I started to name this thread "Do I need a new rifle?" but I know what a horrible bunch of enablers we are, so I know the answer is yes. I've often said that I'm a plinker at heart, and I do love raining death on soup cans. However, for about 35 years, my 10/22 was the only .22 rifle I had. (Didn't see the need for another.) Then I bought my Ruger American Rimfire (and then another . . . . ) and I've been really enjoying shooting them from a bench. Trying to put holes in the holes in my target has been very relaxing.
With that said, I've very rarely shot my .22s at targets over 100 yards away, but I'd kind of like to stretch it out a bit. The local range only goes out to 200. To get out beyond that, I'd have to either: (a) join a private range that is at least 30 minutes way and might have a 300 yard range; or (b) join a different private range that is about an hour away, but has a 700 yard range. I'm thinking that until I get a handle on 200 yards, I don't really have much business buying a membership and setting up a 700-yard rifle.
So here's what I'm thinking: 5.56 bolt action, preferably one that takes AR mags. I've never been a big-time rifle shooter, so I'll explain my reasoning, and y'all correct me if I'm wrong, OK?
-->Caliber: 5.56 -- Flexibility. It's always been my understanding that it was safe to shoot .223 in a 5.56 rifle, but not the other way around. At least not long-term. I realize that there may be better cartridges for this project, but I do already have a small supply of .223 set aside, and I'm trying not to get into new chamberings right now. Well, let me also add that my small supply came from a guy that didn't much care whether all of the rounds stored in one can were all the same cartridge. I wouldn't be very surprised to find some 5.56 in there, and I don't really feel like examining each and every headstamp to make sure there isn't.
--> AR Mags --> This one isn't a deal breaker, but I like the idea of using AR style mags. There are about 19 bazillion AR magazines out there. A search for "AR15 magazine" brings up 83 pages of them on gunbroker. So while I'm sure prices are high right now, I could get them, and my options would be much wider than with a gun that uses a proprietary magazine. Since this is intended to be a bench rest gun, I'd be fine with 5 or 10-rounders, and those may even turn out to be preferable.
--> Threaded barrel --> Also not a deal breaker. I don't have a suppressor lined up for this yet, but I know me, and I'll want one sooner or later. I might as well get a threaded barrel on the front end, right?
So what have I found with these criteria? Two guns. A Ruger and a Mossberg. I've had a bunch of Rugers over the years, and I like them. I can't remember ever owning a Mossberg, but I've never had a problem with the ones I've shot.
Ruger American Ranch Rifle: https://www.ruger.com/products/americanRifleRanch/specSheets/26965.html
Mossberg MVP Patrol Rifle: https://www.mossberg.com/product/mvp-patrol-rifle-27716/
I'm not likely to make a purchase in the near future, and I know I'll need to budget for the rifle and scope, maybe a bipod. My questions are these:
What am I missing?
Input on those two rifles?
Are there any other rifles that need to be on The Long List?
Should I just go ahead and open it up to .223 to expand my list of contenders?
Thanks.
With that said, I've very rarely shot my .22s at targets over 100 yards away, but I'd kind of like to stretch it out a bit. The local range only goes out to 200. To get out beyond that, I'd have to either: (a) join a private range that is at least 30 minutes way and might have a 300 yard range; or (b) join a different private range that is about an hour away, but has a 700 yard range. I'm thinking that until I get a handle on 200 yards, I don't really have much business buying a membership and setting up a 700-yard rifle.
So here's what I'm thinking: 5.56 bolt action, preferably one that takes AR mags. I've never been a big-time rifle shooter, so I'll explain my reasoning, and y'all correct me if I'm wrong, OK?
-->Caliber: 5.56 -- Flexibility. It's always been my understanding that it was safe to shoot .223 in a 5.56 rifle, but not the other way around. At least not long-term. I realize that there may be better cartridges for this project, but I do already have a small supply of .223 set aside, and I'm trying not to get into new chamberings right now. Well, let me also add that my small supply came from a guy that didn't much care whether all of the rounds stored in one can were all the same cartridge. I wouldn't be very surprised to find some 5.56 in there, and I don't really feel like examining each and every headstamp to make sure there isn't.
--> AR Mags --> This one isn't a deal breaker, but I like the idea of using AR style mags. There are about 19 bazillion AR magazines out there. A search for "AR15 magazine" brings up 83 pages of them on gunbroker. So while I'm sure prices are high right now, I could get them, and my options would be much wider than with a gun that uses a proprietary magazine. Since this is intended to be a bench rest gun, I'd be fine with 5 or 10-rounders, and those may even turn out to be preferable.
--> Threaded barrel --> Also not a deal breaker. I don't have a suppressor lined up for this yet, but I know me, and I'll want one sooner or later. I might as well get a threaded barrel on the front end, right?
So what have I found with these criteria? Two guns. A Ruger and a Mossberg. I've had a bunch of Rugers over the years, and I like them. I can't remember ever owning a Mossberg, but I've never had a problem with the ones I've shot.
Ruger American Ranch Rifle: https://www.ruger.com/products/americanRifleRanch/specSheets/26965.html
Mossberg MVP Patrol Rifle: https://www.mossberg.com/product/mvp-patrol-rifle-27716/
I'm not likely to make a purchase in the near future, and I know I'll need to budget for the rifle and scope, maybe a bipod. My questions are these:
What am I missing?
Input on those two rifles?
Are there any other rifles that need to be on The Long List?
Should I just go ahead and open it up to .223 to expand my list of contenders?
Thanks.
