Long Range Shooting

[tatejo]

I am looking into getting a long range shooter. I have been doing a lot of research on the .338 lapua cartridge, and really like the savage line of them.

-110 BA
-Model 11/111 Long Range Hunter
-Model 10/110 FCP

Anyone have any experience with them or any other suggestions. Also, some scope options, and any other information/advice would be helpful!

[SemperFiGuy]

tatejo:

First off, as a mild suggestion, it is really a good idea to first be sure that somewhere you have definite access to a long range shooting facility of some kind.    Long range [over 500 yards] shooting lanes can be hard to come by.   That's the problem facing most long range shooters on this forum.   

After making certain that you have a place to shoot, there's a world of choice.    Anything from Springfield .30-06 to .338 Lapua, whatever.

Might be a good idea to find some long range shooters on this forum and hang out with them before you buy your gun.   [Which may be what you're doing right now.]   Maybe buy a guy a box of shells to let you shoot his gun and see if you like that make, model, caliber, etc.

All of us have bought a gun sometime on some gunwriter's or some buddy's say-so that didn't quite work out for us.

Happy Shootin'........

sfg

[jonm]

if you are going with savage, it cheaper the get a Stevens 200 and build it. the Stevens 200 is the same 110 action and if you get the right bolt face, all it takes is a barrel/stock swap.

unless you are shooting out past 800yds, 338 lapua is a waste imo.

[gsd]

Honestly, from shooting with my stepfather, (ret. E-9 match champion with army NG) dont bother with. 338 unless you plan on going a grand or farther. Anything less, a solid 30-06 is the best way to go. And since he basically got paid to shoot on the weekends, i took his advice. My long range rifle is a 7.65 ARG.

[wallace11bravo]

unless you are shooting out past 800yds 1200 yrds, 338 lapua is a waste imo.

Fixed it for you.

tatejo:

First off, as a mild suggestion, it is really a good idea to first be sure that somewhere you have definite access to a long range shooting facility of some kind.    Long range [over 500 yards] shooting lanes can be hard to come by.   That's the problem facing most long range shooters on this forum.   
sfg

+10000000000000000000000000000

[wallace11bravo]

Fist of all, what do you want to do?

-Competition? If so, what type?
-Long Range Hunting?
-Smack steel for fun?
-Be delta dan?

What is "long range" for you? Numerical distance in meters or yards. What is your maximum range?

What is your budget? The rule of thumb is your glass should cost twice as much as your stick.

What is your realistic skill level with a rifle? (And if you bullguano me, it only wastes your time, not mine)

Do you/are you going to handload?

Do not waste your money on tacticool looking factory rifles. They are still factory. In the same price range, you can pick up a much higher quality GAP or AI. First place to snoop around, and don't buy anything yet, look at low-round-count used custom jobs on this forum:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=15&page=1

BTW, I'm not trying to be a dick. I really do want you to get back to me on those questions. With those blanks filled in, I can likely point you in the right direction and save you quite a bit of money.

[CitizenClark]

I am looking into getting a long range shooter. I have been doing a lot of research on the .338 lapua cartridge, and really like the savage line of them.

-110 BA
-Model 11/111 Long Range Hunter
-Model 10/110 FCP

Anyone have any experience with them or any other suggestions. Also, some scope options, and any other information/advice would be helpful!

I have a Savage 110FP in .308 Winchester. It is my second Savage 110FP; I had the same rifle years ago, sold it when I moved to Boston (too big to hide from the roommates), and always regretted it. I finally replaced it within the past few months with a gunbroker find that came with a "bonus" .22-250 Remington barrel. Both 110FPs that I have owned were made pre-Accutrigger.

I respect and admire the folks who have the technical ability and firearms budget to be able to worry about having only the best glass, only the best rifle, etc. I'm not one of them.

My old Savage 110FP was sub-MOA accurate, and I was able to consistently post tight groups using my cheapo Simmons 3-9x50 scope. My current rifle came with a very, very cheap BSA Deerhunter 1.5-4.5x32 scope that I am about to replace with a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40. The 110FP is a solid rifle, and it shoots better than I can. It does NOT, however, have a buttery smooth action. You will NOT feel like you are living in luxury when you are working the bolt. I like the 110FP, but the short action 10FP-SR is what I would likely buy if I was getting a brand new .308 bolt gun.

If you have the room to shoot at distances out in .338 Lapua range, go for it. I think that Savage 111 is probably the least expensive way to get into that caliber, but having absolutely zero experience with .338 Lapua I will defer to my betters on the question of whether you can get into a custom .338 Lapua for cheaper than the $1100 you would spend on a 111.

FWIW, the forum linked by wallace11bravo has a great thread on one shooter's outing with his .308 Win at ranges beyond 1000 yards: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3641512&page=1

You may want to reconsider getting into .338 Lapua if the much cheaper .308 Winchester (or some other common round) will do what you want to do.

[kozball]

Seems like there are quite a few of us that are developing a passion for the "long range" types. A little while back I asked about scopes and got lots of great info from many people. Check the link.

http://nebraskafirearms.org/forum/index.php/topic,5964.0.html

So far I have a Savage 10FCP-k in 308 win. Factory set on the accu-trigger is 2.25 lbs. Mounted a Falcone Menace 4-14x44 mil/mil FFP illuminated scope in Burris short tactical rings on a Warne 20 moa base. Have not shot it yet, and am hoping to go 600 yds with ease, then go out from there. Going to start with Federal Match 175gr HPBT ammo, then ?

Maybe, If there are enough of us wanna-bees, we should try to get something put together and go find someplace to try our luck and share ideas.