Friend wants a long range gun

Vapodog · 12-06-2003, 05:48 PM

He wants to shoot prairie dogs at 600 yards...coyotes and such.

I'm into 300-400 yard shooting but not 600 yards.

He don't want to shoot bullets over 7MM, don't mind (almost) any amount of weight.....cost didn't scare him either when I mentioned potentially a couple grand.

He knows he'll have to find a target/varmint scope with target knobs, range finders and a lot of time plotting tradjectory to hit them at that range.

Would you recommend a Savage Tactical, Remington Scendaro, Remington 40-X...

What's your recommendation for gun and caliber.

Pro-Line · 12-06-2003, 07:26 PM

Rem 40-X in 220 Swift, 22-250, 243 or 25-06 would be great. I'd even look at 6mm.

Depends on his likes/dislikes.

The Savage Tactical is also a great gun, and MUCH cheaper than the 40-X.

I have a friend whose son shoots a 40-X in 220 Swift with a 6-24X Swavorski on it. He can absolutely shoot the lights out at 400. It's sickening. They dabble some out to 600+.

Me, I'd opt for a little bigger bullet at that range for coyotes.

driftrider · 12-06-2003, 08:13 PM

If he were shooting at 400 yards or less I'd say any of the medium to higher powered .224 calibers would be great, but past there that little bullet is loosing a lot of steam and both drop and wind drift are going to be a big issue. I'd say use a .224 cal only is he's an awesome wind doper. Based on a quick calculation I just did, at 600 yards a 55 grain .224cal bullet at 3800fps at the muzzle will drift 41" in a 10mph full value crosswind. But if his call is off by 2mph the bullet will miss by about 8".

Based on his specs I'd go with a fast 7mm, or maybe at the least a 6mm/.243 or .25cal with heavier bullets.

But if I personally were buying the rifle I'd probably choose to go with a heavy barreled .308Win. It'll kick no more than a fast 7mm and it well known for and deserves its reputation for incredible accuracy.

Mike

Clint. · 12-06-2003, 08:16 PM

I had a bull barrel Ruger 77 in 25-06 with one of the older Weaver 16X target scopes that I used to shoot many woodchucks at 600-700 yards. At 100 yards, that rifle would put bullets through the same hole most of the time. I could almost always cover a 5 shot group (not a 3) with a dime....unless I pulled one. I sold that rifle to my brother...he loved it and it was getting too heavy for me to carry. I have a sporter Ruger 77 in 25-06 that I use for everything from chucks to whitetails. It is a tough rifle to beat.

Clint

akbound · 12-06-2003, 08:40 PM

Hi Vapo,

Of the actions mentioned, and if he doesn't mind the money...get the Remington 40-X. For 600 yards with regularity on targets that small suggest to him look "real hard" at the 6.5/284. Even with 6.5's the wind will be a major player at those ranges.....and any caliber less than that ?????. There are quite a number of shooters meeting with great success at 1000 yard matches with the 6.5/284. And in a heavy barreled 40-X the recoil will not be significant!

Best of luck!

doubleA · 12-07-2003, 08:05 AM

akbound..... is right about the recoil of a 40X chambered in 6.5x284, it would be nill.
Here is a 40X chambered in 300 WBY, built on a short, single shot action. Off the bench it can be shot easily with using the benchrest technique with full throttle loads. The weight, while not real heavy does damper felt recoil. It wears a Leupold 8.5x25x50 LR for seeing distant critters.

doubleA

RedAllison · 12-07-2003, 03:29 PM

Hmmmmm 'dog two calibers pop quickly into my mind for those requirements, the .240 and .257 Weatherby Magnums. Either can be "doped" into 600 yds with some practice and will take it easy on the shoulder plus double for deer duty as well. I can likewise vouch for the AWESOMENESS of the 6x24x50 PVS Swarovski, it simply makes connecting at long ranges much easier with such a tight sight picture and will show shakes that 12-16 power scopes otherwise would'nt at such ranges.

Tell him good luck,
RA

ps
For farts and giggles, why not mention to him the .257 Scramjet Lazzeroni???

Vapodog · 12-07-2003, 03:41 PM

Thanks Red, we've already ruled out wildcats.....however the 6.5X284 mentioned earlier did shake my stand a little.

DANTHEHUNTER · 12-07-2003, 04:58 PM

I LIKE MY .220 SWIFT RUGER MKII M77 . ALITTLE TRIGGER WORK AND ITS A TACK DRIVER

MOTurkeyTamer · 12-07-2003, 06:43 PM

Vapodog, my vote goes for the 6.5x284 also. As stated earlier, shooting at targets that small and getting hits on a somewhat regular basis at 600 yds.+ requires something with a little more punch to deal with the wind than the smaller calibers offer. The 6.5x284 would make your friend a fine long range varmint getter! Good luck with whatever you choose!