New guy needs advice.

[o2bwest]

Hello every body.

I am new to long range shooting. I built myself a 600yd range last year, and I have been shooting about twice a month ever since. My current rig is a factory model 70 in 7wsm with a 3x12x50 Burris Euro Diamond with Ballistic-Plex reticle. I'm shooting factory ammo. At my range I shoot prone off a bi-pod. I shoot pretty well out to 400yds (<= 1MOA) but past that my shooting deteriorates pretty quickly. I realize my current rig is very basic. What can I do to improve my rifle to turn it into a good 600yd hunting rig? Hand loading is not really an option.

I understand that my rifle is only part of the equation and I am always looking for advice to improve my shooting as well.

 

[emn83]

why isn't handloading an option? I ask because I'm new too, and found it to be a great help.

other than that, floating the bbl, skim and pillar bedding the action, and maybe having some trigger work done are all possibilities.

also, at the ranges you're talking about, practice is really key, at longer ranges, things go to heck because of inexperience in reading and adjusting for the wind, and elevation adjustment. that and any tiny flaw in form is exaggerated at longer ranges.

Hope that helps, from another newbie

 

[Greyfox]

If you are consistently shooting less than 1 MOA at 400 yards with your factory loads, from a ammo standpoint your should be able to hold that level out to 600 yards. I don't think under the circumstances, reloading, or bedding is your issue. If they were, you would see the effects at 400 yards with larger group size. It is possible that your issue could be shooting form, or scope dynamics. I don't know how fine your crosshair is but with a 12 power and a heavy crosshair it will be more difficult to hold 1 MOA groups as the range increases and the sight picture changes. As stated by emn83 in the prior post, wind/mirage will also have a more significant effect at longer ranges.

 

[winmag]

I'm a Model-70 Freak myself. I've got a few factory rigs with Burris or Leupold scopes with stadia lines. I love em'! They work great to 550-600+yds.
I'll bet the key to your problem lies in the trigger. Adjust it, or have it professionally adjusted down to 2-1/2 to 3 lbs MAX!!
No need for a trigger pull measured in ounces here. It's a factory huntin rifle.

But other than handloads, a lighter Trigger is top priority, in line with floated barrel, & bedded action.

If your rifle groups well at 400 with factory ammo, & the ability or desire to handload isn't there, do Trigger work first, then free float bbl, & bed the action. Both will noticeably shrink your groups.

 

[RMulhern]

If you want to get maximum performance from your rifle, handloading is GONNA HAVE TO BE AN OPTION! I won't argue that there isn't some good factory ammo out there because there is but in the final analysis handloading allows one to tailor the ammo to the rifle and all rifles/barrels are different! In the event you have good equipment...meaning a very accurate rifle and load....shooting the longer distances is basically a mental game in conjunction with adherence to the ironclad rules of marksmanship which are unyielding in their nature! The rifle doesn't know whether it's shooting 100 yards or 1000 yards; only you do! If you haven't had the opportunity to train under a qualified instructor.....you might would benefit from such an event!lightbulb

 

[o2bwest]

Thanks for the quick and thoughtful replies. So many forums are stingy with information or completely inactive, you guys are refreshing.

I have thought about a trigger job and floating and bedding. I will probably start with the trigger. I really like my rifle and I am looking forward to getting better with it. Once I get to the point where I can consistently shoot well out to 600yds with this rifle I intend to put together a 1000yd rig. I've been coveting a LR-1000.

As far as hand loading goes; I have no experience. The thought of buying the equipment and taking the time to develope a load for my rifle is pretty daunting. I have been saving my brass though, so I must anticipate doing it at some point.

 

[WildRose]

I'm a Model-70 Freak myself. I've got a few factory rigs with Burris or Leupold scopes with stadia lines. I love em'! They work great to 550-600+yds.
I'll bet the key to your problem lies in the trigger. Adjust it, or have it professionally adjusted down to 2-1/2 to 3 lbs MAX!!
No need for a trigger pull measured in ounces here. It's a factory huntin rifle.

But other than handloads, a lighter Trigger is top priority, in line with floated barrel, & bedded action.

If your rifle groups well at 400 with factory ammo, & the ability or desire to handload isn't there, do Trigger work first, then free float bbl, & bed the action. Both will noticeably shrink your groups.

Ditto. A lot of the problem past 400yds can also very easily be mental attitude.

You have to be convinced you CAN make the shot and when you are, you will shoot better. If the rifle/load combo is performing at 400yds there's no reason the same set up will not perform well beyond it.

Make that a double ditto though on the trigger work. I prefer 1.5lbs or a little less and with the factory M70 triggers you can really open up the over travel quite easily.

Another suggestion is once the weight is properly set, pull the rig and bathe the whole trigger mechanism in 200 grit lapping compound, work it till it starts to get smooth, then blow it out with carburetor cleaner and work some 800 grit on it till it's really smooth.

You can also do the bolt lugs the same way which cannot hurt anything one bit.

 

[WildRose]

Thanks for the quick and thoughtful replies. So many forums are stingy with information or completely inactive, you guys are refreshing.

I have thought about a trigger job and floating and bedding. I will probably start with the trigger. I really like my rifle and I am looking forward to getting better with it. Once I get to the point where I can consistently shoot well out to 600yds with this rifle I intend to put together a 1000yd rig. I've been coveting a LR-1000.

As far as hand loading goes; I have no experience. The thought of buying the equipment and taking the time to develope a load for my rifle is pretty daunting. I have been saving my brass though, so I must anticipate doing it at some point.

Order Hornady's 8th edition loading manual and read all of the stuff in the first few chapters about ammo, ballistics, and reloading.

It will help you a lot.

If you check on Amazon and Ebay you can probably even find one used.

I would also strongly encourage you to go ahead and do the bedding and floating while you have it pulled to do the trigger job.

You can waste a hell of a lot of ammo if you don't and still end up having to do it in the end.

When I get a new or used rifle those are the first two things I do.