Trouble with picking my next rifle, PLease help!!

[Tomekeuro85]

Right now i use my savage 10fp for my main (and only) .308. It shoots about .6" groups at one inch (85% of the time the group size starts with .6xx) , .75" max, sometimes as good as the .4's. (rarely, like 1 in 15 groups)

However, I really want to have tight tight grouping out to 300 yards (the furthest i can shoot)

My dilemma is as follows... I have been looking into the ~$3000 GA precision rifles, but I dont know if its worth the cost for me. I shoot maybe 100 rounds a month, maybe 200 absolute max out of my .308, and thats only like 7 months out of the year.

My other choice is to modify my savage by getting a new barrel and a new stock (the only two things I dont like about this gun) The action I guess is acceptable, though I would prefer the 700 action. Doing this would probably cost no more than $800-$1000...

The GAP is 3/8 MOA guaranteed, whereas the savage with the new barrel and stock would proably shoot a good consistent 1/2 MOA at least.

Is .125 MOA worth $2000 difference in price? I dont compete, and I would use the gun for hunting once a year. The rest is just target shooting for fun.

But, I know that if i didnt get the best of the best, i would be hating myself for it. the intelligent part of me says go with the cheaper choice since I dont shoot that much anyways, but the impulsive part says GAP GAP GAP!

So, what would you do in this situation? Go all out, or just do the minimum and spend less?

 

[dakotasin]

i'd go cooper.

but of the options you present, i'd go gap. no way would i sink more into the savage.

last option... if you go to the vha jamboree and the savage guys are there again and they catch you shooting not too hot, they'll fix your rifle for free...

 

[jay43]

wouldn't getting a new stock, and barrell on bolt action be basically like getting a new gun? and for 500 bucks you could buy a new 10fp that will shoot just as well as a $3000 rifle

 

[aubie515]

Not trying to sound like a jerk, BUT are you capable of extracting the most accuracy out of your current rifle? I say that because most rifles will outshoot their owners. If you can answer yes to my question...and you can afford a GAP...I say go for it.

 

[GunTech]

Cooper's aren't exactly taking the tactical and F class shoots by storm, so if you only care about accuracy, I wouldn't go that route.

GAP primarily builds tactical rifles. They aren't the most accurate, but are extremely accurate, resonably rugged and have good ergonomics.

If you only care about accuracy, look at something like a Nesika competition. It will put rounds through the same hole. You are probably going to want a caliber like 6mm PPC. And you'll want to read a lot about competition and bench rest shooting.

The rifle you already have is more accurate than 90% of the factory rifles out there.

At a bench rest shoot 3/8 is last place.

 

[Tomekeuro85]

I know all about benchrest, I used to be interested in it.

However, to me it doesnt even count as shooting. Its more like making the most consistent bullet you can make. Some of the br shooters spend hours making like 25 rounds... Yes, they will go into the same hole, but I want to SHOOT for hours, not make bullets for hours. I spend a while making my bullets as it is, and they are pretty consistent, but BR reloading is a bit excessive IMO.

Plus, most of the time they dont even touch anything but the trigger when they shoot. Thats not much fun in my opinion...

I'm more interested in the tactical type weapons like the GAP ones.

I would say that I definitely can outshoot my rifle, mainly because I have used a benchrest rifle of someone elses and gotten a near single hole group, using the same technique i use in my gun, but my gun doesnt quite do so good.

Finally, my rifle is pretty much new (less than 400 rounds), and a newer savage i'm pretty sure wont shoot much better than my current one. From what I understand, .6" at 100 is about as good as one can expect out of a factory rifle (consistently).

My most difficult decision is WHY do I need an extra .125 MOA for $2000. Why do i need such an accurate gun?

My only justification for that question is "because I want it"... But for $2000, i dont know.

 

[USSR]

...i'd go gap. no way would i sink more into the savage.

+1. A GA Precision built rifle has value and can be easily resold if need be. A worked on Savage is still just a Savage, and you will never get out of it the additional $$$ that you put into it.

Don

 

[Cueball]

Let me preface this by saying that I am in NO way trying to be a smart@$$. I have two thoughts on the subject...

First of all, 100-200 rounds a month probably isn't enough shooting to make the most of your abilities and the abilities of the gun. More range time may make what you have more of a tack driver.

Second, unless you really want to spend a lot of $$$, you can get (with practice... you doing your part) VERY good accuracy out of reasonable priced rifles. I have a Savage Model 12FV that shoots less than 1/2 moa @ 100. The heavy barrel of the 12FV aids in accuracy and consistency and for under $500 can get you into some excellent accuracy with the proper amount of time being spent with the gun at the range.

 

[Davo]

You shoot well already, perhaps you should try stretching your rifles legs and take it out to 600+ yards. How well do you read wind? How well do you shoot prone? I personally would stick with the savage for starters, as the difference with what you do isnt worth the bux. You can roll ALOT of ammo with the difference. BUT a GAP is a superb piece, and you will never regret owning it.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I know all about benchrest, I used to be interested in it.

However, to me it doesnt even count as shooting. Its more like making the most consistent bullet you can make. Some of the br shooters spend hours making like 25 rounds... Yes, they will go into the same hole, but I want to SHOOT for hours, not make bullets for hours. I spend a while making my bullets as it is, and they are pretty consistent, but BR reloading is a bit excessive IMO.

Plus, most of the time they dont even touch anything but the trigger when they shoot. Thats not much fun in my opinion...

I'm more interested in the tactical type weapons like the GAP ones.

Sounds to me like you are a great candidate for High Power Rifle with Service Rifles - Over the Course matches and such.

The whole point is to test shooting ability, not how much you can spend on equipment and reloading.