looking for some help from the more experienced

**jstone** · 09-01-12, 00:34

Im looking to pick up a bolt action gun to fill 2 roles. One role is long range precision shooting and the second is hunting.

I've been looking into 7 mm rem mag. It should have plenty of power for anything i will hunt in my life. From the research i have done it should also have plenty of gas to get me passed a thousand once my skills get there.

My questions are: is there another caliber i should be looking at? Like in the 30's.

The gun Im looking at right now is the rem 700 sendero sf II with 26" heavy fluted barrel. My next question is should this be adequate to start?

Any suggestions are welcomed. Is this a good start? would you do it different? Looking for some help Im really out of my element with bolt guns. If it matters i already re load my own ammunition so ammo price is no big deal.

**mkmckinley** · 09-01-12, 01:11

For learning how to shoot long range .308 is an excellent round. It will force you to learn wind and range estimation while still being a very capable cartridge for long range shooting and hunting. It also has the benefit of long barrel life and easily found components.

**orkan** · 09-01-12, 01:34

I agree with the first part.

For learning long range shooting, a 308 is virtually unbeatable. However, a good long range hunting cartridge it is not. Far from it actually.

A 7rem mag is very good at both. It has some things going against it though.
1) It's a long action cartridge.
2) It has a belted case.

Neither of the above is a good thing if feeding from a repeater.

Take a look at the 7wsm or 300wsm. Both are excellent long range shooters, with the nod going to the 300 for long range hunting. The 300 carries a bigger payload which results in more energy on animals at distance. They match or exceed the performance of their belted originals, and do it in a short action.

**AR15barrels** · 09-01-12, 01:45

I disagree on using a magnum as a general precision rifle cartridge unless you can keep a suppressor on the gun at all times.
My reasoning has to do with the combined effects of the recoil and the muzzle blast on the shooter.
Magnums are just downright nasty to shoot compared to the more mild members of the 308 family.

Take the typical heavy barreled magnum to the range and fire 60 rounds.
Another day, take a 308 and fire 60 rounds.
The difference at the end of the day is night-and-day.

It's going to be harder to stay consistent throughout the day with the magnum.
The magnum is also gonna eat barrels much faster.

Any of the experienced guys will agree that the best way to get good at long range shooting is to do it, a lot.
That means firing lots of rounds...

A heavy barreled gun of any caliber generally makes a poor hunting gun unless you just walk a short distance and post up for the day.
A lighter sportier profile barrel is the way to go if you are walking all day.

The best path is to have your heavy barrel target gun in say 308 or something smaller caliber if you reload, then have a hunting weight magnum for the field.
The skills you learn with the target rifle WILL transfer over to the hunting field with the hunting gun.
The only real difference will be your dope.
The hunting gun will recoil a whole bunch meor, but you won't fire nearly as many rounds through it in a day so that really won't matter.

**jstone** · 09-01-12, 01:50

The reason for not going 308 was that i already have a 30-06 (its a BAR) and did not want a less capable bolt gun (maybe that is a bad way to put it).

What is wrong with long action? Other than weight.

Is feeding a belted cartridge that problematic?

I Will look into the suggested cartridges. 300wsm would allow me to use some of the same bullets for reloading.

Any comments on the gun itself?

**AR15barrels** · 09-01-12, 01:59

Originally Posted by jstone

What is wrong with long action? Other than weight.

The increase in bolt travel causes you to lift your face off the stock between shots.
If you don't, there is a good chance of the bolt tapping your face.
This is a bad habit we see in hunters.

When we teach new precision rifle shooters with short actions, we teach them to stay on the stock through the whole process.
It's part of follow through and spotting your impacts.

You can always tell a hunter as they fire and immediately look over the top of the gun to watch their impact.
Of course, the scope is a much better tool for spotting impacts than the naked eye...

**orkan** · 09-01-12, 02:10

Spend much time behind a 7wsm Randall?

**AR15barrels** · 09-01-12, 02:14

Originally Posted by orkan

Spend much time behind a 7wsm Randall?

Not a lot, but enough to form the opinion that I don't like shooting heavy bullets or magnum muzzle blast.
That's why I stick to dtacs...

**jstone** · 09-01-12, 02:27

I never thought about the length of the bolt being retracted causing problems. As of now i only have shot semi autos so i almost always try to spot where a round has impacted through the scope if using one.

I have shot 300 win mag and gone through around 40 rounds in a session and i did pay for it the next couple days. So i see where extended practice can be painful.

Could i just use the 06 for practice and supplement the magnum in as needed.

For some reason Im really not wanting a 308 no idea why Im just trying to not go 308.

Is there any non magnum cartridge i should think of other then 308?