1,000 yard shooting

[natedog]

With an appropriate rig, how difficult is shooting out to 1000 yards? By a "appropriate", I'm talking a high-powered scope, magnum rifle cartridge (.338 Lapua, .300 Win. Mag., etc), good trigger, from a bench and rest. Could a competent rifleman shoot at that range and even hit say, a 12" target? How much special experience and training does it take?

 

[Zak Smith]

I haven't done it yet, but I have several friends who shoot 1000 yards, both in pretty controlled conditions and under "field match" conditions.

Hitting a 12" target at 1000 yards is doable with the right setup. As the range increases, ambient environmental conditions and wind increasingly effect the point of impact. For the first, it's important to get your data straight. For the second, a high-velocity high-BC (ballistic coefficient) bullet is important. I think you generally want a MV of 3000fps or higher, and a BC at 0.6 or higher.

It should go without saying that you need an accurate rifle to start with, good optics, and good loads.

-z

 

[El Rojo]

I have shot pretty good scores in 1000 yard matches with my Remington 700 VS in .308 Winchester with a Leupold 6.5-20x50mm LRT and a 20 minute angled base. It really isn't that hard. I just use my 175 gr. SMK reloads and they are maybe pushing 2700 FPS from the muzzle. The elevation is pretty easy to figure out, but the trick is getting the wind down. I usually end up being a reactive shooter, seeing a 7 or 8 and realizing the wind changed and then readjusting and getting back into the 10 or X ring.

You don't need a fancy magnum caliber to shoot that far. A .308 will do if you will do. However, if you want a fancy magnum caliber, then by all means go for it.

 

[E=MC^2]

You don't need a fancy magnum caliber to shoot that far. A .308 will do if you will do. However, if you want a fancy magnum caliber, then by all means go for it.

This is true. The .308 with a 175gr SMK will remain supersonic out to 1K. Remember that you will be doing ALOT of shooting to achive & maintain 1,000yd accuracy. The magnum will be giving you alot more pounding when it's added energy isn't really required.

 

[Zak Smith]

I agree with the comments about .308 being enough. The emphases for the high velocity & high BC calibers is when you are shooting at unknown distances to 1000 yards and want to tolerate ranging error, or have inconsistent wind.

-z

 

[Car Knocker]

Don't forget, a lot of black powder competitions are held out to 1,000 yards. A .45-90, .45-100, or .45-110 use bullets with a fairly low B.C. and muzzle velocities of below 1,500 fps. Heck, muzzleloaders shoot at that distance!

 

[atek3]

the trajectory on a 45-70 at one thousand yards is less like a 'rifle' and more like a 'shoulder artillery'

atek3

 

[Nando Aqui]

natedog:

Just curious - have you read this thread yet?

"Cooper Challenge: 20 Shots 20 Seconds 20 Inches 1,000 Yards"

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=65644

Lot's of information and opinions...

Alex

 

[redneck2]

go to

Benchrest Central http://www.benchrest.com

1,000 yard forum there. Info on factory and custom rifles

FWIW, I have three friends that have all hit prarie dogs at 1,000+ and have the paperwork to back it up.

Takes a few "ranging" shots to get a hit

 

[Nando Aqui]

redneck,

When I click on the "benchrestcentral" link you provided, what I get is a website, called "benchrestcentral.com", that sells tickets for various sporting events, but nothing to do with firearms, or long-range shooting.

Do you have another link or suggestions?

Thanks -

Alex

 

[Hawk]

Thank you, Google:

http://www.securedsend.net/forums/

 

[redneck2]

Ooooops.....

these stupid computers always want the correct address...

anyway, it's fixed. I think it's got what you're looking for. HTH

 

[Nando Aqui]

redneck -

That worked!

Thanks -

Alex