r/longrange Jun 29 '26

Currently Great Optic Sales!

49 Upvotes

r/longrange Aug 19 '25

READ THIS BEFORE POSTING. Yes, this means you. READ THIS FIRST, V6 - How to avoid the Flair of Shame and eternal ridicule

83 Upvotes

So, you need help with long range shooting? Welcome to r/longrange! We've got a core group of dedicated members (and a few goofballs) that are happy to help you out with your questions on equipment, technique, troubleshooting, where to find training or matches, etc.

If you're looking to ask for advice, we ask that you review the following 10 core guides, as they cover the overwhelming majority of newcomer questions. If your question is not answered in these 10 guides, please see below for the 4 basic questions your post should answer when asking for suggestions or advice, especially when it comes to things to buy.

If you make a post that asks for information covered in the 10 core guides, or your post doesn't cover the 4 key questions below, your post may be deleted, or it may be given the Flair of Shame TM until you correct your post.

What's the Flair of ShameTM, you ask? You'll know it when you see it.

If at any time you have questions on the rules of the sub, this pinned post, the general FAQ, why you got the Flair of ShameTM or anything similar, please use the modmail function.

CORE GUIDES:

  1. The sub's official FAQ/WIKI, as curated by the community as a whole.
  2. Need help picking scope rings? The official Longrange guide to scope ring height (ring)
  3. Looking at buying a magnum (300WM or PRC, 6.5PRC, 7mm PRC, 338 Lapua, etc) as your first LR rifle? Hollywood's recoil primer - why magnums suck for starting in long range, recoil matters, and it's not about your shoulder (magnum or recoil)
  4. Want a rifle for hunting and long range shooting? Hunting rifle vs target/range rifles - why one rifle can't do both well. (hunting)
  5. The official r/Longrange glossary - because words mean things (glossary)
  6. LockyBalboaPrime's First Time buyer's guide for rifles V2 (starter)
  7. JMhawaii's long range starter guide (Link to Google Sheets) (starter)
  8. Trollygag's 1k yard starter guide (starter)
  9. Where are ranges or long ranges near me? - Wheretoshoot.org and over600.com (ranges)
  10. The sub's expanded policy on hunting-related discussions. Please review before asking hunting-related questions, as hunting is not the core purpose of this sub. (hunting)

The 4 key questions:

  1. What do you want to do/buy, and WHY? - Do you want to buy a rifle for PRS competition? Picking a laser rangefinder for NRL Hunter matches? Looking at scopes for F-Class competition? A tripod because you think they're cool and want to have one when banging steel with friends? What you're planning to do has a lot of influence on what works well, what works poorly, and what is an utter waste of time, so the more detail you can provide the better.
  2. How far away do you want to do it/what do you want to use it for? - 300 yards? 1,000? 2,000? Distance matters, 'nuff said.
  3. How much are you willing to spend to do it? What's your budget in currency? Your idea of "on a budget" isn't going to be the same as everyone else's. Saying your budget is unlimited for a laser rangefinder may change when someone suggests one that costs over $10,000. We need to know how much you're willing to spend. It can be a hard limit, a range, or even an approximate - but you need to give a number.
  4. How much experience do you currently have with it? - Jumping straight into a 375 Cheytac rifle to shoot 2 miles isn't going to go well if you have never shot a rifle past 300. We need at least a basic idea of what your relevant skill level is in order to give advice and suggestions that go with your skill set. While including your experience with other shooting disciplines is helpful, it's not going to be as relevant as most new shooters expect. You can love shooting 10ga slugs all day long from a shotgun, but it doesn't mean starting off with a magnum is a good idea.

When answering these 4 questions in your post, give as much detail as you can. The more details you give the faster you'll get suggestions or advice and you'll get better quality too. Help us to help you. Please don't treat the sub like your own personal crowd sourced search engine.

More guides:

If your question is answered in these, you will probably get called out by the members of the sub for not reading them, but it's not automatic grounds for the Flair of Shame.

  1. u/LockyBalboaPrime's "No Clown Shoes" spreadsheet of YouTube training videos.
  2. Pre64Mod70's guide to precision reloading
  3. Hollywood's Way of Zen load development process (zen)
  4. Hollywood's rant on sample size when testing - AKA why 3-5 round groups don't tell you $&*#
  5. Applied Ballistics with more info on variation in group sizes
  6. MDT's video on scope height, and the follow-up on scope cant
  7. Rybe390's recoil comparison video, which illustrates the problem with light weight and magnums.
  8. Accuracy vs precision - when most people talk about 'accuracy' they really mean precision.
  9. The Remington 700 Chassis List, v1 - Maintained by u/LPKKiller
  10. Recoil energy vs rifle weight visualized - an informational post by u/Trollygag
  11. What is wrong with 'Sniper 101' - a breakdown by CaptainSquishface.
  12. A long range hunting cautionary tale from James Gilliland - US Army sniper, world record holder, and prolific long range hunter
  13. Barrel length, velocity, and performance down range compared (308W)
  14. Our sub's policy on shilling....
  15. ....and why Woox specifically is blacklisted from the sub.
  16. The official longrange TOP Gun Calculator, and how to have realistic expectations of precision (top)
  17. Hollywood's guide to top-mounted red dots and target acquisition (Hint: you don't need a red dot)
  18. What the hell is with Bergara rifles and Cheetos?! (cheetos)

Hunting-specific:

  1. The sub's expanded policy on hunting-related discussions. Please read this before asking any questions related to hunting.
  2. Want a rifle for hunting and long range shooting? Hunting rifle vs target/range rifles - why one rifle can't do both well. (hunting)
  3. Want to hunt game at 400+ yards? The long range hunting primer - shots on game at 400+ yards aren't trivial, and a magnum cartridge isn't a cheat code. NOTE: Questions/discussion around shots on game past 300 yards will be removed from the sub. See the expanded policy link above. (hunting)
  4. Hollywood's guide to field testing your skills and gear (especially for long range hunting, but also pertains to NRL Hunter matches) - How to know the distances you and your gear are capable of making shots at (hunting)

MISC NOTES:

Quite a few guides/links feature a single word in parentheses and italics listed after them. If you use the phrase cheetofingers (all one word, no italics needed) followed by the word listed after a guide, you will summon the AutoModerator to reply to you with a link to that guide or guides. If the guide had (pews) after it, you could say cheetofingers pews in a post or comment in this sub to summon AutoMod with a link to that guide.

We've implemented the Flair of Shame as an official policy here instead of deleting posts that violated Rule #1 and the info in this pinned post. We felt that the flair was better than outright deleting posts while also helping long-standing members decide how much they want to participate in posts that have likely been covered time and time again. We're trying to strike a balance between encouraging members to read the info that the sub has cataloged, not wasting the time of established members that may be frustrated with revisiting the same topics repeatedly, and also not banishing new shooters that missed the pinned post to the freezer to never get help. Balancing those three things is a constant struggle, and one we're actively trying to get better at.


r/longrange 10h ago

Rifle flex post New Sako TRG M10 .338 LM — owners, what’s on yours?

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101 Upvotes

Picked up a TRG M10 in .338 Lapua (27”, Coyote). Planning 1,000–1,500 m work off a bipod, already run Nightforce glass and an ARCA/Ckye-Pod/Accutac setup on my other rifles.

Looking for M10-specific advice from people who’ve put rounds through one: scope choice (ATACR 7-35 vs something else), bipod that stays put under a 19-lb .338, factory load that shoots well in the 1:10, and anything you’d do differently in the first couple hundred rounds. Rail is 30 MOA if that changes your answer.

Spare mags are the one thing I’m having trouble sourcing, so if you’ve found a supplier, I’m all ears.


r/longrange 21h ago

Cheeto-fingered Bergara First Long Range Gun

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298 Upvotes

Got this B14 HMR for an absolute steal from a guy who needed some cash. Mainly planning on using is for hunting but I’m interested to see which ammo you guys have found it to pattern best with. So far I’ve used 142gr SMK from Defender ammunition and it patterns best. I’ve also used some of federal’s hunting ammo and honestly I have found ammo that this gun doesn’t like. Also, what’s this whole thing about Cheetos?


r/longrange 9h ago

I suck at long range Space cowboy with a couple more upgrades.

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25 Upvotes

you will be missed folding stock, but now with the Woox Bravado stock and area 419 Hellfire brake, i am very excited to get back out and get some actual grouping shots.

this 6mm ARC henry is by far the most fun i get to have on the range.


r/longrange 23h ago

Rifle flex post Took a while, but my left handed MPA Comp Pro Rimfire arrived!

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137 Upvotes

Ordered a Bushnell Match Pro ED for it, once that’s in I’m going to see what Eley or Lapua match ammo it likes best


r/longrange 9h ago

Rifle help needed - I read the pinned posts MDT mag drops when shooting

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7 Upvotes

photo for reference lol, I loaded up the 10 rd mag and it dropped at least 4 times while shooting. just curious what could cause it


r/longrange 13h ago

Accessory/Gear help needed - I read the pinned post Gray Ops CNC Feeding Issues Impact737/AT-X Chassis

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16 Upvotes

Hey everyone, bought an AT-X chassis for my impact 737. Was recommended Gray Ops 12 rounders. I ordered one and the bolt just slides right over the rounds unless I'm actively pressing up on the rear of the magazine. I figured AW magazines would work better than AICS mags, as the AICSs had a lot of wobble. Any ideas?

I had to take the mag block out of my chassis for my action to fit. The action is also AW cut. This magazine is one of the newer .308 mags without the adjustable mag catch on the back like the current 6mm ones.


r/longrange 14h ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts Expert Voice Restock Question

8 Upvotes

Good afternoon, I’ve decided to get an ATACR 1-8, but EV is OOS. Can anyone tell me how often their NF optics come back in stock? TIA

Edit: I just downloaded EV a couple days ago, but as a few have pointed out, they don’t stock the things they offer discounts for. I should’ve worded my question better. I’ll do better next time.


r/longrange 1d ago

I made a thing! (Home made gear/accessories) My mom is cooler than yours.

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399 Upvotes

My godsend of a mother has worked in furniture for 40 years. She used leftover leather from a couch she built me to make a knock off Gamechanger bag. Pretty damn good job for her first one.


r/longrange 1d ago

Rifle flex post First bolt setup

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151 Upvotes

How’d I do? Technically my second bolt gun but I got tired of buying 300prc ammo real quick. Here’s my budget 20” 6.5cm setup

Wanting to get a diamond trigger, impact4000, and can (drop suggestions). First group @ 100y, second group @ 220y. I know they’re 3 and not 5, don’t bully me too much. Both done with factory 140g federal gold medal center strike


r/longrange 1d ago

Rifle flex post Finally pulled the trigger 🙃

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400 Upvotes

But not really cause I haven’t actually shot it yet 😂

Lurker that’s been collecting parts for a few months. Huge shout out to Stumpies Custom Guns of NC for completing this build !

Taking an Intro to Long Range course this month and I couldn’t be more excited to start a new financially irresponsible hobby .

Ran into some height issues with the scope rings I bought (obvs didn’t pay enough attention to the scope ring guide that’s pinned 🫠) but SCG had Leupold mount that works for now. Still got a few more items to pickup but here’s the setup so far:

CDX Lite Comp
Zermatt Origin
TriggerTech Diamond
PVA barrel chambered by SCG
Area 419 Hellfire
Accu-Tac WB-5
Vortex Viper PST Gen II


r/longrange 21h ago

Rifle help needed - I read the pinned posts Defiance Ruckus Prefit | In Stock Ready to Ship | Where At?

4 Upvotes

Hey fellas,

Was hoping someone might point me in the direction of where to look around for in stock ready to ship barrels for the Defiance Ruckus action.

Ideally looking for a M24 Contour Barrel in 308, 6.5CM, or 6GT in the 16.5 to 20 inch range. Im on with Steel or carbon with Carbon being the preference. Would also be ok with Proof Sendero contour.

I know the barrel length is not ideal for long range, but this is for a thermal pig rig I am building.

Obviously not 100% decided on the caliber quite yet. I like the 6GT for the low recoil, which would make for quick work on follow up shots on running sounders of pigs, 6.5 CM would work as a medium option and I already have all the dies for it. 308 would be the heaviest recoil, but it slings some serious weight down range and has a great barrel life... Any tips on this would be appreciated as well if you are so inclined.

Picture of my an my boy with his new Manners Nightstalker (The host for this build) Also building a 223 action for it so he can learn to shoot more on a stock that fits his frame better. Granted he is already outshooting me on my TCS. He is going to be a deadeye when he has a LOP that he doesn't have to fight eye relief on.


r/longrange 1d ago

Group flex (10 shots minimum) 30 shot group - Factory ammo

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125 Upvotes

After being inspired by another user and their impressive 30 shot group, I went ahead and wanted to see how I performed with some factory ammo that typically shoots .5 inches or better in 5 shot groups @100 yards with my rig.

Using some FGMM 168gr SMK in .308, I ended up getting around the 1.15 inch mark on the main body of the group after shooting a 30 round string and about 1.28 including the lowest shot (measured with digital calipers). The far right impacts and lowest shot were from the last 10 rounds where I'd blame myself for opening the group due to fatigue. But, the group is what it is.

I dont have the app that calculates the mean radius and what not, but I think that factory ammo still suits my needs just fine. If someone has the app and is feeling generous enough to run this image through it, I'd be interested to see what it spits out.

Equipment used:

-Krieger m24 profile blank finished by Straight Jacket Armory to 24" 11.25 twist

-Aero precision solus action

-KRG Xray chassis

-Vortex Viper HD 5-25

-American Defense one piece mount.

-Federal GMM 168gr SMK .308 with a average velocity of 2643fps and a SD of 10.2fps


r/longrange 1d ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts Help with MatchProED elevation adjustment

9 Upvotes

Hi all,

I have been trying to understand this bit but I am puzzled.

I bought a MatchProED, mostly thanks to the opinions in this subreddit. I am very happy with it.

I am at a point where I need to maximize the elevation adjustment as I'm heading to a training session with up to 1750m targets. I shoot 308win so not gonna get there, but would like to push it as far as I can.

Now the issue: the maximum turret adjustment for the MatchProED is 73MOA (the only really bad thing about the scope). I have a 40moa total cant (20 from the rail and 20 from the mount) so I was expecting to top the total elevation available in the turrets. Instead I get to just over 50moa (around 56). Can anyone suggest the why? Both the rail and the mount are on pointing the right way (factory T3X rail and Contessa QD Tactical have a level on the back so can't go wrong there).

So far I have shot my rig up to 1km (1100y) without issues. I mostly go to a range near me that goes out to 550y. Just having fun, no competitions and a few times a year I have trips to longer distances ranges, up to 2000m.

My rig: Tikka T3X AceTarget 308win, MatchProED on Contessa QD Tactical Simple Black, Fortmeier Bipod (6H and 12H), 4AW 4 chambers Brake.
I plan to spend no money on figuring out and/or fixing this MPED issue!

TIA


r/longrange 1d ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts Need weirdly specific scope suggestions!

2 Upvotes

Apologies if this doesn't exactly fit this subreddit, but I figured y'all in here would probably have the most knowledge vs other subs when it comes to glass.

I have a PTR-91 that currently has a crappy $200 4-14x scope mounted. I'm looking to replace it with something in either the 2-12 or 2-10 magnification range, as I think a lower bottom-end magnification would suite the rifle better in the role I'd like to use it in, which is almost a DMR-style rifle looking to make hits on torso sized targets out to ideally 500 or so, a little farther if possible. It's about a 2 MOA gun so I'm not expecting to be printing the worlds best groups out at any sort of distance, but 500 seems reasonably doable. I am considering putting an LPVO on it, but the drop from its current scope's max magnification of 14x down to an LPVO's 8x (or 10x at best) seems like it would be a not insignificant downgrade. I have also heard from people who shoot far more than me that the view thru an LPVO at higher magnification is significantly worse than the view thru a similarly priced optic with a higher base magnification.

Since I'm looking at getting a new optic for the rifle, I figured I'd try to solve another issue, which is that when you have a long scope mounted on an HK style roller delayed gun like the PTR-91, the scope can get in the way of the cocking lever when you try to lock the bolt to the rear or release the bolt when it's locked to the rear. Right now, the scope is too long (at 13.5 inches long), and it barely allows me to lock the bolt to the rear. Also, to unlock it I have to reach under the scope's objective bell with my support side thumb to press the lever down and let the bolt close, which is a pain.

So I've begun the search for a new optic, preferably something in the 2-10/12 magnification range, with as short of a scope body as possible, preferably around the 500-700$ range, preferably FFP.

Currently I've found:

Athlon Helos BTR Gen II 2-12x42 (11.8 inches long. This scope seems like it checks all the boxes, and if it was an inch or so shorter it would be a no brainer. Reticle is good, locking turrets, FFP, good price point. I'm just worried taking off only 1.7 inches from my current scope wouldn't give me enough clearance to operate the cocking lever easily.)

Discovery Optics HD 2-12x24 (8.5 inches long, which is great, but for 200$ there's no way this isn't an airsoft scope right? I'm worried it will be fragile, and even if the rifle isn't dropped I'm worried the .308 recoil would kill it. If someone has a positive experience with this scope on a gun chambered in a full power rifle cartridge let me know, but I'd rather not buy something and break it the first time I take it to the range.)

Sig Tango DMR 2-12x42 (10.8 inches long, which I think would put it firmly out of the way of the cocking lever, but I can't swing $1000 on a scope right now, especially for a rifle that I ultimately only own for fun. If this was $600 or so this would be a strong contender I think. Some reviews online of other Sig scopes have expressed some distrust in Sig optics but I am nowhere near experienced enough with them to have my own opinion either way.)

If I can't find something else I'm going to get the Athlon, but if someone knows of a scope that I haven't been able to find that has comparable features and price point to the Athlon but with the size (<11in long) of the Sig or Discovery optic, that would be perfect!


r/longrange 1d ago

Rifle help needed - I read the pinned posts Picatinny Rail To Action Torque Specs

0 Upvotes

The Picatinny Rail on my PGW coyote came loose, not sure what the specs are to tighten it down?


r/longrange 1d ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts Need help troubleshooting new setup

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Please bear with me as this is my first long range setup. I'm coming from an AR with a Vortex Crossfire II I was using to learn on (which I did but apparently not enough). The gun in question is a Tikka T3X CTR in 6.5 CM in a KRG Bravo chassis with a Bushnell ED Match Pro 5-30x56 and a Burris PEPR one piece mount. I installed the gun in the new chassis and mounted the scope myself. I was very careful with my levels while installing it as well as my torque specs. I do have a laser bore sight that I used at home against the wall to get in the neighborhood and I put the reticle directly above the dot approximately the same distance as the scope is above the barrel.

Well, I was finally able to get to the range today and wasn't able to get on the paper. I inserted the laser again and found that it was off significantly (a couple feet right and about a foot high at 100 yards). I recentered it and tried again; still in the dirt. I put the laser back in and now it's a couple feet in the other direction. I recentered and tried again with the same results. I inspected all the scope mount from the rail up to the caps and nothing was loose. I switched ammo and that didn't change anything. I came home and set it up on the wall again with the laser sight in and rotated it 360 degrees to make sure it was true and it was. I know they test fire these so the one thing I am confident in is the fact that it's something I'm doing wrong but unfortunately I don't know what it is. Any suggestions appreciated.

EDIT: Okay the laser is gone 😂


r/longrange 1d ago

🫣I said I read the pinned posts, but I lied🫣 Budget Hybrid Rifle Question

1 Upvotes

Im looking into getting a new rifle to get into long range with, however id like to use it to hunt with. Its come down to the 2 average budget choices, Bergara and Tikka. Having a tough time deciding, price, weight and availability being the main factors. The plan was to buy a T3X Lite 20” and throw it in an MDT Field stock, however my lgs doesn’t have one at all and for whatever reason isnt able to order it. They have 2 B14s in the chambering I want, but theyre just heavy. They do have a B14R which saves a little weight over the HMR, but Im just not a huge fan of the stock design so id probably end up putting that in an MDT stock. Which puts it a couple hundred over the budget I want to stay at. Another possible option would be a Sig Cross used for 1200. For better clarification of use case, itd be roughly 2 weeks of rifle season hunting and likely quite a bit of range use learning how to shoot longer range. Im a midwestern whitetail hunter but I hunt public land, which is why weight is a driving factor. Opinions? Things to consider?

EDIT: Only reason I haven’t transferred a tikka is because I get a discount thru my lgs. If yall think the tikka/mdt combo is the best option for me, ill suck it up and lose the discount lol.


r/longrange 2d ago

Bubba's Pissin' Hawt Reloads The effects of 277 fury hybrid cases on stainless barrels

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161 Upvotes

For those of you that read through my write up on the conversion process from 277 Fury(6.8x51) hybrid cases into 6.5 Creed, I found something unfortunate in my chamber after scrubbing out the carbon ring today. This groove is at the exact spot in the chamber where the brass and steel pieces meet. Its deep enough to catch on a dental pick. This barrel is down for now. Luckily, its a 1.25" straight contour, so i can just get it cut back and rechambered. While I'm waiting in the queue at the gunsmith, I'll run my spare Proof prefit.

This was after 200 rounds of the fury cases.


r/longrange 1d ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts Choosing LRF binoculars with Ballistic Software

5 Upvotes

Okay, I’m in the market for LRF binos with ballistic software. I have SCOURED this subreddit trying to find a pair of binos that’s $1000 or so (on used markets) that doesn’t have some limiting quality. Please give me your input.

Factors for me:
I have a garmin watch that came with AB Elite so I’m wanting to stay in the same ecosystem because it’s what I know and have started with.

I do NOT have a kestrel or wind meter so on board environmentals would definitely interest me although I’m not opposed to getting binos and a kestrel if it was more beneficial.

I have access to distances greater than 800 Yards and do plan on it being a decent amount of my shooting.

No, I will not be competing in NRLH or really any time sensitive glassing/rangefinding, but I don’t want to spend 15 mins every time trying to f*ck around with linking stuff to get the “full” version of AB (Sig kilo 6k comes to mind)

I do have a budget of around $1000 as of right now, but I am a buy once cry once guy so if saving for a better pair is recommended I’d consider. My options seem to be in the vortex fury hd 5000 AB used (I’m aware it’d be used and subject to phasing out with their new software), Sig kilo 6k (minding that it’s AB lite and would require pairing past 800Y), or saving and going with the Sig kilo 10k.

Questions for you fellow autists:
To those that have the kilo 6k and pair it for AB elite past 800Y, what’s the process take and how reliable is it for a connection between the two devices? I read it also does not display the adjustments if it is past 800. Is that true?

For the vortex fury users, I see that there’s the fury app you link it to on your phone to adjust bullet drag curves and what have you. Is it a POS and make the binos a pain to deal with or is it a non issue?

Kilo 10K users, is it worth the premium and features rich enough to save for several more months to get them instead?

Lastly, if anybody has some recommendations on other pairs of AB equipped binos please let me know so I can continue to fixate on binos for the next month and confuse my wife with more of my autistic ramblings.


r/longrange 1d ago

I suck at long range Anyone Compete In Central TX?

5 Upvotes

As far as I know, venues like Hill Country & TX Precision don’t do open range days. Would like to find a place that is more than bench/prone only to shoot/practice weekly/bi-weekly.

If you compete regularly in the area, where do you do your live fire training?

I’m north of Austin.


r/longrange 1d ago

Rifle help needed - I read the pinned posts What Barrel Contour For Furiosa Ultra Chassis

0 Upvotes

So I'm looking to get a Furiosa Ultra Chassis and I see on the website it has a barrel diameter of 1.2 for free float. I was looking at getting a proof heavy comp but that ends at 1.236. Yet I see people post videos of running straight 1.25 so did they change it over time or can you fit one in there with free float? besides that, I want a straight/bull barrel on it, its will be using a defiance ruckus action so any suggestions as well would be appreciated.


r/longrange 1d ago

Other help needed - I read the pinned posts Suppressor Recommendations for 300 PRC

3 Upvotes

Looking to get a suppressor for the MRAD chambered in 300 PRC.

Currently looking at
-KGM R30T
-LPM Mach S/L
-Barrett AM30

Recoil reduction is priority with sound suppression coming second. Would also like to stay around $1,200. Anyone have any experience with these suppressors?


r/longrange 2d ago

🫣I said I read the pinned posts, but I lied🫣 $1720 Sig Certificate - What To Do With It?

14 Upvotes

Hi All,

I dont have anything above 5.56 and I have always wanted a bolt gun for long range shooting. Im a competitive pistol shooter and easily see myself doing PRS or NRL hunter matches. I also see myself getting into rifle hunting in the future. The soonest would be PRS or NRL though. I understand those are very different rifles.

I won a sig cross in a competition but I can exchange it for anything from Sig up to $1,720, and I can pay the difference for anything more expensive.

None of their optics are too interesting to me, and the big boy with the BDX technology (Bravo6t 5-30) seems unnecessary and its also $800 above what I get from the certificate.

I can get the Cross in 6.5 CM which sounds like a great gun, but not the best for getting into PRS (but maybe NRL hunter stuff).

If you were me, how would you spend the cert? Im not trying to drop thousands right now on a full setup, but eventually for sure.

Maybe get the cross and a Bushnell Match Pro ED and a decent bipod and start having fun? I live 20 minutes from a range with targets past 1200 yards

Any input is appreciated.

EDIT: Thanks for the feedback everyone. Ill either get a p211 GTO if one of my comp buddies wants to buy it, or I'll get a kilo 10k and either keep or sell. Then progress thru the recommended path to a proper PRS setup.