.308 Sniper Rifle Help Plz

seeker1111 · Jul 6, 2007

Hello all, this might and probably has been discussed before, but after doing a brief search, I couldn't find anything that matches what I want...

Basically I am trying to start to build my arms collection for whenever the "SHTF". I want to make sure that I have at least one gun that can fire every single popular round in the world (incase of evasion or invasion) ANYWAYS, as far as my personal sniper rifle, I wanted something that I could use to hunt, and defend (at distance) with. The sniper rifle I am looking for should have the following characteristics:

1. .308 winchester (NOT 7.62x51mm)
2. Detachable box Magazine (DBM)
3. 1 in 10 twist with a heavy, chrome lined barrel
4. bolt action
5. highly reliable in rugged conditions
6. accurate within 1-1.5 MOA
7. synthetic stock/make up
8. good stock set up (no need for big configuration)
9. good price
10. popular gun (replacement parts)

that is my order of priorities...

yesterday at Walmart I found a remington 700 (unscoped) for $375, and thought WHAT A STEAL! But found out it had internal magazine. Today I went back, and found the 710, which looked identical (almost) but accepted DBMs. I nearly bought it, but the only caliber they had it in was 30-06... after reading a few fourms on here I am glad they didn't... Allthough still baffled as to why its so dang unpopular!

can't wait to read the replies, thanks in advanced!

-seeker

EDIT: Just so yall know, a sniper rifle wasn't the first thing I had in mind, just thought I could find a good deal (wal-mart is putting new guns on clearance!) The gun I originally intended to buy was the Chinese 7.62x39mm SKS, or the Russian 7.62x54r Mosin Nagant m38 or 44 carbine.

CDignition · Jul 6, 2007

No 308 rifle you'll buy from Wally word(or anywhere else) will have 1:10 twist...even the FN SPR changed it from 1:10 to 1:12(I don't know why).

DBM is another thing you wont find..I have one on my Crusader, but it runs in the mid $3K price range. Im guessing thats out of line with what u want.

You also totally forgot about the Scope and mounting system...What ya thinking there??...

You can do 1 1/2 MOA with a decent scoped lever gun, so you may want to tighten up that spec a little...

Jim Watson · Jul 6, 2007

No 9 is the big one. What you otherwise specify will put you in for more than an order of magnitude greater cost than the Communist surplus crap you were looking at. The only thing I know even close is the FN SPR series which runs from $1400 up... way up.

eltorrente · Jul 6, 2007

I was just at a sporting goods store and they had an old Lee Enfield bolt action for pretty cheap. I know it isn't what you are looking for necessarily, but it got me thinking about military rifles in general.

I would think the M1 would be a fantastic gun to have after the apocolypse, or when Canada invades us or whatever. It's obviously durable and reliable, and battle proven. Put a scope on it and I'm sure it would be accurate enough to hunt with out to several hundred yards. You could pick one of these up for relatively cheap in pawn shops, gun shows, or your local gun store. I'd take a day and just drive around to different local areas and take a look at what they have- you might be surprised. Also, I think I would be happier/prouder of my M1 because I know I could count on it and it has history behind it.

blackhills · Jul 6, 2007

I would have to suggest a Remington 700 with a good scope. Its common, takes .308, and you can add a box magazine to it.

Had my PSS at the Badlands last month and dang near shot sub inch groups. If you want something nice, you are going to have to come up with some money. Good scope and good rings are essential.

General Geoff · Jul 6, 2007

1. .308 winchester (NOT 7.62x51mm)

As long as headspace is checked before purchase, a 7.62x51mm bolt gun will be identical in safe functionality as a .308.

Don't Tread On Me · Jul 6, 2007

LOL, Hi I want everything and I want it cheap too!

Sorry, just teasing.

I think the most difficult criteria is #3. Most .308's are 1-12, and very few are chrome lined. I believe the FN (check the PBR and SPR models) is, not sure they're 1-10 though. Someone else said they're not anymore. If chrome is more important than twist, that's the only way to go. But they are not cheap at all. The bright side is, the FN takes care of all the rest of your criteria. They come with detachable box magazine. Have good stocks. Are accurate. Suits your list well except for good price. Sorry, you just can't get it all. It should exceed your accuracy requirement though. I'd expect a rifle that's around $2,000 to be MOA or better.

If you can live without chrome lining, then a Savage will give you everything else and the 1-10, but not a detachable magazine as far I know.

Most folks who want all that build a rifle on a Remington 700 action or buy a custom. Both of which will be expensive. No getting around that.

Good tools cost real money.

WeedWhacker · Jul 6, 2007

I'm told that chrome lining can increase barrel life due to its inherant resistance to corrision, but that it can actually reduce accuracy somewhat as it is very difficult to lay down the chrome layer in a perfectly symmetrical fashion.

If you're looking for accuracy, you can probably skip the chrome lining requirement.

mnrivrat · Jul 6, 2007

Take a look at the Savage Model 10 FCM Sierra

Other than the crome lined barrel it seems to meet every other requirement you mention.

Legionnaire · Jul 6, 2007

1. .308 winchester

Remington 700 VSF or PSS

2. Detachable box Magazine (DBM)

No thanks, but the PSS has one if you really need it (actually, I don't think the DBM is still in production, but you might find one "new old stock").

3. 1 in 10 twist with a heavy, chrome lined barrel

Remington 700 VSF is 1 in 10; PSS is 1 in 12. Sorry; no chrome.

4. bolt action

Absolutely.

5. highly reliable in rugged conditions

Remington 700. One of the reasons it is used so widely.

6. accurate within 1-1.5 MOA

Either the VSF or PSS should do pretty close to 1.0 MOA out of the box, and a little work should get it well under with match ammo. Have it "accurized" and it will likely get to 0.5 MOA.

7. synthetic stock/make up

Both the Remingtons come in H.S. Precision stocks.

8. good stock set up (no need for big configuration)

Ditto.

9. good price

You get what you pay for.

10. popular gun (replacement parts)

Remington 700 pretty much has this locked up, given all the after market parts for it.

Now for glass: Leupold Mark IV 4.5-14X with mil dot reticle, mounted in Badger Ordnance rings on a Badger 20 MOA base. You'll need the base to be able to get out past 800 yards, which should be quite possible with 175 grain match ammo.

209 · Jul 6, 2007

Or a Savage FP. A little pricier, but a nice rifle. They list it as a Law Enforcement Series, but they'll sell it to everyone. You should be able to get 1- 1.5 MOA with it.

Sorry, no DBM.

Baba Louie · Jul 6, 2007

Steyr's Pro Hunter comes close in several of your listed categories but not all.
I think they might take the SSG's 10 rd magazine, but I'm not certain. 1 in 9 twist I think.
Still need a bi-pod, good glass and rings.
Check out CDNN's latest catalog 2007-3. They run anywhere from 6 bills up in price. Don't know about extra parts availability down the road tho' and that could be problematic.

trueblue1776 · Jul 6, 2007

If you are using modern ammo why do you want chrome-lining? I can understand in a semi, but a bolt gun it's probably pretty worthless, especially with .308 which isn't that tough on barrels.

USSR · Jul 6, 2007

...even the FN SPR changed it from 1:10 to 1:12(I don't know why).

The FN SPR has always had a 1-12" twist. I have one of the 1st Generation FN SPR's with a 1-12" twist.

Don

CDignition · Jul 6, 2007

USSR, I know for a fact that this is wrong, cause I had one with 1:10 last year. IT was nothing special, just off the rack SPR. I even checked it with a rod.

ArchAngelCD · Jul 6, 2007

1. .308 winchester (NOT 7.62x51mm)
2. Detachable box Magazine (DBM)
3. 1 in 10 twist with a heavy, chrome lined barrel
4. bolt action
5. highly reliable in rugged conditions
6. accurate within 1-1.5 MOA
7. synthetic stock/make up
8. good stock set up (no need for big configuration)
9. good price
10. popular gun (replacement parts)

that is my order of priorities...

I think the Savage 10FCM will fill many of your requirements, more than most rifles available out there.
1. Available in .308 Winchester.
2. Detachable box magazine.
3. 20" barrel w/1-10" twist (but no chrome)
4. Bolt action, and a good one too.
5. Savage is time tested so it is reliable
6. Savage rifles are known for their accuracy and they are equipped with the AccuTrigger!
7. Black synthetic stock.
8. Fixed stock
9. It's List price is only $540
10. Very popular gun so parts are available.
http://www.savagearms.com/10fm.htm

Zak Smith · Jul 6, 2007

I strongly recommend you define what you want the gun to be able to do, and then evaluate what it will have to be to fulfill those goals. Also consider the training aspects of your goals.

Deanimator · Jul 6, 2007

No 308 rifle you'll buy from Wally word(or anywhere else) will have 1:10 twist

I've got two Savages, a 10FP Sniper in .308 and a 112BVSS in .30-06. Both of them have 1:10" barrels.

For the money, you simply CANNOT top the Savage. Get the Sharp Shooter target trigger. You won't be sorry.

Sniper4Life · Jul 6, 2007

They are making the savage 10fp with detachable box magazine now:

1. .308 winchester (NOT 7.62x51mm)

My savage .308 shoots both, it comes chambered in .308 winchester but it handles the mil-surp just fine

2. Detachable box Magazine (DBM)

Yep

3. 1 in 10 twist with a heavy, chrome lined barrel

All savage .308's are 1 in 10 I think, i might be wrong though. Heavy 24 in chrome lined barrel in the 10fp series

4. bolt action

Yep

5. highly reliable in rugged conditions

Yep, I did some abusive testing on one..... it held up

6. accurate within 1-1.5 MOA

Yep, you just need to find the right ammo with a savage and then it will be sub MOA if you do your part

7. synthetic stock/make up

Crappy synthetic stock comes with the gun, so I would get the hs prescision model or the mcmillan, I dont know if they come with the detachable mag though.

8. good stock set up (no need for big configuration)

Yep

9. good price

You betcha, The mcmillan will run you about & $775 The hs less, and the regular stocked, about $400

10. popular gun (replacement parts)

Yep

Hope it meets all the criteria, have fun, shoot straight, and be safe

USSR · Jul 6, 2007

USSR, I know for a fact that this is wrong, cause I had one with 1:10 last year. IT was nothing special, just off the rack SPR. I even checked it with a rod.

CDignition,

Well, then your SPR was chambered in .300WSM, because both the 1st Gen. and current SPR models in .308 have always had a 1-12" twist. Contact FN is you don't believe it.

Don

CDignition · Jul 6, 2007

Nope. .308 it was. I have Pics of it somewhere around here too...

Don't Tread On Me · Jul 6, 2007

Carlos Hathcock didn't have anything close to a modern custom 700, AI, FN SPR, GAP or any of that.

He did quite well.

Gear helps, but it isn't everything.

MJ · Jul 6, 2007

This should cover all but one point.

Fails #9

seeker1111 · Jul 6, 2007

The savage arms is starting to become a more and more viable option IMO...

Someone suggested I describe what I want to use it for then go from there... The sniper rifle I want to buy needs to be able to hit targets close to 900m (~1000yrds) as possible. I want to be able to reload quickly (DBM), I need to be able to engage targets in harsh environments (cold, rain, mud, etc.) and for it to take hits without losing (reliability). It definitely needs to be .308 WIN. While the 7.62x51 NATO is almost identical, firing a .308 bullet in a gun chambered for the 7.62 round can cause unnecessary stress on on the gun. Vice Versa is okay (this is similar to the .223 REM/ 5.56x45mm, except you should buy the gun chambered for the 5.56)

ANyways, basically I want a military sniper rifle, designed to take out targets from intermediate/long range. I want the .308 b/c it is an international chamber (incase my reloader breaks)

Whats the main difference between the remington 700 and the savage 10 (i am assuming those are similar in nature). I guess I just have an infatuation with the remington 700 b/c thats the base gun that the military uses (the M-24 or M-40) Although I do understand that politics might be behind that.

someone mentioned being able to customize the remington 700. I know this is what the military does, but is it feasible, and does it decrease reliability/accuracy? Can it be done by ones self, or is a pro for "match-grade" necessary?

The chrome barrel isn't that necessary now that I think about it... you have to remember I originally wanted to buy (and still might) one of those "communist guns" (mosin/SKS) both of which chamber highly corrosive rounds that are produced in 3rd world country. The chrome was just a way of thinking, but I have heard that chrome reduces the accuracy. But seeing as is, I won't be firing hundreds, maybe even thousands of rounds through the sniper rifle (hopefully none) the chrome really is a luxury.

I will have to check out wally world (never heard of it) but yall should check out gun broker, pretty good deals there, like an ebay for guns!

-seeker

ps - thanks for all yalls input so far

CDignition · Jul 6, 2007

USMC only requires 1 MOA accuracy out of their sniper systems...they learn to deal with what they have. They also aren't shooting golfballs at 500 Meters either.

I won't be firing hundreds, maybe even thousands of rounds through the sniper rifle (hopefully none) the chrome really is a luxury.

Do you expect to have no skills at longrange shooting(1K Yards) and be able to hit anything??.. Plan on wearing out a few barrels learning how it all works....

.308 Sniper Rifle Help Plz

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