Thread: Can you help me choose my next build

Originally Posted by caberslash

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.

I meant no disrespect to any Howa owners what so ever and I thank you for your suggestions.

It seem to be suggestions to start somewhere between a .2XX and up to the 7mm or even the 300. ZQ
Lewis did point out recoil to which in all honesty I didn’t really consider as I was focusing on something new and shinny, but I’d better see if I can manage the recoil of my 308 first. It does have a limb saver airtech recoil pad on it as long as a supressor so I’m hoping I’m still good.

I’ll definnately spend some coin on quality rings and optics. I want something that can stand up to some abuse if needed, so leaning towards a nighforce, SHV/NSX or Leupold vx5, or even a razor HD. But that will come slightly after purchasing the rifle, so I’ll read more before. Plenty of discussions on this forum on optic choices

Thanks Caberslash for taking the time to reply.

Rimutaka ranges a good place to start with plenty of slips an open faces they come out on

Originally Posted by Sanctuary

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 Sanctuary

I meant no disrespect to any Howa owners what so ever and I thank you for your suggestions.

It seem to be suggestions to start somewhere between a .2XX and up to the 7mm or even the 300. ZQ
Lewis did point out recoil to which in all honesty I didn’t really consider as I was focusing on something new and shinny, but I’d better see if I can manage the recoil of my 308 first. It does have a limb saver airtech recoil pad on it as long as a supressor so I’m hoping I’m still good.

I’ll definnately spend some coin on quality rings and optics. I want something that can stand up to some abuse if needed, so leaning towards a nighforce, SHV/NSX or Leupold vx5, or even a razor HD. But that will come slightly after purchasing the rifle, so I’ll read more before. Plenty of discussions on this forum on optic choices

Thanks Caberslash for taking the time to reply.

6mm Creedmoor is a strong one to consider if you want high velocity and low recoil. Stubby case designed for long bullets and AICS magazines.

Newer, high BC 6mm bullet designs need a fast twist and I believe the 6 Creed is specced at 7.5" on a Howa. Not sure who else does this chambering at their pricepoint.

Brass and dies might be a bit more costly but once you have some Lapua or ADG brass (if they ever get round to making it!) and just basic Lee dies you are set.

Not sure what your breadth and depth of experience is with rifles but I would say shoot whatever you have to hand first before dumping cash and finding out the gear does not suit you.

Try other people's rifles/scopes/stocks first, then buy.

Originally Posted by CheekiBreeki

Just ignore the elitist/gatekeeping stuff around 1-hole groups, with factory ammo in a centrefire you will never see this unless a) you get exceptionally lucky or b) are prepared to go down an endless rabbit hole of different ammo types, bedding the action etc. You might get lucky with .22LR eventually, but you'll need to shoot a lot of different ammo varieties to begin to approach 1-hole groups.

If you can get factory ammo that is shooting around 1 MOA groups or lower out of a modern sporting rifle that would be perfectly adequate for most peoples needs, and honestly in the field (from less than perfect shooting positions) you will struggle to achieve better than 2 MOA in reality. A 1 MOA rifle is perfectly adequate for most shooting needs in all honesty, unless you're planning to try and hit golf balls at 1000m.

You may get the hand loading bug, and if so then you can really start to play with the variables and get some spectacular results and bragging rights. Also you'll save a ton of money if you shoot a lot and don't get carried away with the reloading gear.

Have I mentioned this forum and it’s members are tops!?! - well you all are
Many thanks

Originally Posted by caberslash

6mm Creedmoor is a strong one to consider if you want high velocity and low recoil. Stubby case designed for long bullets and AICS magazines.

Newer, high BC 6mm bullet designs need a fast twist and I believe the 6 Creed is specced at 7.5" on a Howa. Not sure who else does this chambering at their pricepoint.

Brass and dies might be a bit more costly but once you have some Lapua or ADG brass (if they ever get round to making it!) and just basic Lee dies you are set.

Not sure what your breadth and depth of experience is with rifles but I would say shoot whatever you have to hand first before dumping cash and finding out the gear does not suit you.

Try other people's rifles/scopes/stocks first, then buy.

Legendary and I though this will be pretty straight forward. Looks like I’ve got a fair bit reading and reviewing to do (And I don’t mind 1 little bit )

Your clearly very new into long range shooting / hunting

Drop the cm its shit

You need a big magnum 300prc 7mag, 300norma, 338edge & you need lots of range time, a good rangefinder before your even getting close.

This is a 3 shot group i shot at 1100y and i wouldn't be attempt that distance with any gun on an animal.

Greetings @Sanctuary and all,
One thing that only @caberslash has brushed on is the need for a faster twist to stabilise the heavier and longer high BC projectiles that you want to use. I wouldn't go below 1 in 8 inches and some projectiles will need a faster still twist. Some rifles chambered for older cartridges will have slower twists and will not stabilise the projectiles you may want to use. Last year I was taken along to the local full bore range by my son. He was shooting a .308 at 1,000 yards. Believe me 1,000 yards is a long way and the .308 is up to the task. Go along to your local range when they are shooting FTR and F Open one day.
Greetings Grandpamac.
PS. You WILL need to handload.

Originally Posted by CheekiBreeki

If his goal is just to shoot gongs at 600-1200m and animals at up to 500m there is literally no reason he couldn't do it with a 6.5 Creedmoor / .260 Rem / 6.5x55 with practice (both centrefire and .22LR). I know a few people personally who quite capably shoot beyond 1000m with mid-sized 6.5s with no trouble at all. Factory ammo for the creedmoor is certainly good enough to do it (getting hold of it at the moment is a little harder though haha).

I agree on steel it is, i took from your og post it was more aimed at long range hunting rather then gong shooting.
factory 6.5 ammo won the south island toby shoot through a standard t3 sporter

It would be good if any Wellington fella's on here can point out a range for this guy. Target shooting on DOC land is not a good idea.

I went down the custom 243 path, 1:8 twist trueflite barrel still in a short action, I do load out long to the max i can fit in the magazine with 108gr pills.
I'm not running hot over book charge weights. I can still carry 1000 ftlb of energy past 500 mtr.
Most 243's will shoot factory ammo well and it's available in most gun shops.
But reloading opens up lots of new opportunities and a new part of our sport.
Z

NB my longest hunting shots are goats at 450 mtr. (wind up 25 clicks and don't loose count when winding back down)

Originally Posted by 199p

Your clearly very new into long range shooting / hunting

Drop the cm its shit

You need a big magnum 300prc 7mag, 300norma, 338edge & you need lots of range time, a good rangefinder before your even getting close.

This is a 3 shot group i shot at 1100y and i wouldn't be attempt that distance with any gun on an animal.

Attachment 179492

Dam sir, that’s a fantastic group.

If you are going to mainly target shoot (steel and or paper) and you plan to shoot a lot then 6.5CM, 223, 308, 243 etc make sense
Big magnums are fine but expensive to run and if shot a lot recoil becomes an issue.

If mainly for hunting then what ever floats your boat but personally a larger calibre heavy bullet going at moderate speed seems the most consistant in performance at least for me.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings @Sanctuary and all,
One thing that only @caberslash has brushed on is the need for a faster twist to stabilise the heavier and longer high BC projectiles that you want to use. I wouldn't go below 1 in 8 inches and some projectiles will need a faster still twist. Some rifles chambered for older cartridges will have slower twists and will not stabilise the projectiles you may want to use. Last year I was taken along to the local full bore range by my son. He was shooting a .308 at 1,000 yards. Believe me 1,000 yards is a long way and the .308 is up to the task. Go along to your local range when they are shooting FTR and F Open one day.
Greetings Grandpamac.
PS. You WILL need to handload.

You and mauser308 have again added value for me. Much appreciate and thanks for the welcome Granpamac.

I’ve got a t3 308 with an old elite 3200 on it. It’s been ok. But I’m really interested in visiting a club with an open day. They do seem far and few between and Covid isn’t helping. I don’t need a big bore, want is probably more appropriate.

I’m still struggling to find anywhere in Wgtn to go. Trentham at least had the deer stalkers out at kaitokei but that is limited to 100m and nothing over 300wm, and I’m not sure if Porirua range is even still their but that from memory was fairly short as well. I did use to have access to farm land around Wellington when I was younger but those contacts have since moved on.

I’m sure something will eventually come up, but in the mean time I’ll review the fantastic thoughts and comments coming into this thread and other threads on this site and see where it takes me.

300wm ammo still seem available, and the GC website suggests they have quite a bit of 300prc along with 6.5CM.
6.5prc looks fun, but ammo appears unavalible in NZ, so this is not a path I want to walk and I’ve noticed theirs quite a few 6.5prc rifles up for sale. No good if you carnt feed them!

Reloading is where I’ll have to go for what ever caliber but I think looking at the take of things - things are tight for components as well.

Originally Posted by mikee

If you are going to mainly target shoot (steel and or paper) and you plan to shoot a lot then 6.5CM, 223, 308, 243 etc make sense
Big magnums are fine but expensive to run and if shot a lot recoil becomes an issue.

If mainly for hunting then what ever floats your boat but personally a larger calibre heavy bullet going at moderate speed seems the most consistant in performance at least for me.

Thanks Mikee, I appreciate your input and opinions

Originally Posted by Steve123

It would be good if any Wellington fella's on here can point out a range for this guy. Target shooting on DOC land is not a good idea.

Thanks Steve123. Target shooting on DOC land isn’t my first choice that’s for sure.