GrabAGun’s Long Range Shooting Essentials
While every form of shooting brings with it a sense of fun, thrill, and challenge, long range shooting is a particularly thrilling experience for those that seek to hone their skills. It’s a challenging sport that requires precision, patience, and skill. The ability to hit a target from hundreds or even thousands of yards away is a true test of marksmanship, and the satisfaction of a successful shot is unmatched. But long-range shooting is more than just a hobby; it’s a discipline that demands dedication and practice.
Whether you are a seasoned shooter or a beginner, honing your skills in long-range shooting can be a rewarding experience that will push you to your limits and help you achieve your goals. In this blog, we’ll explore the gear you need to get started!
Rifles
The first thing you need when getting into long-range shooting is, of course, your rifle. While choosing a rifle for long range shooting may seem like a daunting and expensive task, there are lots of options available on the market. There are a lot of rifles that can shoot up to 1000 years with sub-1 MOA accuracy for a reasonable price. As a result, we’ll be taking a look at some of those precision rifles today.
Tikka T3X TAC A1 Rifle.308 Winchester
A great rifle for long-range shooting, this Tikka T3x TAC A1 rifle offers a modular chassis built to meet strict MIL/LE specifications and outstanding long-range accuracy. It’s chambered in .308 Winchester and features a cold-hammer-forged barrel with a 5/8×24 threaded muzzle. The receiver is constructed of aluminum and has a Picatinny rail ready for optics and other mounted accessories. The T3X Tikka also has a highly customizable design, featuring an interchangeable fore-end interface, an adjustable recoil pad with LOP spacers, and an adjustable cheek piece. With all of these features available to you, this Tikka T3x TAC A1 seeks to be the ultimate long-range rifle.
Tikka T3X TAC A1 Specs
| Caliber: .308 Winchester | Barrel Length: 24” | OAL: 44.50” |
| Capacity: 10 | Thread Pattern: 5/8×24 | Twist Rate: 1:11” |
| Receiver: Aluminum | Stock: Synthetic | Weight: 10.30 lbs |
Ruger Precision Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor
Another excellent choice for precision shooting that’s ready right out of the box, the Ruger Precision rifle provides great performance and excellent recoil management. This rifle is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and features a 24-inch steel barrel and 7075-T6 aluminum receiver to provide durability. Its left-folding stock hinge is attached to an AR-style buffer tube and accepts any AR-style stock. The length of pull and comb height of this Ruger 6.5 Creedmoor are adjustable. Its 15″ free-float M-Lok handguard is made of aluminum and features M-Lok slots on all four sides, while the receiver and one-piece bolt are precision CNC-machined from pre-hardened 4140 chrome-moly steel. Its 20 MOA Picatinny rail makes it easy to adjust elevation, allowing you to hit the target easier. It also features the Ruger Precision Rifle Hybrid Muzzle Brake along with an included thread protector. All these features come together to form a great long-range rifle!
Ruger Precision Rifle Specs
| Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor | Barrel Length: 24” | Rate of Twist: 1:8” |
| Capacity: 10 | Thread Pattern: 5/8×24 | OAL: 43.25-46.75” |
| Receiver: 7075-T6 Aluminum | Stock: Synthetic | Weight: 10.70 lbs |
Bergara B-14 Wilderness HMR Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor
This Bergara B-14 HMR rifle is a great choice of long-range rifle for those with a tighter budget. It comes from the Bergara wilderness series and tackles the need for rifles that can withstand the rugged and unforgiving wilderness while providing excellent long-range performance. This model of the B-14 is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 24” barrel to provide stability and accuracy with every shot.
The B-14 Wilderness HMR rifle features an integrated mini-chassis molded into the stock to give the rifle repeatable bedding and accuracy. The world-renowned (#6) Bergara barrel features a seamless, omnidirectional, and multi-ported muzzle brake that helps reduce recoil. The Bergara B-14 rifle is complemented by its super-smooth B-14 Action, which is a two-lug system with a sliding plate extractor and a coned bolt nose and breech to ensure smooth feeding and extraction of the cartridge. Additional features of this rifle include QD flush cups, adjustable cheek piece, and adjustable LOP with spacers, as well as a drilled and tapped receiver that’s ready to accept Remington 700 style rings and bases.
Bergara B-14 Wilderness HMR Specs
| Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor | Barrel Length: 24” | Rate of Twist: 1:8” |
| Capacity: 5 | Thread Pattern: 5/8×24 | OAL: 44” |
| Receiver: Steel | Stock: Synthetic | Weight: 9.90 lbs |
Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro Heavy Palma Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor
This Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro rifle brings all the features a long-range shooter could want in a high-end rifle. Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, it features an interchangeable barrel, a three-lug bolt with a 60-degree throw and a floating bolt head, 5/16-24″ removable bolt knobs, a Picatinny scope base with 20 MOA/5.8 MRAD of elevation with four #10-32 bolts. The build of the rifle is extremely customizable as well, with the Delta 5 Pro featuring 6 M-LOK attachment positions and 10 M-LOK QD sling points. Integral Arca Lock (RRS Spec) is continuous along the entire lower portion of rail, allowing compatibility with an extended pic rail as well as a wide range of accessories. This Daniel Defense rifle also has an adjustable cheek riser and includes a Magpul PMAG and a Daniel Defense Full-Latch Impact plastic case.
Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro Specs
| Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor | Barrel Length: 24” | Rate of Twist: 1:8” |
| Capacity: 10 | Thread Pattern: 5/8×24 | OAL: 40.25” |
| Receiver: Steel | Stock: Synthetic | Weight: 11.40 lbs |
Optics
Now that we’ve looked at a few of our picks for long-range rifles, it’s time to take a look at optics! While it can be easy to think that the rifle is the most important part of a precision shooting setup, your optic tends to be even more important since accuracy is key in long-distance shooting. You need a long range scope that you can rely on and easily adjust, as well as a spotting scope, to make sure you’re able to hit the target. There are many choices out there, but here are a few that we know will help get the job done.
EOTECH Vudu 5-25X50 FFP Scope
The EOTECH Vudu 5-25 x 50mm scope is ideal for shorter platform rifles. At approximately 11.2 inches in length, the 5-25x is one of the shortest first focal plane rifle scopes on the market. It’s crafted with aircraft-grade aluminum and is water-resistant, fog-resistant, and shock resistant to provide maximum durability. The elevation turret includes a push/pull locking system and EOTECH‘s EZ Check Zero Stop allowing for quick adjustments and return to zero. One unique advantage of the short design is that it provides the ability to attach either a clip-on night-vision or thermal device in front of the scope and still allow the user to make adjustments to the device without leaving the scope. Eotech makes some of the best scopes in the field, and this Vuda is a scope you can depend on to get you on target.
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Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44mm FFP Tactical Rifle Scope 30mm
Trijicon is synonymous with quality. And the Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44mm scope is a cutting-edge first focal plane scope that offers superior precision for long-range shooting, regardless of environment or lighting conditions. With the MRAD Precision Tree reticle, shooters can achieve pinpoint accuracy at multiple ranges, while the exposed zero stop elevation adjuster makes it easy to quickly return to zero. This scope also boasts all-weather performance, ensuring reliability and accuracy in any conditions. Additional features of the Trijicon Tenmile scope include a 44mm objective lens, 3-18x magnification range, and exceptional quality and design for repeatable precision. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner, the Trijicon Tenmile® 3-18×44 riflescope is a top-of-the-line option for long-range shooting.
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Bushnell Trophy XTreme 20-60X Spotting Scope
This Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope is the ultimate hunting partner for long-range shooters. It provides great magnification to help spot your shooting and can handle even the most extreme hunting conditions. The adjustable sunshade with built-in objective cover protects the big 65mm objective, allowing for clear and bright images in any lighting conditions. While a good scope is important, a good spotting scope is equally important to get your shots on target. And you can’t go wrong with Bushnell quality for your next spotting scope. GAG_886520-0529-1161
Sig Sauer Kilo5K HD Range Finder
While it may not be an optic, it seemed pertinent to feature a range finder in the optics section. Without one, it’s extremely difficult to know the distance to your target and compensate accordingly. This Sig Sauer KILO5K Range Finder delivers excellent performance, with a maximum reflective range of 5,000 yards. It also supports BDX External for connecting to external devices such as Kestrel and Garmin devices. In a Ranger Green finish, this range finder has a new fog mode and provides range to target, elevation holdover, and wind holds. It also comes with a black/gray carry pouch and a lanyard.
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Rests and Bipods
As you might imagine, having a stabilized rifle is extremely important when it comes to long-range shooting. In a setting where being slightly off when you take the shot leads to being a long way off once the bullet reaches the distance of the target, it’s important to be able to stay on target as you take your shot. Rests and bipods help with this, as they provide you with a steady surface that lifts your gun off the ground and holds it steady as you find your mark. Here are two of our top picks:
Harris Engineering 6-9” Rotating Bipod
This Harris Engineering bipod clamps to a Picatinny rail on a rifle and has a sling attachment provision. Spring-loaded folding legs are quickly adjustable for height. Manufactured with heat-treated steel and hard alloys, all Harris bipods have a black anodized finish for added durability. It’s a great bipod that provides excellent stability for long-range shooting.
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Quake Medium Triangular Shooting Bag
This Quake triangular shooting bag is a great shooting bag for those looking to have a smaller front bag or for a rear bag for stock support. Filled with a durable waterproof filler and made of a water-resistant briar-proof fabric, it will provide a solid support for long-range shooting and hunting applications.
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Additional Long Range Shooting Accessories
While the pieces of equipment we’ve featured so far are some of the most essential for long-range shooting, there are some additional accessories available to improve your approach/technique and make the process of hitting the target a little easier. We’re going to look at a few now:
Kestrel Ballistics Weather Meter
A weather meter is an important piece of any precision shooter’s kit, as knowing the winds is key to being able to hit the target successfully. As a result, we’ve decided to feature the Kestrel Ballistics weather meter. Combining onsite wind and weather measurements with an extremely accurate ballistics calculator, the Kestrel weather meter helps you take long-range shots with confidence. It measures accurate environmentals such as wind speed, wind direction, air pressure, and temperature. The G1/G7 Ballistics Solver features an applied ballistics library of lab-tested bullet data which is then applied to the Ballistics Ultralite ballistics engine. Upload a gun profile for your specific rifle and bullet in the 2700 using the free Kestrel LiNK Ballistics app which allows you to view solutions remotely and easily build, store, and transfer gun and bullet data.
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Wheeler Anti-Cant Picatinny Rail Attachment
This Wheeler Anti-Cant Indicator Pic Rail Attachment helps keep your scope perfectly aligned, which is critical to long-range accuracy. Canting your scope, even just a couple of degrees, can cause error in point of impact. The Wheeler Anti-Cant Indicator ensures that your rifle is always held near perfectly vertical. This eliminates any chance for “Cant Error” to cause a miss. Attaches securely to any Pic Rail and is tunable with the precision leveling set screw. It indicates the precise, repeatable level gun position and increases accuracy by ensuring proper gun alignment.
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Birchwood Casey Shooting Mat ½” Thickness 27×84”
Last, but not least, the Birchwood Casey Shooting Mat in Coyote Brown is a great choice for those who want to protect themselves and remain comfortable when shooting. This shooting mat from Birchwood will provide you with the ultimate comfort, no matter the terrain. This shooting mat is 1/2 inch thick, which means sore elbows and knees are no longer a problem. It is made from a durable, long-lasting material, includes a carrying strap, and is 84 by 27 inches.|
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Long Range Shooting Supplies at GrabAGun
In conclusion, mastering the art of long range shooting requires a combination of skill, practice, and the right gear. At GrabAGun, we offer a wide range of long range shooting essentials that can help take your shooting game to the next level. From high-quality rifles for sale and scopes, to precision ammo for sale and shooting accessories, we have everything you need to succeed. So, whether you’re a seasoned marksman or a beginner looking to improve your skills, head over to GrabAGun.com today to explore our selection of long range shooting products and more. Happy shooting!
—Matthew Cornell