Hello....New Bench Shooter

T

trevor73401

Guest
Hello,

I am wanting to get into the long range bench shooting and have been trying to decide on what rifle to buy for my budget. I am familiar with shooting, some ballistics, and I reload my own hunting ammo.

My goal is to start off at 500 yards and try to work my way up to the 1000 yard mark with some trigger time and the right hand loads. I have always been a Remington fan so naturally these are the rifles I have been looking at. I have narrowed it down to two choices and would like some opinions on which one to buy

1.) Rem. 700 SPS in 300WSM with a 24" barrell
2.) Rem. 700 VTR in 308 Win with a 22" barrell
I have seen where alot of the 1000 yard shooters are using the 300WSM with good results, but I also know the 308 is a great overall caliber.

Can you all please help me with which rifle to buy for what I am wating to accomplish.

Thanks,
Trevor
 
Last edited by a moderator:
When we remember to give it, the best advice anyone can give is "Go to a match." Don't spend any money, or make any judgments, plans, or even too many dreams until you've been to a match, talked to competitors, and likely, been able to shoot. Usually, there is someone at the match who will have a spare rifle, esp. if you arrange things ahead of time.
 
Thanks for the reply!

I was kinda looking for an opinion on the rifles however. Mainly the claiber choice. I plan on attending some shoots when I can find one close. I am going to buy one of the two rifles regardless because I just need a new project, but I just wanted to get opinions on which one would be best suited to my needs in the 500-1000 yard range.

The more I read here I'm starting to think the 300WSM is the way to go.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You didn't say fun or competition. I would definitely listen to Charles advice. You will probably not see any of the mentioned rifles there and most will use a different cartridge.
Butch
 
How much of a budget...

... can you alot for this project? Do you want to shoot at targets in competition, or hunt long range?

If you just want hunt long range, and start out with minimum expences, but a Rem 700 or Savage in 300 WSM, along with a decent scope with enough elevation and pleny of windage.

If you want to compete, it would be helpful to know what the game is, suach as benchrest, F class, high power, etc.

There is a lot of good experienced folks on this forum to help or point you in the right direction.

Danny
 
Danny Brooks said:
... can you alot for this project? Do you want to shoot at targets in competition, or hunt long range?

If you just want hunt long range, and start out with minimum expences, but a Rem 700 or Savage in 300 WSM, along with a decent scope with enough elevation and pleny of windage.

If you want to compete, it would be helpful to know what the game is, suach as benchrest, F class, high power, etc.

There is a lot of good experienced folks on this forum to help or point you in the right direction.

Danny
Click to expand...

Danny,
Thanks for the reply.

This set up will not really be used much for hunting, or atleast thats not its intended purpose. I have other rifles for that.

I am just wanting to get into long range bench shooting at home and maybe compete after I can practice for a while and get good at it. My main goal is to get to where I can shoot good groups at 1000yds.

I am not looking to break the bank on this first build. I figure the Rem. 700 is a good place to start and I can make improvments as I need to with a better barrell, stock and trigger.

I already have a scope that I will mount on the rifle. Its a Nikon 6-18X40. This isnt my first choice of optics, but I already have it and its still new in the box so I am going to give it a try. If I am not happy with it I will change it out for a Leup. Mark 4 LR/T.

I have my own land and have a place where I can shoot beyond 1000 yds if I need to so thats not a problem.

I'm probably going with the 300WSM since I like the ballistics on it as compared to the .308
 
Trevor,

Don't discount a Savage.

Here is one of the locals on his first target out with a 6.5x284.

John
 

Attachments

  • Matt1.jpg
    Matt1.jpg
    24.1 KB · Views: 293
300 WSM .... no contest!! Now, if it is going to get used on the bench, get a true long range BR stock for it. Weight it up as much as you can to make weight for 1K comp (17 LBs), tune it up, and go to a match. You can still switch back and forth between stocks, depending on your needs, and it will handle much better on the bench. I have a rem 700 that I did this with. I can use the factory stock for hunting, and it is also compeditive at 1K with the BR stock. You will also be good to go for F-class, also.

Here is what will happen............... You go to your first match, have BIG FUN, fall in love with both the sport and the people .......Then you will be wanting to "break the bank"!!! You know....New bbls, rests, bags, loading equipment. Trust me on this!!!;):D:eek::D

Oh ya, then there will be the new heavy gun that you want to build.........:eek:
 
Sounds like me when i got into the game a few years ago.Started with a 300 min mag but only so much I could do with it.So then I steped up to a 30-378 weatherby mag with a hart barrel,mcmillan stock,nightforce scope an a timney trigger.I guess that I still wanted to shoot 30 caliber so i figured might as well have the biggest so i could launch 220 grain match kings at 3300 fps an make people come out of their socks when i pull the trigger.
 
Trevor,

Do you have a local or close to local gunsmith in mind. Gordy Gritters would the closest to you that I know that is reputable, but there may be others.

Check your private messages.

Danny
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top