Project "Long Range Loaner" Load Development

[lancetkenyon]

I picked up a very lightly used R700 SA Stainless BDL in .300WSM. I have to figure out what to do with it as far as "inexpensive" optics, but I plan to start load development on it very soon. Going to work up 2 loads for it...hopefully.

 

1st: 168 SMK for medium game.

2nd: 190-215 bullet, not set in stone yet. I have a bunch to start with. 190 HVLD, 210 HVLD, 210 SMK, 212 ELD-X, 215 Hybrid.

[5guyshunting]

I just picked up a leupold vx3i 8.5-25x50 varmint reticle for under $800 to my door.

[CraigK]

Looking forward to seeing this post and what's to come. Bet you'll turn it into a shooter!

[Zeke-BE]

I picked up a very lightly used R700 SA Stainless BDL in .300WSM. I have to figure out what to do with it as far as "inexpensive" optics, but I plan to start load development on it very soon. Going to work up 2 loads for it...hopefully.

 

1st: 168 SMK for medium game.

2nd: 190-215 bullet, not set in stone yet. I have a bunch to start with. 190 HVLD, 210 HVLD, 210 SMK, 212 ELD-X, 215 Hybrid.

 

What is "inexpensive" to Lance?? We all know you are a top tier guy 2500-4000 dollar scope range, inexpensive scope to me is a 150 dollar to 400 scope does that sound right? Or is that a 700-1000 dollar range?

 

Maybe look into the Athlon ARES BTR 4.5-27x50 FFP 600 dollars or the 400 dollars Midas 4.5-27x50 SFP

[lancetkenyon]

Looking seriously at the Athlon Cronus BTR 4.5-29×56, or a used Steiner T5Xi, maybe a Burris XTRII 4-20, etc. $1200-1700 range. That is aso low as I can bring myself to buy.

[5guyshunting]

Looking seriously at the Athlon Cronus BTR 4.5-29×56, or a used Steiner T5Xi, maybe a Burris XTRII 4-20, etc. $1200-1700 range. That is aso low as I can bring myself to buy.

You Sir, have stooped to a new low. Maybe, even deplorable.😏

[lancetkenyon]

 

Looking seriously at the Athlon Cronus BTR 4.5-29×56, or a used Steiner T5Xi, maybe a Burris XTRII 4-20, etc. $1200-1700 range. That is aso low as I can bring myself to buy.

You Sir, have stooped to a new low. Maybe, even deplorable.

I will take being a deplorable as a high compliment, thanks Charles!

[300RUM]

 

I picked up a very lightly used R700 SA Stainless BDL in .300WSM. I have to figure out what to do with it as far as "inexpensive" optics, but I plan to start load development on it very soon. Going to work up 2 loads for it...hopefully.

 

1st: 168 SMK for medium game.

2nd: 190-215 bullet, not set in stone yet. I have a bunch to start with. 190 HVLD, 210 HVLD, 210 SMK, 212 ELD-X, 215 Hybrid.

 

What is "inexpensive" to Lance?? We all know you are a top tier guy 2500-4000 dollar scope range, inexpensive scope to me is a 150 dollar to 400 scope does that sound right? Or is that a 700-1000 dollar range?

 

Maybe look into the Athlon ARES BTR 4.5-27x50 FFP 600 dollars or the 400 dollars Midas 4.5-27x50 SFP

 

I was guessing "inexpensive" would be about $1000. Note that the word inexpensive has quotation marks around it when he uses it.

 

Putting in the time, effort and money into a loaner rifle is a really cool thing to do. Are you trying to get people involved in long range shooting, hunting or both?

[lancetkenyon]

More for a loaner hunting rifle. Trying to get my brother back into hunting, plus my son-in-law would use it, maybe some other close family and friends too.

 

It is hard for me to loan out one of my customs unless I am there on the hunt 100%. I am a bit anal about the care of my rifles and hunting gear. Easier to loan out a $1500-2000 setup than a $4-7K setup.

[duckhunter175]

Lance- two thoughts

 

1. 178 eld-x- good compromise between velocity and energy

2. Swarovski Z5 w/ BT -- keeps the reticle and dialing simple for someone who won't be intimately familiar with the set up. Pretty good bang for your buck from a $1200ish scope. I think you'd be able to dial to 700ish.

[HyNoon]

I'm gonna be following this closely, because I just got this caliber rifle and it's new to me.

[452b264]

More for a loaner hunting rifle. Trying to get my brother back into hunting, plus my son-in-law would use it, maybe some other close family and friends too.

 

It is hard for me to loan out one of my customs unless I am there on the hunt 100%. I am a bit anal about the care of my rifles and hunting gear. Easier to loan out a $1500-2000 setup than a $4-7K setup.

The last rifle I loaded out came back rusted and broken.

[300RUM]

I don't loan out my rifles either, it is not worth the risk. I don't have a loaner rifle but I do have a loaner scope. It is an old Leupold VX-3 3.5 x 10 AO that I bought almost 30 years ago, the first decent scope I ever bought. Apparently I have quite a ways to go to work myself up to deplorable status.

 

It is not a scope I am likely to use myself for a variety of reasons, one being it is heaver than my 56mm objective NSX. I would not get much if I sold it. I would not get upset if I watched it bounce down a mountain. It still has decent glass and sound tracking. I keep it around and loan it out to friends who have bought a rifle and can't afford a good scope yet or have had a cheap scope fail. It is currently on a friends son's youth model 7 .243. He got his first pig with it this year. It was kind of cool to be along and see my old scope still bagging some game.

[border hunter]

I had good results using the 212 eldx with Rl-19. Col 2.95

[lancetkenyon]

I picked up a box of 178 ELD-X and some RL23 yesterday to try out. I guess I am actually building a load for "medium" range elk, but most would consider it "long range". Thinking 600-800 max for it, if it shoots well enough to put the bullet where it needs to go at that range.

 

I will start with the scope that came on it for now, a 6-24 Burris Black Diamond.