Long Range (1000 Yard) Shooting:

The rifle I use for this type of shooting (Both competition and hunting) is a Winchester Model 70 in 300 Win Mag.  The base action is standard factory.  The flat bottom action on this rifle is considered by many to be more stable under the heavy twist of a magnum round (There are those who disagree too).  The stock on mine was cut from walnut and configured by myself.  It has a relatively wide forestock and has a cheekpiece and thumbhole.  I find the thumbhole a good fix point for the trigger squeeze on long shots.  The new composite and fiber stocks offer a more carefree package and are really a better choice but I only use wood for other reasons.  The barrel is a 26" clark and has a straight taper concave crown.  The works is bedded in Devcon Aluminum epoxy with all (of the barrel) but 3 inches ahead of the action free floating.

I have never had any problems with the bedding (10 years) in this puppy and still use the devcon products for bedding on magnums and big bores.  In recent years pillar blocks have become popular but I mainly use these on lighter weapons.
 

Accuracy:  This rifle will shoot less than 1/2 minute of angle all day any day.  The bullets I use are always 190 grain Hollow points.  The lighter bullets are all right but really offer nothing for the long range shooter in this caliber.  I use both Berger and Sierra in this particular weapon.  I use Winchester cases and never Remington since I have bad luck in this caliber with the Rems.  I square and uniform the primer pocket depths using a Sinclair uniformer.  This actually does make a difference although for the average use it's far from needed.  My choice of powder is H4831 or IMR4831.  I will be going into case prep and accuracy loading in more depth on my bench rest page.  Many of the principles are the same in both types of shooting.
 

Scope:  I use the Leopold scopes and on this rifle I use a 6.5 x 20.  They are very expensive but I feel well worth it.  Even more important is a SOLID base for the scope since the slightest loosening will end your day at long range.  My preference is the dot but it's purely a matter of choice and what you shoot best with.  You will want to consider all the uses you put your rifle too before choosing a scope.  I use mine for hunting also so I need the lower power along with the high.  If it's purely a 1000 yarder than a fixed would probably be a better choice since there is less chance of problems.
 

Off hand shooting at long range requires calm and effective use of the trigger.  It is not necessary to be still as one might imagine.  The key is to time the trigger release while on target.  There is no way to remain perfectly still offhand so breath timing and knowing the release point of your weapon is critical.  Your trigger pull should be light (mine is 1 pound) and have a crisp release.  Practice often in dry fire.  You'll know when you missed and know if you flinched or lost concentration.

When you use a rest don't rest the barrel on anything, you will fly high an unbelievable amount at long range.  The wind?  practice, practice, practice and even then it'll make you miss at times.  The only thing I can tell you is that most people overcompensate for distance and wind.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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