Target Shooting Matches, Discussion & Events > The Long Range Club
What to buy for long range shooting
KevinJBrown:
Keeping things under 2 MOA is a challenge in itself I have found. Not just at 100 yards but at 50 and 30 if one measures carefully and shoots strings of ten (or what is in a magazine). So, it kinda depends on what you enjoy. Doping wind happens at 100 yards with pellets. Putting together charts, gun smithing, shooting, all the things that go together in keeping it on target are there. If you really get frustrated by anything that isn’t in the “black” maybe long range air rifles aren’t for you unless you have unlimited funds. I’m not trying to be overly critical, just pointing out that sub-minute of an angle at 100 yards with an air rifle isn’t much easier to purchase than the same thing at 1000 yards with a PB. If you already have the skills then yes there are over the counter systems you can put together, but if you don’t have the rest of the rest of the skills, the frustration I read in your post may still be there at a higher price tag.
ER00z:
Having limited longer range airgun experience please take this with a grain of salt, as I'm learning as I go... Also, I'm not certain what you have or haven't tried so far.
Before searching for a new gun, would it be worth venturing into other types of projectiles for you're existing gun(s)? Small bore slugs have become more available and in various sizes/configurations. These might give enough of an advantage to break the 2MOA barrier and get into the 1MOA range on a calm day. Nothing seems certain when the distance is stretched out with airguns.
What I've noticed from shooting .177 slugs is wind drift is basically cut in half when compared to .22 caliber pellets of similar weight. Unfortunately, I have too many "projects" and limited time to shoot. But, my .177 seems to have an advantage over all my .22 caliber pellet guns on any given outing. I could only imagine a .22 or .25 pushing a slug fairly quickly would be better (..unless a 40-45fpe .177 pushing 20.5gr slugs could be easily had). Also want to add, I get better results when single loading (when I can) instead of using a magazine. Might be a magazine issue or maybe I take my time, read the wind better and choose my shots more wisely rather than just working the bolt/lever sending lead down range.
Don't get me wrong, an airgun chambered for .257 would be great but you might have $2K+ tied up in it to get shooting the way you want. Same could be said about 'high end' small or mid-bore pellet guns. Maybe some day there will be more off the shelf options out there, but for now long range airguns seems to be a very niche thing.
customcutter:
--- Quote from: ER00z on May 11, 2022, 01:25:15 PM ---What I've noticed from shooting .177 slugs is wind drift is basically cut in half when compared to .22 caliber pellets of similar weight. Unfortunately, I have too many "projects" and limited time to shoot. But, my .177 seems to have an advantage over all my .22 caliber pellet guns on any given outing. I could only imagine a .22 or .25 pushing a slug fairly quickly would be better (..unless a 40-45fpe .177 pushing 20.5gr slugs could be easily had). Also want to add, I get better results when single loading (when I can) instead of using a magazine. Might be a magazine issue or maybe I take my time, read the wind better and choose my shots more wisely rather than just working the bolt/lever sending lead down range.
--- End quote ---
Zack, just a guess, but would it be fair to say that if you shot .177 slugs and .22 slugs they would be similar in wind drift? Instead of comparing .177 slugs to .22 pellets. Both would have higher BC's than the pellets and therefore fight the wind better.
ER00z:
Ken, no it's not fair comparing slugs to pellets by any means, Lol. If slugs of different caliber have a similar BC and are shot at similar velocity, they should in theory have comparable drift.
The example is just what I have on hand, so comparing a ~15gr .177 slug to a ~15.9gr .22 pellet at similar muzzle energy is what I was (am?) trying to portray. So instead of 2" to 2.5" average sized groups, 1" to 1.25" groups might be a possibility just by switching the projectiles used. I don't have any .22 caliber slugs in yet, but would be fun to test out.
I was also looking at .30 caliber guns, which seem to do very well at distance. I'm just don't have reasons to move into mid or large bore airguns at this time.
customcutter:
Thanks Zack. I want to try getting into the NUAH club also. I know my AEA Carbine doesn't have a choked barrel. I don't know about my Evanix Rainstorm II .30 cal if the barrel is choked or not? Also I have a KAM (SPA) P12 .22 cal. that I don't know if the barrel is choked or not? I'm pretty sure the BT 65 .25 cal is a choked barrel, but not positive.
I need to try and find some .22, .25, .30 cal slugs in sample packs. I know I looked a few months ago and they just weren't available.
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