 

[Forum Boss]

Lot of guys get started with rigs like this.

Things don't have to be complicated.

1. Make or acquire a bag-rider for the front and get a decent front rest.
2. See how that barrel shoots, but start saving your pennies for a quality barrel (Krieger, Brux, Bartlein, Lilja, Shilen etc.)
-- If you have a not-so-good barrel you will just burn time, bullets, and powder trying to chase accuracy.
3. I don't think its necessary to shot with a cheek weld if you're shooting from the bench, with front rest and rear bag.
4. Focus on your ammo. Buy Lapua brass and good bullets.
5. Don't worry about long-range. I would keep the first 100 -150 rounds inside 100 yards. The effect of wind goes up, roughly speaking, with the SQUARE of the distance.

I don't even see a problem starting at 50 yards. That will cut way, way down on the wind effects and help you see if your load is good.

6. Re loads -- Berger makes some great .22 Cal bullets. I'd look at H4895 if you can find it. Load that with some match flat-base bullets to get your confidence going at 100 yards.

 

[Liven The Dream]

The best od luck, and welcome to Long Range

Some years back I have a .223 with 1-9 twist. I would JLK 75 gr. VLDS shoot the lights out of a 600 yard NRA Target.
Sa I remember R-15 was a get powder. I also Liked 75 gr. HPBT all at a .020 jump.

 

[Nubster]

Some more great posts. Thanks. I'm trying to take it all in, there's a lot to learn. Hoping to get out tomorrow to shoot a little. I do want to get some bags, might try to do that as well. I also still need to get a proper cleaning kit...right now I only have a snake that will fit my .223. I want to get a new one-piece coated rod. After that I'll start looking at putting together a reloading setup.

And of course...I'm reading and watching as much as I can. Thanks everyone for all the help. It's greatly appreciated.

 

[wapiti25]

I have a 1:9 twist barrel that likes IMR 8208 XBR and 69 gr Sierra's and 70 gr Bergers @ 600 yds. I have had good luck using the Tula and Wolf primers in several 223's, I use the small rifle magnums. The advice about saving money for the Krieger barrel is very good advice, custom barrels will almost always out shoot factory barrels. I use Krieger and Bartlien barrels in my rifles.

 

[Nubster]

I looked at some barrels. A little pricey but not as bad as I thought they'd be. I just wondering if this rifle would be worth upgrading or if I'd be better off in the long run getting a new Remington 700 or Savage action and building a rifle. Either route, upgrade or new gun, wouldn't happen for sometime and certainly not until my shooting is limited by my current rifle rather than my skill and experience. I can see upgrading the scope and doing some stuff to help accurize the Ruger like pillar and glass bedding (if it's not already. Not sure if the original owner did that. He did install a muzzle brake so he may have bedded it too. I'm the third owner) and working on the trigger and action.

 

[sscoyote]

That's a great setup you have there and will put more than a few smiles on your face from long-range shooting experiences, no doubt. I'd also take a serious look at the 65 JLK Low Drag bullet. Out of many 9T or faster barrels, that bullet has beat everything I've ever shot for accuracy as far as I can remember. BC is right at .4 too. It was designed by the Knox's (JLK) to compete with the 6mm BR boys at longer ranges.

www.swampworks.com