Centre fire rifle for target shooting

warez

I have been shooting 0.22lr rifle for a while now and I do enjoy it a lot.

I'm Moving to different'gun club where I will be able to shoot longer distances up to 300y

Question I have is -how FO look at applications for centre fire rifles for target shooting purposes? I have no intention hunting and I want to be honest about it

Caliber 0.223 or 0.243

Any experience with this?

Tia

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058387368/centre-fire-rifle-for-target-shooting

So long as you are a member of a range/target shooting club and do attend that is your good reason, so shouldn't be any issue there.

Try starting off with a 223, ammo is cheap(for CF) and you will learn more the more you shoot.

243 only has hunting rounds available, so depending on your budget go either 308(cheaper, loads of loading options) or 6.5 creedmoor(better ballistics and a modern bullet design).

But I'd recommend starting with a 223.

And certainly for 300 yards 223 is more than capable of doing what you want for a decent cost.

clivej

223 been done that.

308 I now have and IMO a better rifle to shoot than the 223. It's only a hunting rifle but will shoot under MOA.

warez

Thanks lads. Not a hope that FO would accept 308 at this stage. I will chance 223 so.

TheEngineer1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123039494#Comment_123039494

Loads of people shoot .308 for target shooting. It's an unrestricted cartridge, exact same as .223 legally speaking for target shooting. If you want it, apply for it.

freddieot

I currently have a 223 but I've had 243, 6.5 SE and 308. All great for the distances you want.

As it's your first venture into centrefire then check the cost of ammo. Huge differences especially between 223 and higher calibres. cost may not be an issue for you but be aware of it before you buy the rifle.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123039494#Comment_123039494

From a legal point of view they are the same.

Depending on circumstances, .308 is more approriate than .223, or the other way around, or equal.

Feisar

It's also worth seeing what competitions are available at your club, no point in buying something that won't allow you in to certain competitions due to weight/calibre if that's what you want to do.

Grizzly 45

Either 223 or 308 are good choices for target shooting.Both have a good selection of ammo choice and are pretty much "all round"calibers for target shooting disiplines.If you in the future want to "reach out" beyond 300 yds the 308 will see you there.But the target ammo will cost a bit more,if you are shooting a disipline with a high round count,go 223 to keep a few pennies in your bank account.From someone who shoots both calibers.

BSA International

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123040838#Comment_123040838

+1

garrettod

Hi,

A couple of you have made reference to the cost of ammo, an in particular, when compared to 243 hunting rounds.

I'm hunting with a 243, so I don't need high volumes of ammo, and I am probably less sensitive to cost, as a result...

But I am considering joining Midlands, for some practice sessions, particularly during the summer months.

So, how much are we talking about, between target 223, or 308 rounds, and my 243 rounds?

I don't see myself doing 300yrd target shooting more than 8-12 times a year, so club joining fees are already bugging me, without now also starting to wonder if I may also now need to get another licence, for another c/f (given I'm keeping my 243).

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123043423#Comment_123043423

So breaking down target rounds into 2 categories, plinking and match, you can get plinking 223 for ~70 cents a round, and plinking 308 for about 1.25 a round.

And by plinking I mean well capable of hitting a steel gong at 300 yards repeatedly with ease, not just cheap plonk.

They won't be pinpoint accurate like match rounds, but depending on what you're doing they don't need to be.

For match ammo the sky is the limit but you can get match for less than 243 hunting rounds.

Have a browse of some online ammo retailers for your preferred 243 rounds vs 308 and 223. You'd save a fair bit over time shooting either of the latter but it depends on how much you are likely to shoot which will determine whether you should get a target rifle.

One final consideration, target rifles tend to have different attributes vs hunting rifles, ie heavier barrels, chassis, etc so you may end up getting one anyway after getting into triple digit round counts during a single range session with your hunting rifle.

A buddy of mine got a 243.

After comparing to my 308 over several range sessions he is now shopping for a 308 to sub for his 243, largely because he can shoot plinking ammo at the range and only use the expensive hunting ammo when hunting, so saving a fair bit in the long run.

Especially since cheap 243 loads aren't really available.

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123039494#Comment_123039494

how do you know or why do you think the FO won’t approve an application for a 308?Surely the only way to know is put in the application and await a response ?

Grizzly 45

I started out with a .243 semi auto, this odd choice was done back in the bad days of 2006- 2008 when there were rumours of "military calibers" [IE 223/556/308/7.62 NATO etc] being banned in future legislation.It was a lovely caliber for deer hunting in Ireland and capable of knocking anything we have in deer,but was an expensive pastime for target shooting. In the end,I got it re barreled with a 308 Lothar Walther HB which made the rifle somewhat heavier,but made it a gun that can still out shoot me.End result was it paid off in ammo prices and selection compared to the 243.

Can stuff 7.62 NATO surplus which used to cost cents,but is rare enough now.To Hornady precision match which is stupid money nowadays,and everything inbetween.The 243 you are stuck with deer loads which are pricey enough compared to even rubbishy 308 ammo,like Norinco or Privi for punching paper at long range.

warez

Thanks everyone. Bit of a shock that FO would treat 0.223 and 0.308 very same way. I will check in my club which caliber is more suitable for amateur competitions.

TheEngineer1

Dont rule out 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridge either. It was designed from the ground up as a long range target shooting cartridge.

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123045857#Comment_123045857

Legally they are the same, ie both non restricted centrefire cartridges.

Your FO should treat them the same on that basis, and you should have no issue licencing either for target shooting as a member of a range/club.

If you are between the 223 and 308 I'd suggest trying both if your range has some to try.

There is a significant difference in flight ballistics, recoil, muzzle energy, etc, and you may feel more at home with one round rather than the other.

But for 300 yards both will do the job.

308 will do it with a bit less wind deflection(heavier bullet, less likely to be affected by wind), and 223 will do it a bit flatter(7ish inches at 300 yards vs 308's 8ish inches, with some variance for loads), but you won't go wrong with either choice.

Or potentially in due course, both. ;-)