1000yds rifle.

mrawesome22

New member
This might belong in the Art of the Rifle section, but I hope it doesn't get moved because I trust people's advise more here;)

I met a teacher at the college I go to that told me he is a member of a range that recently built a 1000yrd range about a half hour drive from my house. I have been to this place years ago, but they didn't have 1000yrd then. I met the owners and they seemed like really nice people.

Anyway, I would love to get into the 1000yrd game. And being shooting buddies with the teacher can't hurt my grades:D

So far, I have been looking hard at the 6XC and 6.5-284Norma, but leaning heavily toward the 6XC.

Now, what I was thinking. I bought a late 70's Dicksen/Howa, long action 30-06 a couple years ago. It has a beautiful walnut stock on it and the bluing on the sporter weight 24" barrel is mint and finished beautifully. I only paid $175 for this rifle. I basically have no need for this rifle, but could not pass up a good deal.

My thought was, have a Shilen, match grade select, 6XC, 1 in 8" twist, #7 contour, 28" barrel mated to this action. I can open the stock channel and bed it myself.

So, what do you all think?

Am I way off? Will the Howa action cripple the accuracy of the Shilen barrel?

Thoughts appreciated. Thanks.
 
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the 6.5 284 is what my cousin shoots at the 1000 yard range in Pennsylvania..I hear there are several of that cal. And it is a good one...

I also shot there a few years ago with my 30-338 on a rem action it did fair.My best was a 10 inch group and I could never do any better with it..My biggest problem was the barrel was not heavy enough and the secret is to get your rounds off as fast as you can befor the wind or light changes..So my barrel got way too hot..It was 10 shot in 10 minutes,but like I said you watch the flags,grass,etc.And let them fly...It is a riot...Lots of fun but can get costly...Another mistake I made was too much scope..I believe it was a 24x so the mirage was terrible..After my first match I dropped to a 12x and it was a lot better...I have seen guys shooting rifles with what looked to be 4x4 stocks and huge barrels and miss the intire target..
I would say to use what you can afford to use and if you really enjoy it then work up to something better...Just in case you decide it aint for you...Watch the others and ask questions..Most of the guys will give you a lot of advice and ideas..Ok I have gone on enough....Good luck wish I was able to try it again myself...Johnny
 
6.5 284 is good for 1K, so is 6 BR, you will also see a lot of the 30 mags . Consistent ammo and good shooting technique are the keys. Practice your wind doping at 400 or 500 yards or so and when you can hold 1.5 - 2 inch groups there you will be good to go at 1K.
 
I am not to fimialar with that action,but I think it will be ok to use.You should check with who ever you are going to have do the rebarreling work for you..

You said it was a 30-06 and your talking a 284 case if you go that route..You would need a 284 chamber you know..which is smaller than your 06 chamber...
 
It's not a bad idea, although it is currently out of fashion. The .30-06 is so old-school. Yet, it's a long action cartridge that handles 180 grain bullets easily. While lots of folks like the .30 caliber magnums for long-distance work, there's no reason that a .30-06 can't be built to handle 1000 yard shooting.
 
If you meant bolt face savagelover, that is another reason I am leaning toward 6xc. Standard 308 bolt face and stunning external ballistics from what I have read. Also, I can use 22-250 brass, necked up and fireformed.
 
Here is an equipment list for a light 1000yd match rifle

http://www.pa1000yard.com/wo/wotoplists.php?year=2011&cls=Light+Gun&grsc=Group&topct=100&send=Submit

I had a 6.5x284 Norma build on a long action and 6br,6x250 on short action for the VLD bullets all had tight necks.

Nothing wrong with your action but with a Rem lot of after markets goodies as I call them, Trigger,mounts,firing pins,stocks list goes on even oversize bolt from Pacific.

If it was me I'd go to couple match see what everyone is shooting and look at the rifle set-ups talk to some of the shooters. One of them might even be a gunsmith or get a name someone to build your rifle and I'd wait on a barrel/caliber see what the gunsmith might like.
 
I know the after market selection will be small.

I have a few 700's, but they are near and dear to me and I don't want to tear them apart. That's why I'm hoping this Howa action will work.

Thanks for the link Roper. Looks like them boys in PA love their Dashers.

The guy doing the work will be the range owner. The reason I had been to that range in the past was that I had quite a few people steer me his direction when I was considering turning one of my 22-250Rems into an improved. I drove out and met him and talked to him for a little while. But money was tight at the time and I (read ex-wife) couldn't justify the expenditure.
 
Anyway, I would love to get into the 1000yrd game.

WHICH "1000yrd game?"
Looks like the slant so far is to LR Benchrest.
But there are the various forms of Conventional shot with sling, or F-class shot prone with a rest or bipod and that can affect the equipment choice.
 
I have gleaned a lot of information for achieving greater accuracy here - http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/p/articles-index.html

Get a big cup of your favorite beverage and get comfy as there's a ton of information to soak in. Start with Equipment, Reloading and Basics articles. For 1000 yard accuracy, check out articles under Cartridges, especially for 1000 yard Palma competition.
 
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Google Zak Smith (or find him on these forums).

Click on the links in his sig. line. You'll get some dern good information about Long Range shooting.

I'd chime in but I'm more into the service rifle aspect and it doen't look like that is what you are interested in.
 
Isn't 6XC a short action cartridge?

Far as using the old action goes, if you can find a smith to work on it, I don't see why it would be any different than having a Rem 700 or other more commonly used action worked on. For serious long range work- and given that you plan on re-barreling - you'll want to have the action trued and the lugs lapped before the new barrel is installed.
 
Thanks guys.

Yes it is long action. Short action cartridges work in a long action. Long action cartridges do not work in a short action.

Think I am going with 6XC. Now just gotta wait for my W2:)

Thanks for all the input.
 
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