New guy wanting to build a long range gun

[montana_native]

Hello

I will give you a little back ground. A friend and I set up a range on his place that allows us to shoot out to 800 yards with 12" steel plates. I had a big Weatherby 338-378 Accumark that I thought would be the ticket. As it turned out, beyond 400 yards I wasn't much good with it. It could have been me, the gun or a combination of the two. Needless to say the gun isn't for me in long range shooting and I don't miss the $4 per round cost to shoot it.

I am wanting to build a good dedicated long range shooter but to be honest don't know where to start. I don't even know what caliber to use or action or barrel. This gun probably won't be used for hunting save the occasional gopher or prairie dog. I guess if some of you seasoned guys could guide me on where to begin that would be great. I'm looking to drive tacks at 600 yards and beyond.

I am on a budget too, unfortunately. I can probably spend about $1700-$2000 on a gun/scope combo.

Thanks for any and all help. I know this is a pretty open ended questions but hopefully I can get steered in the right direction.

 

[treeman]

something like the 6br or 6-6.5x47 lapua or even the 243 should work great. be safe and have fun!! treeman

 

[ballistic64]

Theres an excellent smith in Ft Shaw by the name of Kirby Allen you might talk with about your objectives.Even if you dont utilize his services,he may be able to give ideas around your budget limits.Im pretty sure hes a Lawton dealer and may get price breaks on thier actions and barrels.You can contact him at kballen@3rivers.net

good luck with your project

 

[jpspeeddemon]

the best bet is probably a savage f class 6.5x284 because it is pretty tough to build a full custom gun and have enough left for a decent scope. these go for about $1000 +/- a couple bucks. that leaves $1000 for a scope, and there are plenty of very good scopes for $1000. the zeiss conquest, burris black diamond, sightron s3, and leupold vx-3 to name a few.

 

[montana_native]

I called Lawton today and spoke with Barney who was very helpful. They are just over the hill from me. Sounds like he can get me into an entry level 16# 1000 yard gun as he described it for not too much more than I wanted to spend. Now I guess I just need to determine a cartridge. It sounded like he was partial to the 300 WSM. I would like something that has a little power and in a 16# gun recoil I would think would be marginal in a .300 caliber, even without a break.

Thoughts on a 7mm vs a .300 WSM or even a standard 300 mag. Maybe even a 25-06 or the 6.5/284? I've reloaded thousands of 7 mags for hunting...One thing I really liked about the 338-378 was the WHOP when it hit a gong.

Thanks a lot so far guys.

 

[Jeffvn]

Barney has a lot information and has been doing this for a long time, but I'm more inclined to go with the 7mm in a long-throated WSM,a 270 WSM necked up actually), or Win Mag than the 300 WSM. The High BC 7mm 175 smk, 180 Berger, and 180 JLKs swing the balance in favor of the 7 WSM for me. If you are hunting at long ranges, then the heavier .30 cal bullets may be more what you want for delivering energy to tteh target. But for slinging lead beyond 1,000 yards in a moderately recoiling rig,without a muzzle break), the 7mm would be my choice.

JeffVN

 

[Preacher]

I'll put my vote in for the 7mm, but I am partial to the 7 SAUM.

 

[jamesh]

I'll put my vote in for the 7mm, but I am partial to the 7 SAUM.

You know your letting out the big secret.
I heard reports that the 7mm RSAUM could push a 180 Berger 3000 fps and I thought ya if you want to get only a couple firings out of the brass. Boy was I mistaken, 3000fps in my 27.5" barrel is mild, I have yet to push it up to the point of loosening primer pockets,just starting load development) and I have been using Norma brass which generally is soft. I have 4 firings one some brass pushing the 180 Bergers at over 3000 and still haven't resized them. When I get serious I will use the Nosler brass I have on hand.
When I started my project on my 1000 Light gun I thought the 7mm RSAUM would be ideal, now I'm starting to think that a 7mm WSSM with 40 degree shoulder might be a little better for 1000yd BR, get the velocity back down to around 2800.
James

 

[teele1]

Well I did it for that kind of money. A Savage Model 12 action, a 6mm 1-7 1/2 Krieger barrel chambered by David Bruno in 6CM. Farrell 20MOA base with Leupold PRW rings and a Weaver T24 scope. Shoots .243 Winchester brass to fire formed with Sierra 107s on top of 46.0 gr. H1000. Then the fire formed brass is loaded with DTAC 115s over 49.0 gr. H1000 with CCI BR2. This is in a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock. This rig shoots better than I can and still competes. I shoot it 600 to 1000 yards. It was reasonable to build and is reasonable to shoot accurately and has great barrel life. I think I have $1500.00 total invested. Thanks Joe Hendricks for the 6CM.
Shoot Strait teele1

 

[billmo]

teele1, did you hit one zero too many or is that for real? Just checking. Not knocking your gun man. Bill

 

[teele1]

Yep Bill slow fingers wish I had that much to spend on shooting. you've got better eyes than I. I fixed it so as not to scare off any one else. Merry Christmas to all
teele1

 

[Dgd6mm]

Teele1 is speaking the gospel on that rifle. I had one built at the same time,we shoot together. I have a .300 lapua that I set 2 records at 1000 yards on an 8 inch gong. After we got our 6cm's built and broke-in I tied that record with my 6cm. 115 dtac's at 19.00 a hundred vs.the cost of 210 jlk's or 216 clinch rivers,I'll shoot my 6cm most of the year. It is very accurate and has less wind drift then a 6.5-.284. This rig has long life and is not hard on your wallet either to build or shoot,all for under fifteen hundred dollars. That includes a custom die also.