The_Next_Generation
Member
I finally went and did some long-range shooting! Went out yesterday with a couple buddies just North of the OR border in WA and we had targets out at 1,010 yards (according to the GPS). My initial dope was nearly dead on (used the "Ballistic" app for iOS) and I only adjusted .1mil for elevation (no wind..thank the Lord).
I'm posting this because it seems a lot of people have the wrong idea when it comes to shooting at extended ranges. You don't need a custom bolt-action with a blueprint job, lapped-everything, a $2,000 scope, and handloads that took you 3 hours to load 20. While those things would be awesome to own, I get the impression that would-be markspeople are turned away by the expensive gear...
I managed to make a 10.5" 3-shot group at 990 yards that was 10" low of center (after two sighters that were 1mil high and right). I've only been shooting for 3 years now, but I've put over 5,000rds through my CZ452 (It would be more, if I could find enough ammo
)and for the last year or so I've been practicing at 600 yards with an DMR-style AR15 and handloads.
My setup:
- CZ 550 American .308Win (used - stolen for $406 OTD a few months back
)
- SWFA SS 12X42 in Warne 30mm "Permanent" rings ($370 shipped for scope and rings)
- ZQ 7.62 Nato ammo from Walmart ($10 for 20, guaranteed sub-MOA)
For about $800, I was ready to go.
I used a backpack as a rest, and a jacket for a shooting mat. My shooting partner was able to make relatively consistent hits on a ~12"X20" rock pile with his M77 Compact in .243win wearing a BSA 4-12 scope.
Anyway, I just wanted to provide a real-world datapoint to support what countless of you have already said. You don't need the latest gear to make reasonably-accurate shots at far-away things. However, it is necessary that the shooter knows how to make a steady shot. One of the guys that came along didn't have any experience shooting rifles. He struggled with trigger control, breathing, etc.
I hope this inspires someone to just go out there and try some long-range shooting, its a lot of fun and you're guaranteed to learn something!
Now for some pics, because pics are what we all came here for:
The targets are on the side of the hill in the upper right-hand area of the picture:
I'm on the right, trying to read my phone's screen for the ballistic calculator...My buddy is busy fighting glare:
Figured I share this one as well, couldn't pass up a shot of the sunset behind blued steel and walnut
I'm posting this because it seems a lot of people have the wrong idea when it comes to shooting at extended ranges. You don't need a custom bolt-action with a blueprint job, lapped-everything, a $2,000 scope, and handloads that took you 3 hours to load 20. While those things would be awesome to own, I get the impression that would-be markspeople are turned away by the expensive gear...
I managed to make a 10.5" 3-shot group at 990 yards that was 10" low of center (after two sighters that were 1mil high and right). I've only been shooting for 3 years now, but I've put over 5,000rds through my CZ452 (It would be more, if I could find enough ammo
)and for the last year or so I've been practicing at 600 yards with an DMR-style AR15 and handloads. My setup:
- CZ 550 American .308Win (used - stolen for $406 OTD a few months back
)- SWFA SS 12X42 in Warne 30mm "Permanent" rings ($370 shipped for scope and rings)
- ZQ 7.62 Nato ammo from Walmart ($10 for 20, guaranteed sub-MOA)
For about $800, I was ready to go.
I used a backpack as a rest, and a jacket for a shooting mat. My shooting partner was able to make relatively consistent hits on a ~12"X20" rock pile with his M77 Compact in .243win wearing a BSA 4-12 scope.
Anyway, I just wanted to provide a real-world datapoint to support what countless of you have already said. You don't need the latest gear to make reasonably-accurate shots at far-away things. However, it is necessary that the shooter knows how to make a steady shot. One of the guys that came along didn't have any experience shooting rifles. He struggled with trigger control, breathing, etc.
I hope this inspires someone to just go out there and try some long-range shooting, its a lot of fun and you're guaranteed to learn something!
Now for some pics, because pics are what we all came here for:
The targets are on the side of the hill in the upper right-hand area of the picture:
I'm on the right, trying to read my phone's screen for the ballistic calculator...My buddy is busy fighting glare:
Figured I share this one as well, couldn't pass up a shot of the sunset behind blued steel and walnut
