First off, there is nothing wrong with the rifle you have. You just have to realisticlly approach what you can do with it, or have realistic expectations. Although your rifle is not the best for punching small groups on paper at distance, it will help you learn the fundamentals of shooting long range. As far as an AR platform goes, you will discover it will be harder to drive that platform compared to a bolt gun. Trigger, lock time, mechanical (reciprocal) movement of parts, etc. all limit the accuracy of a semi-auto. And then there's the subject of the 308 cartridge. You will find varying opinions here of that cartridge, but realize, eventhough there are many other cartridges far superior to the 308 ballisticly, the cartridge is capable of superior accuracy with the right load, and because of it's ballistic shortcomings, it will help better teach you long range shooting such as how to deal with wind.

All the Bryan Litz books will help you understand ballistics, bullets, cartridges, etc. As far as books on shooting fundamentals, there are several listed that can help sold by Creedmore Sports, Champion Shooters Supply, etc.

Take a look at teaming up with some local shooters who shoot Service Rifle, Tactical/Practical (Steel), and Paper Punching matches. They will help you more than you can realize.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Alpine,

Finally got to take out my new 6.5x284 Norma.



This is the first rifle I've ever tried a "barrel break in," and I only did it because the smith requested it.

Shot 5 on a 8x11 paper (not picture) to get on paper. Then shot 3 and cleaned, shot 3 and cleaned. Each time I let the barrel completely cool and made some little adjustments on the scope. It was an aim and shoot.



I shot 3 and had 3 left. Said "why not," and decided to shoot the last three in a group. Didn't let the barrel cool and didn't just aim and shoot.






This was the last 3 shells out of an off the shelf HSM box. Can't wait to do a little load development... Promising so far.

Wow. That thing shoots terrible. Send it to me for proper disposal.

md-lucky, looks like you have a shooter!

I'm excited. This was just factory HSM ammo.

The chamber is a PTG cut throated for 140 bergers. I've got some 4831sc that I plan to give a shot. I know several people getting single digit ES with that combo. I know the 6.5x284 has a reputation as a barrel burner, but as a hunting rifle and rare occasion steel gun 800-900 rounds should last me many, many years.

Got a chance to go shoot at my favorite range this afternoon (a friends place). Since I didn't feel that I did as well as I could of at yesterdays match, mostly rushing shots versus taking quality shots, I wanted to redeem myself.

My 6.5x47L was shooting quite well. Shot out to 1200-yards. There was virtually no wind out to 900-yards, but when I took a shot at 1000-yards, I missed the plate, and found a constant and consistant wind from 1000 to 1200-yards.

Good day, but after about 20-rounds, my eyes started to loose it. Had a hard time keeping my eyes focused because of all the snow and flat light. Shooting at white targets didn't help either.

quote:

Originally posted by btanchors:


Can someone point me to books, videos, DVDs, or anything I can study over the winter to acquire a decent scope, and then shooting fundamentals so I can hit the range with a good plan to get started? Thanks in advance...

Practical Shooter's Guide: A How-To Approach For Unconventional Firing Positions...
by Marcus Blanchard

https://www.amazon.com/Practic...id=1473272283&sr=8-1

Snagged a stripped 700SA for $185. Seller claims new takeoff, and the pics look like it. No idea why someone has a receiver without a bolt, or how the hell you get new takeoff actions, but... I wasn't complaining. I'll pick up a 1 piece ptg bolt for it, and with blueprinting, a blank, and chamber/thread I'll be into a 223ackley for $1100. Hard to beat that.

Sweet, my 223AI is built on a 700 action with PTG bolt. Sent it off to Kampfelds and had a side bolt release and mini-M16 extractor installed.

quote:

Originally posted by Alpine:
Sweet, my 223AI is built on a 700 action with PTG bolt. Sent it off to Kampfelds and had a side bolt release and mini-M16 extractor installed.

I'd love an m16 extractor! How much did that cost you? Ptg only offers Remington and sako extractors on the 223 boltface..

As for side bolt release.. I considered it. But my smith wants $150 to do it, and this is REALLY a budget build for me, so.. I'll probably skip it. All the rest of the parts to complete it I already have laying around the house.

Side bolt release was $100, and mini-M16 extractor $120.

Since PTG wouldn't do the mini-M16 extractor. I ordered the bolt without extraction, and had them do the fluting on the bolt as if there was going to be a mini-M16 extractor.

All this .22 talk...

Does anyone make a decent bull barrel out-of-the-box bolt gun? Similar to say (dont puke in your mouth too much) a Remington 700 5R milspec?

quote:

Originally posted by entropy:
All this .22 talk...

Does anyone make a decent bull barrel out-of-the-box bolt gun? Similar to say (dont puke in your mouth too much) a Remington 700 5R milspec?

What's your budget?

quote:

Originally posted by jelrod1:

Keep us updated on what you think of the turret options. I'm looking hard at the 2.3-18x56 version for a hunter build.

Been a little nuts lately but I finally got to unbox the new scope. The turret options are really pretty cool. The click function is in the turret, not simply using what's already in the scope. Nice positive clicks and easy to put on and take back off. Have the standard hash mark setup or can be custom configured BDC out to 500 yards. They can also be locked. I could probably get some pics up tomorrow night if it would help.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/...fle--redfield-sights

jlemmy, fritz, entropy....here you go!

quote:

Originally posted by offgrid:
http://www.armslist.com/posts/...fle--redfield-sights

jlemmy, fritz, entropy....here you go!

Thanks, still on the fence with this one. Not sure if I want to start another project or go the Annie route. Need to do some research on their models and features.

Let me add a question if I may. Optics for a .22LR. I see some of you are using FFP scopes. I get the fact that it's consistent with their bigger brothers. Also makes sense as a trainer function. That said it would seem that a rimfire would be better suited to SFP and high magnification. It also wouldn't really require tons of adjustment range. Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated. Trying to come up with a plan.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jlemmy,

quote:

Originally posted by jlemmy:

quote:

Originally posted by offgrid:
http://www.armslist.com/posts/...fle--redfield-sights

jlemmy, fritz, entropy....here you go!

Thanks, still on the fence with this one. Not sure if I want to start another project or go the Annie route. Need to do some research on their models and features.

Let me add a question if I may. Optics for a .22LR. I see some of you are using FFP scopes. I get the fact that it's consistent with their bigger brothers. Also makes sense as a trainer function. That said it would seem that a rimfire would be better suited to SFP and high magnification. It also wouldn't really require tons of adjustment range. Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated. Trying to come up with a plan.

Thanks on the scope turrets and pics would be nice. I like that there's a locking function for hunting.

I use a FFP on my 22 for some of the reasons you listed. It does take some adjustment range though. I'm using mine for positional training on steel and just trigger time out to 200 yards mostly. From a 50y zero 200 is 7.1 mil ,(similar drop as my 6 creedmoor at 1100 at my DA) adjustment. Start going further and you need a lot of adjustment. I like FFP for the wind holds because I don't need to be at a certain power. Wind really affects these and can be challenging so the wind holds vary wildly. Since the shooting I'm doing with it is similar to the other guns I feel FFP is best for me. It would just come down to what you are going to do with it.

I agree with the other guys.

My .223AI will be pretty much a duplicate of my competition gun, save for the action and caliber. Huber trigger, JAE chassis, and a Gen 2 Razor.

I want to practice with what I compete with, as do these guys.

I know you don't compete, so if you're solely looking to hone your trigger pulling skills, I would think you could put whatever type of glass on it that you prefer.

I'd simply use the rimfire to hone the trigger pulling skills. I can't imagine I'd shoot it past 200 yards. I wouldn't set it up as a smaller version of its bigger brothers. What I am considering is setting up my .223 as a trainer ( same stock and optic) then use that SFP optic on the rimfire. It's a lot to mull over and I appreciate the advice.

My apologies for the thread drift. Here are a few pics of my new carbine optic for Jelrod. If you have any other questions I'd be happy to help.

Sweet.

Thats a whole lot of hole patchin' and speed tape right there!