KD Shoot-rifle question

[Bull13]

I am planning on attending the Camp Atterbury KD shoot. But I have to admit I am a little ill equipped for an accurate rifle that can reach 500-600 yrds.
I have a Rem 700-.223 & an AR w/ a 18" target barrel. No more .223/5.56 rifles! I know. Any thoughts on these?
So I may be in the market for a new battle rifle. Such as a Ruger Mini 30; Or even an M1-A on a sniper platform. Floated, staked, scoped.
Affordability: Mini-30
Want: M1-A
How accurate is the Mini_30?

[boltgun71]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your Remington 700 or AR-15 in .223/5.56 for KD.  Both are accurate and more than capable of shooting out to 500-600yds.  I wouldnt hesitate to use them for KD shooting.  I use a few different AR's and Remington 700's myself for KD shooting and FD AQT's.

[Bill 3]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your Remington 700 or AR-15 in .223/5.56 for KD.  Both are accurate and more than capable of shooting out to 500-600yds.  I wouldnt hesitate to use them for KD shooting.  I use a few different AR's and Remington 700's myself for KD shooting and FD AQT's.

What he said ^^^

[oladcock]

Yep, I ding 4moa X 2moa steel all day long at 500 meters with both a 20" and 16" AR. Now throw in a 20kt gusty full value xwind and it gets a bit more interesting but that's true with anything. I've never tried it with factory loads at 500, from what I see at 100, I'd suspect factory loads would cut my hit rate in half, but I'd still shoot as opposed to not. That 700 should do even better than AR's, in theory... ...O.L.

[Bull13]

Thanks guys for the feedback.
OK Boltgun71: Since you brought it up, and excellent point. I do reload, so id certainly like to make some custom rounds for KD. What would you suggest. Heavy projectile?-62gr or 74? Id probably use my BLC-2 powder. Just a guide line. Ill do some checking on it myself as well.

[KYWindage]

Todd-
I used a 16in AR at the last KD shoot(Atterbury) and shot okay. I qual'ed rifleman(and even dropped two rds on my neighbors target) with a 200.  I shot 55gr federals out of a 1/8 barrel and they didn't seem have any problem reaching the target. 
Your AR should be fine, but you might have problems with your Rem700 because of the rapid fire. Practice(x3) if you choose to go that route. Good Luck!

-KYW

[boltgun71]

Three weeks ago at Ramseur I used a 16" AR with a 1/9" twist and handloads to shoot a 243 on a FD AQT.  The load I used was actually a highpower practice load of mine that consisted of a 75gr Hornady HPBT and 24.3gr of RL-15.

I would recommend bullet weights between 62gr and 77gr.  The powders I use are Varget and RL-15 but I have heard of good things with BLC-2, just never used that myself.

[George63]

I will 2nd the 55gr, you will likely do better by getting more practice with an affordable 55gr load than using the heavier bullets for a slight advantage with drop and wind, on my good days I can hold 2-3 moa prone slung to 500 yds with .16 $ reloads

[Bull13]

Ok.Y'all. We'll give it a go. Appreciate all the feedback.
I shoot well enough, but im still catching up on the gun knowledge. Shooting is the most interesting sport I've ever found and am enjoying the journey immensely.
Looking forward to an informative and humbling KD experience Bill.

[Shooterwolf]

1/9'' twist, 69 grain bthp.

1/8'' or 1/7'', 77 grain bthp.

Load either bullet over top of Reloder-15. This is a main loading for HighPower shooters across the country.

55 grain bullets run out of velocity and the wind blows them around a lot past 400 yards.



   Jim.

[AFTERMATH]

If you like the M1 platform; you'll either end up with an M1 Garand or M1A for your MBR, in the long run.  So, do yourself a favor, especially if funds are limitted and save up for a Garand or M1a.  Trust me, you'll save money in the long run.

Though a Mini-30 as an LTR is tempting.

[Bull13]

Aftermath, I think your right. I NEED an M1A. This seems to be the platform MBR I'm drawn to for multiple reasons and the next logical step in my shooting venture. Saving those worthless $. Thanks for the handload info. Ill let you know how it turns out. Can't wait!

[Sly223]

 :---I thought My AR would be light in the shorts so to speak and was making consistant hits at 500 yards at the RBC last year.
Only difference this year I Reload.

[The Wolfhound]

Plenty of us in Virginia shoot stock ammo to 400 yards out of numerous AR platforms.  The experience is worth the attempt even if the equipment has short comings.  Yout equipment should be more than sufficient to learn from the experience.  Nothing I have seen or heard about the Ruger Mini-30 suggests that it has the accuracy for 400 yards plus.  If you have the bucks, that M1A sounds like a great choice.  Enjoy your shoot.