What is a good long range target rifle?

[NLSoldier]

The Sniper dominates in Halo (1&2)

[wacki]

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Scope? Are you interested in buying a new rifle? I suggest borrowing a few different ones and seeing how you like their feel.

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Yes I am intending on getting a new rifle. I plan on distance shooting so a scope will be in the picture.

I just checked out Thompson/Center rifles and I kind of liked them. I am 6'-5" so I need a bigger rifle.

I really liked the feel of the Remington 597 but the salesmen told me the groupsize at 100 yards and I decided against it.
http://www.remington.com/firearms/rimfire/597lss.htm

Thompson/Center guns seemed to have a nice feel to them and they are in my price range (~$500) as well. I've been told they have thumb size groupings at 50 yards. Right now I like Silver lynx and 22 classic benchmark a lot.
http://www.tcarms.com/silverlynx/index.php
http://www.tcarms.com/22benchmark/index.php

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At the risk of being thrown off the forum, fire a .22 Hornet if you have the chance. Most people think they're too slow, but I'm a fan. (Before flaming, if you check out my post above, you'll see that I was trying to gently lead Wacki to a .45/70.)

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I will check out the Hornet. I know what a .45 is but google didn't show anything when I searched for ".45/70". What is that?

There is no need to ease me into anything. I like opinions quick and dirty. To be anything but forward with me is a waste of time. Right now there are 4 factors that matter to me. They are:

1) comfort of the rifle (large rifles feel good in my arms.)
2) Accuracy (most important)
3) Reliability and dependibility
4) ~$500 for the basic rifle

[Martin]

Try get a Steyr SSG in .308

Very nice and in a Nato cal.

[Phat Mack]

".45/70". What is that?

It's an archaic blackpowder round from late 1800's. It's still being maunfactured with modern propellants. .45 is the caliber; the "70" stands for the grains of black powder used in the original load. Other rounds still around with the same nomenclature are .40-40 and .30-30.

I'm not suggesting you get one. It's still used, rarely, by silhouette shooters, big game hunters and people hunting in heavy brush. It's fun to shoot, making a big satisfying boom, and might be of interest to an iron-sight shooter. Ammo is extremely expensive.

Thompson/Center guns seemed to have a nice feel to them and they are in my price range (~$500) as well. I've been told they have thumb size groupings at 50 yards. Right now I like Silver lynx and 22 classic benchmark a lot.

I've shot a Thomson Center muzzle loader and was impressed by it. If you're still looking at .22's, that's the cartridge I like-for the reasons zee gave.

[jakethebake]

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Two suggestion (in no particular order): Winchester 70 or Remington 700. Both of these rifles have long proven track records and are available in a wide range of calibers and configurations.

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Agreed. You can get some silly high-tech sniper rifle or go with old faithful. I can't see why I';d ever need anything other than my Model 70 in 30-06. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Phat Mack]

Model 70 in 30-06.

I think this is the epitome of the life-time gun. You could give one to a 14-year old, and he'd be happy with it for the next 80 years. The only two "real" centerfire rifles I've owned since 1970 are a Model 70 in 30-06 and a Model 57 in .22 Hornet.

[jakethebake]

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Model 70 in 30-06.

I think this is the epitome of the life-time gun. You could give one to a 14-year old, and he'd be happy with it for the next 80 years. The only two "real" centerfire rifles I've owned since 1970 are a Model 70 in 30-06 and a Model 57 in .22 Hornet.

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Well put. Mine was my grandpa's before it was mine. I just noticed your Location. Secede!

[wacki]

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Two suggestion (in no particular order): Winchester 70 or Remington 700. Both of these rifles have long proven track records and are available in a wide range of calibers and configurations.

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Agreed. You can get some silly high-tech sniper rifle or go with old faithful. I can't see why I';d ever need anything other than my Model 70 in 30-06. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

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Those look like nice guns, and maybe I'll get one day. But this is my first rifle and I'm not going to drop $1,500+ on my first rifle. My limit is around $500 for my first rifle.