Newbie help

H

Hornetfan

Guest
Taking the plunge. Been hanging out around shoots, so I guess I need to take the next step (BR ain't much of a spectator sport LOL)

Here is the list so far. I have a Bald eagle windage top on a Hart pedistol. Getting one of Butch's tops early next spring. I have a press, Harrell's powder measure to take to the range. I just need the gun

Borden dual port RB/LP/RE
Brux barrel 8twist
jewell trigger

Going 6BR in 13 or so pound rifle. I am starting with groundhog shoots to get my feet wet and get some book learning. I could be up and running as early as Sept and catch the last few shoots. Give me all winter to shoot in all kinds of conditions hit the ground running next spring.

Looking at entry level scopes, March and Nightforce are out of the question.
These are appealing
Sightron 8-32x56
Weaver T36
I bought my last Leupold, long story

The Davis (?) 3x magnifier any comments

Stock advice
I like the looks of the MBR style stocks. TM also makes a nice one. The Robertson Borden is selling also would work. I would like a stock I can put swivels on and kill live groundhogs prone from a bi-pod. Would make it nice, but not a deal breaker.

Looking for in put and advice. I have been signed on here for years, I lurk and try to learn, just do not post much.
 
Sage advice

I know you have your shopping list already made out, but here are some serious recommendations. You cannot be competitve in the long run with any equipment compromises.

Gun: If you are even considering competing in short range benchrest matches (100/200/300yd) forget the 13# 6BR. It is probably a fanastic gun for hog shoots, but you will soon be spending those $$$$ a second time to buy a competitive 10.5# 6PPC that is legal in ALL the competitions. The first money you spend will be "learning dollars", don't handicap the learning process by limiting the schools you can learn in.

Optics: The majority of legal, competive Light Varmint and Sporter rifles out there are built around making weight with the Leupold Competition scopes. You have apparently had an issue with Leupold in the past, but IMO if you are rejecting March because of the expense, remember that many, many hundreds of competitive shooters have successfully negotiated their way to the winners circle with Leupold optics in spite of issues they had along the way. Not to say that Sightron or Weaver are not good, but a thought to keep an open mind. (P.S. I shoot w/ two 45x Leupolds -- they serve me well).

Lots of people on this site would probably have an opinion on some of your other selections. My take is attend some matches (especially a big one in your area) and see what the best (NOT MOST) shooters are using. The save yourself the headache and wasted money, and buy exactly what the best are using. As Mike Ratigan puts its, this sport is not a democracy -- the majority vote does not determine the best equipment, the best shooters determine the best equipment.

I believe one of the best parts of this sport is that first time shooters can go head-to-head with the world's best any weekend, and with no handicap system to "make it fair". The down-side is that newbies don't always get proper guidance in understanding that equipment compromises just make the learning process frustrating, longer, and more expensive. Buy the best, cry once.

Rod Brown
 
Last edited:
I stated I am starting with groundhog shoots. They are 200,300 and 4 or 500yards depending on the club. 16lbs is the limit for light gun. Becuase of the 4 and 500yard ranges I am leaning BR over the ppc to drive 95-105 VLDS. Only flags are on the top of the berms. It is shoot for score 5 shots on one bull. I am leaning towards the Borden becuase with a barrel change I can be shooting HV with a PPC. It is a BR bolt face with a PPC extractor. I can run either.

If this is something I want to really pursue after a season or so, then a PPC will get built an IBS card applied for and I will shot two gun. I live 40minutes from Thurmont and about an hour from York. So I have several good ranges with in reasonable driving distance. I have been to Bud, I have been to several Groundhog shoots and tactical rifle comps. This move has been several years in the making.

Glass and stock are what really has me wrapped around the axle. Weaver and Nightforce were the majority Luepolds were a distant 3rd at the last shoot I was at. Every rifle I own wears a Luepold. A buddy and I just purchased 3 new vari-X IIIs (not VX3s). They are horrible. Mine will be going back this week. Not bashing gold rings, just beleive there is more scope for less money out there. I beleive in only crying once. IMHO a used rifle is going to need a barrel at least. That drives the price back up to a new rifle.

Hopefully the added info helps
 
Hey Hornetfan it sounds like you're on the right track. Get the Borden action RB/LP/RE with a Sako extractor and a .308 bolt face that will extract and eject both PPC and BR cases. Then have it properly bedded in a legal stock for the short range game. You can't shoot the MBR style stocks in a score or group match.

Thurmont and York only shoot for score so chamber a 30BR instead of the PPC.

Then chamber a 8 or 9 twist 6br switch barrel for the groundhog shoots. You will need a 36 power scope for these matches. If that's not enough try a magnifier, some guy's like them and some don't.

The weight limit at the score matches is 13.5 for heavy, and it's 17lbs at both St. Thomas and Mifflin County. You also have groundhog shoots at Mayberry, Shippensburg, and Mt. Airy in you area.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top