What precision rifle?

[Sembob]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum but have enjoyed what I have seen. Lots of great beta here so I thought I could get some help. I am on a waiting list at the LGS for a Ruger Percision Rifle in the 6.5 chamber. I've been pretty excited about the rifle. Now I am looking at the Sig716DMR. The reviews I've seen are good for both guns. I sort of feel like the Sig may be a bit more versatile as it seems like it would be a good rifle for elk and deer. I do not yet do any match shooting but definitely would like to get into long range shooting. Any thoughts and opinions would be very appreciated. TIA Jim

 

[gotigers]

I have a Rem 700 5R in .308. It is a good rifle and I am happy with it. However, if I were buying now, my 1st choice would be a Tikka CTR .308, 2nd Ruger precision rifle.

A coworker has a factory CTRs and it shoots 1/2MOA @ 100 yards with factory ammo (168gr molly coated silver tipped Winchester). I have heard of others that are doing the same

 

[Sembob]

I should of included the Tikka CTR. It was my next rifle until I saw the Ruger. I could be way off base but I just don't like the Tikka stock.

 

[henschman]

Those are two very different rifles. Neither one would be particularly better than the other for elk and deer hunting though. Neither one would be that great actually, because they are both quite heavy. I recommend making your deer/elk gun a different rifle from your precision gun. Get something along the lines of a standard sporter-barreled bolt action with a 3-9x scope for hunting. It would do everything you need it to, and would be much nicer to pack through the woods than one of those heavy beasts. As far as whether you want a 6.5 bolt gun or a .308 semi auto for your precision rifle, I guess you need to decide whether better accuracy, much longer effective range, better trajectory and wind characteristics, and longer brass life are more important than quick follow-up shots. I have the RPR in 6.5, and couldn't recommend it highly enough.

 

[MrBorland]

I do not yet do any match shooting but definitely would like to get into long range shooting.

I'd recommend sticking with the Ruger for any true "long range" shooting, due to the longer barrel and better ballistics of the 6.5CM. The Sig's 18" barrel will really bleed off much-needed MV if you start stretching your legs. I also happen to think that generally, a factory bolt rifle is likely to be more accurate than a factory semi-auto.

I have a Tikka CTR in .260Remington. Fantastic rifle, and a serious tack driver, and would double as an excellent hunting rifle. Because of the 20" barrel, though, I see it more as a mid-range (out to, say, 700ish yards) rifle. It can be used for long range, but if I were mainly interested in shooting LR regularly, I'd opt for a longer barrel. JMO.

 

[Bart B.]

If that coworkers CTRs shoots no worse than 1/2", then it's a 1/2" rifle with the ammo used as shot by whomever fired it. Otherwise it's what its biggest group is. Accuracy includes all fired shots, not those lucky few that occasionally land close together.

Savage rifles seem to do best in competition. The best ones don't use detachable magazines that are detrimental to best accuracy. If you want a rifle with such magazines, ensure all magazines let the rifle shoot to the same point of aim.

If you're serious about long range (800 to 1000 yards) shooting, you'll need stuff that shoots no worse than 1 to 1.25 moa that far away. It'll take stuff that shoots no worse than 1/3 moa at 100 to do that. Otherwise, it'll be harder to tell whether your error or the rifle/ammo's error made that wide shot go where it landed.

 

[gotigers]

I know how it works, Bart. LOL. I was giving the guy another option. Who said its a 1/2 MOA rifle? I gave an example. Get over yourself.

I have seen a couple of CTRs that are consistently shooting 1/2 MOA groups and they have detachable mags. LOL. Savage, Remington, Ruger and Tikka all have very good rifles for that price point. I have no favorites.

"Savage rifles seem to do best in competition" OK?

I am not getting into a pissing match. Have fun, being that guy. So much for The High Road. This is why i dont come to this forum much. Know it alls abound. I'm out.

 

[Nature Boy]

I recently ordered a FN SPR A3 .308 for the same reason as you.

It's getting bedded now and I should have it in a week or so. I'll let you know how it shoots

 

[farmerboy78]

If I bought the ruger pr, I would replace the barrel with a consistent one for accuracy at a distance.

 

[HOOfan_1]

If I bought the ruger pr, I would replace the barrel with a consistent one for accuracy at a distance.

If I bought any Precision gun...I would actually shoot it before determining out of hand that the factory barrel is "inconsistent".

 

[stoky]

If you ever needed service or parts, you'd be glad (if) it was a Ruger.