Making a rifle into a "long range rifle" and tips for a long range beginner

[SimpleSimon]

I have a Tikka T3x Super Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 20 inch barrel. I bought it as a second stalking rifle and I like it a lot, but I don't really need it.

I have the opportunity, through my shooting club, to do some shooting on steel out to 600 and I'm wanting to set up the Tikka for that and potentially longer range if I enjoy it.

Not looking to spend a fortune transforming it into a totally different rifle. I understand it's not necessarily what you'd buy if you were starting with nothing, but it's what I've got and I want to use it.

I'm looking at topping the rifle with a Vortex Venom 5-25x56 scope with MRAD reticle. They seem to get good reviews for the money and it will cover me if/when I do start looking at ranges beyond 600.

I have a Spartan Javelin bipod to use - will that do?

Is there anything more in terms of either equipment or knowledge/advice that will be beneficial to get me started?

 

[NP435]

I have a Tikka T3x Super Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 20 inch barrel. I bought it as a second stalking rifle and I like it a lot, but I don't really need it.

I have the opportunity, through my shooting club, to do some shooting on steel out to 600 and I'm wanting to set up the Tikka for that and potentially longer range if I enjoy it.

Not looking to spend a fortune transforming it into a totally different rifle. I understand it's not necessarily what you'd buy if you were starting with nothing, but it's what I've got and I want to use it.

I'm looking at topping the rifle with a Vortex Venom 5-25x56 scope with MRAD reticle. They seem to get good reviews for the money and it will cover me if/when I do start looking at ranges beyond 600.

I have a Spartan Javelin bipod to use - will that do?

Is there anything more in terms of either equipment or knowledge/advice that will be beneficial to get me started?

In terms of gear I think you will be just fine, the wind is a definite factor both in terms of velocity and value to the shooter defined by a clock face 12 and 6 being zero value. Mirage is also a factor not only from barrel heat but ambient temperature over the ground.

 

[ashray]

moderator, helps spot your shots<reduced muzzle lift> 140+ bullet weight ,better in the wind and maintain velocity better that 120gr bullets <although not a huge difference out to 600 yards but better impact at that range> i use my tikka super varmint 20" 6.5x55 139gr lapua scenar out to 1000 yards so your good to go easily at your 600 yards. good luck. know your bullet velocity and have drop chart thats accurate .depending on bullet weight and velocity expect 12" to 20" moa adjustment if zeroed at 100 yards .you will have to work out your mill drops <i am old school moa only>

 

[Klenchblaize]

I thought Creedmoor owners simply pulled the trigger and the cartridge did the rest out to 1000m.

Just saying!

K

 

[Ronin]

I have a Tikka T3x Super Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 20 inch barrel. I bought it as a second stalking rifle and I like it a lot, but I don't really need it.

I have the opportunity, through my shooting club, to do some shooting on steel out to 600 and I'm wanting to set up the Tikka for that and potentially longer range if I enjoy it.

Not looking to spend a fortune transforming it into a totally different rifle. I understand it's not necessarily what you'd buy if you were starting with nothing, but it's what I've got and I want to use it.

I'm looking at topping the rifle with a Vortex Venom 5-25x56 scope with MRAD reticle. They seem to get good reviews for the money and it will cover me if/when I do start looking at ranges beyond 600.

I have a Spartan Javelin bipod to use - will that do?

Is there anything more in terms of either equipment or knowledge/advice that will be beneficial to get me started?

Use the kit you’ve got - don’t tell the gun your shooting that far

 

[Malxwal]

Decent rear bag ?
Run your ammo over the chrono, hopefully your SD isn't too wild.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Decent ammo in the 140g range will be fine.

Jav bipod will be alright, personally I prefer a harris swivel as its more steady.

A rear bag is a must id say.

Other than that, enjoy!

 

[tackb]

Good slippery bullets like the 140 eld-m and have at it , you’ll be surprised

 

[Donkey Basher]

Don’t bother fitting a moderator to it - it will create a mirage all of its own once you’ve fired a couple of shots… ask me how I know

Make sure that you have length of pull adjusted to suit you, ditto cheek position, & get proper eye relief.

Don’t use a bipod that is too high, the aim (pardon the pun) is to get the whole rig including your body as stable as possible & generally speaking that means get it as low as possible to the ground. Propping yourself up high on your elbows makes you unstable, puts tension into your back & neck - get low & align yourself properly so that the recoil transfers straight into your shoulder & through your body keeping the rifle on target after the shot.

 

[ejg]

I thought Creedmoor owners simply pulled the trigger and the cartridge did the rest out to 1000m.

Just saying!

K

Actually quite true. Range Day at Shot Show they had a gong at 950, our Guss was working on the range with Schmidt and Bender, said just about every shooter hit the target with the 6.5CM they had. I also watched them for a while. Nobody fired at 300-500 with CM, was just too boring. Out of all rifles they had the 308 and 6.5CM were the most popular. MV of the ammo supplied was even quite low.
edi

 

[ejg]

Clays at 1250 ish yards at the Guardian comp in Irland a few years back. Guy on the left hit a few clays with his 20" CTR 6.5CM using a 3-12x50 PMII scope and 143ELDX factory ammo.

edi

 

[Donkey Basher]

Clays at 1250 ish yards at the Guardian comp in Irland a few years back. Guy on the left hit a few clays with his 20" CTR 6.5CM using a 3-12x50 PMII scope and 143ELDX factory ammo.

edi

“Content not viewable in your region”

 

[rocketdogbert]

Having owned a tikka T3x, albeit a tactical, and in .223, and 20” barrel, and Vortex strike eagle 5-25 (same glass as venom, but just with illumination) you won’t have an issue.

My tikka was a tac driver out to 600, your 6.5CM will be even better. I shot it successfully in zero wind out to 900, your 6.5CM will shoot to 1000 in any weather, no issues at all.Get a mod with a cover if noise is an issue where you will be shooting, otherwise not a problem.

As others have said, you will need to get low, get a bag, get all the target shooting discipline paraphernalia. If you want to get fancy, switch to a fully adjustable chassis and ad weights until it’s about 20kg.

And make everybody else go look silly lol

 

[sauer]

Rear. Bag
Practice technique/ position & breathing
Don't rush it
You want that trigger going off almost as a surprise
Enjoy yourself

 

[Taff]

All I can see missing from your set up is a man bun ?

 

[SimpleSimon]

Thanks for the input folks. Happily, I already have a couple of bags that could/should work.

Moderators are mandatory at the 600 yard venue, so again I'll be using what I've got for now which is a Wildcat Evolution.

The rifle shoots very well at "ordinary" distances with hand loaded copper bullets so I'm optimistic on finding a target load it'll like.

 

[tackb]

Thanks for the input folks. Happily, I already have a couple of bags that could/should work.

Moderators are mandatory at the 600 yard venue, so again I'll be using what I've got for now which is a Wildcat Evolution.

The rifle shoots very well at "ordinary" distances with hand loaded copper bullets so I'm optimistic on finding a target load it'll like.

if you can find any the hornady 140 ELD-M match factory ammo is superb !

i shot a ragged hole 5 shot group at 200m with mine from my prs comp gun , largely luck but impressively flattering to my mediocre shooting !

 

[SimpleSimon]

if you can find any the hornady 140 ELD-M match factory ammo is superb !

I've got 100 Barnes 123gr Match Burners to use initially which I bought because I can use up the powder I was using for stalking loads.

After that I'll probably look into a heavier bullet if I'm enjoying it and want to start reaching a bit further

 

[Jagged77]

It’s quite possible to turn a good factory rifle into a long range rig capable of long range accuracy, I’ve done it myself on plenty of mine.

I’d change the stock to something more focussed on prone / long range shooting. MDT chassis a good place to start but lots of other options.

20 MOA rail handy if you stretch it a little further.

Mod with a decent cover to help with mirage

Change out the standard bolt handle to a heavier after market one (helps keep you aligned on target if shooting consecutive shots as you can use the back of your first two fingers to lift)

Decent bipod, I like Atlas

Slippery bullets and good reloading technique.

Have fun!

 

[Edelweiss]

6,5 Creedmoor is perfect. I started with 6,5x47 years ago.

My info, if you have some Money change the trigger to an atzl trigger. It’s a Game changer.
Next Point is Reloading the ammo. If Not buy for example Hornady Match ammo.
If it’s possible buy a good Scope in 1ffp.
For example sightron. I prefer Nightforce, kahles Sport or schmidt & Bender.

Measure the speed of your ammunition

Know your bc of your Bullet Choice.

Calculate your Bullet drop.


My private Tip train at first small groups on 100 yard or Meters. If you shot really small groups at this distance you could take it to a further distance.


Three 7x57R with 120gr Solid Base N150 shoots at 100m Field from bonnet (car) with sandbags.


5 shoots 6,5x47 123gr Scenar H4350.
Yes it’s Not Center, it was Load Development.
Shoots at 100m from shootingstand


Much fun and success !!!