[Wild Eyes]

This is the foundation that I'm working on:

1. Remington 870, 12 Gauge
2. Ruger 10/22

The 12 gauge will take down almost anything within 100 yards (which is about the maximum range you'll see in my part of the country), and the 10/22 is for small game and cheap target shooting. So the only thing I'm missing is a weapon with significant range. To that end, my next gun will be a rifle: Something that can take down any animal in North America and at a very long range.

Presently, I have my eyes on a 300 wsm (my father has a 300 wsm Browning X-Bolt, so we could share ammunition if the occasion called for it). Though I'm hoping this next gun will be "the" rifle of my arsenal for years to come and I would prefer to weigh my options before grabbing anything. Any suggestions?

 

[LuniticFringeInc]

Ammo is a bit pricey and not the most common but given the context that you could pool resources maybe not too bad an idea. It does have some excellent ballistic figures to work with and its a somewhat more efficent cartidge compared to other magnums. It will make for a great hunting cartridge and take game as far out as most have any business shooting. If you reload then its a considerably more viable cartridge that can be pretty flexible.

 

[FXjohn]

This is the foundation that I'm working on:

1. Remington 870, 12 Gauge
2. Ruger 10/22

The 12 gauge will take down almost anything within 100 yards (which is about the maximum range you'll see in my part of the country), and the 10/22 is for small game and cheap target shooting. So the only thing I'm missing is a weapon with significant range. To that end, my next gun will be a rifle: Something that can take down any animal in North America and at a very long range.

Presently, I have my eyes on a 300 wsm (my father has a 300 wsm Browning X-Bolt, so we could share ammunition if the occasion called for it). Though I'm hoping this next gun will be "the" rifle of my arsenal for years to come and I would prefer to weigh my options before grabbing anything. Any suggestions?

How about a Marlin 30-30?

 

[nebguy]

how about fx quit saying stupid things

 

[pete_p]

Remington Model 700 chambered in 308, or 30-06 is a good choice

 

[bogdan]

how about fx quit saying stupid things

Nebguy,
Why it is a stupid thing to recommend a 30-30?

Bogdan

 

[sardog]

The ballistic coefficient of the bullet selection is miserable since you must have a round nose projectile. It isn't a bad cartridge but no long range performer.

For a true long range round, a high BC, like .475 and up is a given.

 

[Preacherboy]

Personally, I'd add a semi-auto rifle before I added the long range rifle, but you could do both very cheaply. The cheapest full power cartridge right now is the 7.62x54R about
$.20 a shot. Get a bolt action Mosin Nagant for around $100 and some soft point hunting ammo, get a few different kinds and test for acuracy and buy a bunch of what is most acurate. Then get a PSL which is a semi-auto rifle that many people use for a long range sniper type rifle for around $700.

Or just get an M1A and be done with purchasing guns except for a pistol in your lifetime. To actually get a highly accurate long range rifle you will have to spend around $1000 for the rifle and $1000 for the scope, so it all really depends what you want. That is most important, figure out your budget, look at the gun store, and buy what you can afford while stocking up a bunch of ammo

 

[nebguy]

Originally Posted by nebguy View Post
how about fx quit saying stupid things
Nebguy,
Why it is a stupid thing to recommend a 30-30?

Bogdan


I like the .30-30, I have three of them, Savage Winchester and Marlin. The poster asked for a long range rifle.

The .30-30 is hardly a "long range" cartridge.

 

[Cannon Fodder]

My favorite? Savage model 11FP. In .308....I love the way the 11FP shoots, it's light, rugged and will shoot 1MOA with military surplus ball ammo. The only time she's failed me was on a really hot day(100F) in the direct sun, a Wolf Gold .308 cartrige failed to extract. It was an overpressure situation, because when I finally got the cartrige out, the primer was flattened, and partially blown out. So, it's more of an ammo issue. A great rifle, and not too expensive, either. Mine was like, 600 bucks brand-new. Comes with the scope and everything.

 

[hatrixz]

Remington Model 700 chambered in 308, or 30-06 is a good choice

if ur really looking for range theres always 300 win mag for a bit more $$ and you can take anything with it

its probably a bit too powerful for small game IMHO

 

[Caribou Hunter]

Sako 338 Lapua mag. Reach out and touch someone or thing. If not then you might look at any of the smaller mag shells 7MM 300MM 338MM. I have a Browning stainless stalker in 338 and have taken all sorts of game with it. A bit big for some but big enough for everything. Fact of the mater I would shoot most things in the wold with that gun. I reload so it is easer to get the most from it and also have plenty of brass and bullets to last a while. The kick is not as sharp as a MM because the case is not necked down as far.

 

[Herne]

how about fx quit saying stupid things

What's wrong with the Marlin 1895GS .30-30? Not a stupid thing to say as far as I'm concerned, except the 30-30 round range is not really looooong range. It's a great hunter though.

Of course if the question was really 'What rifle do I get if I'm a sniper wannabe?" then look at the L115A3, which has now entered service with the UK army.



The A3 features a sound supressor, all-weather day sights with improved magnification, as well as special night sights. The L115A3 has been fielded by Parachute Regiment snipers as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade's deployment to Afghanistan, 2008. A version with integrated suppressor and folding stock, the AWS, is available for use in covert scenarios. The AWS breaks down into components for carry in a special briefcase and is reportedely in use by the US Special Operations Unit, 'Delta Force', as well as the British SAS.

L96 Sniper Rifle and L115A3 LongRange Rifle Source: Ministry of Defense – UK
The L96 sniper rifle and the L115A3 Long Range Rifle are used by military snipers across all three Services.

Designed to achieve first-round hit at 600m and harassing fire out to 1100m, the Accuracy International L96 sniper rifle has been upgraded with a new 3-12 x 50 sight and spotting scope.

The L115A3 Long Range Rifle fires an 8.59mm bullet, heavier than the 7.62mm round of the L96, and less likely to be deflected over extremely long ranges.

Sniper Rifle L96
Calibre: 7.62mm
Weight: 6.5kg
Length: (adjustable) 1124-1194mm
Muzzle velocity: 838m/s
Feed: 10-round box
Effective range: 900m, harassing fire 1100m
Long Range Rifle L115A3
Calibre: 8.59mm
Weight: 6.8kg
Length: 1300mm
Muzzle velocity: 936m/s
Feed: 5-round box
Effective range: 1100m plus

 

[magfed556]

Remington 700:thumb:

 

[Caribou Hunter]

IMO a 30-30 is a good bush gun but I am not sure if I would want to shoot anything out much past 250 yards. I will shoot my 338 win mag out to 500 yards with out much thought. I have that gun sighted at zero at 200 yards.

 

[LuniticFringeInc]

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ballistics/?url=/ballistics/300_wsm.html&x=13&y=5

Actually the 300 WSM has a ever so slight edge when comparing Barnes X loaded 180 gr slugs. Of course thats just one example. Thats neither here nor there as both are basically ballistic twins performance wise. One is a compact equivelent the other is a typical magnum length cartridge. If your a reloader...the 300 WSM uses slightly less powder to achieve the same level of performance. The brass is a little less common though which probably off sets the cost of reloading. Either is capable of fine accuracy and power at a considerable distance. While neither is in the same class as the 338 Laupa or 50 BMG, the 300's are some pretty serious long range thumpers and the guns arent nearly as heavy to carry afield.

 

[WeakenedWarrior]

I shoot a Remington 700 in 7mm Mag. With 160 grain Barnes X bullets it will kill elk out to 400 yds and deer/antelope out to 600 yds. I picked it because I live in the mountain west where 300+ yard shots are the norm, and I do equal amounts of deer and elk hunting, and I wanted a rifle with a little more knockdown power for elk. But if I were to do it over again I would settle for a .30-06 or .308. These are more attractive for the survivalist because ammo is more widely available and less expensive. If you really need to reach out to 500+ yards then go for a .300 or .338 Win Mag. I have read great things about the new "short magnums" like .300 and .325 WSM, but I would probably still lean towards the older cartridges that are more common. Honestly though, I cant see anyone living back east needing anything more powerful than a .308 or .30-06.

 

[Wild Eyes]

This is all exactly what I was looking for, thank you. It'll be months before I even consider making a purchase, so I'm going to do plenty of research before then. The way things are headed, it might just come down to ammunition cost. The lowest price I've seen for a box of .300 wsm is $40 for 20 rounds. Ouch.

 

[Cannon Fodder]

This is all exactly what I was looking for, thank you. It'll be months before I even consider making a purchase, so I'm going to do plenty of research before then. The way things are headed, it might just come down to ammunition cost. The lowest price I've seen for a box of .300 wsm is $40 for 20 rounds. Ouch.

Which is why you may want to go with something a little less powerful, but a LOT cheaper. Like something chambered in .308

 

[OzarkRidgeRunner]

I'm not much into all the new "designer rounds" that have been mentioned. Yes, some are better than others but remember.......cost of stocking these cartridges and availablity post SHTF. Get yourself a good .308 for your long range shooting.

May I suggest a Tikka T3 Tactical in .308. It ain't cheap but it is one smooth accurate rifle.:thumb: