Precision Rifle: Savage, Ruger or other?

[bang_bang]

I'm somewhat new to the precision rifle world, shot a match or two and did decent. I'm trying to narrow down my options, so far the Ruger Precision and the Savage BA Stealth have what I'm looking for. I'm wanting a target ready rifle capable of shooting a match without ruining a barrel. My other requirements to meet are detachable magazines and a threaded barrel, in a 6.5 CM or possibly a 300 WM. Is my head on the right track or are some other options available. Competitions are from 500 yards to 1,100-ish, probably 20-30 rounds consecutively.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got a Ruger RPR in .243 That I've been working with for the last 3 weeks.

So far I'm pretty impressed, did a standard OCW load development drill with Berger 105 Hybrids, IMR4831, CCI BR2s and WIN brass and every 3 shot group was sub-MOA, several were under .4". It's done multiple 5 shot groups under .6" and today at 300 it did a sub MOA 7 shot group in varying wind on the haed of my turkey swinger.

Really not bad for a factory rifle and minimal load development.

Trigger is "OK", mine's got a little creep before the break, everything else is perfectly serviceable.

Mounted a Vortex Razor HD in ARC M10 mounts:


Testing loads:



Don't know how much the new versions are going for, but I picked up mine for $960 delivered due to LE/MIL discount back in AUG.

Chuck

 

[bikemutt]

I can't speak directly about the Ruger PR since I don't own one, not by choice, just none available. The two I observed at the range where I frequent appeared to be quite nice. In both cases I noticed small groups followed by some stringing. Both were 6.5 Creedmoor rifles.

I have a couple Savage rifles, a 10 in 308, and a 12 in 6.5 Creedmoor, that resemble the BA Stealth. Both of mine sit in McRees Precision folding chassis'. The big difference with the BA Stealth model I see is the factory blueprinted action; that would cost a pretty penny to add to a stock Savage I imagine. In any event, both my rifles are sub-MOA even with match factory ammo and I've never shot them fast enough to observe obvious thermal accuracy issues.

I don't see where you'd go wrong with either rifle.

 

[Gtscotty]

I have the RPR in 6.5 and love it. Mine has 700 ish rounds through it and everything has worn in and smoothed out nicely. Accuracy is very good, usually in the .5 - .6 MOA range for 5 shot groups with my chosen handloads or Hornady factory ELD-M's although I had several groups in the .3's and .4's during my load development.

I met a guy at our local long range that had both a new Savage LRP and a Stealth in 6.5 CM. His plan was to work up loads for both and keep the best shooter. I'm sure it was just his two rifles, but the Stealth was turning in better groups than the LRP, very good groups in fact. After holding both, I liked the feel of the Stealth better overall, except for the stock, which didn't feel quite right (I believe it's replaceable though). I prefer the RPR to both of the Savages, but the Stealth did seem like a nice package.

 

[bang_bang]

Local shop has a Stealth in 6.5 in stock for $972. I sold a few guns a while back to fund this, I think I'm headed that way in a few.

 

[The_Next_Generation]

The Stealth seems OK. After handling one in a shop, I wasn't all that impressed. I own a Ruger PR in 6.5cm and it shoots lights out. Routine sub .4" 5-shot groups at 100 yards with handloads. 143 ELDx bullet, Hornady brass, and standard CCI #200 primers. Factory ammo did pretty close but averaged .5" to .6". I like the mags, I like the folding stock, I like the handgaurd options. The 20MOA rail is nice. The trigger is definitely good enough to get the job done.

Had mine out to a mile last week. Shooting at a 12x20" plate was rough...3 shots no call, then 1mil low and right, then 1 mil right, then .5mil right, then another 3 shots and no call (at which point I was out of ammo).

A buddy and I shot a match earlier this year, he had his Ruger PR and I was using a R700 in 308win with some 208gr Amax loads. We both did well, but he had the advantage with the unknown distance targets and movers.

Don't let people tell you that 6.5CM ammo can't be found - it can, at least in my parts. Can buy the 120gr stuff for $26/box and the 140eld or 143eldx stuff for $29/box all day long.

 

[Gtscotty]

Looks like Hornady is coming out with some new 6.5 CM ammo including a 120gr ELD-M load and a 147gr ELD-M load (0.697 G1). Also an "American Gunner" sub-brand sold in 50 Rd boxes, utilizing the cheaper but still popular 140gr hpbt.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/11/01/new-hornady-match-ammunition-loads/

 

[The_Next_Generation]

Looks like Hornady is coming out with some new 6.5 CM ammo including a 120gr ELD-M load and a 147gr ELD-M load (0.697 G1). Also an "American Gunner" sub-brand sold in 50 Rd boxes, utilizing the cheaper but still popular 140gr hpbt.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/11/01/new-hornady-match-ammunition-loads/

Wow! I hadn't heard of those bullets until now - they must have just been released! If their numbers are true, which I am assuming they are (given the strength of hornady's R&D team), they will be impressive to say the least.

All the more reason to choose 6.5cm...

 

[bang_bang]

Paid $1,010 out the door. I'm saving my pennies for optics, the feel of the rifle is impressive. Lighter than I thought it would be. As for ammo I'm going to start gathering reloading materials soon. It'll be 6 months before I'll be set up and have a scope.

 

[agtman]

I'm somewhat new to the precision rifle world, shot a match or two and did decent. I'm trying to narrow down my options, so far the Ruger Precision and the Savage BA Stealth have what I'm looking for. I'm wanting a target ready rifle capable of shooting a match without ruining a barrel. My other requirements to meet are detachable magazines and a threaded barrel, in a 6.5 CM or possibly a 300 WM. Is my head on the right track or are some other options available.
Competitions are from 500 yards to 1,100-ish, probably 20-30 rounds consecutively.

"... Or other."

http://www.gaprecision.net/ga-precision-2016-custom-rifles.html

GAP builds highly accurate precision and "sniper" competition rifles, and their reputation in this field means you'll recoup 90% or better of your investment when/if you decide to sell it.

You can thank me later ...

 

[bang_bang]

For the money I'd spend on a GAP rifle I'd go buy a Nemo 300 Mag! Lol. Those are sweet though, I'll drop the money on a good scope instead.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got a Ruger model in .308, tried lots of loads, factory and reloads...so far Hornady 150 grain loads getting 1 inch groups at 400 plus yards, got a Leupold VX6 in 6.5 x 20 x 40 and it is nice, however I am 62 years old and cant see as far as they say it can shoot.

 

[Swampman]

A Remington 700 or Tikka might meet your requirements.

 

[bpshooter13]

Second on the Tikka, that's the route I went in 308 for a dedicated F-class rifle. I put mine in a Manners stock with AICS mag compatability and rebarreled with a heavy Bartlein at 28" If your looking for best barrel life 308 is going to fit that bill as well as wider availability of components if you reload. You can shoot 308 in FTR class against the other 223/308 shooters if you like belly shooting and leave the 6mm bunch to chase each other's X's. I'm having fun in the 10 ring. Another guy I shoot with went a similar route but with a Howa 1500 action and the same Manners stock and similar 28" heavy barrel.

 

[ironworkerwill]

I'd suggest NOT getting the Ruger. Remington and Savage have too much aftermarket support to "settle" with the Ruger.
I like the Rugers and it may eventually become a major contender with REM and Savage.

So my vote goes to Savage or Remington.

 

[Gtscotty]

I'd suggest NOT getting the Ruger. Remington and Savage have too much aftermarket support to "settle" with the Ruger.
I like the Rugers and it may eventually become a major contender with REM and Savage.

So my vote goes to Savage or Remington.

This is really a non-issue, the rail and stock on the RPR are standard AR, with nearly unlimited possible replacements. There are several barrel makers making RPR prefits that you can swap at home with minimal tools. Timney makes an RPR drop in trigger now if the perfectly serviceable stock trigger won't work for you. The RPR was made for PRS style shooting and comes out of the box well outfitted for such. A Remington, on the other hand would require a decent investment up front just to bring it up to snuff with a Savage Stealth or RPR.

All a moot point, the OP stated that he bought a Savage Stealth in 6.5 CM several posts ago.

 

[ironworkerwill]

This is really a non-issue, the rail and stock on the RPR are standard AR, with nearly unlimited possible replacements. There are several barrel makers making RPR prefits that you can swap at home with minimal tools. Timney makes an RPR drop in trigger now if the perfectly serviceable stock trigger won't work for you. The RPR was made for PRS style shooting and comes out of the box well outfitted for such. A Remington, on the other hand would require a decent investment up front just to bring it up to snuff with a Savage Stealth or RPR.

All a moot point, the OP stated that he bought a Savage Stealth in 6.5 CM several posts ago.

Or you could of just mentioned that he'd already purchased the savage. But I appreciate your opinion.

 

[Gtscotty]

Or you could of just mentioned that he'd already purchased the savage. But I appreciate your opinion.

My main point was to correct the misconception that aftermarket support for the RPR was lacking, which just isn't true, and was a big focus of the original design. It seemed pretty obvious that folks weren't reading through the thread and seeing that the OP had already chosen, so I figured I'd mention that while I was at it.

 

[ironworkerwill]

My main point was to correct the misconception that aftermarket support for the RPR was lacking, which just isn't true, and was a big focus of the original design. It seemed pretty obvious that folks weren't reading through the thread and seeing that the OP had already chosen, so I figured I'd mention that while I was at it.

It was vividly clear what your opinion was. As you stand behind your words I'll stand behind mine. I do not agree with you.

 

[bang_bang]

I'll get a chance to put my Savage Stealth up against RPR shooters soon. I plan on doing a detailed look very soon.

 

[Varminterror]

Since the thread's focal question seems to have been resolved, but there's still some traffic here...

How many RPR's and Savage BA's are you guys seeing in matches around you? I haven't seen many, so despite being "designed for tactical competition," are they actually taking off in the sport at all? Maybe just not at the matches I've attended?

 

[Gtscotty]

I've seen a bunch of RPRs at the local long range practicing. Our range has a monthly PRS style shoot and at the ones I've been to, usually 3 out of 10 or 11 shooters were using RPRs, myself and two local guys who work for Thunderbeast arms, all 6.5 CM. I have only seen one Savage Stealth, but they were released pretty recently. Otherwise I see custom 700's, custom Tikkas, custom Savages and some Defiances and Surgeons.

I don't know what folks are using at the higher levels, but I don't think that was Ruger's or Savage's target market. I would bet that those folks are still using Defiances, Surgeons, and AIs with custom spec'd barrels fitted by their favorite smiths.