Good long range setup?

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bjones870

New member
I'm looking for a good long range setup. I'm interested at shooting 500-700 yards. I know it'll take a lot if practice, and ALOT of knowledge. So my question is, what caliber will be consistent at the distance? I know .308 are pretty stable in flight. I haven't really looked at any of the .338 variations. What caliber, and rifle would be capable of such consistency? Would the rem 700 be able to pull that off? I'm looking for opinions and experience, and this is the place to go I guess. Thanks!
 
The .308 cartridge is excellent, and will do what you're planning on. I wouldn't go to the .338 for those ranges; I doubt that you'd want to shoot it that often with that amount of recoil.

Regardless of rifle, be sure to spend the money and get good glass. I know from experience that it's hard to spend twice as much, or more, for a scope than what you paid for the rifle, but in the end that is very important for precision work.
 
Would the rem 700 be able to pull that off?
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The Remington 700 pulls that off every day, in battlefields and training posts around the world.

However, there are lots of rifles that will meet your criteria, and lots of choices to make. Many here will argue for the 6.5 mm calibers, and with good reason. They do well at those ranges and beyond.

One manufacturer that's been leading the way in long-range accuracy is Savage Arms. They've been really innovative for the past decade and they've led the pack in some inexpensive rifles that will shoot rings around the competition. Many of the manufacturers are starting to catch up, and there are some really fine rifles out there.

However, with your criteria in mind, I'd look at the Savage 111 Long Range Hunter. It comes in a variety of calibers. I'd pick the .25-06, but simply because I like quarter-bores. While I normally don't put much stock in the gun rags, Dave Petzal seems to like it too.
 
All if these answers have been very helpful. I'm particularly fond of the 700 though. So would a 700, with highend glass be the ticket? I looked at the savage link that was posted above, I liked what I saw. I'm gonna look into that. What about the TC venture? I know it's a lower price, but would it perform like the 700? I'm just curious as I've heard really good things about it. I'm not trying to cheap out the by any means.
 
All if these answers have been very helpful. I'm particularly fond of the 700 though. So would a 700, with highend glass be the ticket? I looked at the savage link that was posted above, I liked what I saw. I'm gonna look into that. What about the TC venture? I know it's a lower price, but would it perform like the 700? I'm just curious as I've heard really good things about it. I'm not trying to cheap out the by any means.
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For long range shooting, you really need a dedicated long range gun with heavy barrel. Take a look at the Savage 10 and 12 series rifles. Especially the 12 F/TR rifles. The Savage team use these box-stock rifles to win World Championships in long range shooting, competing against many many custom rifles that cost many many times more money...
 
Don't know anything about the T/C, but I'll tell you that I've never seen it described in a winners circle. Just stick with the Rem. 700, or the Savage, and you'll be happy.

As far as a scope, I like Nightforce Optics, and they hold a slew of records.
 
I'm particularly fond of the 700 though. So would a 700, with highend glass be the ticket?
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There are plenty of rifles in the Model 700 family that will serve your purposes. Look at the 700 XCR Tactical Long Range for one example. Or maybe one of the 700 Sendero rifles. Or maybe again, one of the 700 Target Tactical.

There are lots of rifles in the 700 family that might meet your needs.

Or, you could go FN-Winchester, which is gaining ground in this particular niche.

There are lots of rifles in this category that should meet your needs. Do your homework and pick the one that suits you best.
 
I would stick with the 700. It is the small block chevy of rifles. No problem with the Savages though. Look at both, talk to a good gunsmith, and decide if you like saying "I shoot a Remington or Savage".
 
Recommend the .260 Remington cartridge - best combination of light recoil and high BC out there.

Won the 2010 High Power Championships as well.
 
My remington 700 5R should do pretty well. I haven't shot it that far yet :( Will get to this week though :D. Finally got around to shooting groups and now going to chrono the setup and get ready. My vote goes to the 700 or Savage. Get one of those in heavy barrel shoot it see if it shoots good and continue from there.

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for long range u cant beat the 308. i like the savage but the 700 is a good gun to but rems service department have been going down hill.and savage as many long range rifles like the 12 pulma 12 benchrest or 12 f class
 
For that distance a rem 700 or a t/c venture with 5r rifling in the .308 caliber with good glass will get the job done. I say .308 becouse its a very common caliber and the ammo isnt as expensive as others. I like the remington 700 sps line and I think the t/c venture is another solid rifle.
 
Read the ballistics on the 308 and there is really nothing especially remarkable about this chambering.

Real long range performance costs a considerable amount.

Lazzeroni makes the real thing.

http://www.lazzeroni.com/

Mcmillan also makes excellent long range rifles

http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-rifles.php

Dakota makes a nice rifle in .338 Lapua

http://dakotaarms.com/currentinventory/inventory_results.php?modelId=15

Jeff Mangum at Mangum Precision Rifles will build anything you want at a more reasonable cost then the the makers listed above.You can call him @602-200-0943 regarding.

Personally I like the 30/378 chambering for serious long range shooting.
 
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Pig, I might have mentioned some of these offerings, but he isn't shooting to 1000 yards, he's shooting 700 max, according to him. Those calibers offer nothing but a hell of a lot more kick and some elevation on the scope when compared to the .308 at those ranges. If you were talking about killing something at that range, sure, but not paper.
 
I didn't get that all he wanted to do was shoot at paper.In that case a 308 or a .243 would work. I agree Night Force is the best ..... period.
 
For what it's worth, he doesn't exactly have to go all out to shoot accurately at 700. Or even a 1000. A 3000$ rifle that shoots 1/2 MOA groups is the same as a 800$ rifle that shoots 1/2 MOA groups. Barrel thickness may vary so groups may expand over time as the barrel heats up but 1/2 MOA is 1/2 MOA either way you look at it. .308 is not the absolute best caliber for long range shooting, but it more than gets the job done, and can be bought in bulk due to it being a military cartridge ammo isn't as expensive as others. My suggestion would be start out by taking a 700 sps or 5R something of that nature, put good optics on it. If you don't want to just go all out look at the vortex viper PSTs, Leupold mark 4s, and the Nightforce SFPs. They're all below 2000$ and are good credible scopes. Put those together shoot the gun. Then later get it bedded into a stock of your choice. And continue upgrading on the rifle until your satisfied.
 
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If just for target and small game-6MMBR will do it very easy. It actually holds record for 600 yards now. 308 is nice to ,but not the accuracy of a 6MMBR.
 
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