Long range reloading

[John Hunter]

I've been reloading for about 5 years now but the longest I've been able to shoot is about 400 yards. I now have access to a 1500 yard range. I'm saving up for a custom 280 ai but would like to learn more about loading for long range first. What's a good book to buy that details loading specifically for long range? Thanks

 

[dragman]

First there isn't a book IMHO. it's just knowing what your doing and why it is doing it. when shooting long the brass prep is the bigger portion of what causes the guns to perform vs not. Turning necks, neck tension, seating depth. Making sure you have a good ES and SD. then checking to make sure you don't have any vertical in your load. Ask questions or befriend someone who knows what they are doing and learn all you can.

 

[spclark]

No books that I know of, just paying attention to details (each and every one!) when making up your loads.

Consistency is your benchmark the farther out your target is. The closer to uniform your loads are the more consistent it will perform for you.

 

[tenring]

Here is an excellent book, but not spot on long range reloading:

"Handloading for Competition" by Glen Zediker

 

[barefooter56]

I've been reloading for about 5 years now but the longest I've been able to shoot is about 400 yards. I now have access to a 1500 yard range. I'm saving up for a custom 280 ai but would like to learn more about loading for long range first. What's a good book to buy that details loading specifically for long range? Thanks

John Hunter,
Bryan Litz's Accuracy and precision for long range shooters", Applied ballistics for long rang shooters, and Modern advancements in long range shooting. Hand loading for competition ( already mentioned) , Tony Boyer's " The book of rifle accuracy" and finally Nancy Tomkins " Prone and long range rifle shooting". Loading is only part of the equation. Once you get a load to minute or half minute of angle. More accuracy can be found buy learning to read conditions, trigger control and position. Good luck and good shooting !
Take care,

 

[joshb]

Tony Boyer's book goes in depth on finicky Reloading. A very good reference! Good luck.

 

[Lapua40X]

Load, shoot, adjust; Load, shoot, adjust; it's a never ending pursuit of accuracy (and a lot of lessons learned in reading the wind) The load part is science, the shoot part is your input, the adjust part is applying what you learn from the first two.

 

[Mulligan]

About everything long range shooters know they learned from the bench rest crowd, this book is a dare good start.
CW

 

[nmkid]

John,

Sorry to disappoint you but, you will never learn everything you need to shoot long range. That's the best part about it!! It's a never ending quest and if I might say...Pretty gratifying when all the learning starts to come together. Good Luck.

John

 

[Liven The Dream]

You can get this right.
I have been shooting Long Range Prone iron sights for years, made High Master with a .308.
I question 280 ? lot of work fire forming ? I think first a rifle built for long range, .308 Palma set up ? 7mm SA REM. Mag ,284 ?
These all have great winning power. barrel twist Gun smith al important.

Ammo, Good Dies and Press that make good sized Brass. sort your brass by weight and times fired.
Primers CCI BR-2 Fed. Match ? Scale Must be very good , weigh every load , Bullet one for the job Burger has some great bullets.
Seating Die Redding Comp. or RCBS . Check your rounds for run out .
Test your loads over a Chronograph at 200 yards or more . Looking for a low SD ( 9.11 or less ). and how well they group.

This is a good starting point. You must remember The best rifle needs a better shooter behind it.
Long Range the Wind is not your friend .
Best of Luck