Why Not...A Long Range Rifle?

[SmallGameAddict]

How's about this lil gem from Ruger: Ruger® Hawkeye® Long-Range Target Bolt-Action Rifle Models

Did the math- using Hornady's .308 cal 178 gr ELD-X bullet with a G7 BC of .278 in a .300 Win Mag at a cool 3100 fps= 800 yard big game rifle. Smokin!

PS: Don't forget your 30mm tube scope and tactical rings when you break out the fantastic plastic.

Be the first kid on your block to step up to the plate and get you some.

 

[dsdmmat]

Depends on what you want it for, killing or target. If it is just target there are less abusive rounds to chamber a rifle in.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Deer hunting, and steel plates. Long distance, it's the next best thing to being there.

 

[Shoots100]

To me, Long range is 1,000 yards++.
.308-300 mag are medium range calibers. They can hit paper at longer ranges, but for hunting it's pushing it.
It's too bad that the ranges we have available in NY to actually shoot long range, don't allow you to shoot the calibers that are actually designed and used for long range shooting ?
It is a very nice rifle though.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

How far a man wants to shoot at a TARGET is up to them, hunters have bullet performance parameters to factor in, minimum impact velocity and energy.

Edit: 1,000++ yards/meters in NY is a LOT of land, and a LOT of property taxe$. No Nevada desert around here to just drive to and blast away.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

According to Hornady's 4DOF ballistic calculator app- .308 cal 178 gr ELD-X, G7 BC of .278, MV 3100 fps (easily achieveable in .300 Win Mag), minimum recommended bullet impact velocity of 1800 fps: Elk, 1600 ft lb impact energy min., 650 yards=2038 fps, 1642 fpe; Whitetail/Mule deer, 1200 fpe min., 800 yards=1821 fps, 1310 fpe.

Edit: @ 47 degrees F, 10 mph 90 degree cross wind.

 

[BDinPutnam]

What's the msrp, I may have missed it?

I went out last week and shot my father in law's Howa in 300 that he had magnaported last year. Was actually quite (very, actually) pleasant compared to the 7mm Rem Mag we had out with us as well. We will probably 'port the 7 as well.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Listed at a little over $1200. Heavy -10+ lbs., ported muzzle brake. Should help with recoil ALOT. Don't forget hearing protection!

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Depends on what you want it for, killing or target. If it is just target there are less abusive rounds to chamber a rifle in.

And, you're absolutely right. Even for hunting, for that matter. My 7mm-08 with 7mm/.284 Hornady 150 gr. ELD-X, @ easily achievable 2700 fps muzzle velocity (22" barrel, 9.5" twist, gyro stability @ muzzle is 1.54 so is stable with this bullet), deer hunting- 525 yard MV 1906/1210 fpe, 600 yard MV 1803/1083 fpe. Vs a 30/06, uses 11-15 gr LESS powder per cartridge case, free recoil 24%+ LESS, all in a scoped hunting rifle with bipod that weighs a full pound LESS (8.5 lbs carry weight).

 

[dsdmmat]

My ‘06 weighs in @ 17 pounds of course the 30 inch bench rest barrel has a lot to do with that. My 168 grain SMK loads are leaving the barrel at 2950 FPS, which is pretty good. No need for a muzzle brake, the gun’s weight helps a lot with taming the recoil.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

My ‘06 weighs in @ 17 pounds of course the 30 inch bench rest barrel has a lot to do with that. My 168 grain SMK loads are leaving the barrel at 2950 FPS, which is pretty good. No need for a muzzle brake, the gun’s weight helps a lot with taming the recoil.

Yes sir. I can see why at 17 lbs.

 

[dsdmmat]

Yes sir. I can see why at 17 lbs.

The guys in my summer shooting league are waiting for me to mount it on a carriage to wheel it up to the firing line.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

The guys in my summer shooting league are waiting for me to mount it on a carriage to wheel it up to the firing line.

Lol, bipod with wheels.

 

[Jaywmustang]

My ‘06 weighs in @ 17 pounds of course the 30 inch bench rest barrel has a lot to do with that. My 168 grain SMK loads are leaving the barrel at 2950 FPS, which is pretty good. No need for a muzzle brake, the gun’s weight helps a lot with taming the recoil.

Sometime I wish I had a mule to pack in my 17 lbs rifle lol. No recoil tho

 

[Jaywmustang]

That ruger looks nice. U going to get one smallgame?

 

[SteyrAug]

30 caliber for long range ? Laffin, real men shoot 338s like this 338 RUM. 36" 3 groove nitrided bbl, 4-28 IOR, 15 pounds, 300 gr Bergers at 3000 fps.

(not a "walk-about" rifle)

 

[SmallGameAddict]

That ruger looks nice. U going to get one smallgame?

For now, honestly, no. I would need honest and regular access to private land and/or shooting range with at LEAST 800+ yard access, so realistically I have no financial incentive to do so at this point, therefore my 7mm-08 and 30-06 can carry the freight for my current needs. Still, fun to research what's out there. Like everything else, how far you want to go depends on what you're willing to spend.

 

[SteyrAug]

There is a 1000 yard range just S of Albany.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Thanks, but I'm not driving 2-1/2+ hours east just to shoot a rifle.

 

[Uzi]

30 caliber for long range ? Laffin, real men shoot 338s like this 338 RUM. 36" 3 groove nitrided bbl, 4-28 IOR, 15 pounds, 300 gr Bergers at 3000 fps.

(not a "walk-about" rifle)

View attachment 27133 View attachment 27134

Needs a bigger scope, not good enough. or at least add two, my god man.

 

[SteyrAug]

Ringing steel on targets that are 10' high to account for the earth's curvature is fun !

 

[Big John]

I am not sure what some folks mean by can't kill a deer This .308 took one at 650yds...........

 

[SteyrAug]

Target shooting using live targets.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

View attachment 27135 I am not sure what some folks mean by can't kill a deer This .308 took one at 650yds...........

Well Big John that proves once again energy figures aren't everything, yet to see a bullet bounce off a deer.

 

[SteyrAug]

But have seen plenty with nasty wounds, caused by wannabe snipers, and pulled down by Wolves, yotes, bear and lions or starved to death.

Once ranges exceed 300, too many variables cause stuff to go south.

You can NEVER be too close to make a humane, ethical kill.

 

[Jaywmustang]

I could get around 550 yards but we r getting close to the neighbors.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

You know Steyr, if you're so dead set against deer hunting beyond 300 yards, I'm confused as to why you bother to read and reply to the thread. Just to be a Debbie Downer? I personally see nothing wrong with a well prepared well researched responsible adult taking a shot at known range from a solid rest, with the best tech available to the working man.

 

[Vapor]

Where are you taking deer at more than across a hay field in ny...going to hit up deer on 81 north?

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Where are you taking deer at more than across a hay field in ny...going to hit up deer on 81 north?

Power lines

 

[MilesTeg]

Because he's a troll.