I need some advice - I want to start shooting 100-300 matches and would like some recommendations for barrels and calibers. I currently have a 700 SA blue printed action chambered in 22.250. I think I would like a 6mm of some sort and or a 30BR. Any suggestions as to where to start, die makers, brass, bullets etc. would be greatly appreciated.
New to BR
- Thread starter 46490
- Start date
Reading list:
The Book of Rifle Accuracy by Tony Boyer
Extreme Rifle Accuracy by Mike Ratigan
If you plan to compete, as a beginner I think the only sensible choice is a 6PPC for group, and/or 30BR/30Major for score (other than UBR targets).
If you're not in a huge hurry to procure the rifle, visit a tournament or two and take a look at what the winners are doing/shooting. No doubt you will be offered the loan of a rifle to give it a whirl yourself.
The Book of Rifle Accuracy by Tony Boyer
Extreme Rifle Accuracy by Mike Ratigan
If you plan to compete, as a beginner I think the only sensible choice is a 6PPC for group, and/or 30BR/30Major for score (other than UBR targets).
If you're not in a huge hurry to procure the rifle, visit a tournament or two and take a look at what the winners are doing/shooting. No doubt you will be offered the loan of a rifle to give it a whirl yourself.
The Super Shoot is the most well-attended event in short-range benchrest for group/agg. See the equipment list for yourself.
Questions like yours are really best answered by going to an actual tournament. You'll learn more in a long weekend than you will by reading written responses here.
Typically the 6PPC will be a little more accurate than the 6BR at 100 & 200 yds. but the 6BR shines on out past that.
You have a nice blue printed action but it's not a single shot. While it may work for score shooting it certainly not going to be adequate for a group gun. Maybe go with a 30 BR on that action but you will need a bolt with a small firing pin hole. You can sell the bolt and buy a Pacific Tool and Gauge custom bolt with small firing pin hole and .062" firing pin assembly. I just sold a bolt and got $180 for it. It'll cost me $280 for the new bolt so I'm out $100 for the new bolt. It will cost about $100 to bush the old bolt for a small firing pin but you have that option. For the 6mm option I'd recommend doing a 6BR over the 6PPC but the PPC is no slouch when it comes to 300 yard work. A PPC with a 12 twist can work quite well at 300 yards with 80 grain bullets. I would choose Krieger for barrels. A 17 twist will work for the 30 BR and like I mentioned a 12 twist for the 6mm if you're planning to compete at 300 yd. You can always do a switch barrel with a 6PPC option using a 13 or 13.5 twist for short range.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
300 yards is still short range territory. Shoot the most accurate rifle you can put together.
I have shot a lot of 1-12 twist barrels with 80 grn Bart’s, in both BR and PPC, and in all honesty, my regular 13.5 twist PPC combo with 65/68 grain bullets will beat it At 100/200/300 yards.
BC means nothing at 300. You are still at a distance where a shooter can get a good read on the conditions with a good flag set, and precision will win out.
I have shot a lot of 1-12 twist barrels with 80 grn Bart’s, in both BR and PPC, and in all honesty, my regular 13.5 twist PPC combo with 65/68 grain bullets will beat it At 100/200/300 yards.
BC means nothing at 300. You are still at a distance where a shooter can get a good read on the conditions with a good flag set, and precision will win out.
I have had the bolt ejector removed and put in a solid feed plate making it a single shot. While it is not a true single shot it is all I have for the moment. I do think the 6BR is the way to go. What do you think of the Shilen accunut system which allows the barrel to be installed and gage checked vs standard screw in barrels?
I don't know of anybody around here that has consistently won with such a system. The barrel quality being the limiting factor in such a system.
@46490
Keep things in perspective. Here's the three steps you need to take:
1) Establish your goals and expectations. Your commitment level, and financial and time limitations will determine what those are.
2) Figure out the compromise based on your constraints (commitment, money, time).
3) Come back here and ask these elite shooters what it truly takes to accomplish your set goals and how to best efficiently and effectively get there
The biggest mistake folks make in this game is not boldly asking what to do before doing it, and knowing what it truly takes to shoot "sub MOA all day every day"
I'm still dealing with the affects of not doing it right the first time...
Last thing you want to do is wastefully spend money and time
Keep things in perspective. Here's the three steps you need to take:
1) Establish your goals and expectations. Your commitment level, and financial and time limitations will determine what those are.
2) Figure out the compromise based on your constraints (commitment, money, time).
3) Come back here and ask these elite shooters what it truly takes to accomplish your set goals and how to best efficiently and effectively get there
The biggest mistake folks make in this game is not boldly asking what to do before doing it, and knowing what it truly takes to shoot "sub MOA all day every day"
I'm still dealing with the affects of not doing it right the first time...
Last thing you want to do is wastefully spend money and time
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rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
46490 this is a bottomless whole you are about to enter.
The one thing you need to do is research everything you think you want and buy quality, " buy once- cry once".
Go to a match or 2 and strike up a friendship with someone who can help you along it will make the journey much easier.
The one thing you need to do is research everything you think you want and buy quality, " buy once- cry once".
Go to a match or 2 and strike up a friendship with someone who can help you along it will make the journey much easier.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
It would be nice if you could try out a 6ppc as well as the 6BR and 30BR. Since no one mentioned recoil, I will. The PPC is very mild-mannered and no one will have problems shooting this caliber in free-recoil mode (where your shoulder does not touch the stock when firing). The 6 BR (with same barrel contour) will add additional long-range performance at a slight cost in recoil, though the difference is not large. The PPC is at a disadvantage to the 6BR on windy days if one is not adept at reading flags - and assuming the heavy bullets are used in the BR. The PPC is at an advantage when it comes to reduced recoil, though many find it just a bit finickier when it comes to keeping in tune with conditions. The 30BR will pretty much do everything the PPC (and 6BR) will do out to 300 yards, though at a very noticeable increase in recoil. We are not talking the kind of recoil that is painful - but that which may affect your ability to shoot free recoil effectively if you are already used to doing so. When I first got my ,30 BR, it did take me quite some time to adjust to the scope bumping gently into my safety glasses. Nothing more than a slight distraction. If your club only shoots for score - I'd get the 30BR - otherwise, I'd opt for the 6PPC unless you also planned to shoot further out (like sneak in an f-class shoot) - then I'd go for the 6BR. As for dies and presses - If you are already reloading - I'd start with whatever press you have. If you don't have one, I'd buy a Redding single-stage press and after firing a couple of cases - send them to Harrell's Precision to match to a full-length bushing sizing die (around $75.00). You can get bushings for it at Brownell's. I haven't bought any brass for my target rifles in a while - but last time I did - you could buy 6BR brass already to size, trim and fire. You used to be able to get 6PPC brass from Norma but if no longer available - you can form your own from Lapua 220 Russian brass or send your brass to DJ's brass service (a member here) and he will form it for you, turn the necks if desired (or required). He can also make your 30BR brass unless some outfit is making that pre-made now. A lot of shooters start out with a "no-turn neck" chamber so they don't have to buy more brass prep equipment at the onset or pay for modification to brass that would otherwise be suitable to size and load. There are lots of good barrels - I like Krieger, Brux, Shilen, Hart as a few. For bullets, I like Barts on the PPC, Knight's on the 30BR and Lapua Scenar L bullets on the 6BR. You just might want to buy some less expensive bullets to practice with and get your loading skills down first. Then, I'd suggest Sierra Match kings and Bergers as a few. Buy the Tony Boyer book as another suggested. I'd not drop big bucks on equipment until you have shot in at least a few matches and know this is something you want to stick with. I'd also buy at least one manual - maybe the Berger manual as a good starter. Good luck!
I compete in a completely different BR discipline, but knowing what I know I would focus on the PPC or 30BR on what you are looking for. Listen to the people here because they know what they are talking about. Purchase components that you can financially afford. Keep in mind that in this game you get what you pay for. Very few factory tuned actions will compete with a custom. Keep in mind that you are not going to reinvent the wheel, build what works. There will be many instances you will be driving home heartbroken after a match, but that will just burn in your belly and make you work even harder.
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