I bought a SAVAGE...

[4cefed]

I haven't read into break-in much. Are those "abrasive rounds" worth anything? How many shots altogether can you fire before you start burning out the barrel? I put about 15 rounds through it just to get the scope close to where it should be, barrel was a bit warm after that.

[Speedy7_7]

I haven't read into break-in much. Are those "abrasive rounds" worth anything? How many shots altogether can you fire before you start burning out the barrel? I put about 15 rounds through it just to get the scope close to where it should be, barrel was a bit warm after that.

I always went with the old touch for 5 test. If you can keep my finger on the barrel for 5 seconds without losing skin, you arent going to harm anything.

I've never shot over 200 yards. There is a 1000 range about 30 minutes away, but I don't want to embarrass myself...

I also have a Lee Enfield 303 British. Flip up peep sites set to IIRC, 400 and 600 yards. I need to get to the 1000 yard range to give that distance a try with the Enfield. Unfortunately it's a 2 groove and not the elusive 6 groove

I am intrigued by the 308 at 800 yards though. I'd probably step to a 7mm RM around 500 yards due to the ballistic coefficient. But 308 is definitely more then capable of 800 yards in the right hands

*edit* I'm still considering picking up a 243 and taking it to the 1000 yard range. Should be able to reach out and touch! I'm too cheap for a 6.5mm...

I don't like the 7mm RM, but that is a personal choice, plenty of guys swear by 'em. Long shooting is incredibly fun when you get properly instructed on how to do it. I love shooting my 300 Win. Mag as far as I can get a straight line (600 yards where I hunt.) My cousin is a sniper in the marine core, my uncle (his dad) used to do long shot competition. I have learned a ton from them about the math involved and body control, I am no where near as good as they are, but I am decent at 600, I can usually put in a 12 inch group. My cousin and uncle can shoot moving targets at that distance, it just blows my mind.

The Enfield is awesome, I strongly recommend taking it out to that range and seeing how far you can reach with it. Peep sites make it even cooler. If you pick up a .243, get good at long range and hit up South dakota prairie dogs, it will make you feel like a freakin' sniper.

[4cefed]

Is there somewhere I could start reading on techniques for long range shooting? It would be nice to have something to practice when I go to my range. I can't get a shot any further than about 50 yards at my house, and that's shooting past the front door, which I don't like.

With the terrain around here, I can't possibly see shooting past 500 yards, and that's at the corn fields in upstate NY.

Oh, a cheapie folding bipod miraculously fell into my cart today, I'm putting it on tonight. I also got a box each of Remington core loct 150, Federal PSP 150 and Winchester PSP 180. I'll try those out tomorrow.

[PoorManQ45]

http://thefiringline.com/forums/
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/

I read the first two a lot.

I'd probably recommend getting 100 yard groups tight before even considering moving out further.

[Speedy7_7]

http://thefiringline.com/forums/
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/

I read the first two a lot.

I'd probably recommend getting 100 yard groups tight before even considering moving out further.

I agree, that gun needs to be able to shoot tacks at 100 yards before you should go deep with it.

A lot of long shooting is knowing whats going on around you before you squeeze the trigger. Like I said earlier, a blade of grass can send a .308 round all over the place. Any wind will move your bullet at long distances.

Read up on "Shooters breath control" You probably know it already. Heart control is way harder, I cannot do that, long shot guys will slow their heart rate before they take a shot.

And Google" Ballistic tables" for an Idea of how much drop you are looking at at a given distance with a given round.

I shoot with both eyes open and I control the shake and movement of the scope by making little tiny figure eights. I always squeeze when the cross airs are moving up. If your gun can be dry fired, I would do that alot, just to get used to when the trigger actually releases the firing pin. If you have to squeeze too hard you may have to adjust it down a little bit.


You got me all excited to go shoot now! The closest thing to hunting I've had since last year is killin bunnies in my back yard with a pellet gun.

[PoorManQ45]

I agree, that gun needs to be able to shoot tacks at 100 yards before you should go deep with it.

I like shooting shotgun shells at 100 yards. Line up 12guage next to 410s. Shot the 410s from between the 12s. This is with a .22 and open sites

And Google" Ballistic tables" for an Idea of how much drop you are looking at at a given distance with a given round.

Rifle Shooter has great tables.

What you really want is a 338LM

If your gun can be dry fired, I would do that alot, just to get used to when the trigger actually releases the firing pin. If you have to squeeze too hard you may have to adjust it down a little bit.

If you don't want to waste money on those snap cap things you can load up a case with a used primer in it. That will give something for the firing pin to hit.

You can get the trigger adjusted to whatever you want. Just make sure it's safe. I've read of some guys adjusting into the 1lb range. If you breathe it will go off! Some people like this, I don't as I use the trigger as a safety. So ~6lbs is where it's at for me. This might change when I go long range though...

[4cefed]

Thanks for the info guys. I put on the bipod and got another 200 rounds of plinking ammo. $12 a box for boxer primed, brass cased, 145gr fmj. Not bad.



Cycling that bolt with the scope is a bit of a pain. I was thinking of one of these in black when they become available.

http://www.tacticalworks.com/Savage-Tac ... andle.html

[PoorManQ45]

If you slow down a bit when cycling the bolt you should be fine. I noticed the same thing with my Marlin.

[Mr1der]

And next you're going to tell me you're against shooting babies!

I like to shoot them when women are around.