I want a new 308 sniper rifle! Please help me pick!!

[Extremely Pro Gun]

I have been pondering this decision for a while. With the money ready, I dont want to choose something without doing even MORE research. I can get deals on some guns and some I cant, which further confuses the situation.

These are the guns I am so indecisive about:

Savage 10 precision carbine 20" $720 after transfer

Browning A-Bolt TCT Varmint 22" $650 with my deal

Savage 10FP 24" $650 after Transfer

 

[AcceptableUserName]

Personally, I'd go Rem700. Tried and true. Aftermarket parts, Remington service, etc.

 

[madd0c]

For a little more I would go with a Tikka T3 Tactical. Guaranteed 1 MOA out of the box, and they mean it! Mine ended up being a 0.5 MOA tack driver after working up the proper load in it. (43gr Rel-15 and Sierra MK 168gr HPBT in mine)

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

ooh im gonna check that one out... too expensive.

 

[praharin]

The cheapest way to get a real sniper rifle is to join any branch of the US military, and work your butt off. You don't get to keep it, but it's free while you have it. Ammo too. Not only that, but they will also give you some of the best training available on how to use it!

Seriously, the rifle doesn't make the sniper. The sniper makes the rifle.

 

[Boba Fett]

Skip the VTR. IMHO, it is more of a novelty rifle. Plus, Remington say it is a 22" barrel, but realistically, it is a 20" since the brake isn't part of the barrel. I don't mind 20" barrels at all, I just think it is somewhat deceptive on Remington's part IMO.

I have a Savage 10FCP and it is very very accurate.
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=488324&highlight=Savage


For some excellent rifle reviews check out snipercentral.com
http://www.snipercentral.com/rifles.htm

I use them quite extensively in the choice of rifle and scope.


The 700P / 700 SPS was the main contender with the Savage. I'd say it is also a great rifle based on what the THR people who have one have said about them.

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

OK I narrowed it down a little more. The new Browning looks awesome with the B&C stock from the factory, but savage has more experience with tactical bolt actions with heavy barrels. I have also been very happy with my Stevens 223 which was made by savage.

The Browning is obviously the MUCH better deal at 50% off msrp, but im not selling them any time soon. SO im more confused.

 

[Harold Mayo]

I'm a Remington fan all the way but the Savage is really the one to go to in that price range. If I had it all to do over again, Savage would win my vote for best value in factory precision rifles.

 

[Boba Fett]

One thing I just thought of about the Savage:

Go to a place that stocks Savage rifles and give the Accu-Trigger system a try. I personally fell in love with it the first time I tried it out.

But there are some people who can't stand them.

IIRC, I believe there are some replacement triggers/systems if you end up hating the Accu-Trigger. I seem to recall a couple people on THR saying they had replaced theirs.

 

[aubie515]

Wow, a whole 1MOA guarantee...big deal. Most factory rifles from Savage, Remington and FN will do sub MOA.

Good luck with choosing your "sniper rifle."

To the OP...reread your sig line...the first one makes no sense to me. I hope that is not a direct quote.

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

Ok so i think I like the 10fp because it is the heaviest and longest barrel. I will be able to hold it steadier the heavier it is, and with my shaky hands haha... I think I will like it the best.

 

[NWCP]

I've been curious about CZs 750. Looks like a nice rifle, but the cost of playing with it is a bit stiff. Any well made bolt action rifle with a good scope and proper trigger in the right hands can be 'sniper' accurate. It's the shooter that really counts. You can put a $3000 rig in the wrong hands and shoot all over the map with it. On the other hand a well trained military, or police marksman can take a plain vanilla variety off the shelf mid priced sporting rifle and make music with it. JMHO

 

[hub]

Just another suggestion, last night I seen that Bud's has a FN patrol model in .308 or 300wsm for $739 shipped. Sounds like a good deal they say it msrp's for $1278.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/884/products_id/411538545

 

[SLCscottie]

Savage 10FP 24" $650

Savage 10FP 24" $650

I bought a used one at the gun store. It shoots great. Low recoil with the heavy barrel. Did I say too much fun. I'm now tuning the reloads to maximize the accuracy. This stuff is addicting. Have fun.

 

[berettaprofessor]

:banghead:Unless you're military, you probably don't really want a SNIPER rifle, you want an ACCURATE HUNTING rifle. Please.....:banghead:

 

[Tim the student]

I'd go for one of the Savages.

 

[Zerodefect]

"Sniper rifles"? LOL.

According to one of my .mil friends alot of sniper teams are actually useing semiautos alot more now. Ar10, Larue OBR like things in .308/7.62 since they really aren't reaching out farther than those rifles can handle too often.

Sure the super accurate bolt action is around, but for most purposes the semiauto works best, and when it deosn't.....airstrike.



But to awnser your question, FN makes a fine rifle. The previously mentioned FN rifle will do fine. 300wsm.

 

[Maverick223]

I would take a good look at the new Winchester Stealth. It offers a long heavy bbl with target crown, B&C Stock (w/ Al. bedding block), CRF reliability, and is available in .308Win. (and .223Rem.). Promises to be a great rifle. Otherwise Savage for the win.

 

[joed]

All good choices in my opinion. I have a Win 70 Stealth, one of the last produced at the old plant, one of my favorites. This rifle is flawless and accurate. I have a 36x Weaver Target scope on it and enjoy shooting it.

I also have a Savage 10fp, but it is chambered in .223 Rem. I wouldn't hesitate to own one of these in .308 either. I've heard complaints about the stock on these but just laugh. The stock may be a little flimsy but this rifle will shoot 1/4" to 1/2" groups all day long. And I should care about the stock being flimsy?

Also wouldn't hesitate to own another Rem 700. I've had 3 and every one of them has been very accurate.

 

[Shadow Man]

Sure the super accurate bolt action is around, but for most purposes the semiauto works best, and when it deosn't.....airstrike.

Hehe. Thanks for a good laugh, that's so true.

Anyway, what do you plan on using the rifle for? "Sniper rifle"? Are you going to be spending long periods of time in a cramped hide, observing a target area for hours, relaying information up the chain before making one or two perfect shots, cold bore, while remaining undetected? Or are you looking for a highly accurate target rifle that you can take out to about 800 yards? Or are you simply looking for a super-accurate hunting rifle?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

The third one - the extra barrel length helps velocity - the .308 is handicapped severely enough relative to other precision/long-range chamberings, without handicapping it further by stealing its velocity away with an absurdly silly 20" bbl length.

And Savage makes a fine fine stock now (even though you cannot tell from it's extreme ugliness).

But I really would need to know the details of your trade-in deal and budget, and what specific process and criteria you used to get down to those three, to really help you make a decision.

 

[praharin]

I've heard complaints about the stock on these but just laugh. The stock may be a little flimsy but this rifle will shoot 1/4" to 1/2" groups all day long. And I should care about the stock being flimsy?

I'm gonna go ahead an make a guess here. You don't shoot from many supported field positions do you? Once you start getting into complex positions, the stock can shift, touch the barrel and ruin your accuracy at long range.

There's a reason savage started using HS and McMillan stocks as a factory option.

 

[Maverick223]

Savage makes a fine fine stock now (even though you cannot tell from it's extreme ugliness)

Their synthetic non-accustock is pretty darn craptastic though, but the accustock is pretty darn good for factory, even if it is ugly. I think they could make it a bit more comfortable, but I imagine they just want to keep it "universal" and don't want to make it bulky, making it less suitable for hunting (shooting off-hand).

 

[Boba Fett]

I wouldn't worry about a 20" barrel length. If that's the rifle you want, 20" should be fine.


http://www.sniperschool.com/sniper-rifle-barrel-length/

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

If that's the rifle you want, 20" should be fine.

But that's circular logic - you DON'T want the 20", unless you're in a vacuum (no wind), for LONG range, which is what these are for. If they're not for LONG range, then there's no reason not to just grab a T/C Icon (or Tikka T3, or...) .308 with a thin barrel, to have a light rifle - it's guaranteed sub-MOA, and it will serve very very well to 300 or more yards. The ONLY reason to get a HEAVY rifle like that (even the 20" bull 'sniper / tactical' rifles are on the heavy side), is for LONG range, and at long range, you need all the BC & velocity you can get to buck the wind. My opinion, anyways. Now in a superior chambering, like 6.5-284, I could see going down *maybe* to 24" or even 22 as the shortest.

These 20" so-called "sniper" rifles are for police / swat type uses, where a typical shot would be 100-150 yards, and a very long shot is 300. That's fine in an urban setting, where you get out of the SWAT truck, and take the elevator to the roof - no need for a light rifle -the heavy barrel is not needed, but it doesn't hurt anything either. If your gun is gonna be heavy, my opinion is that it needs to be able to reach out there a long ways, or you're not getting anything for the tradeoff of extra weight.

Boba Fett, that article you linked to talks about barrel length affecting inherent / mechanical accuracy, which as we know, it doesn't - that's an article for newbs that think barrel length might affect actual mechanical accuracy. It most certainly DOES affect the more important consideration of PRACTICAL accuracy at longer ranges, because it minimizes the effect of your wind drift estimation error, and minimizes the effect of your ranging estimation error.

If the goal is just to look cool and be accurate to 200 yards, let's say, and haul it no further than from the pickup to the bench at the range, then by all means grab a 20" .308. But if the goal is to get the best tool for a specific job, then.....

And don't get me wrong - I am the *king* of liking short short handy rifles in the 16-18" range for walkin'-round and/or self-defense rifles - that's where short barrels have their place.