Budget long range rifle

[txfireguy2003]

Technical question for y'all who say that a .308 is not ideal.
Are you referring to a .308 caliber ie 7.62x51 or a .308 bullet like a 300 WM shoots.

The .308 bullets suffer from the 308 Winchester or 7.62x51 case. With the advent of laser rangefinders, it's easy to compensate for drop due to range, just plug the data into a computer and poof, it will tell you how much drop to adjust for. The computer will also do the same for wind drift, but the problem is that you can't accurately measure wind speed/direction between you and your target, so the only way to reduce the effect of that indeterminate variable is to reduce the overall effect the variable has.
There are two factors we can control that effect wind drift, velocity and ballistic coefficient. As each goes up, wind drift is reduced. The problem for the 308 Winchester is that in order to increase BC, you have to increase bullet weight in most cases and that reduces velocity. At some point, you reach the point of diminishing returns, where increased BC decreases velocity to the point of being useless, and going the other direction, increasing velocity forces you to reduce weight and thus reduce your BC, to the point that the bullet is losing velocity fast and can't handle the slightest wind at longer range. I find, in my opinion, that the sweet spot for 308 Winchester is around the 168-178 grain range. Much more weight and the bullet is going so slow that the trajectory looks more like an artillery shot. In order to get into the highest BC numbers in 30 caliber bullets, you really need to get into the 200grain class and up, and the 308 Winchester just doesn't have the "juice" to send those out with sufficient velocity fit effective long range shooting. Conversely, something like a 7-08 uses the same case, and you can run a 160 class bullet that will move out at 2700fps and have far higher BC figures than the similar weight 30 caliber bullet. You could also look at 260 Remington, again, same case, pushing a very high BC 140 class bullet to even higher velocity, which will smoke a 308 Winchester in every aspect, including energy delivered at long range.

On the other hand, the 200 grain and up 30 caliber bullets from a 300 WSM, 300 WM, 300 RUM etc have great BC, and enough horsepower to give them acceptable velocity for long range.

Like someone said above, the 308 Winchester will get to 1k yards, but it is really handicapped beyond 750-800 yards, and if you're using it to hunt with, I'd say the required energy is gone after 400-500 yards.

Clear as mud? I highly recommend the book "Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting" by Bryan Litz. He's the head ballistician for Berger Bullets. His book is easy to read, and written in layman's terms.

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[weathermon640]

I've got a Rem 700 long range in .30-06 right now, I've convinced myself to do a barrel swap and rechamber it. I think I've decided on the .280 Ackley Improved. It keeps me from having to open the bolt face, and it's running very close to 7 mag ballistics. As far as .308 I had a M1A Loaded before my divorce that was always on at 300 yards with open sights.


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[Randy]

I you want a custom rifle for <$1k look up ER Shaw Inc.

[BowCrazy]

I've got a Rem 700 long range in .30-06 right now, I've convinced myself to do a barrel swap and rechamber it. I think I've decided on the .280 Ackley Improved. It keeps me from having to open the bolt face, and it's running very close to 7 mag ballistics. As far as .308 I had a M1A Loaded before my divorce that was always on at 300 yards with open sights.


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How is the 06 at longer ranges?

Always wanted to build on.

[160class]

I have a 700 long range in .300 win mag with a Vortex Viper pst 6-24x50 FFP , 20moa base, Cost about 1600 to put together plus 50 for barrel threading, Shoots 1000 yards consistently and i aint no expert marksman.

Did you work up a load or are you using factory ammo?

Just took mine out and shot the Hornsby super performance SSTs and wasn't too happy with the grouping, doesn't help that the barrel got a little hot also

[txfireguy2003]

Did you work up a load or are you using factory ammo?

Just took mine out and shot the Hornsby super performance SSTs and wasn't too happy with the grouping, doesn't help that the barrel got a little hot also

Try another load. I know very few people who say the Superformance shots well in their rifles. Sucked in all of mine.

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[160class]

Try another load. I know very few people who say the Superformance shots well in their rifles. Sucked in all of mine.

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I got some corelocks and American white tails on the way to try this week


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[txfireguy2003]

I bet the AW look good. Core locks have always been just okay in my guns. Good enough for most hunting, but nothing spectacular. I've had good luck with Hornady Custom and believe it or not, the cheap Federal Fusions.

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[NTex]

Don't forget that Ruger Precision Rifle. It's a legit gun in 6.5.

I second this! 6.5 is the way to go.

The 243 ain't that bad either!!!

[niceg3s]

I'd get a good rifle and save on the optics by going with good glass in a lower magnification. Plenty to choose from on rifles. Caliber I like 300 win mag shoots 125-220 grain. Nothing in North America you can't hunt. I shoot a pre-64 model 70 action. 700 remington is good too. Just be honest with yourself. A lot of guns and calibers can reach out to 1000. I'd love a custom build in .30-378 weatherby with s&b glass, but that's a lot of money. I got a m70 in 300wm w/ 3-9 leupold.

[DJames]

I would do this.

X2. Do it!

[Bugnut]

Fwiw, if you're looking for the SPS, many of them are 1/12 twist. That's great but you mentioned suppressing the rifle. The AAC-SD is a ten twist and will better stabilize the 200+ pills you will feed if the day comes you tinker with subsonic loads. Just a thought.

[Outbreaker]

Fwiw, if you're looking for the SPS, many of them are 1/12 twist. That's great but you mentioned suppressing the rifle. The AAC-SD is a ten twist and will better stabilize the 200+ pills you will feed if the day comes you tinker with subsonic loads. Just a thought.

I have this one. It is a tack driver. You just need to glass bed it and you are good to go unless you will be shooting from a bipod. The front of the stock is weak and if you are shooting from a bipod I would run the glass bedding full length to stiffen it while keeping it floating.