Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Dedicated long range rifle?

Good day.

My cousin would like to get a dedicated long range rifle. He is a very experienced hunter and shoots exceptionally well. He uses his rifles on a daily basis and definitely have the ability too shoot better than most hunting rifles can perform (meaning that he would be able to shoot exceptional groups with an accurate rifle). He asked me what rifle I would advise him to buy for long range shooting and hunting. He currently shoots sakos and tikkas that should be up to the task but I guess it is just more fun to have an excuse to get another rifle

One thing I need to mention is that he would prefer if a rifle shoots right out of the box. I know some of us have no problem with modifying bedding, stocks, trueing actions or even replacing barrels. Not that it is not possible for him to get the things done if needed, I just know he would not be pleased if the rifle does not perform from the get go.

What would a good rifle then be for him. If you had to buy a factory rifle, almost knowing that it would shoot well from the start, what would that be? I think he is open to any brand, as long as it shoots. Caliber would be 7mm or .30 cal.

It is hard to tell you guys in US dollar what his budget for the rifle would be but something in the price range of a Sendero, Savage LRP, Tikka super varmint ect.

Thanks

Pieter

I have a scendero 7mm that is an awesome shooter, I also wouldnt be against owning a savage long range hunter to use as a dedicated long range rig

This in .260:

http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?ctr

Or a Cooper Phoenix 54 in 6.5 Creedmoor (or 7-08 or 7RM if he insisted on something in 7mm):

http://www.cooperfirearms.com/our-rifles/build-your-own

I have a 7rm in the gen 1 sendero that pretty much shoots anything you put in it 1" or better at 100yrds. I also have a couple savages that shoot really well. A savage long range hunter or model 12 would be my suggestion for a new rifle.

Seems the new Remington SPS Long Range has some interest. Economical price for what it is. mtmuley

If weight is not a factor and a single shot is okay, he might look at a Remington 40-XB in 7 Mag or .300 Mag. The 40-XB actions are all short actions and when chambered in cartridges normally seen in a long action, they're made as single shots.

There is a repeater version but they're chambered in short action cartridges only, most commonly .308.

Used ones in either single shot or repeater version pop up fairly often on Gunbroker and/or Gunsinternational.

I have 7 Mag and .300 H&H single shots and a .308 single shot and a repeater and they are all capable of five shots in less than 1/2" at a hundred yards with favored loads.

The 7 Mag is set up in a Brown Precision stock and I use it when I'm hunting over a cutover where I know the shots will be long. I have been using the 160 A/bond in it but I just worked up a load with the 168 LR Accubond and Retumbo at 3000 fps that I can't wait to try.

That gun is badass.

Jordan, that tikka does look nice. We unfortunately do not get Cooper rifles in South-Africa, wish we did though

Pieter

Thanks for your opinions guys.

Just another question: How are the stocks on the Senderos, Savage rifles and tikkas?

Pieter

Nothing special, but semi-functional.

By the looks of that signature, you and your cousin just need buck shot.
Get a Sauer 202- pick Ur favourite colour and go hunting, not shooting.

sako 85 long range, a rem 40-x 300 win mag; a sendero , tikka super varmint; the LRP does not come in the calibers you want. ALL of those should be great.

My vote would go to a Sendero in 300 Ultra Mag

Not pretty, but Savages tend to shoot very well out of the box. That's not to say that Tikkas, Sakos, CZs won't, however the price does vary a little. Before I got my Savage I looked into Tikka's, Remington, Win, and would have gone Tikka, had I not found the Savage I did at the price I got it.
I am partial to the 7RM, because I own one, but a 30.06, 300WM or even .308 should do fine long range. Even the 7-08 can reach out there for shooting. Bullets and effective killing distance I will leave to other that have hunted African game.

You didn't mention if cousin handloads. If not, might be wise to consider a chambering that's supported with good commercially avaialble match-grade ammo.

To me that would mean 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 WinMag, or 338 Lapua.

If he handloads, the choices are wide open.

For a beginning long range cartridge I would go with a 308 winchester or 260. The Remington 5 R milspec is a pretty nice rig for the money. A Tikka Sporter would be a step up for around 1500.00 dollars.

After he burns out the barrel of the 308 he can rebarrel or move on to a 7 rem magnum. The Remington Sendero is a great platform.

My Sendero 7 Mag came with an HS Precision stock, and shoots 1/2 MOA with no modifications