Learning long range riflery from scratch

[drootang]

Hey everyone,

I'm interested in learning how to accurately fire a rifle very long range. I've been looking around and doing a lot of research online, but there's only so much I can piece together. I'm here to ask for advice on how you all recommend I go about learning.

General online consensus seems to be that I start with a .22, but what should I actually do to learn how to shoot it properly? I've shot .22s before, but I was young and it was a small indoor range...

Any suggestions or guides on how I can break into this would be appreciated.

-jeff

[aubie515]

Jeff,

before I get started, you will need to be more specific.

1) define long range...it could mean 75yards to 1,500 yards.

2) what is the purpose of wanting to shot long range. Are you planning on shooting F class or varmint hunting or just target shooting?

3) what type of budget do you have for the long range set up? Don't forget to factor in scope base, rings and a scope in your budget.

Answer those questions and I'm sure you will get more information.

[phillyd2]

www.goarmy.com

[Mike45]

drootang,I was looking for a club or range in the Lycoming County area and someone replied with a link to a 1000 Yard Benchrest Club near Williamsport, PA. This may be the place to start looking into long range riflery...Good luck and keep us posted...Mike45 www.pa1000yard.com

[drootang]

Originally Posted by aubie515

1) define long range...it could mean 75yards to 1,500 yards.

Ultimately, as far as the ballistics of a bullet will allow me to shoot. Realistically, my goal is probably somewhere between 500 and 1000 yards. Where I live, the longest range nearby was 400 yards but was recently shut down, so I'm certainly limited by that... at least for now.

Originally Posted by aubie515

2) what is the purpose of wanting to shot long range. Are you planning on shooting F class or varmint hunting or just target shooting?

I am not particularly interested in hunting currently, but who's to say what the future will bring. Based on the definitions of F-class I found online, I would say yes, and other target shooting. I have very limited experience in this, so I'm not 100% sure yet what flavor of shooting I would like best, i.e., bench vs. prone, etc.

Originally Posted by aubie515

3) what type of budget do you have for the long range set up? Don't forget to factor in scope base, rings and a scope in your budget.

This is harder to answer. Since ultimately i would expect to move to a .308 or something similar, I would expect to spend less on a first rifle... and save the big bucks for the caliber i will ultimately be shooting. This is assuming starting with a .22 really is the best way to go. I put together a scoped .22 for under $400 and would be ok spending that now (although i'd like to try some shooting first to make sure its what i really want). I anticipate that within the next couple of years, I will have a far greater budget. I'm a grad student right now, so budget is tight. But assuming i like shooting, in a couple years i would have no problem putting together a $2k rifle.

[Mike45]

Pardon my lack of manners, drootang, and WELCOME to the PAFOA. Hope you enjoy the site...Mike45

[TonyF]

I believe we're going to schedule a precision rifle class for 2007. What follows is the course description from the class we held in 2005.

It's not posted yet but being from Pittsburgh you might want to bookmark us for future reference.

http://www.fireinstitute.org

Fundamentals of Precision Rifle

July 24 - 25, 2005
Sunday and Monday

Location: McDonald Sportsman's Ass'n
25 mnutes SW of Pittsburgh
Driving directions

Daily starting time is 10am

Instructor - Giles Stock

This course is for law enforcement and non LE personnel who desire formal instruction on the fundamentals of precision rifle. Emphasis is placed upon obtaining first round hits on small targets out to 200 M. and body hits to 550 M, as well as communication and teamwork between shooter and observer. All shots fired will be observed and recorded. The course entails 16 hours of instruction over two days and one evening. The following topics and skills will be covered:

Equipment. Rifle (including design and construction), rifle accessories, optics, and equipment needed for deployment, and maintenance of same.

Precision Marksmanship. Aiming, breath control, hold, trigger control, body position.

Gun Handling for the Precision Rifle. Loading and unloading, safety manipulation, bolt work while shooting positions, malfunction clearance, etc.

Ranging. Range estimation with mil-dots and electronic rangefinders.

Target identification and Decision to Shoot. Target identification, shot placement and considerations in taking a shot, with related exercises.

Ballistics. Internal, external and terminal, including ammunition selection.

Positions. Supported by sandbags and bipods.

Failing and Dim light shooting.

Cost: $275. Includes range fees, targets, range supplies and handouts. Students to provide their own ammunition, personal gear and meals. (Members of the host club receive $25 discount.)

Course format: Lectures (approximately 4 hrs.), and live-fire exercises (approximately 12 hrs.). There will be one night session, and classroom work. This course does not include field craft or stalking exercises. Students will work in pairs throughout the course. Those who do not enroll with a partner will be assigned a partner.

Ammunition & Equipment: Each student will need a minimum of 300 rounds of match-grade ammunition.

Instructor: Rangemaster will be Giles Stock. Mr. Stock served with the Phoenix Arizona Police Dept. for 20 years, during which time he was the training supervisor for their SWAT unit. He is a Rangemaster for Gunsite Training Academy as Rangemaster for pistol, carbine and Precision rifle, and has instructed there since 1981. Now retired from the police department, he is a full-time as a trainer and training consultant. At present, he is the primary instructor for the precision rifle program at the Hornady Academy.

Class size: Enrollment is limited to 16 students (eight pairs). Last day to enroll is 45 days prior to course date.

Prerequisites: None. It is expected, however, that enrollees will have experience shooting their rifles and be very familiar with their personal weapon.

Equipment which Is required:

Safety Equipment. Ear protection, eye protection (clear for the night shoot), billed cap.

Precision Rifle. Bolt action or semi-automatic rifle capable of 1 MOA accuracy (one inch groups at 100 yards)

Precision Telescopic Sight. It must be equipped with an optical sight of at least six power, which can be either fixed or variable in power. The optic must be adjustable for windage and elevation with target-style knobs, accessible to the shooter and adjustable without tools. The optic must have either a mil-dot or duplex reticle (mil-dot preferred). The optic must be capable of dialing out to 600 yards (20 minutes of adjustment from the 100 yard base-line zero). Rifle and optic must be zeroed to 100 yards when the student arrives at the range.

Bi-Pod. Click (not friction) adjustable for height and leveling.

Cleaning kit. Rifles will be cleaned approximately every 20 rounds.

Tool Kit. This should include all tools necessary to adjust and maintain your rifle, including those necessary to mount or remove your optic.

Shooting Mat. It should be full-length and waterproof.

Rear Shooting Bag. To support the rear of the rifle during firing. (Small "sand bag.")

Rifle data book. (If you don't have one, let us know and we will have one for you when you arrive at the course at an additional cost of $12.)

Spotting scope. Must be at least 20 power, with tri-pod. Two shooters may share one spotting scope.

Knee and elbow pads.

Notebook and writing implements

Equipment which is useful, but which is NOT required:

Wind gauge. If you do not have one of these, do not buy one for the class. They will be discussed in the class, and there will be several there for participants to examine and with which they can experiment. There are good ones and there are bad ones, and so it is wise to wait until after the class to purchase one.

Electronic range finder. As with the wind gauges, if you do not have one of these, do not buy one before the class. These are very expensive, and some are junk.

The attributes that make an electronic range finder a good buy or a poor one will be covered in class, and there will be several there for participants to look over. You will be in a better position to select a range finder after you have had the class.

Mildot Master.™ You may wish to use this device to assist you in ranging with a Mildot equipped telescope. You can order one from Mildot Master (505-565-0760).

Water container and snack-food items for the range.

Small, battery powered calculator. This should be small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.

[drootang]

Tony, while that course definitely sounds interesting, based on the prereqs i think it would be extremely premature for me to think about something like that.

[aubie515]

Just keep in mind that if you opt for a 22 rifle...you will be limited in the range work. I would say for a 22LR you are looking at 150 yards and less. Also keep in mind that there aren't too many LR ranges anymore...my gun club has a 200 yard and 100 yard...but you will find that most gun ranges will probably be limited to a 100 yard range. Some gun clubs have the 400 yard + ranges, but there aren't many of those types anymore.

While the 22LR rifle would be a great starter...I would suggest a 223 caliber. Ammo is relatively inexpensive and it will allow you to shoot out to 500 yards...give or take.

You could look at a Savage package deal which includes rifle, scope base, rings, cheap scope for under $400. Savage rifles are very accurate out of the box...the factory stock is flimsy and feels cheap, but it will do until you upgrade to a better stock. In a 223, you won't need a stronger stock because the 223 recoil is not bad at all. Stevens is another company you could look at...Savage owns Stevens, but the Stevens rifles are cheaper.

Other rifle choices that offer good accuracy would be

Howa 1500
Tikka T3 lite

I wouldn't recommend "exotic" calibers from the get go...just because it will be more expensive to buy ammo...unless you plan on reloading.

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by drootang

Tony, while that course definitely sounds interesting, based on the prereqs i think it would be extremely premature for me to think about something like that.

Prerequisites? There are none, or were you referring to equipment requirements?