Any Marksman about?

[Username]

My pops was a Marksman in the Army back when, and I've always wanted to pick up in his tracks (albeit, not in the service) and get into competitive long range shooting.

Anybody here a long range shooter / sniper / marksman?

[wbtrunx]

I missed SDM school for only my command knows why. They sent
a lower ranked guy through though I believe we had the same scores *shrug*
Anyway, while I can't directly help you, here is a website and forum that might
be able to:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/article ... -index.php

[ksanftleben]

My pops was a Marksman in the Army back when, and I've always wanted to pick up in his tracks (albeit, not in the service) . . . .

Well . . . . I don't know how well you shoot now, but here's a good way to start on the road to becoming a rifleman, that is: consistently hitting a man-size target at 500 yards using iron sights.

R/Kurt

[Palladin]

This place looks like a gem...

Wish I had the money and time.



http://www.centralvirginiatactical.com/CVTfarm.htm

[Username]

This place looks like a gem...

Wish I had the money and time.



http://www.centralvirginiatactical.com/CVTfarm.htm

X2!

Headed to eBay to look for some metal targets

[gunderwood]

This place looks like a gem...

Wish I had the money and time.



http://www.centralvirginiatactical.com/CVTfarm.htm

I have not attended, but have heard very good things about CVT. I plan on attending one of these days and may get a chance to meet the guy who runs it soon. I am still new to long range target shooting (not benchrest), but I currently shoot and reload .50bmg, .338LM, .308Win, and .243Win for long range. Still working on loads for some of those (when are you ever truly done working up a load? ).

Long range shooting is not a cheap sport, especially if you are doing unknown distance too. Anything specific you interested in knowing?

[meadmkr]

Ditto rec for the Appleseed folks.

I haven't done much serious paperpunching since leaving the Corps. Earned repeat expert badge with both rifle/pistol and spent a number of years as a volunteer rifle coach. I learned a LOT from the quys at WTBN Quantico. If you watch, listen and apply what good shooters teach you it isn't hard to become a good shot if you APPLY those lessons and practice. On the other hand to _consistantly_ be a great shot takes skill and an aptitute which is why I never got to Camp Perry

[Username]

Gunderwood,

Which is your favorite long range shot? I assumed I would start with a good .308 rifle, but practice with .22 or .17HMR just because the rounds are cheaper.

The more I look at CVT, the more I want to take the course...

[gunderwood]

Gunderwood,

Which is your favorite long range shot? I assumed I would start with a good .308 rifle, but practice with .22 or .17HMR just because the rounds are cheaper.

The more I look at CVT, the more I want to take the course...

The fifty is a blast to shoot. Problem is that the fun ammo, API, not many places will let you shoot. It's just one of those must do things. The .338LM is the most technically interesting and probably my favorite. Not much heavier than a .308, but nearly twice the energy and range.

If you are interested in only punching paper, check out an accuratized .243Win. You can push a 115DTAC moly bullet to over 3000fps and since the BC is much better than anything in .308Win you can push that fast, it is a good balance. Cheaper to play with and isn't a wildcat or require lots of work to hand-load (fire-forming brass). Also the lower recoil is really nice for tactical comps. I plan on replicating this load. http://www.6mmbr.com/243Win.html

".243 Win For Tactical Comps We asked GA Precision's George Gardner why he chose .243 Winchester for his Tactical Comp Gun. He replied, "Why would I run anything else? Think about it. I'm sending a .585 BC 115 at 3150 fps--that'll shoot inside the 6XC and .260 Rem with ease. I'm pretty sure I have found the Holy Grail of Comp Rifles. There are no brass issues like you can get forming .260 brass. I don't have to worry about doughnuts, reaming necks--none of that. And the choice in brass is great too--run Lapua if you want max reloads and great accuracy. Run Winchester if you're on a budget, and so you won't cry if you lose some cases in a match. I can get 10-round mags, and feeding is 100% reliable, since the case is identical to a .308 except for the neck. Accuracy-wise, I don't think I'm giving up anything to the .260 Rem or the 6XC." We then asked George if he'd considered using a .243 AI instead: "Yeah, the cases look cool with that 40° shoulder, but I think the standard .243 feeds a little better. And I don't think I really need the extra performance of an improved case. Run the ballistics for my load--115 moly DTAC at 3150 fps. You've got less windage than a 2950 fps 6.5-284, with cheaper brass, cheaper dies, cheaper bullets, and less recoil."

His load is: Reloader 25 47.5gr, Fed 210m 115 DTAC moly@3150 fps George Gardner's Tac Match Load. NOTE: Safe for Moly only! 2.860" COAL.

The 6XC round is cool too. http://www.6mmbr.com/6XC.html

If you actually want to hunt at longer ranges, the .308Win is a better round. The small 6mm and 6.5mm bullets are near perfect paper punchers, but aren't arriving with much punch left.

[CCFan]

I had read over at another forum that the 6.5x55mm had a little more energy than the .308 at long distances - a better ballistics coefficient and sectional density helped it further out... I'm thinking my next rifle may be in that caliber, it just looks like a lot of fun... Anyone got one?

[gunderwood]

I had read over at another forum that the 6.5x55mm had a little more energy than the .308 at long distances - a better ballistics coefficient and sectional density helped it further out... I'm thinking my next rifle may be in that caliber, it just looks like a lot of fun... Anyone got one?

6.5x55mm Swedish is a good round, but I don't recall it being competitive these days at long range tactical or bench-rest (I could be wrong). There is a lot of debate on long range stopping power. I would suggest you check out http://www.longrangehunting.com. Energy is only one aspect of a rounds potential stopping power. How the bullet behaves is usually more important, but as always it depends. Where you put it matters most IMHO. From what I've seen and read, there seems to be more inconsistent hunting kills with the 6 and 6.5mm VLD bullets vice the 7mm and .30cal VLDs regardless of range/energy. Of course, someone hunting at long range with those calibers will point out they have never had a failure and I'm flat out wrong. The 6.5x55 is a very good round, but I personally wouldn't be loading up VLDs for hunting. I would stick with a .30cal or a .338cal VLD.

Everything is in flux, and a lot depends on your preference. The next bench-rest guns I build will be:
600 and 1000yrd: 6XC
100, 200, 300yrd: 30BR

Of course, by the time I can afford another, things will have changed.

The larger calibers (like .338LM) are usually shuned from competitions as most of them do not allow muzzle breaks and a 300gr SMK at 2750+fps has got some kick. So the next best thing, for now, is the 6 and 6.5mm. Check out that 6mmbr site. Lots of good info on long range tactical and bench-rest shooting. Also, look at http://www.sinclairintl.com/ for equipment.