What rifle setup for long range gong shooting

Would like some feedback regarding minimum gear setups for medium/long range shooting, say up to 600m. I’m not talking about PRS style rifles but a more minimalist approach. If my 260 continues to shape up well, I’d like to participate in this activity.
What accuracy levels should the rifle should be achieving consistently, suitable bullets to use, minimum scope requirements etc. Have a Rem788 in 22-250, would be suitable as well?

Just interested to see what the average shooter is using, enjoying a day out with others on the range, and still getting results.

Thank you. Cheers, Sidetrack

The 260 will do it with 143g eld projectiles

You need accuracy first and velocity second

Lots of rifle configurations will suffice . . . My preference tends to the so called "cross-over" rifle configuration, which to me means something with about a No 3 or a tiny bit heavier barrel (but lighter and shorter than most varmint weight barrels), a stock which can be configured to suit your LOP and cheek weld, and controllable enough that you can learn to spot your own trace and splash (obviously recoil, so cartridge, comes into this.

I like to be able to hunt with my "gong guns" so an all up weight of not more that 4.5 Kgs

There are some factory rifles out there like this, the Lithgow LA 102 for example, the 308 one I stupidly sold was very nice to shoot and extremely accurate.

Minimum would be something like a Tikka lite/Howa/R700 etc and a decent dialing scope.
Leupold Mark 4s and Nightforce NXSs used to be the go to scope for long range and military use, so most dialing scopes available today are up (VX3, VX5, NF SHV, Vortex HST/PST etc).

So long as the rifle is reasonably accurate, then spending decent money on a scope and maybe a stock up grade is all that you really need.
More first long range rifle was a Tikka lite in 260, and with a Vortex HST scope was very capable.

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Originally Posted by Sidetrack

Would like some feedback regarding minimum gear setups for medium/long range shooting, say up to 600m. I’m not talking about PRS style rifles but a more minimalist approach. If my 260 continues to shape up well, I’d like to participate in this activity.
What accuracy levels should the rifle should be achieving consistently, suitable bullets to use, minimum scope requirements etc. Have a Rem788 in 22-250, would be suitable as well?

Just interested to see what the average shooter is using, enjoying a day out with others on the range, and still getting results.

Thank you. Cheers, Sidetrack

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Keep in mind that it was not uncommon for the old .303 to be shot at targets well out there back in the day. The limitations are going to be:

1. Your accuracy/precision expectations, what is 'long range'? 600m is the cusp of it according to F class.Do you know what 1 MOA really looks like?

2. Bullets. Before 'building' a rifle, pick the bullet, not cartridge first. The Hornady 180 ELDM is awesome sauce, basically a cheat code for wind drift within 1km.

3. Budget, personally would buy either a Ruger American or Howa in 6.5CM or 223 instead of burning out a 22-250 barrel which is probably slow twist.

What is your current 260 ?

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Originally Posted by Ground Control

What is your current 260 ?

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REM700 SA, 22” Trueflite match grade barrel, 1:8.5 twist, bedded HS Precision stock, standard trigger. Scope is a Burris E3 3-15HD illuminated on Talley mediums.

I shoot to 600m regularly with my short barrelled 308 Tikka completely stock with a 3-18 VX6 and it works
also do same with my 6.5TCU M700, 7-35Mk5 and it works also, it also worked with 2-10 VX5.
Both guns shoot magic MOA or better neither one is a PRS Style as it were.
Both I have used for actual game shooting
Target is 8 inch plate so slightly bigger than MOA size.
Use what you have for a start, you may be surprised what it can do.

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Originally Posted by Sidetrack

Would like some feedback regarding minimum gear setups for medium/long range shooting, say up to 600m.

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REM700 SA, 22” Trueflite match grade barrel, 1:8.5 twist, bedded HS Precision stock, standard trigger. Scope is a Burris E3 3-15HD illuminated on Talley medium would be minimum medium/long range 600m rig you should really consider.

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Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

The 260 will do it with 143g eld projectiles

You need accuracy first and velocity second

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I see DeltaMikes has 139gn Scenars in stock now. I remember a lot of love in the 260 fraternity for those as well.

What’s the general feeling about brakes or suppressor use? Personally never fired a braked rifle before. Do they assist in shot tracking?

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Originally Posted by Sidetrack

What’s the general feeling about brakes or suppressor use? Personally never fired a braked rifle before. Do they assist in shot tracking?

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Absolutely, I ran a Terminator on my 260 LR rifle. Could see the impacts in the scope easily.

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You should start in with your current setup and once youve done 3 or 4 matches you will know what you need going forward.

Look at the maximum supersonic range. One day you will try to shoot 1000m. I was frustrated my 7mm08 only went 900m then was sub and not much hit the steel.

How about accept a real challenge and try 300BLK subsonic? If you can hit anything at all at long range with that rainbow trajectory you will impress everyone!

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Originally Posted by Sidetrack

REM700 SA, 22” Trueflite match grade barrel, 1:8.5 twist, bedded HS Precision stock, standard trigger. Scope is a Burris E3 3-15HD illuminated on Talley mediums.

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With a twist like that stick to 130 eldm and lighter .

Attachment 254317

Given some of the suggestions, I’ll start with padding the stock a bit for a better cheek weld, adjust the length of pull and look into the trigger situation a bit more. I think it’s a tad heavy still but time will tell. Need to continue to work up some loads and when my current commitments ease off later this year, will suss out a couple of range days down south here and see how I go after some guidance. Looking forward to a new challenge as its one area I’ve never really pushed myself on.

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Originally Posted by deye223

With a twist like that stick to 130 eldm and lighter .

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Yes, that’s been mentioned before in my 260 thread. At the time, Trueflite suggested that the 1:8.5 would give a bit more crossover with bullet weights, so testing will tell me if that pans out or not.
The real delay in load development has been the weather this last year. I need to find a more sheltered gully somewhere. That, and get this bloody house reno completed.

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Originally Posted by Sidetrack

Yes, that’s been mentioned before in my 260 thread. At the time, Trueflite suggested that the 1:8.5 would give a bit more crossover with bullet weights, so testing will tell me if that pans out or not.

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Would have thought 8.5 would be plenty?