Range shooting: What range? 100m? 500m? 1000m? A .22 or 223 runs cheaper than a 308. Let us look at the 308 Even when you reload, you can only reload brass so many times. (usually around 10 times) Or till you loose it. The last brass I bought for the 308 worked out R12/case (Lapua or Norma if you shop around) 30-06 Sako brass was R20/case... Primers between 50c and R1.20 each. Powder: around 170 rounds/tin @R350/tin for Somchem S335 Range bullets: R500-R700/100 And this does not include the reloading equipment. At LEAST R9/round. If you buy over the counter ammo, R280/20 (sellier &bellot at Camdix) So if you do not intend to shoot a lot(<100/year) buy ammo. R10k will buy you a usable rifle. Very usable in some cases. But what about a scope, sling, cleaning equipment ear protection etc? Caliber: Many okes are using smaller caliber guns on the range like 243's, 260 Rem's and 6.5x55 Swedes. Then there are the okes who watch long range shooting videos over youtube and think they can duplicate the results with a off-the-shelve guns with entry level scopes. Long range shooting works like this: $$$$$ and many hours at the range. The smaller frontal area of these long-for-caliber bullets tends to shoot flatter over longer ranges (500m+) than the standard .30cal guns like the 308/30-06. Do not go for a fancy pants calibers. Choose a rifle that shoots ammo that you can buy at a gun shop in Pofadder. If you intend to hunt with your rifle, take into consideration that game farmers might not allow you to shoot anything bigger than a blesbok with a 243. I know you said range shooting, but I also know that your friends will most likely 'force' you to join them on a hunting trip. 308's and 30-06's remains the best compromise between a good dependable game getter and tolerable recoil for mr Average Have fun
