Critique my choices for a .308 Win. target rifle

[armed85]

I'm looking to buy a .308 Winchester target rifle for shooting out to 600 yards. Occasionally, I'll use this rifle for hunting deer sized game. While the rifle will serve a dual purpose, it's primarily a target rifle. I set out with a budget around $1,500.

I have yet to make any purchases as I'm waiting for uncle sam to send me my promotion pay for making Senior Airman (E-4, active duty).

For the rifle, I chose the CZ 550 Varmint based on past experience with CZ. I own a CZ 452 Lux rimfire rifle and love it. My CZ 452 is a tack driver, has excellent iron sights, looks nice, and is a good value.

The 550 Varmint has a roughly 26" heavy target barrel, Walnut stock, and single set trigger. Unlike the other models with the heavy target barrel, it has a lighter weight Walnut stock. The rifle weighs 9 pounds and should be easier to carry around in the woods for when I go on a rare hunt. Price is $645.

For the scope, I chose the Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x 40mm scope. I also considered the Leupold VX-II 6-18x 40mm scope, but decided against it because I don't care for using a screw driver or a coin to adjust windage and elevation. Price is $482.

As another option, there's the Leupold VX-II 6-18x 40mm target scope with larger finger adjustable windage and elevation knobs. I like the sleek look of the low profile knobs of the VX-III scopes over the larger knobs of Leupold's target scopes. However, for the same price the VX-II target scope gives me more magnification.

The CZ 550 has a 19mm dovetail milled into the receiver for attaching scope rings. For the scope rings, I had to chose a set that will fit that dovetail. I've never heard anything bad said about Leupold rings, and they make a set that fits, so it was a no-brainer. Price is $50.

I haven't decided if I want a bipod or not. For target shooting I shoot off hand or use sandbags. Having a stable platform attached to my rifle does sound appealing, but I don't know if it's worth the money. If I do buy a bipod, I'll buy a Harris 6" by 9". Price is $59.

No target rifle is complete without reloading or hand loading supplies. I've added the following items which is enough for 300 rounds of .308 Winchester. That should be enough to sight in my new rifle and find a load it likes

Hornady .308 Winchester Reloading Dies $31
300 Remington .308 Winchester Brass $95
300 150 gr. Hornady FMJBT .308 Winchester Bullets $53
2 lbs IMR 4895 Gun Powder $50
1,000 CCI #200 Large Rifle Primers $30

Add $55 for shipping, FFL transfer fee, and tax and the total comes out to $1,550.

What do y'all think?

 

[Bendutro]

Consider a Nikon Monarch scope. Comes with your choice of interchangeable turrets, some of the best glass I've ever seen, lifetime warranty... etc. You could get a 5-20X44 for the same price.

 

[mwl6240]

I have the 4.5-14 vari x III. great glass. i find you'll never regret spending on good glass. unless you buy the target knobs, you'll still need the coin to adjust it though. the vari x II does not have click adjustments, at least no the one i have (just turns).

 

[35 Whelen]

Love your choice for caliber. Thank you for not choosing some silly, fire-belching, flinch-inducing magnum.

I don't know much about CZ's, but I've heard nothing but good if them.

Your scope...I'm old fashioned and always question the need for high magnification scopes. More magnification doesn't necessarily mean more accuracy, especially in the field. What it WILL do is magnify your each and every tremble and quiver. IMHO, if it's a big game animal and you can't use a 9x scope setting to hit it, it's much too far away. But, the 4.5x14 doesn't seem excessively large given the objective is only 40mm. But the 6x18x40....damn those huge adjustment knobs, in my opinion are just begging to be bumped, scraped, whacked and generally knocked around. Personally I see no place in the big game field for a scope with gargantuan knobs such as those. Leupold is a fine brand!

One other point to ponder. When I was a young man in my 20's I did alot of hunting with a Ruger 77V. It too had a 26" heavy barrel. It was a PAIN to deer hunt with. Sometimes, just getting it out of the cab of the truck was an ordeal, not to mention lugging it in the field. It was no problem if I was just walking to and/or from a deer stand, but to actually try to wield the thing was a chore at best. Remember: A 9 lb. rifle, once scoped and slung with a full magazine of ammo may weigh close to 11 lbs. That's lots of weight to carry!
Good luck in your choice!
35W

 

[armed85]

Leupold's web site describes the knobs on the 4.5-14x VX-III as "finger adjustable." The description for the knobs on the VX-II don't have the phrase "finger adjustable."

Misleading marketing if you ask me.

When you say it "just turns" is there no feel for how many "clicks" you've adjusted? How are you suppose to know you've adjusted, say, 1/4 MOA vs. 3/4 MOA if there's no feel?

When you say "coin" are we talking a quarter, nickel, or maybe even a penny? What do you use to make adjustments in the field or at the bench?

Thanks for the insight.

 

[armed85]

35 Whelen,

Looking at the ballistic tables for .308 Winchester, it performs well out to 800 yards. After 800 yards, it drops like a rock. I can see where a magnum might be useful if one is looking to shoot a 30 caliber round at 1,000 yards.

Even at 1,000 yards the .308 Win. has over 500 ft. lbs. of energy. Given the drop, it would be challenging to shoot a .308 Win. at 1,000 yards, but it's still lethal. 600 yards is the longest range available to me and .308 Win. will do just fine at that distance. A magnum would just waste powder and hurt my shoulder

Another plus to .308 Win. is that it's one of the most well supported by rifle manufacturers, barrel manufacturers, bullet manufacturers, and reloading or hand loading manufacturers.

For 600 yards, the .308 Win. was a no-brainer

It's heavy, but it's not as heavy as a rifle with a target laminated stock or a tacti-cool kevlar stock. The Marine Corps M40 weighs over 16 lbs! The plus side is recoil is reduced the heavier the rifle is. I was trying to find a nice balance between target shooting performance and handiness. I think it's a nice compromise given my use as primarily a target rifle.

I'll agree with you on those "gargantuan knobs." The low profile knobs of the VX-III are appealing to me. The coin adjustment, however, sounds inconvenient.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[9mmepiphany]

you really don't need a magnum to push out to 600 yards. you wouldn't even need them out pass 800 yards if you decided to go with a .260 for a short action or the 6.5x55mm in a long action.

the 6.5 slugs would give you better B.C. and both loadings are lighter in recol too

the CZ550 is a great rifle and is vey sleek with the flush mag

 

[lvcat2004]

I would say that's a nice choice!! I have a CZ750 sniper in 308, which some say, is a wastefully expensive version of CZ550, but hey, I just loved the look and you won't be disappointed.

I bought a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50 for my glass and couldn't be happier. I would go higher mag./bigger if you were shooting that far out.

 

[skinewmexico]

Lots of ammo choices in a 308, compared to a 6.5x55. Just not as good on the ballistic side. I like the CZ, don't like the Leupolds though. Better glass for the money elsewhere. You'll be an internet heretic though.

 

[XD45]

While my impression is that CZ rifles are good, another choice you may consider is the Remington 700 SPS "Tactical." While it does not sound like you are specifically interested in a 'tactical' rifle, it is a great option and value. It comes in .308, weighs 7.5lbs, and is getting Very good accuracy. Some of the owners I've chatted with about them are getting .5-.75" groups at 100yds. The other advantage of the rifle is, it's a Remington 700. So, finding goodies to upgrade later (stocks, bolt knob, etc) will be easy.

The scopes look like good, solid choices. Just throwing another one out there, Falcon Menace. I, personally, am saving towards a Zeiss Conquest, but Falcons are very good scopes in the $400 price range.

just my .02

 

[rino451]

I've got the Kevlar CZ in .308 with a Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x40mm LR/T M1 Front Focal on a Ken Ferrell (sp?) rail. I've taken it hunting once, and it's was heavy. All up, loaded, it's close to 13lbs. While I'll never get rid of the rifle, I'd recomment getting the non-bull barrel and learn to shoot it to it's max, ala Carlos Hathcock, I bet that unless you're competing for group and handloading, there's nothing that the bull barrel can do at 600 that the others can't.

ETA: Those knobs on the scope do bang and snag on stuff.

 

[Jim Watson]

Get a scope with target knobs. Finger dials are inconvenient and coin slots are inventions of the devil.

Do not waste your money on
"300 150 gr. Hornady FMJBT .308 Winchester Bullets"
for 600 yards.

Get Sierra Matchking or Hornady A-Max bullets. If you want something close to GI ballistics, get the 155 gr Palma bullet, otherwise 168, or better, 175s. Lapua Scenars, JLK or Berger bullets will be a treat if you don't mind paying for the best.

 

[Zak Smith]

I strongly recommend a scope with external elevation knobs if you intend to shoot ranges beyond the cartridge's point-blank distance:


article | Practical Long-Range Rifle Shooting, Part II - Optics

 

[Master of Arms]

I strongly recommend a scope with external elevation knobs if you intend to shoot ranges beyond the cartridge's point-blank distance

I totally agree. A nice well priced scope would be a Nikon or a Swift. I have a 6-24-50 Swift on my Ruger M77 .300 magnum mounted with leupold mounts and contrary to popular belief, it`s been through some heavy duty shooting and has stayed true. If you`re planning on shooting alot of paper or pig iron you may want to spend a few more bucks and get yourself a Zeiss.

 

[dagger dog]

Don't over look the Ruger KM77 VT MKII in .308 Win 26" bbl fully adjustable trigger mauser type action . Mine is a very accurate rifle and is capable of very small 5 shot groups well under 1" at 100 yds. The trigger is no creep breaks clean, also has Boyds laminate stock full beaver tail fore arm. They can be had at around $650-$675 if you shop, MSR $950. It is a quality rifle.

 

[35 Whelen]

Do not waste your money on
"300 150 gr. Hornady FMJBT .308 Winchester Bullets"
for 600 yards.

No offense, Jim, but have you actually tried the Hornady 150 gr. FMJBT's? I was using Nosler 155 gr. Match HP's in my K-31 for High Power matches, but they were so expensive. So, on a whim I tried some Hornady 150 gr. FMJBT's:


They shoot groups like this over and over. I can only imagone how good they'd shoot out of a scoped rifle. As inexpensive as they are, I'd sure at least give them a try.
35W

 

[kennedy]

I have a rem 700 vls in .308 (26 in bull barrel, yes its heavy) with harris bipod, leopuld 3x9 and it shoots repeatablty .7in at 100yds with reloads. rifle cost $525 including leopuld mounts and rings, used very little, scope $185 on auction arms and bipod $45 used. savings was used on reloading componets.

 

[ExSoldier]

For the scope I have one of these and find it most satisfactory. I paid only $575 for a 3x10 model http://www.shepherdscopes.com/ For the rifle, I've found these at gun shows for about $900 without a scope:
http://www.remtek.com/arms/steyr/ssg/ssg.htm which I'm sure all will agree is the king of the (ahem) "target" market!

 

[skinewmexico]

You need fine crosshairs and a 1/8" dot at 600 yards to, if you don't want your target substantially covered up. Hard to hit the 10 ring, when the dot in your scope covers the whole target.

 

[Zak Smith]

If the bullet is consistent, it should be accurate even with a low BC value. Many times Bench Rest competition shooters do not use the highest BC bullet; they use the most accurate bullet. The 150gr FMJBT has a BC of just under 0.40, which isn't terrible compared to most other choices in that weight range. The 175 SMK and 155gr Lapua Scenar are "only" just over 0.50.

In spite of that, I wouldn't call 1.5" groups at 100 yards a good recommendation for a bullet.

 

[35 Whelen]

In spite of that, I wouldn't call 1.5" groups at 100 yards a good recommendation for a bullet.

If you're referring to the 1 1/2" group pictured in my post above, you might note that the group was fired with iron sights, AND all those shots were fired consecutively in under 10 minutes. I would expect the use of a scope on that rifle with the same load and bullets to produce groups measuring at most .75" @ 100 yds. In my book, that's a pretty good recomendation, but, to each his own!
Regards,
35W

 

[Zak Smith]

I am not maligning your shooting or the K31 - I am a K31 fan myself - however, such a group is not a good argument "for" the bullet. A 10-shot 0.75" group might mean it's worth a test in the guy's rifle; however, that's not what happened. That's speculation.

 

[armed85]

I strongly recommend a scope with external elevation knobs if you intend to shoot ranges beyond the cartridge's point-blank distance

Zak,

I read the article you posted. For the scopes I posted, they both have, what I would refer to, "external elevation knobs." Maybe I'm misunderstanding you?

As for the bullets, it's all speculation until I actually shoot x bullet through my rifle. My rifle will decide what's most consistent be it Hornady, Serria, Nosler, etc.

 

[armed85]

I changed some options around and have a new total of $1,503.

CZ 550 American .308 Winchester Rifle with 24" Barrel $634
Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x 40mm Scope $482
Leupold CZ 550 1" Scope Ring Mounts $50
Harris 1A2-BR 6" to 9" Bipod $59
Hornady .308 Winchester Reloading Dies $31
200 Remington .308 Winchester Brass $63
200 Nosler 168 gr. BTHP .308 Winchester Bullets $49
2 lbs IMR 4895 Gun Powder $50
1,000 CCI #200 Large Rifle Primers $30
Shipping, FFL Transfer, and Tax $55

Different rifle with a light weight 24" barrel rather than a 26" heavy target barrel, changed the bullets, and reduced the number of rounds from 300 to 200. Everything else is the same.

I think I'm getting a lot for $1,500. Will it do for 600 yards?

I'm still at a loss if the scope I've selected, without the "target knobs," is easy to adjust without using a coin or tools. Leupold calls it "finger adjustable."

 

[Zak Smith]

The first scope does not; the second has them capped. The third option has non-capped ones like on the M1, M2, and M3 series.