Author Topic: what to get for long range target shooting (Read 924 times)

ben23 · « **on:** August 21, 2004, 05:17:50 AM »

i'm gonna break away from the old pellt gun and finnaly get a real one. i plan on doing some 100 yd target shooting...and an occasional bird/squirrel. What caliber would give me the most 100 yd accuracy?and what gun would you reccomend for my intended purposes. What scope would you put on it? Sorry for all the questions.
thanks for any help

-ben

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2004, 05:35:28 AM »

Welcome to GBO.

I'd recommend the CZ452 American in .17hmr with a Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16x40 scope if you are considering a carry gun for your multipurpose shooter. You won't beat .17hmr accuracy with any other rimfire but it's not the best squirrel caliber if you intend on eatin the critters unless you limit yourself to headshots only which the hmr is extremely capable of. If you don't mind a bit more weight, go for the Varmint, just a little more bench friendly. If you'd like more info on rimfires in general, check out RFC.

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/

Keith L · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2004, 06:48:14 AM »

I generally agree with Quickdtoo, but recommend you look at Savage for the gun. It will be as accurate with a little work, cost half as much, can be gotten stainless/syntnetic (great if you use it in wet, harsh climates) and is made on this contenebt (Canada).

I don't think you can go wrong with a .17 HMR>

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2004, 08:59:33 AM »

I think your first decision needs to be regarding chambering and then about which rifle.

Answer this first. How much do you intend to shoot it? How much money do you have to spend on ammo? You can buy .22LR ammo for a buck a box of 50 or less at times. .17HRM ammo is gonna set you back closer to $10 for 50. If you plan to do a lot of shooting that's a serious price difference.

If like me you'll not shoot a box of ammo a year thru it then it's not a consideration. My Ruger 77-17 will likely be used ONLY for control of fruit stealing squirrels in my orchard and only when on the ground. Any in trees require the use of a shotgun for safety. Might take an occasional black bird with it also if the shot is safe. Total for such shouldn't exceed a box or so a year. I've been using my Marlin .22 Mag for such duty for a long time and a box a year covers that usually in addition to taking out stray cats folks throw out. It will still be used for them.

At the end of a year I've taken out far more critters with the shotgun than rifle as it just isn't safe to shoot the rifle in just any direction where I am but the shotgun can be pretty much.

Any and all target work is done with a .22LR rifle for cost reasons. I can buy 5000 rounds of it for what you'd pay for 500-600 at most of the .17HRM.

ben23 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2004, 10:07:59 AM »

thanks for all of your help....i actually belonged to this site before...just made a new one because i didt remembermy password.
i have heard that .22lr is less accurate than the 17 hmr. I will be shooting from 100 yards or more...and cost of ammo does not concern me because i can always wash my moms car for a few extra bucks. What i'm wondering is which one will make the best, most accurate groupings, considering that i'm a good shot. So once we figure out the caliber to use....i'll worry about the gun and scope.
thanks
so for long range which has more accuracy..17hmr, or .22lr?
thanks guys
-Ben

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2004, 10:52:51 AM »

There's another factor that you should consider when comparing the 22LR to the 17hmr. The 17hmr shoots extremely flat in comparison, that and the fact that the 17hmr is considerably more accurate with normal ammo. To get even close to the same accuracy with a 22LR, you would need premium ammo and then you still are at a disadvantage with the 22LR's rainbow tradjectory.

http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58126&highlight=show

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67004

ben23 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2004, 09:05:04 AM »

then 17 hmr it is!
i went to dicks and found a savage .17mr with scope (the model is call 95 somthing) its has a heavy barrel and comes with a scope
he said it was great from 100 yards to 150 yards.. What do you think..it is 200 somthing...and sounds good. He said it will shoot smaller than a nickel at 100 yds.
thanks
ben

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2004, 09:40:54 AM »

The savage 93R17 is a great rifle, is accurate out of the box, but after you find out the trigger is a bit heavy you might consider a bit of work on it. The link below will help you make some minor changes that will make the trigger much nicer. If that isn't to your satisfaction, Rifle Basix makes a drop in adjustable trigger that is real sweet, although a bit expensive.

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46774

http://www.riflebasix.com/savage.html

ben23 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2004, 11:19:54 AM »

thanks a lot! i cant wait to get it and take it to the range and take out a couple ground hogs!
thanks again
ben

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2004, 11:39:50 AM »

Ben, you might consider the 20gr hornady XTP or 20gr CCI Gamepoint for the ghogs, from what I've read, they're a little tougher critters that the 20gr loads are more suited for. But, they may not shoot as well as the Vmax or TNT 17gr loads, some folks like em others don't because they aren't as accurate, ya just need to shoot em all to see what your rifle likes best. Happy shootin! Tim