Shooting the M-24

[globemaster3]

I had the rare opportunity to get behind the M-24 today and put a couple boxes of M-118 downrange at 600 yards. Although I own a Remington 700 BDL in .308 and its been my go-to gun for hog and deer for 25 years, there was no comparison between the two!

The M-24 was rigged with a bipod up front and a Leupold scope, although I could not tell what model. The trigger was light and crisp. Wind was mostly in my face but slightly crossing L to R. With 16" dialed into the vertical on the scope, I was able to mostly hold dead on to within 4 inches of POI. Got to run 2 boxes through it from prone on a mat. What a blast.

The spotter was a SMSgt who is also a competition shooter and gave me the dope. Since I have never shot that far in my life (longest previous was ~250 yds), I had no idea what I'd do. I was able to print consistent 3-3.5 groups, but I wholly give credit to the rifle and the spotter who made up for my average skills.

Another thing I noticed was how gentle it was to shoot. All that weight really pays off. My 700 BDL pounds you a bit. This was almost like shooting 5.56! Man I could have stayed out there all day!

 

[Jim243]

It sounds like the bug has bit you. Before you know it 600 yards will be too short and 1,000 yards your target range. Let us know when you sign up for sniper school. (LOL)

Good Shooting and stay safe.
Jim

 

[ndking1126]

Woohoo! That's awesome, I would love to shoot one someday.

Since I have never shot that far in my life, I had no idea what I'd do.

That's an interesting comment that took me back to when I started shooting longer distances.. My uncle got me interested in long range shooting and it took him a while to convince me that I could shoot long distances. I thought my rifle was more accurate than I was (ever heard that on here? ) so accurately shooting distances that long was out of my reach. When he finally convinced me my Rem 700 in its factory state wasn't completely up to the task and that the exact fundamentals I use at 100 yards apply to 600 yards, it all fell in place for me. He helped me adjust my trigger, free float the barrel, etc and I saw some improvement! It was a pretty good feeling.

I still don't have a dedicated long range rifle, but I've since pulled the trigger on a couple very accurate rifles shooting at different ranges, and everytime my groups were noteably better than I can shoot with my rifle.

It certainly seems you could say the same, because those are some really nice groups for your first time at those ranges.

 

[Jimro]

The scope was either a Leupold M3 or M3A. Both are fine optics.

Jimro

 

[tAKticool]

I am pretty young (30) and injured my back in the job, turns out it was real bad and I had major major back surgery last year, Total Disc Replacement (anterior-thru the stomach and guts!!!) and I'm gonna be screwed a bit for life. so I'll eventually in a year or two get some money in the lawsuit, in my state it comes as small weekly payments.

I am going to get some guns with it, probably order the Remington M-24 SWS complete system/package:

http://www.snipercountrypx.com/pc-307-546-remington-m24-sws-complete-system.aspx

That is an example, I think its about $9000. Basically I've wanted a "sniper rifle" lol since I was a young HS kid dreaming about becoming a SEAL or a Force Recon sniper lol. So I will hopefully get one, I like it, like the fact its all there, ready to rock and roll, I like the idea of .308 (heavy enough to get the job done, and any job Id need but not Too powerful or too much and not Too expensive like .338 Lapua / much more common than .300 WSM).

Hopefully a local store will make the order and maybe swing me a deal to finance it so I dont have to wait, I'll give them weekly payments and they get extrra money in the end? Woohoo!

 

[globemaster3]

I had hopped for a chance at 1000, but I got there too late. Now I keep thinking about my 700 and rebuilding it. Perhaps not completely to spec at an M-24, due to weight and cost, but something with a heavier barrel, better stock, and good trigger. Now I need to sit on that thought for a while and ensure that's what I want to do, since the longest range I have to shoot back home is 100 yards.

NDking, your comments were exactly what my spotter said: the fundamentals are the same. Breathing, trigger pull, sight picture. There were a couple new ones, like using a bag under the back of the stock to shift point of aim. Also, I normally pull the stock in tight and squeeze the grip for the trigger pull. In this case, it was the opposite. Other than positioning my body snug to the butt of the stock, my off hand was on the bag under the back of the stock and my shooting hand was really barely touching the stock. I need to practice that on my own guns when shooting supported at the range.