Building 1000 yard rifles with no place to shoot them. Why?

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FrankenMauser

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With every week that goes by, I seem to come across yet another thread with some one building their "1,000 yard rifle" with no place to shoot it, or asking for a place to shoot the "1,000 yard rifle" they just built.

Why? Why can't people take 3 seconds to think about how they're actually going to use the tool, before they dump $2,000 to $3,000(+) into the rig?

Setting the unlikelihood that the shooter will actually be able to make use of the rifle's capabilities aside...

I don't understand how these people can get so caught up in the latest fad, that they don't even consider its application and usefulness. Building the rifle just to build the rifle is one thing. Building the rifle with full intent to make use of its capabilities, while being completely incapable of doing so, is just ridiculous.

Case in point:
I had a face-to-face transaction with a member of a local gun forum earlier this year. While discussing the ways he had mutilated the reloading tools I was buying (I knew RCBS would replace them for free, even when I told them the truth), he mentioned wanting to build the "Ultimate 1,000-yard plus three-three-eight Lapua." Immediately following that, was a mention of barely being able to put gas in his truck and food on his table, but he was planning on spending $2,700 on the Lapua build. :rolleyes:

I knew this guy's personality was that of some one that likes following the latest fads and crazes, so I only asked him three questions to try to get him to realize that it was not a good choice:
1. What are you going to use it for?
2. Where are you going to shoot to 1,000(+) yards around here. (Northern Utah - it sounds easier than it really is, unless you've got connections to some one with a private range on lots of land.)
3. Why .338 Lapua?

His response was basically, "I can shoot 1,000 yards pretty much anywhere. The three-three-eight Lapua is about the best round ever for long range {with no supporting data provided}. I'm gonna shoot long range and hunt Elk with it." I knew I couldn't sway him on anything. So, I let it slide; only mentioning that he should actually look around for a place to shoot, before building the rifle.

Now, here we are 4 months later, and he claims to have exhausted all possibilities within a 5 hour drive of his home. He has a $3,200 rifle (over budget) that he has only put 20 rounds through, because he can't afford to shoot it, and can't find a (legal) 1,000 yard range, public or private, within driving distance. On top of that, he's now complaining that the rifle will be far too heavy for Elk hunting. :rolleyes:

I don't understand it.
That example has some serious financial irresponsibility that isn't always present in these situations. But, the rifle build followed by "I can't find a place to shoot this thing" is just all too common.

What's the deal?
What ever happened to putting even a small amount of forethought into a purchase/expenditure?
 
It happens in all walks ... musical equipment is one for example. They call it GAS, or Gear Acquisition Syndrome. It really is just a new name for an age old condition; ie "keeping up with the Jones'". People spend time locked into reading about things on line and there is a kind of hype factor with others talking about the same thing - next thing you know somebody buys it and then others start feeling like they ought to do the same. it gets to be a crack addiction for some where all reasonable thought goes out the window - they are chasing an idea.

I've seen musicians with little talent spend thousands on the most boutique, hand made amps and guitars, only to realize they spent too much and they'll never get much use after the fact. G.A.S ... but for a short time on line they are king of the forums, showing all their buddies just how cool they are and how much money they spent. It never makes them a better musician ...

There is a thought in some peoples minds that the buying a 1000 yard rifle makes them a 1000 yard shooter. Regardless of whether they are or aren't, regardless of whether they have a 1000 yard range to shoot at, this is a compulsion driven by an unrealistic goal. Like people buy sniper rifles, because they want to be snipers. Are they snipers? No they are not ... but they want to act like a sniper, or feel like a sniper ... it makes them feel good. But once the high wears off and they are looking at a 3k albatross, reality kicks in.

It is human nature ...
 
Part of it is 'buying' equipment in our minds equates to 'adding capabilities'
While in reality adding capabilities is mostly acquired by training/practice

Training means time + money.
Most who have money (and must work for it) , do not have time -- many who have time (leap assumption here -- might not work and therefore might lack some disposable funds)

I am not sure how to change that practically, reading forums and then buyng stuff -- is easier and less demanding than practice/training.

Hypothetically.. and I wish it could be modeled on computers first... (as this can be totally wrong)
Increasing consumption product tax to say 20% (this is state level) while dropping income tax to flat 10% (federal)

This could in theory allow for more time (less work) and artificially restrict buying by making it much more expensive. Therefore forcing more money spent on service (training/practice). Assuming here also that practice spent is mostly on teachers/service and not on materials.
 
They need these weapons so they can go Zombie hunting.

I think Hornady has made a joke out of itself with this whole zombie hunting ammo thing. They've created one more excuse for people who probably shouldn't even own a firearm to buy one and go 'a blastin' at the range. They're specifically targeting people with the same maturaty level as your 1000 yard rifle builder. "Hunting" zombies sounds cool. Being a sniper sounds cool. Firing an AK47 like Rambo at the range sounds cool. Part of the problem is people have a hard time figuring out what they REALLY want. Television, peers, the media in general tell people nowadays what they should want. Reality TV showing snipers makes it seem cool, instead of a dire and dreadful, yet sometimes necessary, thing. A sniper gun for a sniper wannabe. It's becoming all too common.
 
If you want the challenge of 1000 yard shooting but there is no 1000 yard shooting range available, shoot .22 rimfire at 200 or 300 yards instead.
 
If you want the challenge of 1000 yard shooting but there is no 1000 yard shooting range available, shoot .22 rimfire at 200 or 300 yards instead.
Click to expand...

Ditto on that. I shot .22 a few months ago at 330Y. It was harder than shooting .308 at further distances. But was fun! :D
 
Why do people own cars that can go over 70 MPH? Why can't people just take 3 seconds and think about the speed limit?
 
I kind of agree with the OP but only in that spending that kind of money when you really don't have it is irresponsible.
As far as the famed "1000 yard rifle", if your rifle shoots sub-MOA at lesser yardage and has the nuts to reach out to 1000 and the projectile remains stable, you already have a "1000 yard rifle". Accurate is accurate. It doesn't matter how far you're shooting as far as the rifle is concerned. It's so much more dependent on the shooter and the conditions and having the proper load. So rest assured, if your rifle shoots 1/4" groups at 100 yards and the bullet doesn't start tumbling as it gets out there it WILL shoot 2.5" groups at 1000. It's just a matter of physics.
 
You're saying my 300 RUM is overkill for our 600 yard range? But I can dream of going to Raton, sometimes, maybe definitely next year ...
 
Kinda baffling isn't it? It's also one of the reasons I'm a big proponent for using/building a good .22lr for extended range. Hitting something at 200-300 yards is just as impressive and requires the same skills/disciplines and the shorter ranges are much easier to find, get to and shoot at. Not to mention savings in ammo cost, gas money, equipment cost, etc, etc.

Basically unless one is set on competitions or long range hunting there is no reason to go beyond the mighty .22lr for distance shooting. But alas there will always be those that think they need mega boomers for whatever reason they think they have.

LK
 
I am not sure where in northern Utah you are. But maybe a drive over to some Blm or national forest on the western side of Colorado would work. I have shot at some places just west of the Mesa where it's extremely flat and it would definitely be possible to take much further shots. I've only shot at 100, and 200 yards but there is plenty of room for further shots. If its close enough for him to make a trip about 30 minutes past grand junction... Pm me and I'll tell you where I would go.
I'll see if I can get a video up later of me letting some friends shoot some binary explosives to give you an idea of the place. I couldn't imagine a better backstop and you get to look at the mountains all around which is nice. Makes my shooting buddies back home in stl jealous when I show them pics and videos...
 
Who knows? I have access to a 1000 yard range but I've never shot past 300. Maybe someday I'll try further, but it's hard enough for me to stay in the black where I'm at.:)
 
Camera owners call it CAS or NAS depending on the system, it's as others have said they spend money 'cause they don't have time. This lens or this camera body will make me a better photographer. My wife long ago gave her blessing, money I spend on guns and cameras is money I don't spend on more dangerous pursuits and/or drinking. ;)

Thousand yard matches are nothing new but to be good at that range you must practice, practice, practice.

.338 Lapua is a curious choice and an expensive cartridge, even if you reload. Brass is unbelievably expensive and can not be reloaded but a few times. I think if I wanted to go long I'd look at a .300 Winchester Magnum and if I wanted a big, hot thumper I'd look into a .458. I'm surprised he didn't want a Barrett.
 
Once I bought a used 300 Win Mag bull barrel rifle that was really fun to shoot, for just over 500 dollars. I fixed up the stock and mounted a scope and sold it for 800 dollars. I didn't have access to a 1k range to take advantage of the round.

Then I PCS'd to Fort Knox where the 1000 yard national match range is open around once a month.... And I wish I hadn't sold the 300 win mag, cause there is no way I can build as good a one for less than 800 without some serious scrounging.

Jimro
 
I am right now living such a case.

A friend called last week and said he got a Deal* on an AR 50 complete with Nightforce scope and 80 rounds ammo. Now he wants to know where to shoot it, after the money is spent.

I checked around and reported, "A, B, and C ranges don't allow Monster Magnums, D was closed after noise complaints from .50s and Tannerite. We can get on E at 300 yards or F with 500 now and 750 later as their earthwork progresses." I even got an iPhone ballistics app to figure comeups as we work our way out from a 100 yard boresight and initial close zero. Am I supportive, or what?

He called back Tuesday to announce that he had found a range much closer than F, where I had arranged entry. It is only 100 yards but that is good enough for him. Oh, well.

*Oh, yeah, the Deal. The AR 50 had been fired 40 rounds by the original owner and 7 by the gun show wheeler dealer who had acquired it. I asked if the original owner had gotten tired of the cost and the kick. He replied that no, the original owner thought it was so much fun that he traded it in on a $15,000 Barrett rig. Hmm, nobody thought to ask where the O.O. had his fun.
 
I believe the term is "Armchair Commando".
I once had a guy tell me that he wanted to buy a HK G36 because it was such an effective weapon for engaging multiple targets... much better than the AK-47, M-4 or even the Styr AUG. I asked him where he learned that and he replied from Ghost Recon (or some other video game) :confused:
 
I built a couple 1000 yard guns. I started when I was shooting for the NG and we traveled to 1000 yard matches.

But I'm not one that believes it takes multi thousand dollar rifles to shoot 1000 yards. My main 1000 yard rifle is a 300 WM in a Model 70 action. I did the work my self, the sights and glass I had, the rifle itself I have less then $250 in, it still shoots, and I still shoot it.

I built a couple more, again low cost. None bigger then the 300 WM. I thought about the 338 L and 50 Cal, but decided not to go that route. I can't shoot as far as my 300 WM will shoot anyway.

Got a LR match coming up. It requires a bit of moving and I'm getting old and lazy. My rifles are too heavy for hauling around the mountains so for this upcoming match I'm using my Wife's 243. Been working with it and I figure its good for 1200 yards and I can carry it all day.

By the way, I built that rifle also. It was the last of my Model 70 actions. A long time ago I bought 6 Model 70 actions for $235, so I have $40 in each of my actions.

I do have 400 yards in my back pasture plus there is a gravel pit about 2-3 miles from the house that I can get 2000 or better.

I don't condem anyone for building what they want, just not my game. I'd rather have a 2 MOA Rifle I built then a 1/4 MOA rifle someone else built.

I can't hold 1/4 MOA at 1000 yards anyway.

I may not have the fanciest rifles but I bet there are few out there who have as much fun as I do.

Having said all that, I do spend more money on my shooting then the defense budget of a lot of third world countries.

As long as I'm not supporting other's shooting habits, its really none of my business what they shoot.
 
Lots of these types are all talk and no substance. They want the 1000 yard rifle because they think that because they have it they can hit whatever is out there, they did make that shot one time in Call of Duty or one of those other games so they will definitely be able to do it in real life conditions.

Then there are the tactikewl dudes that think it automatically makes them one of the nations finest snipers and no one will mess with them if the SHTF. They'll be the first to go, probably at close range by somebody that just picked up a snub nosed revolver.

Living in reality and knowing ones limitations is what its all about. Heck I got lots of 5,6, and more rifles, I just don't shoot that far or feel the need to. Hunting is my game and dispatching my quarry as close in as possible is the goal. Its a whole lot more fun when the quarry is close in and even right on top of you, then you've done something right.
 
One of my projects for the future includes a 1:7 or 1:8 twist 6mm barrel chambered in .243. That twist will let me use the longer bullets and I'm convinced that I can launch them as far as my ability will take me. The finished rifle will be a varmint-style rig, weighing about 9 lbs with scope and sling.

Have I built it yet? No, there are other projects in the fire and I'll be wrapping those up this summer. The varmint rig build will be later, if the Lord gives me the time to get it done. Not that I don't think I have another 10 or 20 years, but other things start cropping up.

I figure that a man's always got to have one project in the works and one in the planning stages. It's what keeps us alive.

FrankenMauser said:
With every week that goes by, I seem to come across yet another thread with some one building their "1,000 yard rifle" with no place to shoot it, or asking for a place to shoot the "1,000 yard rifle" they just built.
Click to expand...

One man's fancy is another man's folly. As long as someone is responsible and his kids don't go hungry, I've got no problem with his projects.
 
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