Nothing is painful to shoot if you put enough weight into the rifle.
Not painful until you realize you have a 15lb range toy, anyway.
As for going through barrels they are actually pretty mild. I have around 2500 rounds through a PacNor barreled Stiller and I doubt the throat is halfway burned out.
Just wondering, but where in Indiana does one go to find 1000-1200 clear meters in which to actually practice the skill sets needed to make consistent hits with anything at that range? The most extensive available target range I know of within driving distance of where I live is barely 600 yds.
Young's Longshot Range has steel from 25 yards out to 1,000 yards and is open 365 days a year. They have a heated building with drop down windows so you can sit inside in comfort and shoot all year long. About 30 outside seats (covered for rain and sun protection) and an elevated prone platform. There's a John Deere gator to run out to paint the steel plates and hang new targets. They provide a gas grill and have burgers and pork burger patties in the freezer. Deb makes home made cookies and they have snacks to heat up in the microwave. Young's supplies spray paint, rifle rests, cleaning equipment, spotting scopes and a chronograph. There is a fridge stocked with pop and water and there's a coffee pot too.
Oh yeah, this is my home away from home. Check out their web site and look at the photos.
Youngs Long Shot Range
I'm flatter at 1000 than everything in that table with a 162 AMax in a 7WSM. And I can seat it into the lands and still fit into the factory box mag of a sub 7lb rifle. And with a 105 AMax in a 243AI, in a sub 6lb rifle.
Thats a cost I'm able to hold over my head at length.
i have always been a 300 win mag man, but have been doing some reading on the laupa. would really appreciate as much input as i can get on this matter. thanks for all your help in advance!!!!
Good ole .308 will do just fine with a proper load... the venerable 75 gr of Varget, Win Brass and 175 SMKs has won a LOT of matches. You can learn wind calling and reading better and cheaper with the .308.