New Rifle or Use What I have?

[Dynasty]

I'm hoping to get some opinions on whether or not I should get a new rifle or use a rifle that I currently own. Please share your thoughts.

I would like to shoot from a bench at 100, 200, and 300 yards. I will be shooting at paper targets. The typical target will be an 8" peel and stick target. Not for competition, but for the simple fact that I enjoy shooting as a hobby. I am not the best shot in the world, but feel I can shot fairly well. Since I'm not entering competitions, I don't need tight under 1" groups. With my current shooting skills, I will be happy with 3" and under from the mentioned distances.

The three rifles I own that I could potentially use to obtain my goals of 3" or under groups are the following:

- Marlin Model 60 (.22LR)
- Colt LE6920 (.223)
- Chinese SKS(7.62X39)

The Marlin is the only rifle that has optics on it. It has a BSA Sweet 22 3-9x40 scope. I shot today at 100 yards with bulk ammo and averaged about a 2" group on a fairly windy day. Could my accuracy improve with better optics and match ammo?

Could any of my current rifles obtain the accuracy I'm looking for or do I need a new rifle/optic system?

If I were to purchase new rifle and scope for this type of shooting, I would purchase a bolt action in either .22LR or .223 caliber. I feel .308 would be an overkill for only 300 yards, plus .22LR and .223 is cheaper to shoot, so I could shoot/practice more often.

I need some input here. I appreciate your time and help.

 

[Abel]

Invest in a nice scope and mounts for your COLT.

 

[browningguy]

The .22 might get better with match ammo, a small upgrade in optics couldn't hurt but to be honest I have not shot that particular model BSA.

The Colt AR with an optic might shoot MOA (3") out to 300, but it would be a pretty special gun if it did. More likely with the Colt is something in the 2-3MOA range.

The SKS almost certainly won't shoot the groups you want past 100 yards, if that.

My recommendation, sell the SKS (they are going for top dollar now), buy something like a bolt action predator rifle, medium to heavy barrel, in .204 or .223, get a mid range scope in 3-9 or 2.5-10 or 4-12 range with adjustable objective, go shooting.

 

[lefteyedom]

get a target grade upper for the colt.

 

[readyeddy]

The 22 and SKS will not print 3" groups at 300 yards. Finding anything AR is difficult and expensive at this time. Now is a good time to work on the golf swing. But if you must shoot 300 yard 3" groups now, then look for a bolt gun in something available, like maybe .243 or 7mm 08. Just be warned that you may need to handload to reach your goals and the hoarders are targeting handloading equipment and components.

 

[sixgunner455]

Get a match upper for the Colt, or a nice heavy barreled bolt action in .308, .243, etc as mentioned.

 

[Reloadron]

Another invest in the Colt or think about a good .308 (or similar) bolt gun.

Ron

 

[Dynasty]

I'm going to pass on getting a match grade upper for my AR. Not only are they pricey, but also difficult to find right now.

I'm thinking a dedicated long range, bolt rifle is the best choice. Now it's just a matter of .223 or .308 caliber.

 

[minutemen1776]

Go with .308 in a bolt gun. There's lots of premium ammo for it, and it is not overkill for 300 yards. Besides, a .308 would be superior if you ever decide to use it for hunting or even longer shots.

 

[MtnCreek]

I would sell the 6920 and the SKS for far more than they are (IMHO) really worth. With that, you could buy a nice bolt-gun and glass.

 

[eldon519]

I'd recommend focusing on your Colt. I don't know if it will shoot 3" groups at 300 yards, but ultimately, I think you would be better served by having a few rifles you are extremely proficient with vs. a cabinet full of guns you don't know that well. I'm coming to this realization now and trying to narrow down my collection from all the rifles I convinced myself I needed.

 

[jogar80]

Why don't you just put a scope on your Colt and see what it will do? I have a LE6920 as well, and it will do just over 1moa.

 

[Dynasty]

^ What kind of scope do you have on your 6920? What distances do you shoot from? Do you use match grade ammo?

 

[jogar80]

I'm using a cheap Barska varmint scope... 6-18x. Its a cheapo scope, but for target shooting it does the job and the .223 recoil isn't gonna hurt it, so it has held Zero very well. I havent shot out to 300 with this rifle, 200 is the furthest i've done. I'm sure it would do well PAST 300 yds... I just havent had the time to go somewhere to try it. This is with hornady Steel match ammo

 

[d2wing]

Of those guns, a Colt has a chance, may need barrel upgrade and good optics.

 

[chris in va]

Here's an idea.

You want 1moa, right? The Colt will do it...if you handload.

So you can either buy a bolt action for ~$400 and put some glass on it, or get glass on the Colt and get a simple handloading setup for ~$150.

 

[witchhunter]

Anyone else see that all this man is asking for is justification to buy another gun? Yes, sir, there is always justification. I second the .308 bolt gun option,
ammo will be available again, but now with this array of calibers, there is justification to start reloading.