Can my rifle be suitable for military snipers or competition long range target shooting?
I have the infamous package deal Remington 710 with the synthetic all-weather stock, steel bolt action, Bushnell Sharpshooter 3-9x40mm optics, with a .270 caliber barrel. I had bought a bi-pod for it, a camouflage sling, and the only ammunition I use for it is Federal Premium Boat-tails 130g soft point. I have experience in this weapon. I had shot my first deer between two ribs, through the liver, then the heart and in between two vertebrae of the spinal column between 225 yards away in kneeling position based on what I observed when I cleaned him. ( That may not seem far but it was my first hunt. ) If it isn’t suitable, what do I need to change on it? I am trying to get a good rifle out of my .270 for long distance target shooting.
Posted in Military Rifles
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
that rifle seems to be serving it’s purpose as a hunting rifle just fine.
It isn’t much of a competition gun. Of course, the real weak point for starting to get into shooting competition isn’t the gun it is the shooter.
I say get yourself a nice CZ rifle in 22LR, you can compete in small bore matches with that and no huge outlay of cash. Once you get the taste of shooting competition, and you like it, you can use that to build your skills for a few years until switching to high power matches.
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Hey, 225 yards is a good real-world shot on a deer, especially if you have to walk to recover it. Nice package.
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
The .270Win isn’t a military cartridge but it’s daddy, the 30/06 sure is. That was a good shot you made on your deer unless you like liver. The .270 is a good long range cartridge and has plenty of power and your optics are good. The problem with calling your rig a "sniper" rifle is that military equipment is built much more ruggedly to withstand a combat environment. As a target/hunting outfit you have a winner.
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
no
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
haha nope
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
No and No.
NRA Highpower Rifle competition, US military competition, state competitions and the National Matches are all done with the M1 Garrand, M1a, or AR-15 in "as issued’ configuration.
Some state regional and state championship matches will have a 600 yard ‘pre match’ on Friday afternoon consisting of three matches – 20 rounds for rifles mentioned above, 20 rounds for any rifle with open sight, and 20 rounds with any rifle and any sight. Your rifle only qualifies for the last one.
Military snipers usually use the 308win, 30-06, 300 Win mag and for counter sniping the 338 Win Mag and 50bmg.
So, you are not even close to owning anything useful my friend.
Most people need a high quality sniper rifle like a fish needs a bicycle. Unless you have unrestricted access to a 600 yard to 1000 yard KD range – why bother? There is nothing more stupid looking than watching some guy whip out a 14lb long range match rifle or a 50 bmg at a 100 or 200 yards only range!! Duh. We normally kick the 50 bmg shooter off the line, unless everyone has the right hearing protection, since the regular 22 to 24db protection most shooters use isn’t enough when a 50 is arround.
Hope this helps.
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
First of all. ‘Long Range target shooting’ starts at 600 yd.s.
Even ordinary ‘High Power Rifle’ matches can go out to 300 or 500 Yd.s
and you will be up against specialized equipment.
You bipod is not permitted, and your light hunting model not really suitable.
Get the NRA rulebook for the type of competition you plan to
shoot, learn the rules and course of fire, and pay special attention
to the equipment restrictions to see what you’ll be up against.
Your rifle will probably meet them.
You may use it to ‘get your feet wet’.
But dont’ expect to be competitiive, even in ‘Hunter’ class.
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
get a 50BMG with a swarovski scope
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
good sniping is about the sniper himself,not what he is using as a tool.if i was on the job i would pick the 270 over the 30-06 or the 308. and i bet with practice you could out shoot all the 30 cal lovers in time….read Jack O Conners work with the 270…its better then both of the 30s
August 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
The Remington 710 isn’t one of Remington’s better ideas……
Anyways — As long as you have it then surely learn your skills with it….. At some point you will realize your skills are at the limits of the rifle and will want to change guns….. When that day comes surely consider the Remington 700 SPS, SPS Varmint or the VTR…. Get one chambered in .223 or .308. These cartridges are used buy competition target shoots, police units as well as hunters……
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS.asp
http://www.snipercentral.com/remspsv.htm
http://www.snipercentral.com/vtr.htm
Use these 2 cartridges only…..
http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html
http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html
Usually you can get .223 and .308 in bulk cheap so these 2 cartridges are a better choice. There have been shortage’s lately but they are still a wise choice…
Use and practice now with what you have… The 710 isnt a horrible choice but just isnt the best… Get a bit of range time in with it….
If you deer hunt and want to target shoot then surely look at the .308 cartridge closely…….