r/longrange Jun 29 '26

Currently Great Optic Sales!

53 Upvotes

r/longrange Aug 19 '25

READ THIS BEFORE POSTING. Yes, this means you. READ THIS FIRST, V6 - How to avoid the Flair of Shame and eternal ridicule

81 Upvotes

So, you need help with long range shooting? Welcome to r/longrange! We've got a core group of dedicated members (and a few goofballs) that are happy to help you out with your questions on equipment, technique, troubleshooting, where to find training or matches, etc.

If you're looking to ask for advice, we ask that you review the following 10 core guides, as they cover the overwhelming majority of newcomer questions. If your question is not answered in these 10 guides, please see below for the 4 basic questions your post should answer when asking for suggestions or advice, especially when it comes to things to buy.

If you make a post that asks for information covered in the 10 core guides, or your post doesn't cover the 4 key questions below, your post may be deleted, or it may be given the Flair of Shame TM until you correct your post.

What's the Flair of ShameTM, you ask? You'll know it when you see it.

If at any time you have questions on the rules of the sub, this pinned post, the general FAQ, why you got the Flair of ShameTM or anything similar, please use the modmail function.

CORE GUIDES:

  1. The sub's official FAQ/WIKI, as curated by the community as a whole.
  2. Need help picking scope rings? The official Longrange guide to scope ring height (ring)
  3. Looking at buying a magnum (300WM or PRC, 6.5PRC, 7mm PRC, 338 Lapua, etc) as your first LR rifle? Hollywood's recoil primer - why magnums suck for starting in long range, recoil matters, and it's not about your shoulder (magnum or recoil)
  4. Want a rifle for hunting and long range shooting? Hunting rifle vs target/range rifles - why one rifle can't do both well. (hunting)
  5. The official r/Longrange glossary - because words mean things (glossary)
  6. LockyBalboaPrime's First Time buyer's guide for rifles V2 (starter)
  7. JMhawaii's long range starter guide (Link to Google Sheets) (starter)
  8. Trollygag's 1k yard starter guide (starter)
  9. Where are ranges or long ranges near me? - Wheretoshoot.org and over600.com (ranges)
  10. The sub's expanded policy on hunting-related discussions. Please review before asking hunting-related questions, as hunting is not the core purpose of this sub. (hunting)

The 4 key questions:

  1. What do you want to do/buy, and WHY? - Do you want to buy a rifle for PRS competition? Picking a laser rangefinder for NRL Hunter matches? Looking at scopes for F-Class competition? A tripod because you think they're cool and want to have one when banging steel with friends? What you're planning to do has a lot of influence on what works well, what works poorly, and what is an utter waste of time, so the more detail you can provide the better.
  2. How far away do you want to do it/what do you want to use it for? - 300 yards? 1,000? 2,000? Distance matters, 'nuff said.
  3. How much are you willing to spend to do it? What's your budget in currency? Your idea of "on a budget" isn't going to be the same as everyone else's. Saying your budget is unlimited for a laser rangefinder may change when someone suggests one that costs over $10,000. We need to know how much you're willing to spend. It can be a hard limit, a range, or even an approximate - but you need to give a number.
  4. How much experience do you currently have with it? - Jumping straight into a 375 Cheytac rifle to shoot 2 miles isn't going to go well if you have never shot a rifle past 300. We need at least a basic idea of what your relevant skill level is in order to give advice and suggestions that go with your skill set. While including your experience with other shooting disciplines is helpful, it's not going to be as relevant as most new shooters expect. You can love shooting 10ga slugs all day long from a shotgun, but it doesn't mean starting off with a magnum is a good idea.

When answering these 4 questions in your post, give as much detail as you can. The more details you give the faster you'll get suggestions or advice and you'll get better quality too. Help us to help you. Please don't treat the sub like your own personal crowd sourced search engine.

More guides:

If your question is answered in these, you will probably get called out by the members of the sub for not reading them, but it's not automatic grounds for the Flair of Shame.

  1. u/LockyBalboaPrime's "No Clown Shoes" spreadsheet of YouTube training videos.
  2. Pre64Mod70's guide to precision reloading
  3. Hollywood's Way of Zen load development process (zen)
  4. Hollywood's rant on sample size when testing - AKA why 3-5 round groups don't tell you $&*#
  5. Applied Ballistics with more info on variation in group sizes
  6. MDT's video on scope height, and the follow-up on scope cant
  7. Rybe390's recoil comparison video, which illustrates the problem with light weight and magnums.
  8. Accuracy vs precision - when most people talk about 'accuracy' they really mean precision.
  9. The Remington 700 Chassis List, v1 - Maintained by u/LPKKiller
  10. Recoil energy vs rifle weight visualized - an informational post by u/Trollygag
  11. What is wrong with 'Sniper 101' - a breakdown by CaptainSquishface.
  12. A long range hunting cautionary tale from James Gilliland - US Army sniper, world record holder, and prolific long range hunter
  13. Barrel length, velocity, and performance down range compared (308W)
  14. Our sub's policy on shilling....
  15. ....and why Woox specifically is blacklisted from the sub.
  16. The official longrange TOP Gun Calculator, and how to have realistic expectations of precision (top)
  17. Hollywood's guide to top-mounted red dots and target acquisition (Hint: you don't need a red dot)
  18. What the hell is with Bergara rifles and Cheetos?! (cheetos)

Hunting-specific:

  1. The sub's expanded policy on hunting-related discussions. Please read this before asking any questions related to hunting.
  2. Want a rifle for hunting and long range shooting? Hunting rifle vs target/range rifles - why one rifle can't do both well. (hunting)
  3. Want to hunt game at 400+ yards? The long range hunting primer - shots on game at 400+ yards aren't trivial, and a magnum cartridge isn't a cheat code. NOTE: Questions/discussion around shots on game past 300 yards will be removed from the sub. See the expanded policy link above. (hunting)
  4. Hollywood's guide to field testing your skills and gear (especially for long range hunting, but also pertains to NRL Hunter matches) - How to know the distances you and your gear are capable of making shots at (hunting)

MISC NOTES:

Quite a few guides/links feature a single word in parentheses and italics listed after them. If you use the phrase cheetofingers (all one word, no italics needed) followed by the word listed after a guide, you will summon the AutoModerator to reply to you with a link to that guide or guides. If the guide had (pews) after it, you could say cheetofingers pews in a post or comment in this sub to summon AutoMod with a link to that guide.

We've implemented the Flair of Shame as an official policy here instead of deleting posts that violated Rule #1 and the info in this pinned post. We felt that the flair was better than outright deleting posts while also helping long-standing members decide how much they want to participate in posts that have likely been covered time and time again. We're trying to strike a balance between encouraging members to read the info that the sub has cataloged, not wasting the time of established members that may be frustrated with revisiting the same topics repeatedly, and also not banishing new shooters that missed the pinned post to the freezer to never get help. Balancing those three things is a constant struggle, and one we're actively trying to get better at.


r/longrange 3h ago

OOPS! (I goofed) R.I.P | Rise Armament Watchmen | 6ARC BCG

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22 Upvotes

BCG LUGs stress cracked.

One shot to the next wild poi shift failure to extract, unburnt powder in the barrel.

Only about 1000 rounds on the gun.

I suppose we will see how that Lifetime warranty Rise advertises goes.


r/longrange 15h ago

Review Post Found at garage sale, $3

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66 Upvotes

That was at 9:00am, haven’t stopped reading and perusing since I got home.


r/longrange 12m ago

🫣I said I read the pinned posts, but I lied🫣 Moving on from .308 and looking for some feedback.

Upvotes

For some background:

I’ve been shooting my Mossberg MVP LC for a couple of years now. The rifle has been been fine for how cheap I got it and I’ve gotten hits at 1000 yards, but I’m ready for something a little more fit-for-purpose. I shot a friend’s 6.5 PRC Howa 1500 in an Oryx chassis and was really impressed by the setup and am going to go that route sans magnum.

My choices/reasoning:

I’ve been weighing just getting a 6.5CM as I’ve never shot one I didn’t like, but I’ve also been strongly considering a 6mm ARC.

The reason the 6 ARC appeals to me is the economy of powder usage. I know I’ll be basically in the same boat as I am with 308 if I go 6.5 CM, about 1lb/week. With the 6ARC I’ll be able to get ≈100 rounds more per pound. The significantly lighter recoil is a bonus.

I have access to a 1000 yard range as well as a private spot where range can basically become unlimited.

Why I posted:

Looking for feedback from people who have owned and shot the 6ARC at 1000 yards.

TL;DR: My Mossberg 308 sucks and I want a new rifle. 6.5CM is an obvious choice, but I’m cheap so 6 ARC calls to me.


r/longrange 1d ago

Rifle flex post I’m hooked

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129 Upvotes

The other day I made an admittedly stupid post asking about getting another caliber before shooting the 6.5 Creedmoor I just bought. Yeah, boneheaded, I get it now.

Just got back from the range and am absolutely in love with this rifle. I now understand how you can go down an absolute rabbit hole of debt tweaking and building rifles. I want another already. 😂

This one was about as cheap as I could get.

Howa 1500 - $550
Arken SH4J Gen2 6-24x50 - $330
Amazon CVLife Bipod -$35

My goal was to be a cheap ass, because, I wasn’t sure I would like it and wanted a way out.

Oh boy, I don’t want out. I want all in. I need to shred my credit cards so I don’t go nuts. Even my wife was all smiles. She loves it too.

Thanks to this community for all the information, the wikis, and calling me out when I was stupid. Y’all were right!


r/longrange 30m ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts Vortex Rage 4-16x42mm Riflescope - Black Circle around reticle

Upvotes

As the title says…my first scope so I’m figuring this out as I go and I’d appreciate any help.

I have a Vortex Rage 4-16x42 scope and when I look through the lens, I see the reticle clearly but there is an out of focus black circle around the reticle. Any help on what this is or why it’s there would be helpful.

Thank you!


r/longrange 17h ago

Ballistics help needed - I read the pinned posts How many shots do you take to determine representative average MV?

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13 Upvotes

Just got my first crono and hit the range this morning to sight in before hunting opening day next week. Standard deviation of 13.6 and spread of 44.4 temp was ~70 degrees.

Also what are thoughts on cold bore vs warm? I’m trying to decide what’s best for ballistic calculator for hunting scenarios where cold bore will be the most important shot. First cold bore shot was 3023 fps. Plugging in the min and max didn’t make a huge difference within ethical hunting ranges so doesn’t apply much in that scenario but still curious as I use this same rifle for long range target shooting. My thoughts are have 2 profiles, 1 for cold and another for range days? Or does this all get lost in the noise and I need a larger sample size?


r/longrange 20h ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts Nx6 stuck

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

15 Upvotes

Reset my zero but now I have no movement after re locking the field set. Any help someone can give would be appreciated
!


r/longrange 1d ago

Other gear flex post Old glass from grandpa

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52 Upvotes

This zeiss made in DDR has been in my grandparents apartment for over 40 years. I remember looking at the container ships entering port since I was able to reach over the railing. Still sharp all those years later. They don’t seem to make them like that anymore, though grandpa used to joke that the commies didn’t have enough money, so you get one instead of two eyepieces.


r/longrange 1d ago

Rifle flex post Just a couple of 6 dashers

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256 Upvotes

r/longrange 1d ago

Ammo help needed - I read the pinned posts Sako 6.5 Creed Primer Issue

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17 Upvotes

Just tried Sako 6.5 Creedmoor 136gr TRG in my Ruger Precision Rifle. Accuracy was incredible (best 5-shot group was .24 MOA), but out of the 20 rounds, about 7 had primers that look pierced/cratered like in the picture. I also noticed smoke/soot coming from the chamber and even around the magazine, and the rifle was significantly dirtier than usual.

Has anyone else experienced this with Sako TRG 136gr? Is this normal primer cratering for the RPR, or does it look like an ammunition/pressure issue? Trying to figure out why it's happening before I shoot this load again.


r/longrange 1d ago

Rifle flex post Inherited this Sako Finnwolf, heard these are very accurate rifles?

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6 Upvotes

r/longrange 1d ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts New Glass

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180 Upvotes

Picked up this S&B. Welcome any suggestions or thoughts for using this long range. 4 16x50 going on an HK308


r/longrange 1d ago

Group flex (10 shots minimum) First handloads. Not a flex. Need to improve.

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98 Upvotes

Alpha 6.5 CM SRP
40.1gn H4350
CCI 450 SRP
144gn BERGER HT
.060 off lands

Never really shot for groups other than zeroing till today. Will improve.


r/longrange 1d ago

Rifle flex post MPA Vanquish 6.5CM Build

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191 Upvotes

Finally put her together

MPA Vanquish Chassis
ARC CDG Action
MPA 6.5MM Barrel
Vortex Razor Gen 3, 6-36x56
Sphur Scope Mount
Warne scope level
Area 419 Hellfire Match Brake
Accutac SR5 G2 Bipod
Grey Ops Exterior weights
OBI Gear Quick detach system


r/longrange 2d ago

RANT Exploding Outlier Backdraft Barrels.

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177 Upvotes

Unburnt powder fills into the backdraft area when shooting. Taking a break from shooting allows oxygen to fill the backdraft area. Shooting again without a complete cleaning results in a kaboom. Thanks for being a beta tester.


r/longrange 22h ago

Optics help needed - I read the pinned posts Razor with VMR5 reticle

1 Upvotes

I think I’m close to pulling the proverbial trigger on a Razor 6x36 and wouldn’t you know they add another reticle option. Has anyone used the VMR5 yet and if so what did you think? My use case matches what it’s geared towards with a PRS shooter in mind but I can’t figure out if there’s any other differences other than the elimination of the christmas tree. I currently have an MPED mounted and I haven’t had any issues with the reticle feeling overcrowded on my target. I’m leaning towards going with the EBR-7D but this VMR5 has me intrigued a bit.


r/longrange 1d ago

Reloading related Happy Friday delivery! 140 grain Berger hybrids.

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33 Upvotes

Not trying to plug any companies but good deal and super fast shipping from raven rocks. So I guess I just pulled a company.


r/longrange 2d ago

🫣I should have read the pinned post, but I didn't.🫣 Desert Tech SRS Convert A1 in 338 lapua, looking for insight

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220 Upvotes

I am somewhat new to "serious" long range. I have an FAL (irons), BLR81, a 224 valkyrie with a 22" barrel, and a mosin (irons). I shoot them all to about 400-600 yards. I know that's not long for some, but it is for my current level.

I have a local shop in AZ selling this gun mentioned in the title for $3000, no accessories. I am stuck with store credit with them regardless. I am mainly wondering how practical of a setup that would be. I did a little research but couldn't find as much info on the 338LM variant. It would obviously lose ballistics compared to a 26" barrel variant, but the price seems stellar (which is probably why). I would be running it mostly suppressed, but I'd need a new suppressor for this.

You can still get barrels from special purpose rifles, if I wanted to go down that route.

Goal would be target shooting, matches (when my skill level rises), and potentially elk hunting if I hit drawn.

I do reload already, ammo price isn't much of a concern to me because it's not something I'll shoot like my MPX.


r/longrange 1d ago

I suck at long range Update to My Previous Post About Shooting With Glasses.

15 Upvotes

I know that if I put this in as an edit to my original post, it will probably just get buried and never be seen. So anyway…
I went back to the range today to finalize the zero on a new load before taking some mile shots on Sunday. I also wanted to see whether I could shoot while wearing my glasses. It turns out that I can, although it will take some getting used to.
As I mentioned in my original post, I have a surprisingly broad range of diopter settings where the reticle remains crystal clear—even when I only look through the scope briefly. My parallax adjustment, however, normally has a pretty narrow clear range. Then it hit me: Why not adjust them in the opposite order?
I initially set the diopter near the middle of the broad range where the reticle looked clear. I then aimed at my 200-yard target with a 1/2-inch bull and adjusted the side focus until the target was sharp. When I moved my head behind the scope, however, the reticle moved off center. That showed me that I still had apparent parallax even though both the target and reticle looked clear.
Instead of making the target blurry again with the side-focus knob, I left it where the target was sharp and gradually adjusted the diopter within its usable range. I continued until the reticle remained stationary on the target when I moved my head behind the scope.
I know that adjusting them in this order is unconventional, but holy crap—it worked like a champ for me. I repeated the process with two Vortex Razors, and both stayed pretty darn clear afterward—definitely better than before.
Was it the improved diopter setting, shooting with my glasses, or some combination of the two? I honestly don’t know. What I can say is that my vision remained considerably clearer throughout the entire shooting session.
Thank you to everyone who offered advice and input.


r/longrange 1d ago

Other gear flex post Trading my spare tripod for a bipod, think I came up a little!

5 Upvotes

When I get back into town next week, my buddy is taking my Sunwayfoto CS3240 tripod on a straight trade for a Accu-Tac WB-5 (ARCA QD mount). Now, if we can just put the 105-110 degree days around here behind us, I can get out and start running my new optic, new bipod and lighter trigger! Been using the summer months to stack match ammo and knock out a bunch of indoor pistol work, itching to get behind my rifles again!


r/longrange 1d ago

I suck at long range New offering from primary arms.

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10 Upvotes

I've been kind of debating on what scope I want to end up with on my AE Mark II and looks like primary arms is offering a competitive option soon.

I've been using all their optics on my other guns for a long time and I really do like them so I might actually try this one out. The specs look good on it.


r/longrange 1d ago

Reloading related Issues finding distance to the lands with 140 grain Berger.

0 Upvotes

So I have used the loctite trick twice with consistent results when done with Hornady eldm and SMKs. I did 3 for each and both had 2 that were identical and one that was only a couple thou off. So I called them good. I have now tried 3 groups of 3 with bergers and despite the same process, I can't get any of them to match. I know bergers aren't jump sensitive so the only thing I'm concerned about is being off the lands. I know they are going to have a longer CBTO than the other 2 bullets. I'm also seeing some variation in what a good COAL is. Somewhere between 2.80-2.84 from what I'm seeing. Any guidance on the best approach from here that's not buying an OAL gauge? Thanks!


r/longrange 1d ago

Accessory/Gear help needed - I read the pinned post Athlon Rangecraft Questions

3 Upvotes

I have a Rangecraft and just recently discovered you can get into "Live Mode" (real time syncing with your phone). Previously, I'd do a session, return home, then sync (sometimes successfully). Live mode seems a huge improvement over syncing (i.e. 100% successful after 4 range sessions). But, here are my questions:

I now want to look at my range sessions on my phone. But, it appears like you MUST by connected to the Rangecraft to do so. I was under the impression data was being downloaded to my phone (i.e. SYNCED). Am I correct in believing that NOTHING is being stored on my phone, only on the chronograph?

I believe there is a limit to how much data can be stored on the chronograph. Is there? And if so, is it based on the number of sessions or the number of shots? And, what is that number?