Decisions Decisions!... Target gun

[Kingofthehill]

So, im a clearly a pistol shooter and trap/skeet.

I don't really do rifles but it has caught my attention recently and i have had several Rifles going through my mind.

I don't have a place to go and just rip off tons of ammo and have fun like that with something like a Sig 522 or M&P 15-22.

True target shooting is what im really looking to do and my local range is 50-100-200-300 yards.

The Ruger 10/22 and building that up to being a good accurate target rifle is very appealing but even that leaves me questioning, do i buy it stock and mod it as i want or save up and buy a 10/22 based gun already tweaked.

Should i go with a 17hmr? a different .22?

I have a lot of .270 ammo and i was eyeballing guns like the 4x4, 700 or like a savage or Marlin which i hear are getting good reviews for big quality increases lately.

My AR's are all setup for 3 gun and home defense stuff and not really looking for another right now.

Can someone more experienced with Rifles and target shooting point me in a good direction?

Thanks!

JOe

 

[G27RR]

For 100 yards and under, a .22 is good. Look at the Savage Mark II series and the CZ 452.

For going out to 300 yards, a good bolt .223 would perform better than a .22 by far, but would still be on the less expensive side of things ammo wise. Remington 700, Howa 1500, and Savage are good choices in .223 without spending a whole lot more.

I have a Rem 700 SPS stainless heavy barrel in .223 I setup for target shooting with a Bell & Carlson A2 stock and it's great practice and no worries shooting all day because recoil is very minimal. Out of the box it was about 1 MOA capable, after swapping the cheap plastic stock out it is now about 0.7 MOA.

 

[Red Tornado]

In .22s, probably the most accuracy for your money is a Russian CM-2 from CDNN. They're occasionally for sale at RFC, too. They come with double aperture sights and are tack drivers. http://site.cdnninvestments.com/CDNN2010-6/index.html See page 65.

Remington 513s and Mossberg 44s are military trainers, and shoot great, but not as accurate as a target rifle. They're a great piece of Americana.

CZs have a glowing rep. 10/22's can be tack drivers, depending on how much you want to put in them. There are several for sale at RFC, in varying degrees of tricked outedness, at any given time.

How much do you want to spend? That kind of determines which direction to steer you. If you want to drop ~$4000, Anschutz has a beauty....

RT

 

[BrocLuno]

If you are going to be playing on the 300 yd line, you may need a bit more than 223 - depends on the games you want to join? Paper punching - you're OK. Silhouette, you might want a heavier bullet? If you go with 223, go with a faster spin barrel so you can stabilize the heavier rounds - 1 in 9 or less.

In the 270 you have lots of choices and you can play on any range out to 500. I'd be looking at the Tikka, maybe like this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=217226658 Their barrels are good, the action is stiff and the laminated stock will be stable. Put a heavy scope on it to get the mass up a bit, buy a second set of rings so you can double up the front for added stability (change all the less than stellar factory ring bolts) and you should be in the 1" range all day

If you want to make a dedicated target rifle (vs occasional hunt with the Tikka), maybe look at some of the others? There are some heavy barreled 270's out there, even in the used market? Something like this will likely drive tacks all day: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=216642097 It's a bit pricey, but these are usually superb rifles

 

[unwise11]

I just got a Rem 700 sps Tactical in .223 shot very good today, still breaking in, I can't wait to see how it shoots when it's broken in, and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a nice target rifle, also look at Howa M-1500 rifles they are also very high quality.

 

[Kingofthehill]

Some great suggestions guys. I appreciate it.

I would like to keep it in the sub $700 range with the ability to upgrade as i go to ease the pain of a lump sum. And i expect to spend at the very least, HALF of the rifle price on the scope.

It can be any caliber really bu i have a lot of .270, .223 and .22 and the range max is 300 yards.

I just want something to slow down my shooting and learn about shooting rifles. Im a very good pistol shooter but its to the point im not feeling challanged anymore and thats why im looking into the Rifle.

If it hooks me good enough, i can drop some real coin on a very nice setup.

the Howa M-1500 and Remington 700 are really grabbing me right now. I just want the ability to be able to buy nicer barrels, triggers, stocks, ect... as time goes by.

I think regardless i'll buy that Russian CM-2 for the heck of it. Looks interesting!

 

[unwise11]

Well, if it's .223 go Remington, if .308, you have a decision to make, I say that because in .223 form the Howa action is blocked, and doesn't feel the same, as the Rem 700 action appears to be the same bolt throw length, also, make sure you don't cheap out on rings and bases, be prepared to spend 50-100 bucks on that.

 

[P-32]

You want to learn how to shoot? Turn one of your AR's into a service rifle and go shoot High Power. After you learn how to shoot H/P shooting a scope is a piece of cake.