Long Range Shooting!

[gelhaargerald]

I don't really have a long-range rig but for me anything over 300 yards is pretty long living in Iowa. I would like to do some shooting around 500 yards as it warms up a little. The farm I bought has a few decent spots to do it.

MOA or MRAD?

First Focal Plane or Second?

Best Value Scope under $500?

Best free app for ballistics?

Most likely doing a Audad hunt in October with the FE crew, well I am on the list so hopefully I get a spot. I will bring down a 2001 time frame Tikka T3 in the lords caliber. It has the factory stock, Bushnell 3200 Elite with the BDC scope (have ran it out to 300 a long time ago and the scope worked well for that) and it isn't threaded for a suppressor.

What changes could or would you do to that gun to make it deadlier than it is? For the most part I have been a bow hunter for the last 20 years but I am not snobby and have zero problem killing stuff with rifles, specially when it is the first time hunt.

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

Check this out, grab yourself a chronograph and a buddy who will spot you at 1000m to call where your shots are going. Adjust, adapt, overcome.

https://www.hornady.com/4dof

 

[Dave Eder]

I don't really have a long-range rig but for me anything over 300 yards is pretty long living in Iowa. I would like to do some shooting around 500 yards as it warms up a little. The farm I bought has a few decent spots to do it.

MOA or MRAD?

First Focal Plane or Second?

Best Value Scope under $500?

Best free app for ballistics?

Most likely doing a Audad hunt in October with the FE crew, well I am on the list so hopefully I get a spot. I will bring down a 2001 time frame Tikka T3 in the lords caliber. It has the factory stock, Bushnell 3200 Elite with the BDC scope (have ran it out to 300 a long time ago and the scope worked well for that) and it isn't threaded for a suppressor.

What changes could or would you do to that gun to make it deadlier than it is? For the most part I have been a bow hunter for the last 20 years but I am not snobby and have zero problem killing stuff with rifles, specially when it is the first time hunt.

@Terry Houin ?

 

[jeff]

I don't really have a long-range rig but for me anything over 300 yards is pretty long living in Iowa. I would like to do some shooting around 500 yards as it warms up a little. The farm I bought has a few decent spots to do it.

MOA or MRAD?

First Focal Plane or Second?

Best Value Scope under $500?

Best free app for ballistics?

Most likely doing a Audad hunt in October with the FE crew, well I am on the list so hopefully I get a spot. I will bring down a 2001 time frame Tikka T3 in the lords caliber. It has the factory stock, Bushnell 3200 Elite with the BDC scope (have ran it out to 300 a long time ago and the scope worked well for that) and it isn't threaded for a suppressor.

What changes could or would you do to that gun to make it deadlier than it is? For the most part I have been a bow hunter for the last 20 years but I am not snobby and have zero problem killing stuff with rifles, specially when it is the first time hunt.

MRAD. MOA is gay. But thats ok if thats who you are.

First Focal Plane

Arken / SWFA. < $700

AB Quantum from Applied Ballistics. Easier to me than 4dof. Get/borrow a chronograph. Have to have data.

I say all this as a 100yd shooter working my way out towards 5/600 with my 6 arc. Yes, ask Uncle T.

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

Watch Midway USA for some deals like this one...Where in Iowa are you at?

 

[gelhaargerald]

Watch Midway USA for some deals like this one...Where in Iowa are you at? View attachment 1929

West of Des Moines.

 

[Rjohnson.307]

I would go with Mils, much easier once you get behind it and start using it.

1st focal if you plan to use hold overs on your reticle, for hunting it needs to be illuminated so you can use it on lower power setting effectively. Stay away from BDC style reticles. 2nd focal is usually less expensive but you'll need to be on max power to utilize the reticle hold overs, which isn't ideal for a hunting rifle.

For a hunting optic stay under 20x on the max, 3-12, 3-15, 4-16, 3-18 etc. are the best power range in my opinion and you'll almost never use the top end.

Its going to be difficult to find an optic that is durable and tracks straight on that budget. I recommend trying to bump it up to $750-1000.

Check out the Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18, it checks alot of the boxes for around $700 street price. I have one on an 18" AR and so far I've been happy with it for the price.

As for you're rifle, put it in a better stock, I recommend Manners and Grayboe.
Upgrade your trigger to a Timney and that is all you'll really need to do if you don't plan to suppress it.