Howdy,
I hesitate to ask this because I imagine I'm going to get a LOT of recommendations to "buy once, cry once" and spend $5K+ on a PRS competition rig. Here's the deal:
I signed up for an intro to long range shooting class in July. The requirement is that my rig have a good bipod and be capable of a 5-shot 1-MOA or less group at 100 yards, and I have to send a pic of the target before the class.
I was planning to take my SCAR-17 and AccuPower 1-8 (don't snicker) since that's what I have and I have no idea how to shoot it at
any sort of range, and I figure the class will help in that regard whether or not I can go out to 1000+ with it. It has a Timney trigger in it, or I could swap out the Geissele from my 16.
They offer rental rifles for $250 that include "
$250 Rental Package includes a rifle, optics, bubble level, sidewinder, bipod, rear bag, shooting mat, and 100 rounds of match-grade factory ammunition. Additional ammo is available for $30 per box of 20."
I'm leaning toward renting now, since I have no idea whether I'll like or be acceptably good at LR rifle shooting, though I'm sure I'll enjoy the class regardless, and the instructor emailed everyone and was pretty adamant about having a solid rig with solid optics.
After reading through some of Walkalong's pinned PRS rifle thread I flirted briefly with getting a Havak or Tikka T3 Tact A1 or Bergara or something, but that plus an optic would be at least 3 grand and I simply don't have the budget, and IMO it would be silly at this point to spend that much for a setup with zero knowledge of long range type shooting, or whether I'll even enjoy that particular hobby.
So here's what I'm thinking, and I'd appreciate your thoughts. Keep in mind that buying a $2000+ setup is NOT AN OPTION right now.
Option 1: run what I brung (SCAR-17+AccuPower) and learn as much as I can, and hopefully get capable of hitting out to 600+ with it.
Option 2: Rental rifle, and take SCAR along for fun/after hours and hopefully see what it'll do (this is where I'm leaning right now)
Option 3: Buy a cheap bolt gun that is hopefully capable of MOA 5-shot groups and try to find a 15X-20X optic for cheap before the class. Could use opinions on Savage or any other "budget" LH options that may be usable. No idea the differences between the 110, 11, 111, and Axis:
https://www.savagearms.com/content?...ary=off&fsingle=off&ftop=off&ftube=off&fsamt=
In the case that I try to buy, I could use opinions on the available calibers. I assume OF THE ONES OFFERED 6.5 Creed would be the most appropriate? I kinda like the idea of .243 because I have a lot of .308 brass, but I'm sure that's false economy. From what I've absorbed from Varmintterror's posts and others, the 6mms are the way to go if you are really serious about PRS. I was thinking 6mm creed would be probably best for a newbie (but it isn't available at least from Savage in the budget I need) but maybe .308 or .243 would be adequate IF I BUY a rifle.
Option 4: Dad's RH .270 Winchester deer rifle on a Springfield 1903 action, and spend some dough on a nicer scope and bipod. Not sure whether it's MOA capable for more than 3 shots; barrel is not free floated, sling swivel attached through the stock to the barrel, etc.
Option 5: I have access to a loaner Savage Edge .308 RH, and I could maybe buy some goodish glass and a 20MOA rail and get it set up in time for the class. No idea if it's MOA capable. Trigger is not the accu-trigger and feels like about 7 lbs and creepy.
Thanks for listening and for any advice.