Thread: Can you help me choose my next build

Hi all,

Well I’m at a point now where I am looking a having a dabble in some long range shooting. It will occasionally venture out to some vally’s to see if it can put some meat on the table.

I’m in a quandary between Calibre, manufactures and models so hoping you can perhaps provide some insight if you have used one of these list below before. With all the combined knowledge on this forum I’m sure you point me in the right direction.

Of note.

1. I won’t be carrying it more than a couple of KM each time I’m out looking to fill the freezer. The rest of the time it won’t be moved much.
2. I don’t currently reload so ammo will brought of the shelf. I have ruled out a Ruger Rpr 338lm because of the cost of the rounds (approx $12-15 each)
3. I have a couple of boxes of 300WM still floating around from a CZ550 that I’ll be selling shortly (I carnt bring myself to butcher this to meet my needs as it’s as new condition with zero rounds though it and will suit a collector) - so ammo cost will be lower for this caliber.
4. Range will be anywhere from 400-1200ish yards (just guessing)

So here’s what I’m thinking so far.

Tikka Ctr 6.5CM
Tikka Super Varmint 6.5CM
Bergara pro 6.5CM
Sako S20 Precision in 6.5CM or 7mm rem mag
Ruger rpr 300wm
Ruger rpr 300prc

I like them all, but feel like I’m getting pulled towards the ruger rpr in 300win or 300prc.

Any thought, pros or cons on the above? - oh and I can buy 1x now and another 1x next year

Cheers and thanks

probably not a bad idea to look at the christensen arms semi custom rifles in something like 300 PRC. They'd be still useful in other types of shooting too as an RPR is really heavy.

Tikka , Sako would be good contenders but for the ranges you mention I think the Creedmoor may be lacking in power.
300 Win and 7mm Rem would be good for the longer range stuff but as stated above save the 800-1200 yard stuff for gongs. 600 - 800 yards is an awful long way for animals.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

probably not a bad idea to look at the christensen arms semi custom rifles in something like 300 PRC. They'd be still useful in other types of shooting too as an RPR is really heavy.

Thanks very much Russian. I’ll what Ken at 55six in kapiti has available on his site

Originally Posted by mimms2

Uhh.. even after you shoot the thing you still have to go get it...
Save the 1200Y game for steel on a range, very VERY VERYfew people I've met could take even semi-ethical shots on live targets at that range. Also at that range "just guessing" doesn't cut it.

400 yards is relatively easy shooting for most CF cartridges. 600 starts to push it.

You've handily excluded .338LM... but it's probably the answer.

Post pics of your groups and we'll advise you further.

That’s a great point. It would only be occasional out and about. I would not even consider a shot over 500 for any animal.

The long distance (to me anyway) would be for the gong. I haven’t measured out the distance to it hence the guesstimate. Really I’m just a newbie looking to move into some distance shooting. My groups are nothing to right home about and I’ll see if I can head out to the Trentham club her in Wellington once I have put something togeather to learn from the pros But I’ve got to have something first!.

Thanks for the feedback.

Ok, I’ll do some research on the 300wsm and the browning. Cheers ��

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Tikka , Sako would be good contenders but for the ranges you mention I think the Creedmoor may be lacking in power.
300 Win and 7mm Rem would be good for the longer range stuff but as stated above save the 800-1200 yard stuff for gongs. 600 - 800 yards is an awful long way for animals.

Much appreciated Mooseman. I was not clear on my intended use. 500 for animals would be my ethical max, but I’ll do my best to learn about extending the range for the gongs. I’m only new to that, as a back injury has pretty much shut down the bush hunts so off to the range from now on for the most part.

How much experience do you have shooting?

For shooting steel/target from 500-1000 mtr.
The 6mm's are very popular in US, either 243 with fast twist barrel or 6mmCM but you would have to reload as not a lot of 103 - 115gr long range factory ammo on NZ shelves.
Leaves the likes of the 6.5CM with Good factory long range ammo selection on NZ shelves..
If you are not hunting past 500mtr then you probably don't need the big 7mm's or 300's. Don't beat up your back with unnecessary recoil. Enjoy your shooting.

Out to 500mtr the 6mm and 6.5mm will kill most NZ game.
Z

Ps before. Heading down the big bore track have a read on the thread on managing recoil. Learn from others experience.

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

How much experience do you have shooting?

On and off most of my life with small to medium game. I would switch between fishing and hunting and back and fourth.
Haven’t been out in a while and moved into Wellington for work and then stuffed my back. Hate feeling old.

Don’t have anywhere in Wellington that I can go to so I’ll have to get a permit and head into the Rimutakas.

Originally Posted by mimms2

Get yourself a .2XX chambering and when you can post <1.5 MOA at 300 yards, all day every day, then go buy a big-boy gun.
Honestly .223rem will do for all NZ game if you can shoot (and if you can't, you shouldn't be putting bullets at animals IMO)
.243 I consider the goldilocks cartridge in NZ. Not too hot, cold, big, small...just right.
Obviously .270 is for homosexuals.
Don't pull the trigger on anything big, if you wouldn't consider the same shot on a rabbit.

You state that the cost of .338 factory is prohibitive... there's no point in burning all that powder and throwing all those .30 cal pills (whatever cartridge) if you're not learning anything, or taking meat. And tbh you're more likely to develop bad habits with a heavy kicker.

I don't mean to be a downer... but there's enough wanabe-sniper fuckwits out there who do our sport and public image no good (fuck here we go, I'm starting to sound like the old pricks)
You may be an upstanding chap. I don't know you from a bar of soap, you don't have any history here, so you get the blunt end of it.
Walk before you run. When your .22LR groups are one hole, then extend the range, then upgrade the cartridge, then when they're one-hole, extend the range, upgrade the cartridge...

I appreciate your openness and straight up honest advise. This is why I like this community, great people who offer ever greater advice.
Much appreciated.

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

For shooting steel/target from 500-1000 mtr.
The 6mm's are very popular in US, either 243 with fast twist barrel or 6mmCM but you would have to reload as not a lot of 103 - 115gr long range factory ammo on NZ shelves.
Leaves the likes of the 6.5CM with Good factory long range ammo selection on NZ shelves..
If you are not hunting past 500mtr then you probably don't need the big 7mm's or 300's. Don't beat up your back with unnecessary recoil. Enjoy your shooting.

Out to 500mtr the 6mm and 6.5mm will kill most NZ game.
Z

Ps before. Heading down the big bore track have a read on the thread on managing recoil. Learn from others experience.

See more bloody good advice. I haven’t really considered the recoil to be an issue, up until injuring my back anyway as now just moving can shoot pain up the spine. I was thinking the sheer weight of an rpr would take the recoil of the bigger pills, but I haven’t fire a shot since the injury. Hmmm, I might need to rethink this as I might not be able to carry the bloody thing let alone manage the recoil. I think I need to get to the range with my t3 308 and see if that’s even still tolerable. Thanks guys for your help.

Reloaders has Howa barreled actions with heavy profile carbon barrels in 6.5 PRC and CM, and. 308 if you feel so inclined.

Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

Reloaders has Howa barreled actions with heavy profile carbon barrels in 6.5 PRC and CM, and. 308 if you feel so inclined.

Thank you Bol. I’m going to pass on the Howa’s as I know they can be superbly accurate for the price, but I’ve read a number of reviews on US forums where they have rusted out pretty quick from humidity and even left rust spot from finger prints over night. I know all will rust or stain if not maintained, but this has removed my confidence in them.
Even saw a howa hunter extreme on TM recently with the cerekote finish supposedly as new and you could see the rust setting in.

Cheers though!

Originally Posted by Sanctuary

Thank you Bol. I’m going to pass on the Howa’s as I know they can be superbly accurate for the price, but I’ve read a number of reviews on US forums where they have rusted out pretty quick from humidity and even left rust spot from finger prints over night. I know all will rust or stain if not maintained, but this has removed my confidence in them.
Even saw a howa hunter extreme on TM recently with the cerekote finish supposedly as new and you could see the rust setting in.

Cheers though!

Rust is through a lack of care, Howa's might not be top end but certainly not a low quality product.

If you are being sensible, a 6mm or 6.5 Creedmoor Howa in a KRG Bravo is going to be unbeatable for the price.

Maybe ramp up to a secondhand Remington Sendero in 7mmRM or 300WM/300WSM but spending anything more is going to be a waste of time and money which should have been spent pulling the trigger and sending lead and copper downrange.

Spare no expense on optics and rings/bases though.