600yrd target rifle for the recoil averse?

[38Super]

Hi all

Following a pleasurable range outing with a 223 I'm thinking of getting back into target shooting out to 600yds (local range limit).
My previous experience has been with a .303 No4. Lovely rifle but I can't say I enjoyed shooting it due to the recoil. (Tried again recently and still don't like it)

I'm told that 600 is pushing 223 a bit far but is do-able with hand loads and a 9" twist.

My question is would I be better off with .223 or a .308 with suitably soft handloads?
Another option could be something with a muzzle brake at the risk of making myself unpopular on the firing line.

Budget is around £500-£750. I've been looking at Howa 1500, Howa Mini-action, Remington 700, Savage 10, 11, 16, Mossberg MVP. etc.
It'll only be used a handfull of times a year and I'm vertically challenged so a short lop is preferred.

Any thoughts or comments much appreciated.
Rob.

[JimJimmy]

A good moderator would help tame the recoil of a .308 without upsetting your fellow shooters.

Sent from my mobile using "An application"

[treetop]

I would get a 6.5..
Any that are out there will compete with a 308, but flatter & less recoil.
You can easily shoot anything from 120 grain to 140 grain out to 1000yrds

6.5 creedmoor, 6.5x47 lapua, 260 Rem, 6.5x55

[1066]

I think you would have a job to beat a 6mmbr. Excellent accuracy, soft recoil. easy to load for, plenty of choice of components.

I also have a CZ 527 in .223 1 in 9 that shoots passably well out to 600.

[breacher]

Heavy .308 with a sound moderator.

[Duey]

308 can still be punchy and a moderator causes heat haze in the scope and the shots can start walking on the target with string shooting
A 223 will be fine to 600 yards but can be tricky if the wind picks up
6.5 x 47 would be suitable for anything you wish to do
I would advise to get a heavy rifle with a varmint barrel as that will help soak up some of the recoils well as help with longer strings of shots regardless of the caliber
Another option is to go with a 6br or 6xc or 6ppc as all are very accurate & low recoiling calibers and ideal to 600yds

[Duey]

I have recently shot my 22-250 out to 1200yds, nothing special but stayed in the central area of the black, so tight twist barrels on small calibers shooting heavy bullets can work but it's harder with the wind
When the 22-250 had a factory 14 twist barrel I could get 52gr bullets out to 750 yds quite consistently
If you do go down the 223 route try and get a 1-9 or 1-8 twist barrel
1-9 good for up to 69gr bullets 1-8 for up to 80gr at a push and if you go custom barrel 1-7 you can go up to 90gr

[Alpha1]

With a budget of £500 to £700 the 6.5x47 the 6.5 creedmore etc are out of your budget range and why would you want to buy some thing like that to shoot at 600 yards any way.

I would go for a 6.5x55 or a .308 Varmit jobby.
I was shooting my 6.5x55 that cost me £450 out to 500 yards on Saturday of a bipod wearing a T shirt with no recoil issues and it is not moderated or fitted with a muzzle break.
I was also shooting a Steyr SSG P1 in .308 at the same distance of a bipod wearing a T shirt with no recoil issues and no moderator or muzzle break.
A second hand .308 can be had for less than £600.

Dont be sucked into all this go faster gun must have hype if you are only shooting at 600 yards.
Personally I would go for a 6.5x55 varmit.

[Pete]

I have a 6BR that cost me £550, will hold 1/2 MOA at 300yds on a quiet day, and shoot to 1000yds........

Pete

[dta europe]

Quick question, do you mean a rifle for the discipline TR (target rifle) or only a rifle for shooting at targets ala F or FTR class?

This will affect the advice greatly.

Ewen