Newbie Wants to Get Started 1000 Yards Rifle Recommendation Wanted

[Apprentice_941]

Hello, I am intersted in this sport of 1000 yard competition shooting after looking into it for the last few months, subscribing to a rifle magazine, gun store visits, etc.

I can tell that I want to go straight to the bolt action, .308 caliber 1000 competition rifles. I am fascinated by the concept and excecution of long range shooting accuracy, and also think the guns look way cool.

So I am looking for rock solid advice on where to go, who to talk to, what to read, etc - so that I can put togethr/purchase a NEW .308 1000yard competition rifle sometime in 2007.

Criteria for me are: 1) Total $2500-ish, maximum,rifle itself, without scope)
2) Accuracy - can this thing win a regional/ national 1000yard competion in the hands of the very best?
3) Durability, Quality Workmanship, Reliability, Resale Value.

Scope: Also would like recomendation with same criteria in mind price point 1500 max for a high quality scope that is on a par with above gun.

Thanks in advance.

Apprentice_941

 

[Apprentice_941]

lynn,

Thanks for taking the time to make a reply. I will research all that info that you suggested. As a newcomer, it's almost Greek to me, but it rings of truth.

I haven't made up my mind as to light or heavy gun yet.

Thanks again.

 

[tightneck]

I know squat about LR benchrest but the last sentence of Lynn's first paragraph holds true in short range br as well. If you build a light gun, you can shoot it in all classes, but if you build a heavy gun, you'll be watching when the light guns are shooting. The gun that Lynn has outlined is indeed a very nice rig and one that will cost a bunch of $$$'s. Find a used light gun for a fraction of the cost. Then you can shoot and decide along the way what kind of stuff you might like. A custom built rifle will be a long time in the making after you decide on components, after all, these components are custom made to order. Sometimes you can put the parts together quickly, but don't count on it. Some actions take as long as a year to get from the manufacturer. The sooner you get a good used gun and get shooting, the sooner you'll learn how to shoot long range. Once you get the rifle built that you want, sell the original for probably close to what you paid for it.

 

[Apprentice_941]

Oops, I just inadvertantly deleted my reply while trying to edit it.

Thanks Lynn, gunamonth and tightneck for your contributions.
Two immediate follow-up questions:

1) On the Nightforce 12-42x56 scope: Does one recommend their general "benchrest" version, or their "NXS" model?

2) I would like three or four recommendations for best gunsmiths nationwide who are also fair-priced in their fees. The Pennsylvania 1000 yard competition sight provides useful info for apparently just Pennsylvania area gunsmiths.

Thank again.

 

[ken4570tc]

Why are you set on .308 cal?

 

[Travelor]

Try looking at this custom made rifle for less than $2000 ready to take out of the box and shoot: www.lprgunsmith.com/lpr_palma_rifle.htm Only thing I would do is have him add an adjustable butt plate.

I have one and it is both a thing of beauty and a VERY accurate rifle. No need to spend a ton of money to get a good rifle. Also, I would look at a NightForce scope or for less $$$ look at the Leupold 85-x25 LR Target M1 scope - I shoot this on my Savage and have shot a bunch of 200's at 1000 yards with it before the new F-Class target center change.

I shoot 308 with Palma cases, Fed 210M primers, 46.3 gr. Varget, and Sierra 155 gr. Palma bullets. As always, work up your loads rather than taking someone else's word.

George

 

[Apprentice_941]

Thank you Lynn for clearing up the scope choice and for the gunsmith recomendations.

Gunamonth and Travelor, thank you as well for your additinal insight.

Why .308? Well I was first drawn to the sport when I saw Kyle Browns record and a photo of his actual winning target. I found it utterly amazing that a bullet could travel over half a mile with such accuracy. He was shooting .308 and commended it for it's accuracy. A picture says a thousand words...

Anyways, thanks guys, I'll use your helpful info as a good starting point. I'll also read more posts on this forum over the next few months, and actually get out to a 1000 yard competition,S. California?) sometime to hopefully try the sport out.

[Editor's NOTE: Kyle Brown's 1000-yard record,recently eclipsed by Cody Finch with a 6 Dasher) was set with a 6BR shooting H4895 and 105gr Amax bullets. See: http://www.6mmbr.com/page/page/1309618.htm ]

 

[Asa_Yam]

I'll also read more posts on this forum over the next few months, and actually get out to a 1000 yard competition,S. California?) sometime to hopefully try the sport out.

Forget about shooting long range benchrest in Southern California,by my definition, anything South of LA) - no such facility exists in that area. To the best of my search abilities, none of the clubs around the LA area offers 1000 yard BR shooting either.

You have far more opportunities to shoot by participating in one of the prone shooting sports - either F-Class or highpower long range. There are more clubs hosting prone events than benchrest ones. Within a 4 hour driving radius of LA, there are seven ranges that host prone matches out past 600 yards,the traditional definition of long range shooting), plus one that hosts tactical matches. During one day of prone matches, you would also fire about double the number of rounds you would in a benchrest match,more rounds fired = better).

As a starter rifle, a .308 isn't a bad choice. Recoil is mild, barrel life is long, and good components,and dies) are readily available. It's also fairly easy to convert a .308 to a ballistically superior caliber - simply by switching the barrel.

 

[Allene]

Apprentice
You have been given some excellent advice so far, but I would have to say Asa gave you some of the best. If the learning curve is of any importance to you, especially where you live, prone shooting will probably serve you the most.
Allen Elliott

 

[Apprentice_941]

Thanks Editor, I stand corrected on the caliber used in Kyle Brown's 1000 yard BR record. Just goes to show there are valid caliber choices.

Shooting prone as opposed to BR also appeals to me - it's an 'authentic' position.

I'll shoot whatever's availbalbe prone or BR. I'll be moving back to New England in a few years so will have research what's out there in terms of types of competitions,New Hampshire/Mass/Vermont/Maine).

BTW: What's the bottom line on the Tubb 2000 rifle in terms of it's accuracy, quality, and 'ang for buck' value? Any nown downsides to the Tubb 2000?

Thanks all for your previous inputs.

 

[Klong]

The Tubb 2000 has won many matches and national championships, so that should be enough said. It takes some getting used to for bench work though. I shoot mine prone with a sling and it shoots great. I am sure someone must be shooting F-Class with it, but most are using custom conventional bolt guns.

 

[tbeasley]

Apprentice
If your looking at the Nightforce scopes, you can get the BR models 8-32x56 for under a 1000.00 and the 12-42 just over that.
check out http://www.kandmoutfitters.com Great guy, knows his scopes.

Specs on "Benchrest Model" Nightforces
8-32x56mm has 50 MOA
12-42x56mm has 40 MOA

You'll need a 20MOA scope base with either one you choose for the 1000yds, however with the 12-42, you'll run out of adjustments if your wanting to shoot at 100yds.

Just something to keep in mind, good luck on your decisions
-tbeasley

 

[robbor]

I would recomend that you start from the bottem up, and REALISTICALLY look at what you want, what you are capably of, the $$$$ involved, and the time. Take what ever rifle you have and enter a grass roots level competition with what you have and learn the basics. Start at 100 yards, then 200, then 600 and get the hang of what going on. I would say also that your $2500 rifle will cost you $4000 by the time you buy all the reloading stuff, glass, gear, cleaning supplies, rests and that would probably be semi low budget. Make sure you really want to do this before you jump in, unless money is no object to you. As for reading material, basically you never stop reading all the info you can.

 

[BountyHunter]

If you want to build a gun, then good advice has been given.

Bruno's will sell the Jewell trigger for $160
Lawton Action $745, Stiller $1000
Barrel $300,add $150 for fluting if needed)
Raw Stock $300-500
Finish on laminated with clear and pillar bed is $500-700.
Harrels brake is $35
20 MOA bases/rings $100

Gunsmith $500-1000 depending for bedding, chamber, finish, butt plate, lug etc

Used NF BR model runs $800-1000 is probably best bet. The BR model has 1/8 clicks vs the 1/4 for the NSX. Also find a good used Bausch and Lomb 24x which has 1/8 clicks,cost is $200-400). It has super clear glass and very good scope especially for the money. I won a lot of relays with that scope. You want the 1/8 clicks for the 600 yard game for sure.

Good dies $150-300

Best bet is a good used LG, you can save a $1000 and there is your scope. As long as you like the action, stock etc worst case in a year is $500 for new barrel chambered and installed.

Go to BR central and here and look. I have a very good LG in 300 WSM that is a proven winner that is posted here and BR central. Moving and have two LGs so one has to go.

BH