target rifle in 7.62/.308

[CoalTrain49]

I've been looking at 308's for the range. The only problem is I don't have a place to shoot past 200 yds. or I would already have one. There's a lot to like about a .308. Brass and bullets are plentiful, cheap and it's an easy cartridge to reload for with lots of tried and true loads. I'm picking up brass now thinking someday I might be able to shoot at a 500m range.

Up front, I don't like Savage triggers. I think we have those because of lawsuits and attorneys. You won't find those on any aftermarket benchrest triggers and there's a reason. Not a reason to not buy a Savage though because you can always upgrade the trigger. Probably the best bang for your buck is a savage. Ruger would be another if you can get around the trigger. There are some other good options. Howa and Tikka builds good shooters without those lawyer triggers. Must have something to do with the fact that they aren't built in the US. When you send a rifle to Ruger for repair they will remove an aftermarket trigger or sear and install their own. They warn you upfront. Savage might be the same way, I don't know. I like the 2 stage trigger on my Howa. I believe the triggers on Tikkas are adjustable. That's what you want for a target rifle trigger. I have a Ruger but I had to change the sear to get the trigger down to 2.5 lbs. No big deal.

Tikka is building some nice target rifles. I would probably get one of their TAC rifles if I purchased a rifle tomorrow. A friend has a new Tikka .308 that I've shot and it's really a very nice rifle with a great trigger. I looked at a new Remington 700 the other day and the rear guard screw was a 1/16" above the receiver. I guess they just slap those babies together and throw them in a box. Not real inspiring. The guy who helped me (very knowledgeable shooter) said they weren't ordering anymore Remington's because too many had to be sent back.

I think a good rule of thumb is spend as much on your scope as you do your rifle. Just factor that into your purchase.

 

[salt&battery]

I've been looking at 308's for the range. The only problem is I don't have a place to shoot past 200 yds. or I would already have one. There's a lot to like about a .308. Brass and bullets are plentiful, cheap and it's an easy cartridge to reload for with lots of tried and true loads. I'm picking up brass now thinking someday I might be able to shoot at a 500m range.

Up front, I don't like Savage triggers. I think we have those because of lawsuits and attorneys. You won't find those on any aftermarket benchrest triggers and there's a reason. Not a reason to not buy a Savage though because you can always upgrade the trigger. Probably the best bang for your buck is a savage. Ruger would be another if you can get around the trigger. There are some other good options. Howa and Tikka builds good shooters without those lawyer triggers. Must have something to do with the fact that they aren't built in the US. When you send a rifle to Ruger for repair they will remove an aftermarket trigger or sear and install their own. They warn you upfront. Savage might be the same way, I don't know. I like the 2 stage trigger on my Howa. I believe the triggers on Tikkas are adjustable. That's what you want for a target rifle trigger. I have a Ruger but I had to change the sear to get the trigger down to 2.5 lbs. No big deal.

Tikka is building some nice target rifles. I would probably get one of their TAC rifles if I purchased a rifle tomorrow. A friend has a new Tikka .308 that I've shot and it's really a very nice rifle with a great trigger. I looked at a new Remington 700 the other day and the rear guard screw was a 1/16" above the receiver. I guess they just slap those babies together and throw them in a box. Not real inspiring. The guy who helped me (very knowledgeable shooter) said they weren't ordering anymore Remington's because too many had to be sent back.

I think a good rule of thumb is spend as much on your scope as you do your rifle. Just factor that into your purchase.

are you talking about the accu trigger? if so how can you not like it? I like it cause it gives the feel of a 2 stage trigger

 

[wally]

Keeping the power locked at one extreme eliminates most of that slop

I've often thought that a simple hi/low magnification setting would be faster and perhaps more useful overall than continuously variable zoom. Does anyone actually use the intermediate powers of their zoom scopes? I know I'm always at the lowest power for shooting standing, sitting or kneeling and at the highest power when shooting prone or off a rest. But then I don't own anything more exotic than 4-14 and 4-16 I have a lot of 1-4 scopes and red dots for casual shooting, aka plinking

 

[CoalTrain49]

are you talking about the accu trigger? if so how can you not like it? I like it cause it gives the feel of a 2 stage trigger

Yes, gives the feel of a two stage trigger, but it isn't.

I don't own one but I've shot one. It's adjustable and most people like them. I've talked to a few people who use them and they say they work just fine once you get used it. I think they were designed to provide a sear block so a person can't accidentally discharge a rifle while hunting. I don't hunt, only benchrest, so for me it's an overly complicated trigger that unnecessarily engages the sear block. I used to hunt and I believe there are more safety considerations and opportunities for AD's than benchrest shooting. The thin blades only function is to release the sear block. Doesn't make it a better trigger, just makes it safer when the rifle is carried with a loaded chamber, which most hunters do.

American mfg's are obsessed with safety, or better, obsessed with not getting sued out of existence. I'm not saying it's a bad trigger, just not for me in a benchrest rifle. Savage is a good rifle, I would just have to drop another trigger in it for the way I would use the rifle. That's all.

 

[salt&battery]

Yes, gives the feel of a two stage trigger, but it isn't.

I don't own one but I've shot one. It's adjustable and most people like them. I've talked to a few people who use them and they say they work just fine once you get used it. I think they were designed to provide a sear block so a person can't accidentally discharge a rifle while hunting. I don't hunt, only benchrest, so for me it's an overly complicated trigger that unnecessarily engages the sear block. I used to hunt and I believe there are more safety considerations and opportunities for AD's than benchrest shooting. The thin blades only function is to release the sear block. Doesn't make it a better trigger, just makes it safer when the rifle is carried with a loaded chamber, which most hunters do.

American mfg's are obsessed with safety, or better, obsessed with not getting sued out of existence. I'm not saying it's a bad trigger, just not for me in a benchrest rifle. Savage is a good rifle, I would just have to drop another trigger in it for the way I would use the rifle. That's all.

oh OK for a bench rest rifle I can see you wanting another trigger

 

[Nature Boy]

You can go off the deep end like I did recently and have a full blown custom .308 rifle built exactly like you want it

Is it worth it? Well, I stopped at the range on the way to work this morning to test a load and recorded this

I'm sure there are Savages (and other brands) that will do that with a lot less scope than I put on top of this rig for a lot less money.

But dang, I sure am enjoying it.

 

[salt&battery]

You can go off the deep end like I did recently and have a full blown custom .308 rifle built exactly like you want it

Is it worth it? Well, I stopped at the range on the way to work this morning to test a load and recorded this

I'm sure there are Savages (and other brands) that will do that with a lot less scope than I put on top of this rig for a lot less money.

But dang, I sure am enjoying it.

that is all that matters you are enjoying it. nice rig and good shooting

 

[JO JO]

You can go off the deep end like I did recently and have a full blown custom .308 rifle built exactly like you want it

what a nice looking set up, if you dont mind me asking and not hi-jacking the thread but was that with Varget ?

 

[Nature Boy]

what a nice looking set up, if you dont mind me asking and not hi-jacking the thread but was that with Varget ?

Yes. 43.7g and 185g Berger Juggernauts

 

[JO JO]

Yes. 43.7g and 185g Berger Juggernauts

sweet , nice groups and rifle I am just getting into the 308 , just got a Savage 10 fcp and a viper scope this month so I will be off and running soon

 

[someguy2800]

The savage triggers are not that impressive as they come out of the box to me as they have too much spring pressure. The beauty of them though is that with springs out of a ball point pen in place of the sear spring and blade spring you can have around a 1 lb trigger that is virtually free rather than spending $150.

 

[salt&battery]

The savage triggers are not that impressive as they come out of the box to me as they have too much spring pressure. The beauty of them though is that with springs out of a ball point pen in place of the sear spring and blade spring you can have around a 1 lb trigger that is virtually free rather than spending $150.

have no use for hair triggers I have them in 3 German FWB match rifles. The standard trigger in an M1A is perfect for me . light triggers are overated and Tubbs said you can get used to any trigger. some of the best groups I ever shot were with the older savage HB rifles from the early 90's where you needed a come along to set the trigger off. when they tested the 45/70 at sandy hook beach the rifleman made hits at 1500 yds and beyond with a 8lb trigger and a 1 1/2 hammer fall