Basic Gear For Beginning Precision Shooters
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I recently had a beginning precision shooter ask about shooting and what all he needed to get started. Most everyone that wants to shoot long range makes the mistake of buying equipment before asking someone who really knows what they will need only to realize shortly after that they really need something different. Buying things twice...or three times can get quite expensive. Maybe this will help someone save some time and headache as they get started shooting. I am sure I am forgetting something, so go ahead and continue the list below.
Gun Cleaning Supplies (Below is for typical 308. you will need to adjust for caliber)
Pro-shot Cleaning RodThe polished stainless is what you want. Avoid coated rods. I have never seen it (thankfully), but people that shoot and clean much more than I have (Orkan) have seen the coating come off of coated rods effectively ruining the barrel.
Dewey Brushes (Make sure threads match your rod. 8-32 is pretty standard)
Patches Pretty much any appropriately sized patch will work...just be sure to get the right size
Wipe Out Patch Out
Accelerator
CLR This works great for cleaning carbon rings out of barrels. Much thanks to Orkan for figuring this out.
Lyman Borescope Carbon rings are horrible. You can clean a barrel for an hour and still have a carbon ring. Truth is, you really don't know if a barrel is clean or not without a borescope. This borescope works just fine and doesn't break the bank.Tools and Equipment
Torque Wrench You will want a torque wrench for your action screws (usually about 65 in/lb) as well as for your scope base, ring caps, and ring cross bolts. These will vary in specs from manufacture to manufacture. Usually, a 65 in/lb and 15-20 in/lb will serve a minimalist kit.
Shooting Mat This is not necessary, but kind of nice. This is to keep your pretty clothes clean.
Rear Bag Tab gear rear bags are simple, cheap, and effective. They can be turned one of three directions when needed
Kestrel (Applied Ballistics and Bluetooth Link is worth the money)
Bipod-- go Ahead and get an Atlas PSR. They are pricey, but they work very well. Primal Rights sells these either black or with Cerakote to match your rifle.
Range Finder-- the sky is the limit here and I have very little experience with them. You will need one if you are shooting unknown distance. Maybe Orkan can chime in on which rangefinder to buy.
Chronograph This is one of those things that you really won't use much, but is almost necessary once in a while. If you have a buddy that has one he will loan you then you can save some money, just don't shoot his chronograph (LOL). If you don't know your velocity, then you can't effectively use ballistics calculators...and, no...the velocity listed on the box of ammo is not close enough to work.
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Lots of good low priced rangefinders available today. Seems like everybody has a sub-$1000 range finding bino now. Pretty good for the money.
Vectronix is still the king of the pile.
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Jags for the patches. Parker hale style maybe? I've never really got the hang of them but I've got the other style stuck a few times. I spend the money and get the VFG pellets.
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@rhyno said in Basic Gear For Beginning Precision Shooters:
Jags for the patches. Parker hale style maybe? I've never really got the hang of them but I've got the other style stuck a few times. I spend the money and get the VFG pellets.
You are right. Jags will be necessary. The proshot rod comes with one jag. Proshot and Dewey both make good brass jags.
I bought some pellets, but don’t really care for them. I wrap a patch around an Old brush.
