Long Range Proficiency

[Sportsman004]

I grew up hunting in the era when (and wherein) 30-06 was king, and no one ever shot beyond 300 yards.

Over the past few years, I’ve passed on some good opportunities (40” moose, trophy deer, elk) because the critter was out of my comfort zone of 300 yards or less.

I’m thinking about doing the following: (1) first, develop proficiency with my X-Bolt 30-06 until 500-750 yards is not a concern (which I’m guessing is going to be a quick development that I can get to by the end of 2024); (2) I then want to get very comfortable with shooting targets (not hunting) at 800-1,200 yards; (3) I also want to get a more modern caliber (and currently am thinking about a hunting rifle chambered in 7mm PRC as my first choice although I haven’t ruled out the .300 Win Mag.)

With regard to #2: although I’m not too recoil sensitive, I’m in my 60s and am wondering if I really want my shoulder to deal with the cumulative impact load of shooting my 30-06. I’m thinking about the .308 or the 6.5 Creedmoor. I like the idea of learning long-range skills with the .308 because it really will make me work to become an excellent long-range shooter who understands his equipment. However, I also understand that the bullet might go subsonic well before reaching 1,000-1,200 yards with a 20” barrel. If I got a 24” barrel, I then have to worry about harmonics. (In terms of rifle, maybe the Tikka CTX, which comes in both barrel lengths and chambered to either cartridge). What brand and grain bullet would you recommend for that type of training? I don’t do any reloading. Practicing with my muzzleloader is enough of a time-filler for me!

With regard to #3, I initially was intrigued by the .28 Nosler, but am worried about barrel life while I work on developing my D.O.P.E. card. The 7mm PRC seems like a good fit for the kind of Western hunting that I want to do in the future (elk, mule deer, antelope, moose). Also, while developing my D.O.P.E. chart, I’m again wondering about developing recoil sensitivity.

Lastly, I’ve got a SFP scope for predator hunting with my .223 Remington and a FFP scope for my 30-06. I use both well for their different situations. I’m assuming that I’d want a FFP for the future 7mm PRC.

I look forward to what folks think of my plan for the December (#1) and for first half of next year (#2 & #3)!

(Hopefully, my thought processes are outlined fully enough that no one needs to answer my questions with more questions.)

 

[S-3 ranch]

Ok where to start? This is quite the challenge to pontificate

 

[wapitibob]

Nobody talks about their 30-06 accuracy. Get a 7prc and spend your time at 600, 800, 1000 and you’ll be just fine. Could also go 6.5 needmore or a 6.5 prc.

 

[NealS02]

I think you are best served picking a caliber and gun that you can shoot a ton. Get to know that rifle like the back of your hand and work under tons of different conditions and shooting positions. I don’t love the idea of getting proficient with one rifle, and then switching to an entirely different rifle for hunting in a larger caliber. Pick one big or small and put in range time.

My favorite is .308 and shot it in the Army, but our on paper max effective range was 800 (we hit out further however). You are gonna run into inadequate energy at impact for large game in the 500 to 600ish yard range depending on grain. We later got the XM2010 in .300 Win Mag suppressed and that would take us out past 1000 yards pretty comfortably. If doing a bigger caliber I would for sure go suppressed as who wants to shoot a thousand plus rounds a year out of a .300 win mag or 7 mm PRC unsuppressed. Not me. I can’t give a specific cartridge brand and load as it depends so much on your caliber and what your gun shoots well.

Whatever you decide, make sure to enjoy the journey and the satisfaction of becoming more proficient. Also, go FFP on the scope. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Sportsman004]

NealS02, believe me, I'd love to just have one gun chambered to a 7mm PRC, 300 WinMag, or 28 Nosler-- and then just develop solid fundamentals with it while shooting a ton with a suppressor. Then, like you said, it'd be a no-muss-no-fuss when I took it out for a hunt. Unfortunately, I live in Kalifornistan (California), where suppressors are illegal. Hence, my thought about looking at a "kinder and gentler" caliber for long range target practice and more powerful one for big game hunting.​

 

[NealS02]

I live in the People’s Republic of Illinois. No suppressors allowed here either, which is why I shoot .308. Cheap ammo, lower recoil, and allows long range practice with hunting ranges extended beyond 300 yards. There are obviously other great caliber options though that aren’t miserable to shoot (6.5 CM, .270, .30-06, etc.)

 

[35WhelenAI]

OP, your plan is great. The '06 will do you well for the first steps getting proficient out to the ranges you posted. Then the 7 PRC is a good step for all you describe wanting down the line.

 

[Sportsman004]

35WhelenAI, yep, the older I get, the more I realize that there is no perfect "one solution" for anything. It's all about how does one mitigate all the negatives: needing a more powerful cartridge for longer range shots at bigger game, not being able to practice with it in a state that outlaws suppressors, etc.​

 

[Atticus_1354]

What about a rifle with switch barrel capability? I have roughly the same general goals and that's what I'm doing right now so I have a larger caliber (7mm Saw is the current plan) for hunting and potentially NRL hunter, a 6.5 creedmoor for off-season target practice, and then I can potentially get a 6mm barrel made for target shooting and coyote hunting. That way I have the same scope, stock, and accessories across the board so it's all familiar. I only want one bolt face size, but some actions have interchangeable bolts which opens up an even bigger world of calibers if you want to dip in to the short action magnums. I already have a .300wsm rifle so I wasn't worried about that option.

 

[LongWayAround]

Seems unnecessarily complicated.

Buy a 6.5 Creed. Shoot it at targets and animals. Done.

Or...

Buy a .223 for practice and a 6.5PRC to push copper ammo faster for California.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Sounds like you are going to enjoy whatever you gear up with. Shooting any rifle is more fun than shooting none at all.

 

[Bluumoon]

The standard RS advise

Buy a Tikka .223, FFP drop prof scope in mil/mil, suppressor if allowed

A couple cases of 77gr ammo

Learn to shoot <1.5MOA 10-30 shot groups from prone

Practice positional shooting, keep score.

Stretch that .223 out to 600 plus yards.

Go kill shit w your 30-06, suppressor if allowed, a normal 168gr TMK load will carry 1800fps out to 750 yards w a 20” barrel.

 

[Sportsman004]

Bluumoon, I already have a .223 Remington that I use for predator hunting. So, using that gun and stretching to 600 yards seems like a good idea (rather than buying another gun in the same cartridge), and-- if I go to full mag at the range, my scope is essentially a FFP. Getting it to 600 years definitely would test my mettle, like trying to do 800-1200 yards with a .308. (If I were to get a Tikka for practice, it would be the Tikka CTR in a .308 for long-distance.) So, maybe, I'll see what I can do with my .223 Rem and my 30-06 before getting something else for the long-distance western hunting, especially since I think anything beyond 450 yards borders on being unethical.​

Atticus_1354, I guess that's possibility. However, I also am a firm believer of reducing variables, and my gut tells me that more things can go wrong than right by constantly switching barrels since I don't do much more in depth gun work, except the occasional field strip!​

 

[Gwchem]

That .223 with 77gr bullets should get you at least to 800 yards for practice. Spend time behind that, verify your dope out to 6-800 with the 30-06 and you can definitely stretch your legs.

 

[Atticus_1354]

I understand wanting to reduce variables which is why I went with this idea. Less variation if its the same system with a different barrel. I'm using the west texas ordnance swithlug. It's a pretty easy system with just one screw to torque down. There's other systems out there as well but I'm not as familiar with. I'm only planning on swapping barrels a couple times of year. Basically putting the rifle in hunting configuration for hunting season and then back to target configuration.

 

[Wrench]

Choose one gun and try to wear it out. Buy a spotting scope with digiscope capability and watch every shot land....you'll learn a lot.

I can do 1000 with every gun you listed.

 

[TaperPin]

Don’t confuse training/plinking with hunting. There’s no benefit to training with a big gun, and as much as I love a big gun for hunting, I think it’s a mistake to not have a 243 for 90% of your practice. It has enough of a pop to remind the brain what recoil is, while being easy on the shoulder and pocket book, and in the end is a faster/better way to shoot at distance.

Every few years we take a young new shooter, often with less than 100 rounds under their belt, and have them reliably making 400 yard shots at 10” targets with a bipod, no rear bag, and a little coaching. If a shooter can pull off 1-1/2 MOA groups consistently, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to 500 yards with light winds.

500 yards should be relatively easy with a moderate amount of practice - sort of a natural cut off point for new and experienced long range shooters because it’s primarily a function of marksmanship. Hitting a 10” paper plate consistently in all weather conditions at 600 yards is easily twice as hard because wind estimation down range becomes the limiting factor.

 

[Sportsman004]

TaperPin, Yep, that's exactly why I want to get a smaller caliber for practicing. You're right-- hunting and target practice are two different things. As Eisenhower might have said: "plans are worthless, but planning is everything." Everything goes out the window once you see that big buck or bull out in the distance while your on an angled terrain across a hill. But, having the sound fundamentals developed at the range is going to be what's needed for success!​

 

[Shraggs]

Bluumoon, I already have a .223 Remington that I use for predator hunting. So, using that gun and stretching to 600 yards seems like a good idea (rather than buying another gun in the same cartridge), and-- if I go to full mag at the range, my scope is essentially a FFP. Getting it to 600 years definitely would test my mettle, like trying to do 800-1200 yards with a .308. (If I were to get a Tikka for practice, it would be the Tikka CTR in a .308 for long-distance.) So, maybe, I'll see what I can do with my .223 Rem and my 30-06 before getting something else for the long-distance western hunting, especially since I think anything beyond 450 yards borders on being unethical.​

Atticus_1354, I guess that's possibility. However, I also am a firm believer of reducing variables, and my gut tells me that more things can go wrong than right by constantly switching barrels since I don't do much more in depth gun work, except the occasional field strip!​

The reason a 223 can be stretched to 600 or even 800 yards on targets is the use of heavy for caliber match bullets. Incidentally, they are remarkable killers if you read the 223 thread. In any case, you need a barrel twist of 1 in 8 and your Remington li likely a slower twist and won’t stabilize heavy bullets.