Bench Rifle Question.....

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mcdonl

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***UPDATE *** I am now the proud owner of a Remington 700 Varmint ADL *** UPDATE ***




Hi folks, I am on the cusp of buying a rifle. I want to use the rifle almost exclusively for 100-200 yard target shooting from a bench. I reload, and have settled on .308 as the caliber. I also have a $600 budget.

I was sort of zeroing in on a Model 700 because of their history. My only real requirements other than the budget is the caliber and that it have a heavy bbl and bench stocks available. And, the 700 fit this bill just fine. The 700 Varmint pretty much describes this gun.

While at the Cabelas, I decided to give me requirements and not mention a brand. First gun he showed me was the 700 ADL with a pencil bbl, I again reiterated my requirements and he brought me back a Savage Model 11 Hog Hunter. It had a medium taper bbl, which is a compromise I suppose but the gun is $499, is in .308 and has plenty of aftermarket parts. I have a Mark II and an Axis but no real history with the Model 11 or Model 10.....

At this point, I am pretty much sold on the Hog Hunter but I wanted to see if anyone had any compelling reasons to not get this gun? The iron sights are cool, but it is only until I can afford to buy a decent scope.
 
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Based on your requirements and intended use, that would be the last rifle that I would choose and one of the last calibers as well. The guy at Cabela's was clearly just trying to sell the rifles that he was told to push because both Remington and Savage make nearly the exact rifle that you're looking for. Remington makes the SPS Tactical and Varmint and Savage makes the 12FV and the 10PC. The difference between the Remington models is the rate of twist of the barrel with the Tactical having a faster twist capable of shooting a heavier bullet. The difference between the Savages is the barrel length and the stock. Of the four, for your purpose, I would get the 12FV and I would get it in .223, not .308. The 12FV will get you the Accutrigger and at least initially save you the need to upgrade the trigger. The Remington triggers are crap. The 10PC also has the Accutrigger but since you said that you plan to upgrade the stock, getting the better stock from the beginning, but of the wrong type, doesn't make sense.

Why .223 instead of .308? Now I know that you said that you reload. So do I. I still don't really like shooting .308, and I have a very nice one, because it costs too much. Brass is several times more expensive. Bullets are usually 2x more expensive, if not more. It uses 2x the powder per shot. Essentially, other than the cost of the primer, .308 is at least 2x more expensive to shoot than .223. Since you don't plan on going farther than 200yds, the .308 gains you no benefit. The .308 also has significantly more recoil, not that big of a deal until you start shooting a lot. At that point you can shoot the .223 all day while the .308 will begin to wear you out after awhile.

My take on your wants and needs. Take it for what it's worth.
 
Interesting take. I reload for .223 already and want to go with .308....

I will look into the model you suggested.


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For plain jane target shooting at short range, the .22-250 offers nothing over the .223 other than increased cost and noise.
 
I really like that Hog Hunter, but it's a purpose-built gun for a different purpose than you have. I had a Model 12 that was extremely accurate. I'm sure the HH is accurate, but I wouldn't expect to match any of the bench guns helotaxi mentioned.

I'd go with .223 just because I don't like recoil enough to shoot .308 at 100 yards. YMMV.
RT
 
My .308 with a brake is not unplesant to shoot except for the noise. I just find that the extra cost only buys bullet BC which is wasted at short range. That rifle isn't even interesting to shoot at 375yds, which is the distance of the berm at my local range, because it's simply a matter of dialing in the bullet drop, placing the crosshairs on the target and pulling the trigger. With reloads using Nosler Custom Comp blemishes, that exercise runs around $.35+ per trigger pull not counting the cost of brass. .223 is no less accurate at that range and runs less than $.20 per shot.
 
Agree with the guys, a .223 will do about all that can be done at 200 yards (and a good deal farther) by a factory rifle.

Don't let a store clerk pass something off on you that does not suit your needs and wants.
Get a real target or varmint model with the heavy barrel to steady the gun and heat sink for long sessions.

If you are SURE you will not be shooting farther than 300 yards, look for a 12 twist and shoot 52 grain match bullets.
 
Dick's Sporting Goods has a Remington 700 Varmint that is contracted exclusively for them. $549 and a $50 rebate. It is a heavy combination, great on the bench. http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/s...12270519&ab=ACLN1_Link_Rifles_PredatorVarmint

Pros: It's a heavy-barrelled 700 action. Lots of upgrades available.

Cons: It's an ADL, no floorplate. No biggie, but be careful when you order a stock. The factory stock is poor - lots of flex. The included scope and rings are low end. The trigger is marginal.

I bought one in .308 last year, and installed a Jewell trigger and a Choate sniper stock. Haven't had time to get out and shoot it much, but it shoots Remington factory loads under MOA off the bench. It's still breaking in. It is a heavy combination, great on the bench. It will also see some time hunkered down, waiting on coyotes.I hope to work up some handloads and get it under 3/4" at 200 yards, consistently.

If I had it to do over, I'd buy the .223 in the same model and make the same changes. The Jewell is a work of art, and the Choate (while as pretty as a Glock) is very stiff.
 
Hey everyone, thanks for your feedback. I like some recoil. I am one of those guys that like the thump, and I have all kinds of other .30 cal's but no .308 :)

As it turns out, I fell into a Remington 700 SPS Varmint NIB for $450... I wanted a 700, but there were none in my price range other than the ADL plain jane with the pencil barrel....

I am sure this will give me a lifetime of fun!!
 
The hog hunter would be an excellent choice for a project gun. It is the same gun as the Precision Carbine http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/10PRECISIONCARBINE but with a cheaper stock and no accutrigger. None of that is a problem as most serious shooters replace the stock and accutrigger with better aftermarket parts anyway.

200 yards is close range and you won't have any issues with the small velocity loss from the shorter barrel.

While Savage markets this gun as hog hunting rifle, other than the iron sights it is a poor choice for that and a better precision rifle. With the heavy barrel it is aout the last rifle I'd want to lug around in the brush after hogs.
 
mcdonl said:
Hey everyone, thanks for your feedback. I like some recoil. I am one of those guys that like the thump, and I have all kinds of other .30 cal's but no .308 :)

As it turns out, I fell into a Remington 700 SPS Varmint NIB for $450... I wanted a 700, but there were none in my price range other than the ADL plain jane with the pencil barrel....

I am sure this will give me a lifetime of fun!!
Click to expand...
Nice find!
 
OK, the deal is done.

While you will be inundated with recommendations of 168 and 175 gr bullets meant for 300 metres and 1000 yards, respectively, it might pay to go lighter.
There is a benchrest match shot for score, not group, and one or another .30 cal for the bigger holes and a 130-135 gr bullet for low recoil is a popular combination.
I always had good shooting from the 130 gr Speer hollowpoint in my fake Springfield Sporter. I meant to try the 125 gr Sierra but traded the rifle. Berger makes 125 and 130 gr match bullets.
 
Savage mod 10-fcp-le has a hvy fluted barrel ,oversize bolt,accutrigger, & accustock. Bought one in .223(they only come in .223 and .308 but you can call savage custom shop and they can make any caliber,had one made in 7mm rem mag an after getting load worked up both shoot under 1/2" at 100 yards. Shot prairie dog at 801 yards.) a little over your budget but it is worth it. Used to be a remington man but savage is making a great product. Own 3 now. Don,t forget the most important part, good glass has as much to do as anything.
 
mcdonl said:
Hi folks, I am on the cusp of buying a rifle. I want to use the rifle almost exclusively for 100-200 yard target shooting from a bench. I reload, and have settled on .308 as the caliber. I also have a $600 budget.

I was sort of zeroing in on a Model 700 because of their history. My only real requirements other than the budget is the caliber and that it have a heavy bbl and bench stocks available. And, the 700 fit this bill just fine. The 700 Varmint pretty much describes this gun.

While at the Cabelas, I decided to give me requirements and not mention a brand. First gun he showed me was the 700 ADL with a pencil bbl, I again reiterated my requirements and he brought me back a Savage Model 11 Hog Hunter. It had a medium taper bbl, which is a compromise I suppose but the gun is $499, is in .308 and has plenty of aftermarket parts. I have a Mark II and an Axis but no real history with the Model 11 or Model 10.....

At this point, I am pretty much sold on the Hog Hunter but I wanted to see if anyone had any compelling reasons to not get this gun? The iron sights are cool, but it is only until I can afford to buy a decent scope.
Click to expand...
You can not go wrong with ether of the Savage. GOOD LUCK
 
Tim the student said:
Congrats on the new rifle. How have you been otherwise?

Maybe you could edit the OP?
Click to expand...

H Tim, I have been well. Thanks for asking. I have been on the buy back for the past couple of years... This 700 was my first "get ahead gun" for a while as I have been replacing all of my regret sales.

I have bee enjoying reloading for rifles and want to get into some precision shooting. I hope to replace the scope this spring, and by next fall get a nice stock to shoot from.


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I put a Hog hunter barrel and action on a full bedded stock, a quality brake and a good nightforce. Shoots sub MOA. Nothing wrong w/ the hog hunter other than the POS schtock it comes with is designed to be economical and accurate enough for iron-sight pig shooting in the brush. The important parts are well, WELL worth double their price.
 
That said, it would be a LOT of gun for 200 yards unless i was shooting some seriously THICK paper targets, maybe even compressed fiberboard. I'd think for 100-200 yard bench shooting you'd want something more lithe. Unless you're trying to augment your workout and stress-shoot practice after lugging it to the firing line ? ;)
 
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