New from Florida -- LR Shooting Qs

[alvinjohn62]

Hello All!

My name is Alvin John and I'm from North Central Florida. I am wanting to get into precision/long range shooting.
My limitation is I don't have much money but I do have a regular bolt action hunting rifle in .308.
I am thinking of taking a $300 2 day class for long range shooting up to 800 yards.
I would need a scope and 200 rounds of match ammunition.

Would a 12X42 30mm scope be suitable for such shooting?
What ammunition would be cheap but good enough for such shooting?
I plan to go into handloading but figured I might as well buy some Match ammunition and use the shells for subsequent handloaded ammunition.

I also want to get into rimfire shooting.

 

[ebb]

When talking factory loaded match ammo cheap and good never go in the same sentence. You will soon want more than a 12 power scope, go to a range and see what others are using. Ask to look through a couple of scopes, the worst that can happen is to be told no. I bet many will want to help. Making your own decisions based on firsthand knowledge will be way more valuable than what someone here will tell you. get out where guns are being shot look around ask questions. My daughter and her boyfriend took me to the range for my birthday, her friend got to shoot a nice 6.5 creedmoor just for showing interest in the gun and telling the owner he was looking at one like it.

 

[alvinjohn62]

Thanks,
I meant “what is the least expensive among them”?

 

[alvinjohn62]

or, maybe i should ask what is the most budget friendly Match ammunition?
or if there are some that i should avoid?
i’m trying to avoid google or youtube as there are just too many bad answers as well as sponsored answers.

 

[D-4297]

My suggestion regarding a scope would be at least a 24x , that is probably going to be in the $5-600.00 range . When I began shooting F-Class at 600 yards I had a Vortex 6x24-50 BDC Hunting scope that was adequate , for 600 , but left a lot to be desired at 1,000 . Check the weekly deals segment on the Home page , and do your research for a quality scope . Many of the shooters in the sport are using a Vortex Golden Eagle because it is in the Middle price-point of the higher-end scopes , and a very useable piece of equipment . The old addage of "Buy quality once" , definitely applies to the scope you purchase . You can always up-grade to a better scope later on .

 

[338 dude]

Hello All!

My name is Alvin John and I'm from North Central Florida. I am wanting to get into precision/long range shooting.
My limitation is I don't have much money but I do have a regular bolt action hunting rifle in .308.
I am thinking of taking a $300 2 day class for long range shooting up to 800 yards.
I would need a scope and 200 rounds of match ammunition.

Would a 12X42 30mm scope be suitable for such shooting?
What ammunition would be cheap but good enough for such shooting?
I plan to go into handloading but figured I might as well buy some Match ammunition and use the shells for subsequent handloaded ammunition.

I also want to get into rimfire shooting.

4x16 might be good for that range , with a low power of 12x you would be handicapped at closer ranges and a larger objective lense would gather more light

 

[K22]

While I'm not a long range precision target shooter, I'll share an idea with you based on my experience.

Some 50 years ago now, when I first got interested in competitive precision pistol shooting (called bulls eye in those days) I had a limited budget and had very little knowledge.

I started out slow, just to get into the game to learn about the course of fire, equipment, etc. from seasoned shooters but most importantly to see if this was something I really wanted to do before I spent a lot of money.

I started with what I had on hand, a revolver, Model 17 S&W rimfire which was a distinct disadvantage in rapid fire. Long story short, I loved the sport and became an avid participant. I eventually qualified Distinguish Expert (min 285x300) and eventually added a S&W Model 41, a preimier semi-auto target pistol which bootsted my scores about 5 to 7 points on average.

So my suggestion is, go to a few matches, participate with what you have and see if this something you want to do long term. Ask questions, observe the top shooters then if this is something you like, buy the equipment you'll need to be competitive based on the knowledge you acquired from seasoned shooters.

 

[ebb]

Federal gold medal match is probably the best there is for a 308. A few years back i saw some cheap and a friend bought a case or two, not anymore. If i were looking it would be at Black Hills, and if they had remanufactured it would even be cheaper. Every time you go to the range pick up 308 empties. Look at and through 24 power (at least) scopes some of the newer brands, Athlon and some others i can't quite remember right now. Ask at the Local Gun store if any of the older guys would mentor you, in shooting and reloading. Decide if you are going to shoot off of a rest or a bipod, be looking for whatever you decide on. Hit pawn shops many scopes have a lifetime warrantee and if you get a dud, you can send it in for repair. While in the pawn shops look for reloading tools, try and buy a whole set from one of the big companies. RCBS are warranted for life. The very most important thing for you right now is a cleaning rod (a dewey or another good one) a bore giude, some jags, patches and some type of bore cleaner. Find a good Utube on cleaning your rifle and watch if several times before you try on your rifle. check and see if the barrel on your gun is free floated. If not go back to u tube and look at free floating a rifle videos. This should keep you busy for a while, many that shoot want the sport to grow so finding a mentor may not be as hard as it sounds. Mine has taught me way more than I can ever learn. The county SO paid for him to figure most of it out.

 

[Rset]

I am thinking of taking a $300 2 day class for long range shooting up to 800 yards.

If short on funds and just getting into the sport, I would forgo the $300 class and instead show up at a match and shoot what you have. The trigger time and the information you will receive from the other shooters will be much more helpful.

 

[Albany Mountain]

How far away are you from Melbourne?

 

[joshb]

Save your money and forget the class. Don’t go diving into the deep end, yet.
Read a lot here. Spend time at your range and try to look like an eager lost puppy. Well, maybe not that but meeting guys and talking to people will most likely lead you to finding a kind soul that’s willing to share his knowledge.
Ammo is so expensive these days, might be better for you to start by shooting rimfire for a while and save up for a good scope. 24x is minimal in my mind. Keep watching the classifieds here. Every so often, a good deal pops up. I recently stumbled across a nice 6-24 for $500 .

 

[Dgd6mm]

Alvin, welcome to accurate shooter. Where abouts in N. Central Florida? I'm south of Live Oak in O'Brien. Where do you go to shoot currently? I belong to Flying D Gun Club in Branford Florida. At Shadd's Deer Farm outside of Lake Butler is a 1000 yard steel range with steel every 100 yards and plenty more at odd yardages, $40.00 per day. There is also a 1400 yard and a 1 mile range there which is only available during certain times. With limited funds it will certainly make it tough on you. I'm not trying to discourage you it's just fact. If you'd like to discuss this over the phone shoot me a PM. I shoot every week and we have 325 yards paper and steel, if things work out you could come as my guest for the day.

Don Dunlap

 

[snert]

Alvin, welcome to accurate shooter. Where abouts in N. Central Florida? I'm south of Live Oak in O'Brien. Where do you go to shoot currently? I belong to Flying D Gun Club in Branford Florida. At Shadd's Deer Farm outside of Lake Butler is a 1000 yard steel range with steel every 100 yards and plenty more at odd yardages, $40.00 per day. There is also a 1400 yard and a 1 mile range there which is only available during certain times. With limited funds it will certainly make it tough on you. I'm not trying to discourage you it's just fact. If you'd like to discuss this over the phone shoot me a PM. I shoot every week and we have 325 yards paper and steel, if things work out you could come as my guest for the day.

Don Dunlap

well there you go!

 

[sdean]

Alvin, welcome to accurate shooter. Where abouts in N. Central Florida? I'm south of Live Oak in O'Brien. Where do you go to shoot currently? I belong to Flying D Gun Club in Branford Florida. At Shadd's Deer Farm outside of Lake Butler is a 1000 yard steel range with steel every 100 yards and plenty more at odd yardages, $40.00 per day. There is also a 1400 yard and a 1 mile range there which is only available during certain times. With limited funds it will certainly make it tough on you. I'm not trying to discourage you it's just fact. If you'd like to discuss this over the phone shoot me a PM. I shoot every week and we have 325 yards paper and steel, if things work out you could come as my guest for the day.

Don Dunlap

There you go again. Don’t pass on a good offer. How far from port malabar?

 

[alvinjohn62]

Alvin, welcome to accurate shooter. Where abouts in N. Central Florida? I'm south of Live Oak in O'Brien. Where do you go to shoot currently? I belong to Flying D Gun Club in Branford Florida. At Shadd's Deer Farm outside of Lake Butler is a 1000 yard steel range with steel every 100 yards and plenty more at odd yardages, $40.00 per day. There is also a 1400 yard and a 1 mile range there which is only available during certain times. With limited funds it will certainly make it tough on you. I'm not trying to discourage you it's just fact. If you'd like to discuss this over the phone shoot me a PM. I shoot every week and we have 325 yards paper and steel, if things work out you could come as my guest for the day.

Don Dunlap

Thank you very much Sir, PM have been sent.

Alvin

 

[alvinjohn62]

Ammo is so expensive these days, might be better for you to start by shooting rimfire for a while and save up for a good scope.

What might be a good beginner rimfire rifle?
In your personal opinion of course.
Thanks joshb.

 

[joshb]

Also wander the racks of Gun shops. Sometimes an old gem can be found. Last spring I found an old Mauser for sale for $450. I put on my poker face and got it for $425. Look for Savage-Anschutz and Winchester’s, too.

 

[ebb]

Donny is close to you and he knows how to get it done take him up on his offer. Listen to what he has to say, but DO NOT LET HIM TALK YOU INTO A savage.

 

[alvinjohn62]

Okay here is an update.
I went to meet Don, l look through some scopes, shot some .22lr@50yrds and some .223@325yrds.
That was the most wonderful 10 rounds I ever shot. I am so happy with the experience.
Resolution:
1. shoot the hunting rife with the hunting scope to its maximum potential.
2. buy a 6-24X50 scope
3. buy a .22lr rifle

Thank you so much Don for the education and the experience!

 

[Dgd6mm]

Your welcome Alvin it was my pleasure, you shot very good. Everyone before Alvin arrived I just sighted my Tikka T1X with SK Standard Plus in at 50 yards on a 50 yard IBS .22lr target. He got behind it and shot 5 shots, they were 5 X's this rifle has a 20x SWFA on it. My .223 Urbanrifleman's Wilson barrel with a PST
4-16 on it and 53gr. Vmax was next. 325 yards clay birds, 300 yards 3" steel was not a challenge for him. I have invited Alvin to come back for the day as my guest to shot again and when the time comes if he'd like we'll get him out to that 800 yards and beyond.

It's always good to meet another shooter and spend time together at the range, this is definitely how friendships develop. My shooting buddy and closest friend up here I've known since after I moved to N. Florida in November of '08. Shooting is FUNdamental.

Don Dunlap