I am sure this has been asked multiple times but I have a question. I am looking for suggestions on what caliber to choose to shoot all of these distances. Mainly it will be F Class and 600 YD. I am not looking at going with a custom gun right away. I would like to shoot competition before I invest in one. Please let me know your thoughts.
Looking for Advice F Class, 600 YD, and 1000 YD
- Thread starter Double Draw
- Start date
If you are looking for a rifle to BUY that fills your desires for F-Class shooting, there really is only 1 choice>> Savage... However, new Savages are creeping up towards $1500.00 now. You can buy a used "Trued" Remington action for about $600.00, a good barrel for $350 and 'smith work for $300 more and a stock (used) for about $500 bucks.. That is about 2-300 more than a new Savage and you will have a "custom" rifle that is as good as just about anything out there... So, I would do a bit more saving and spend a bit more money and get everything you want and or need!
Then you can chamber it in either 6.5 x 47 or 6 Dasher. Everyone has their ideas of what is a good or the best cartridge for whatever distance they compete at. I think the 2 I listed sit at the top of the heap EXCEPT when the wind is really blowing hard. So, if you want a rifle that is arguably better in the wind, get a .284 Win. If you want a very nice rifle to shoot that is deadly accurate with little recoil, and is awesome in "normal" wind conditions, get one of the other 2 that I mentioned...
Then you can chamber it in either 6.5 x 47 or 6 Dasher. Everyone has their ideas of what is a good or the best cartridge for whatever distance they compete at. I think the 2 I listed sit at the top of the heap EXCEPT when the wind is really blowing hard. So, if you want a rifle that is arguably better in the wind, get a .284 Win. If you want a very nice rifle to shoot that is deadly accurate with little recoil, and is awesome in "normal" wind conditions, get one of the other 2 that I mentioned...
Go F-TR if you are looking to keep costs down. As Ben mentioned, get a Remington action from Brownells, a Kreiger, Bartlein or <fill in name here> barrel, and have a good smith chamber it in 308WIN for 185 Juggernauts. Finish with an HS-Precision or Bell & Carlson Medalist stock and you will have a great shooting rifle at a reasonable price.
effendude
Gold $$ Contributor
DD,
Without the custom rifle option, don't bother with the Dasher. IMHO, a .308 Winchester will do what you want, and so would a 6mmBR. The 6mmBR is about the perfect 600 yard cartridge, but there are not many factory rifle choices. These cartridges may not win many big matches, but they are easy to load for. Factory rifles are available, as are used rifles.
As a novice competitive shooter, both cartridges would be great choices with a factory rifle.
Scott
Without the custom rifle option, don't bother with the Dasher. IMHO, a .308 Winchester will do what you want, and so would a 6mmBR. The 6mmBR is about the perfect 600 yard cartridge, but there are not many factory rifle choices. These cartridges may not win many big matches, but they are easy to load for. Factory rifles are available, as are used rifles.
As a novice competitive shooter, both cartridges would be great choices with a factory rifle.
Scott
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
Since you are asking our thoughts..... you will spend less money if you buy a custom rifle. They retain their value very well so if you dont like the sport you will be out less than if you bought a Savage. Just like buying a Night force. They are cheaper than a Simmons. Buy a Simmons and it basically has no value, buy a Night force use it a couple years and sell it for a whopping 100 dollar loss.
Do you know anyone that is currently competing? Sometimes you can borrow a rifle to see if you like the competition. If asked, I would certainly loan a rifle to someone I know locally to get them into F-Class shooting.
Well, you're wise to ask. Myself and a friend started together without asking anyone. $$$$$ down the drain. I started shooting Open with a .308. DON'T DO THAT. He started shooting F/TR with a brand spanking new Remington 40XB. DON'T DO THAT. We showed up in a 600 yard pasture in south Mississippi with shiny new gear starched clothes and big smiles. I remember whispering to my friend, "Where you wanna eat after we teach these old boys how to shoot?" That represented the first of many mighty butt whippings for my friend and I and a whole lot of fun. You're gonna love F-Class. It's a real hoot.
Do your research, it'll be worth it.
BTW. Wound up with a Savage Target action F-Class model (admittedly tweaked by Alton Britt) and a Brux barrel in 6X47 Lapua . I thought it would do OK, you know for the money and all.
For some reason, I'm still shooting it.
Do your research, it'll be worth it.
BTW. Wound up with a Savage Target action F-Class model (admittedly tweaked by Alton Britt) and a Brux barrel in 6X47 Lapua . I thought it would do OK, you know for the money and all.
For some reason, I'm still shooting it.
Are you wanting to try FTR or Fopen? FTR would def go with a 308 win
Guys thanks a lot for all of the insight and information. I have several guys at work that shoot it and they shoot 6br, 6.5x284, 260 and 308. That is why I wanted to throw it out to the group here with years of experience. Like a gentleman reminded me last night when I shot open with my custom 38 super STI. I could have shot it with a glock but to be competitive I went with the custom 38 super. I guess right now I am leaning to going custom and like with my 38 super it retains value. I would also like to ask who you recommend for a gun smith. I live in MN and I have a great one for pistol but he does not get into the long range rifle. I think my first step would be to pick the gunsmith and than ask them what they would like to use since each one has a little different preference. Once again thanks for the info.
effendude
Gold $$ Contributor
DD,
One more suggestion: Don't discount the little .223 Rem for midrange fun and accuracy. Easy to load, inexpensive, no recoil. Many midrange mathes are won with it. A great starter cartridge. There are even some guys who shoot it at 1000 very well but that a really a specialized endeavor.
Scott
One more suggestion: Don't discount the little .223 Rem for midrange fun and accuracy. Easy to load, inexpensive, no recoil. Many midrange mathes are won with it. A great starter cartridge. There are even some guys who shoot it at 1000 very well but that a really a specialized endeavor.
Scott
At 600, there are a lot of good calibers and rifles that will be competitive and you don't need a full custom rifle either. .223 (8 twist barrel or faster for 80 grain bullets), 6br, 308 are all good and common choices with either a Rem700 short action or Savage.
At 1000, you will want heavier bullets, more velocity (perhaps) and better optics. 6.5's, .308, 7mm. IMHO, stay away from 30 mags.... too much recoil. 6's and .223's will just be frustrating for the newer shooter at that range without absolutely perfect conditions. I saw 6mm improved type cartridges discussed above... unless you have time and expertise to fire-form brass, stay away from these. Shooting is better than reloading.
As Steve said, if you can borrow a rifle and try it, do that first. Guys who run matches at the clubs can often times hook you up. I went through the same process a few months ago and ended up with a rifle I purchased on this forum. I am very happy with it and it did not break my bank account. A customized Savage that shoots better than I do.
At 1000, you will want heavier bullets, more velocity (perhaps) and better optics. 6.5's, .308, 7mm. IMHO, stay away from 30 mags.... too much recoil. 6's and .223's will just be frustrating for the newer shooter at that range without absolutely perfect conditions. I saw 6mm improved type cartridges discussed above... unless you have time and expertise to fire-form brass, stay away from these. Shooting is better than reloading.
As Steve said, if you can borrow a rifle and try it, do that first. Guys who run matches at the clubs can often times hook you up. I went through the same process a few months ago and ended up with a rifle I purchased on this forum. I am very happy with it and it did not break my bank account. A customized Savage that shoots better than I do.
I agree with the custom route. I put one together for about 1900, and it was a bat action, McMillan mbr stock beeded to the action, Jewell trigger and it came with a scope base as well. I had the new barrel smithed by a great smith that is in the smith section of 6br.com as well. If I did not want to shoot I am pretty sure i could sale it pretty easy. As far as cartridge, well that's a matter of preference. All cartridges mentioned above will do what those guys above said, especially in a quality rig.
OP, are you planning to reload or to run factory ammo?
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.