Long Range Guys in Here....
- Thread starter wecklish
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Wow, great topic and very informative. I've been searching around for a good .308 rifle as well. Have had the opportunity to fire a Mossberg 30-30, one damn awesome rifle. I can't give you the specifics now but I'll get them for you. I've also gone around and around about 308 or 338 - or even the fact do I need something of that size. But keep up the conversation, I'm loving it.
Thanks guys, especially those of you in the know.
Also, I have to agree with Jeff56 - honestly, that's all I've been reading for the last couple of weeks, it's not the rifle, it's the person, it's the ammo - Start where you can, build up from there. Don't let the idea of economic downturn stear you away - the gun shops in my area, DAILY, are packed.
Thanks guys, especially those of you in the know.
Also, I have to agree with Jeff56 - honestly, that's all I've been reading for the last couple of weeks, it's not the rifle, it's the person, it's the ammo - Start where you can, build up from there. Don't let the idea of economic downturn stear you away - the gun shops in my area, DAILY, are packed.
Jim Watson
Member
If the OP got a good factory rifle from Remington or Savage, and wore out the barrel; he would know a lot more about what he needed and wanted... and would have an action to build his next rifle on.
TheCracker
Member
Good point. That's what I was thinking with my 5r. It already has a nice aluminum block bedded free floated stock and a solid rem 700 action.
The question then becomes, what do you call a "good factory rifle?" If you are talking about a Remington SPS Tactical or the like, which is fully capable of sub MOA shooting right out of the box for around $600, then I can follow the logic.
On the other hand, if a "good factory rifle" means buying a $1K+, off the assembly line rifle, then I don't follow the logic at all. It seems to me that when you start talking about spending that much money, you might as well go ahead and get into something on the custom side for a couple/few hundred more. The benefits will be well worth the additional cost.
Well, the OP didn't mention shooting T/R class or F Class in his/her OP, which is why I asked why not go with a different caliber.
The real reason I made the post was to narrow down my choices and maybe consider a few that I had not researched. Some have argued "diminished returns" on high end off the shelf rifles versus custom rifles. That is a great point. I realize that cost is always a consideration. However, my experience in other purchases has been that I never regret buying quality. However, when I try to skimp it usually costs me more.
Thanks for all of the input.
Thanks for all of the input.
Maverick223
Member
wecklish, what exactly is the purpose of this rifle? Do you plan to use it for formal benchrest, practical shooing, LR varmint hunting, or just LR informal target? It will greatly influence the rifle requirements and/or desired features.
I mean all the Savage hype from most guys back east on THR is hilarious. Every thread Savage, Savage, Savage, Savage...it gets old. I have nothing against them at all, just get tired of hearing about them. Personally, I like Remington, but I still respect a good rifle when I see one and I've seen some Savage rifles shoot outstanding.
Would I compare a Remington to an AI or a TRG? No frekn way!!! Some of these Savage guys claim they compare and I hate to break the news, but it's just not so. These Savage guys will shoot a 3 shot group @ 100yds that measures .5 moa and they claim to be comparable. Shoot 10 shots in row and do it 3 times. I guarantee you the difference will be obvious.
OKcarburetor
Member
My Savage .223 will shoot 10 shot strings inside a quarter all day long with the barrel boiling hot or completely cold.(with hand loads) It will do .5 moa 5 shot groups at 300yds if I don't choke. It's an extremely accurate rifle.(obviously not a 1000 yd rifle however)
However if you want it to cycle reliably or just function reliably at all it just laughs at you. After 500 rounds it now refuses to extract spent cases all the way. It's seemingly a bunch of stamped steel garbage attached to a well made barrel. There are just too many other rifles out there that are just as accurate, or close enough, that do everything else well. Did I mention mine is really ugly too?
As for what rifle to get? You can get almost anything to shoot well,(my M77 in 25-06 is proof) I'd pick the one I liked the feel/look of most that was in my budget. I wouldn't buy anything without at least handling it first.
However if you want it to cycle reliably or just function reliably at all it just laughs at you. After 500 rounds it now refuses to extract spent cases all the way. It's seemingly a bunch of stamped steel garbage attached to a well made barrel. There are just too many other rifles out there that are just as accurate, or close enough, that do everything else well. Did I mention mine is really ugly too?
As for what rifle to get? You can get almost anything to shoot well,(my M77 in 25-06 is proof) I'd pick the one I liked the feel/look of most that was in my budget. I wouldn't buy anything without at least handling it first.
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