Newbie Rifle Question

[Mastiff 7]

Hi all,

 

Was suggested that I repost this here, so copied and pasted from the New Members forum, hope that's ok.

 

"Just stumbled across this forum and I have o say I'm glad I have.

 

I've been air-rifle target shooting for a number of years now and am looking to upgrade to full bore rifle target shooting (no interest in stalking for the moment.

 

I'm looking to join Bolton or Blackburn gun club before applying for my FAC, I've emailed both clubs but whilst I'm waiting for a reply I was wondering if I may ask a question?

 

Obviously I'm not in a position to buy a rifle yet but I'd like to use the time I have to do a bit of research, from what I've read I believe .308 caliber rifle could be best for +500 yard target shooting, is this correct or would I be better starting out with a .22?

 

For the record I'm a fit and healthy 36 year old."

 

Thanks in advance

 

Mick.

[SNAP SHOT 194]

i would suggest you start with a smaller calibre, as learning to shoot with a larger calibre leads to flinching due to anticipation of recoil..

 

your not just gonna go out and start shooting at 500 yards , it'll take a while to learn the skill,

 

So i'd suggest you purchse a smaller calibre like .223 if you want to jump into centre fires right away....

 

otherwise i'd say go for a .22 lr for a few months and learn the basics, safety. wind, ranging, marksmanship....

 

 

.223 will get you to 500 yards if your able to read the wind well you'll be accurate...

 

i'd suggest you stay with the smaller calibres and learn your trigger control and breathing .....

 

its like learning to drive and jumping straight into a lorry if you go for the larger calibre's.... things would be difficult...

 

 

Snap.

[flytie 1]

If/when you get accepted for a club. Iam sure there will be members willing to guide you in your choice of calibre, and possibly let you try their rifles.

 

As to using a .308 at 500m + there are other calibres to consider, although the .308 would be a good choice, as ammunition is easily available.

 

This link leads to some interesting information on calibres, and using them at distance, http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

 

Don't be too worried about flinching using a .308, it's the calibre I learned on and I don't flinch.

 

ft

[Mastiff 7]

Thanks very much Gents.

 

Going to look at Blackburn club on Saturday, will see how I get on.

 

Mick.

[JonathanL 4]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Have a look at the club and shoot various rifles during your probationary period. Once you get your FAC buy whatever takes your fancy. You should have no problems getting authorisations for at least 4 guns on your first application so you'll have plenty of opportunity to get different stuff.

 

J.

[Mastiff 7]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Have a look at the club and shoot various rifles during your probationary period. Once you get your FAC buy whatever takes your fancy. You should have no problems getting authorisations for at least 4 guns on your first application so you'll have plenty of opportunity to get different stuff.

 

J.

 

 

Thanks Jonathan,

 

I had assumed I'd be limited to one gun, that makes things easier to decide!

 

Mick.

[sako trg 1]

i would suggest you start with a smaller calibre, as learning to shoot with a larger calibre leads to flinching due to anticipation of recoil..

 

your not just gonna go out and start shooting at 500 yards , it'll take a while to learn the skill,

 

So i'd suggest you purchse a smaller calibre like .223 if you want to jump into centre fires right away....

 

otherwise i'd say go for a .22 lr for a few months and learn the basics, safety. wind, ranging, marksmanship....

 

 

.223 will get you to 500 yards if your able to read the wind well you'll be accurate...

 

i'd suggest you stay with the smaller calibres and learn your trigger control and breathing .....

 

its like learning to drive and jumping straight into a lorry if you go for the larger calibre's.... things would be difficult...

 

 

Snap.

I would have to agree there,at 500yrd I choose somthing in 6.5 after I,d master'd a smaller calibre.atb

[SNAP SHOT 194]

i've seen lots of cases where shooters jump into a c/f rifle, and develop all sorts of problems, flinching, trigger control issues...

 

closing the eyes on the pull of the trigger.... thes are hard to sort out once imbeded in the mind of pulling a trigger...

 

Each person is different to how they react to a shot...

 

but as stated get trigger time on some rifle to see what you CAN do then things will become clear....

 

good luck with the search and the shooting....

 

 

Snap.

[sako trg 1]

Thanks very much Gents.

 

Going to look at Blackburn club on Saturday, will see how I get on.

 

Mick.

seek out old wilf at b/burn club he's always willing to help out and has top draw scopes for sale from time to time a great fella.atb

[RicW 67]

If you are serious about punching paper you should start shooting .22lr under UKBR22 rules. These guys are nutcases for accuracy. To get your basic marksman ticket you have to put 5 successive 10 round groups in an average 3/4" cut circle. You are allowed one group of 1" cut but your average group must be 3/4". This is at 50 yards, and you have 30 minutes to put 50 rounds downrange. One flyer and you have to start again! Maximum mag on your scope is 12X.

 

Opinions will vary from now on, but if I were going for serious long range shooting, I'd find clubs where I could shoot 6mm br. The top shooters in the States using 6mm br Norma can put 25 rounds in a 6" circle at 1000 yds. There are many clubs in the UK where shooting at this range, or power, is not allowed. From what I can gather. .308 is nothing special.

 

Ric