New shooter, help me choose a caliber for my needs.

[stevep3]

Hey all.

I am currently in the process of getting my gun license and need a hand choosing caliber.

I would start with a .22, however my friend has one that I can use virtually any time I want. So for my own rifle I want something I can use for longer range target shooting.

To start, I am pretty set on a Tikka T3 varmint, it seems to be the best rifle under (AUD)$1500. I also like the Howa 1500 but the Tikka seems to be better quality and I don't mind spending an extra few hundred on it.
Anyway, my local range has a gong at 500 meters and I would like to shoot that sometimes.
I am planning on doing most of my target shooting between 250 and 400 meters making groups on paper/cardboard targets. I want this rifle to be my "longer range" rifle, something that is accurate up to 500m.

I understand that the type of round and grain comes into play a lot, I am mainly looking for a generalized answer.

I would also like to use a round that won't effect the barrel life too much. Personally I was thinking of getting the Tikka T3 Varmint in a .308 with a muzzle break to reduce recoil.
However, my knowledge is quite limited as I am only just getting into shooting and thought I would ask on here. I am not sure if a .308 will be good for making groups at 250-400m on paper targets and there may be a better option.

While this rifle will primarily be for target shooting, I may use it for hunting too; However, I would mainly be hunting inside of 100m and if I get more into hunting I will probably purchase something more suited to those ranges down the track such as my own .22 or a .223.


Any input is appreciated and I am sure I can learn a lot more from you guys.

Thanks.

 

[22BRGUY]

Would this be of interest?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=492816077

 

[bsumoba]

Sounds like you are on the right track. .308 is the best caliber for barrel life and will do very well out to 800M with 168gr bullets and maybe even out to 1000 yards if you choose the right bullet and load. I probably would not go with a .223. It is a good starter caliber and easy to shoot, but you will find it limiting and you will quickly want to upgrade I bet.

A brake is probably going to be a must if you are recoil sensitive. Then, if you decide to want to get into F T/R shooting, you can remove the brake and have a go at it.

Good luck.

 

[stevep3]

Sounds like you are on the right track. .308 is the best caliber for barrel life and will do very well out to 800M with 168gr bullets and maybe even out to 1000 yards if you choose the right bullet and load. I probably would not go with a .223. It is a good starter caliber and easy to shoot, but you will find it limiting and you will quickly want to upgrade I bet.

A brake is probably going to be a must if you are recoil sensitive. Then, if you decide to want to get into F T/R shooting, you can remove the brake and have a go at it.

Good luck.

Sounds like I can't go wrong with the .308 then. I think I will go with it, 800 is well past my target range so it should definitely do fine up to 500.

I'm not sure if I will ever go into competition shooting, maybe someday. And yes I will definitely fit a muzzle break. Is there any disadvantage to a muzzle break?

Oh I was meaning that I would get a .223 as well for hunting purposes inside of 100m, or should I still go something bigger for that?
Or perhaps the .308 will be fine for both, I was thinking that it may be overkill for hunting inside of 100m.

Thanks.

 

[bsumoba]

No disadvantage with a muzzle break other than it is loud.

I would say for your short range hunter, depending on your game, you can go with a .243, .260, and 7mm-08.

308 can do both and I don't think it will be overkill. Just all depends. If you want one rifle, then a 308.

 

[stevep3]

No disadvantage with a muzzle break other than it is loud.

I would say for your short range hunter, depending on your game, you can go with a .243, .260, and 7mm-08.

308 can do both and I don't think it will be overkill. Just all depends. If you want one rifle, then a 308.

Yeah I will definitely go with the 308 then.

I can see myself getting into collecting a few rifles, I will get a smaller caliber down the track for hunting but just have the 308 for now.

Cool, thanks for answering my question.

 

[Jet]

Steve

308 is a fine choice and for the price, the Tikka is hard to beat.

Do you reload or plan to learn/start reloading? If not, 308 shoud be a fairly easy cartridge to purchase in your neck of the woods. If you do, it is a great cartridge to learn to reload with. Easy to tune, accurate and plenty of quality components to choose from.

Good Shooting.

Rich

 

[stevep3]

Steve

308 is a fine choice and for the price, the Tikka is hard to beat.

Do you reload or plan to learn/start reloading? If not, 308 shoud be a fairly easy cartridge to purchase in your neck of the woods. If you do, it is a great cartridge to learn to reload with. Easy to tune, accurate and plenty of quality components to choose from.

Good Shooting.

Rich

Hey man, thanks.

Nah I don't think I will load my own bullets, but we'll see what happens down the track.

Cheers

 

[chkunz]

If you are thinking only one gun the 308 advice you have been given is sound. But, I will offer the opinion that 223 is inherently more accurate, much easier to learn to shoot and cost less to load than the 308. One strategy would be to learn marksmanship and reloading with the 223 and then step up to the 308 later. But if you are limited to one gun then I concur with the choice of the 308. I shoot both and like them both and each has it advantages depending on the application.

 

[stevep3]

If you are thinking only one gun the 308 advice you have been given is sound. But, I will offer the opinion that 223 is inherently more accurate, much easier to learn to shoot and cost less to load than the 308. One strategy would be to learn marksmanship and reloading with the 223 and then step up to the 308 later. But if you are limited to one gun then I concur with the choice of the 308. I shoot both and like them both and each has it advantages depending on the application.

Hello T-REX.

My mate, who got me into shooting, has a .22, I have been to the range with him once before. Here in Australia we are allowed to shoot at the range if we are with someone who holds a license.
I put about 70 rounds through is .22 last time (and my first time) at the range and will be going there with him at least 3 more times before I get my license, as the process takes about 10 weeks here and he goes every 3rd or 4th weekend.

I know that .223's pack a bit more punch than a .22, but I have also fired his 22-250 a few times which packs quite a punch and I think that by the time I get my own license I will hopefully have enough feel to handle the 308, and I can continue to use my mates .22 and 22-250 any time we're together at the range.

If this wasn't the case or if I hadn't have ever fired a gun before, then yes I would definitely buy something smaller first And I will probably buy my own .22 down the track anyway as they are a lot of fun.

Thanks

 

[warbird2006]

Tikka T3 Sporter in 308Win, 260 Rem or 223 rem.
You can't go wrong. Sporter is same rifle as Sako TRG, but only $2,000 cheaper.

 

[Steve3]

308

 

[nastynatesfish]

Why not look into a savage in 260 or 243?
Even a savage in 308 then you could swap barrels as wanted. Depending what your shooting I'd say 243 fills your needs solid. Something about the way a 260 shoots and hits though. If I didn't have a 7-08 I'd have kept my 260. Recoil on the 243 and 260 is a good deal less than 308 and to me they both will shoot as well or better at ranges outside of 300. Yes I also have a 308 that I shoot steel with but that's only because I have a load of 175gr billets to shoot up.

 

[nastynatesfish]

You also didn't say what you have available for ammunition? Seems there is 308 and 243 everyplace.

 

[SS427]

Be sure to consider the recoil. If the rifle is light, even the .308 will deliver punishment you may not want to put up with. If you can shoot one for an extended period of time before you buy I would certainly do so.

A brake will help you with recoil, but the noise will be a lot more and the people around you at the range will not appreciate your brake like you do.

 

[Dave T]

stevep3, just curious, how old are you?

 

[ericbc7]

Definitely go for the Tikka. You can use 30-06 mags and work on the bolt stop to feed long loaded .308 rounds with minimum fuss! This means you can load longer than standard mag length bullet load combos should you ever take up reloading.

Also for target shooting you should consider the Sporter over the Varmint. It comes in 24" and the shorter which is threaded for brakes. I think about 20" or 22" (not sure which)

 

[chromatica]

+1 for .260. I went with it because it has ballistics comparable to 300 Win Mag and half the recoil!

 

[bheadboy]

Steve, if you do not plan on reloading, as you have said, then the availability of factory ammo, good factory ammo for the longer ranges you are talking about, is of prime importance.

folks can talk about calibers all they want but if the quality ammo is not available you are wasting your money.

308 and 7-08 are the most likely to have factory loaded ammo that will work for you, I have no idea of availability in your home country so considering that 223 with heavy enough bullets to reach the longer ranges is rare in factory stuff stay with calibers you research ammo first.
the alternative is to consider reloading, expensive up front, saving down the road, however it takes a while to learn the tricks of creating GOOD ACCURATE AMMO.

Bob

 

[TRG300WM]

Tikka T3 Sporter in 308 Win, 260 Rem or 223 rem.
You can't go wrong. Sporter is same rifle as Sako TRG, but only $2,000 cheaper.

Not true, still a good gun but not a TRG, the Tikka T3 Sporter stock looks very similar to the Sako TRG-22/42, but that's where it ends. T3 is a 2 lug bolt, 24"barrel, with blued metal parts, A single stage trigger, has a heavy contour CM barrel,..... TRG has a 27' chromed lined barrel manganese phosphate parkerizing on parts as an option, aluminum bedding block, bolt is a 3-lug 60 degree throw, Two stage trigger Infinitely adjustable for angle and length.... and the list gos on.