What would be a good sniper type rifle?

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Maxx409

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Okay gun gurus, not sure if this has been addressed, couldn't find anything via search.

I'm looking for a not too expensive sniper type rifle. In the extras on "shooter" the sniper trainer mentions a Remington model 700 tactical rifle in a .302.

I've seen posts here saying 30-06 is good too, as well as Savage and CZ. At Cabelas I saw a couple in the .223 pretty cheap and even one in 7mm (probably too small huh?) plus quite a few in the 30-06 all used and MUCH more economical than the model 700 new. I'm new to the long distance target stuff and don't want to throw my money away on something not up to the task.

I was wondering what your opinions would be and what type of grouping at what distance I could expect with practice.

Also looking for a bit of stopping power as well so please refrain from the 22LR recommendation unless of course you feel this is up to the task. Thanks.
 
Basically, any rifle with enough accuracy, a decent scope and chambered for a bullet with a decent long range trajectory would serve the purpose well.

Personally, I would want a rifle that could shoot at least 1 MOA. I would want a mil-dot scope that went up to at least 10x and I would want it to be chambered for a cartridge that matches or exceeds the trajectory of a .308.

In my mind if the rifle can do all that it doesn't matter whether it is a Remington, Savage, CZ or DPMS.
 
Dicks sporting goods has the Remington 700 in 308 win with long heavy bbl and 4-12x40 scope for around $550.

For $1K sniper central has a starter package.
 
Sniper

I guess I just can't help myself.A Sniper Rifle is all in the mind.I have a Kimber 82 govt with an 8-32 target dot[22lr]and it does very well at sniping critters inside 150 yds,quiet, accurate with its prefered ammo,impossible to trace ballistics.
A .338 ultra is also a good choice,up to 300 gr,and capable of lo------ng range,just look at the guys using 338 lapua in middle east. The key is accuracy,and shooters ability to take recoil.Use what you can use well.
 
Do you intend to shoot anything besides paper? Also, will any of your shooting be farther than 600 yards?

If you answered no to both, get a fast twist (1:7 or 1:8) bolt action 223. Then use heavy bullets like the 77 gr Sierra match bullets.

You can easily barrel a savage 110 to your liking, put it in a good stable stock and put on some decent glass for far less than other 'sniper' rifles.
 
My standard recommendation for long range shooting is the Savage 12 F/TR -

Savage 12 F/TR

This is around $1200, and with a $800 Leupold, you are into an entry-level rifle for long range.

Can it be done for less? Sure, and that's an OK way to find out if you want to get further involved. Rifle and scope might be $800-1000, which is half the Savage/Leupold combination.
 
The Savage 10FCP HS Precision stock is the best best deal going in a factory sniper rifle with some very nice custom features.

*Nice HS Precision stock
*Detachable box mag - extended after market 9 rnd mags available thru Sharp Shooter Supply
*24" heavy button rifled barrel with recessed crown
*Smooth action
*Durable metal trigger guard
*Most will shoot sub moa
*Very nice Accu-Trigger 1.5 lb adj
*Good recoil pad
*Nice Oversize bolt knob

They retail around $850. If you can swing it. This is a deal.

Remington has some catching up to do.

10FPHSPrec.jpg



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GC
 
Whenever I hear someone say they want a "sniper rifle", I get a little uneasy. If you want to hunt, ask for a hunting rifle. If you want to shoot targets, ask for a target rifle. If you want to snipe, well that usually means one thing.
 
practice practice practice a trained sniper with a mosin is going to be more dangerous than joe average with with the latest from AI or Barret:D
what do you want the rifle for
long range target shooting?
range work?
plinking and posing?
hunting?
how much do you want to spend?.
and aw50 is an awesome weapon but its very expensive and you will curse it if you hunt with it :evil:
if its going to be a range weapon you don't need to spend the cash on a military spec weapon as its not going to take the sort of abuse military weapons take.
if your not a terribly good shot take what ever rifle you have unless its utterly hopeless buy ammo and get up to and pass Appleseed standard as all the gear and no idea is a bad place to be :)
 
MAX100, the specs on that Savage are impressive ...

Another option would be a Remington 700 Police in .300 Win Mag or .300 Ultra Mag (or .308, .223, 7mm)

http://www.impactguns.com/store/047700257358.html

... for $50 more. Based on the specs that MAX100 listed though, I'd choose the Savage if it's available in .300 Win Mag or bigger and if I weren't planning to build it up into a AWM type system. It's hard to beat the options that would cost you extra money if you bought the Remington. You'd need to add a Badger Ordnance bolt handle, and a Jewell trigger or similar to end up with an equivalent rifle (will add on about $250)

If you're looking for long-range accuracy there are a bunch of calibers in the 6mm range that have good ballistics. If you're looking to stop undesirables in their tracks from the next zip code then a .338 Lapua would be the way to go but that's going to get expensive. A good compromise is the .300 Win Mag. It's cheaper to shoot, has better ballistics than a .308 and with 210 grain bullets it has good KO power out to impressive distances.

One option is to start with something cheaper that you can shoot and do well with right away with the plan to add a trigger, stock, barrel and optics in the future (you wouldn't need to add a trigger with the Savage). If you build a high-end custom system it's going to cost you around $4500 which might sound really expensive but you could have exactly what you wanted and you could do it in stages. Don't forget that a .300 Win Mag AWM from Accuracy International will cost you almost $6000 just for the rifle. If money's no object then buy the AI system in .338 Lapua.

As for building your own system, I'll use Remington as an example ... not necessarily because it's the best but because it's what I know and I know what's available. I'd love to build up a Savage in the same manner since I'm sure it'd be an outstanding system.

Remington 700 in .300 Win Mag ($800 to $900)
Leupold 10X scope or 6.5-20x or 8.5-25x ($1300)
Badger Ordnance tactical bolt knob ($30)
Accuracy International AICS ($800)
Accuracy International bipod ($350)
Kreiger single cut barrel and blueprinted action/bolt ($850)
Jewell trigger ($230)
Rings/bases ($200)

Total cost: Approximately $4500

Here's an interesting link to Remington military "sniper" packages.

http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/downloads.htm

Here's a turnkey system from Remington.

http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/m24a3sws.htm

Good luck and try to have a plan ... it can save you a lot of trouble.

:)
 
Well if you just want a sniper rifle just to have one, theres several sites that have Mosin Nagant 91/30's with post war scopes on them, AIM has them for $475.00, comes with the scope, sling, bayonet, and a few other things I think.
 
Thanks for all the help guys, I've now got a place to start my research. I don't want to spend $4500 and THEN find out I've got no talent for it. Or I don't want to have the talent and buy the wrong thing and end up frustrated.

@paladin As gun owners more and more we are thought to be criminals just because we own a gun. Don't assume I want a "sniper" rifle for some EVIL reason. To set your mind at ease. I would like to learn to make the really loooong shots along with the math, wind and whatever other variables come up. Target shooter could mean many things as well as hunting rifle. I use the term "sniper" merely for clarity. In addition your post didn't include ANYTHING helpful. Rest easy. No ill intentions here.

Thanks again guys.
 
I went for a gun that has history. I bought a Smith and Corona 1903a3 that had been sporterized (very well done, I might add) for $320. Ill put $150 into a new stock $100 for a really nice bipod, and $200 for a scope and bam, ive got a gun that can out shoot any new bolt action. Maybe its just me but the idea of a gun that was made in 1944 (according to serial numbers) that can still duke it out with the best modern pieces, wins hands down.

n581381600_1235123_357.jpg
 
If memory serves... I think Krochus built a decent precision rifle based on the Stevens model 200. If memory serves, it's worked out well for him... do a search for him and his "frankenrifle". it's pretty sweet...
 
Just for clarification, what do you consider "long range?"
Do you have a place to shoot at that range?
Do you have means of knowing what you are hitting? (300 yards is about the limit for even a very good spotting scope to pick out bullet holes in paper and then only in favorable lighting. It will resolve splash marks on well lighted, freshly painted steel for 600.)
Are you a proficient handloader or do you have a budget for match ammunition at $1+ a pop?
What rifles do you now own that could be used or adapted?

It is easy to get all enthused over the details of a "long range" rifle but you have to consider the practical side of putting it in action.

A .22 doesn't have much "stopping power" but it will teach you a lot about wind and trajectory if all you have to shoot on is 100-200 yards.
 
I will say this because it's a mistake I have made personally. What your rifle can do at 800 yards is irrelevant if you don't yet have the skill to cover quarters at 100 yards with your .22. If you set up an 800-1000 yard rifle, and expect to train with it until you are worthy, it's going to take a lot of time, money, ammo, and pain. A 1000 yard rifle is a total waste of money if you are a 100 yard shooter.

Get any used centerfire rifle from Savage, Remington, Tikka, Winchester, et al, and master it out to at least 300 yards. When you have found the limitations of that rifle, you could look at either re-barreling that action, or getting a new rifle.
 
"What would be a good sniper type rifle?"

First, I see that the OP didn't ask about "the best".

My opinion: Any good hunting rifle in 7mm or .30 that regularly groups around one-half MOA. (Or can be tweaked to do that.) Me, I'd want a 24" to 26" barrel so I could load to max velocity for the cartridge.

The skill thing is a separate deal. :)
 
If hes asking about long distance it is a safe bet to assume he already knows about short range (100-200). 22lr can teach you a lot but shooting a bigger rifle will teach you a lot more as far as long range (600-1000).

Just make sure your safe and have fun while your doing it. Get to know what ever rifle you choose like the backside of your hand and you will have a tremendous advantage.
 
I'm not going to assume for one second he already has his short game figured out. :)

I read "Point of Impact", about 15 years ago, and saved my next two paychecks to buy a PSS. I was so green I had no idea how to use the thing. If they're all over the paper with a .22, something bigger is a waste of money.
 
I'm looking for a not too expensive sniper type rifle. In the extras on "shooter" the sniper trainer mentions a Remington model 700 tactical rifle in a .302.

I've seen posts here saying 30-06 is good too, as well as Savage and CZ. At Cabelas I saw a couple in the .223 pretty cheap and even one in 7mm (probably too small huh?) plus quite a few in the 30-06 all used and MUCH more economical than the model 700 new. I'm new to the long distance target stuff and don't want to throw my money away on something not up to the task.

I was wondering what your opinions would be and what type of grouping at what distance I could expect with practice.
Click to expand...

Maxx409,

Define "not too expensive"? Entry level for a rifle such as this is just shy of $1000 (sans scope), and even then you need to have things done to it to get the most out of it. I would strongly recommend the FN SPR in .308 (about $1400) as a rifle ready out-of-the-box. Forget the milsurp rifles from days past. While they are fun to shoot, they are not capable of the same kind of accuracy that I am talking about (.75MOA with factory match ammo, and sub-.5MOA with handloads at 100 yards). Forget the .30-06 unless you want to have it custom built for nearly $2500. As you can see, this can get expensive real fast, and you haven't even bought a scope yet.:D

Don
 
Swampy:
MAX100, the specs on that Savage are impressive ...
Too bad it has the HS Precision stock on it....
Click to expand...

I prefer the HS Stocks but Savage does offer the 10FCP with a nice McMillan stock. I believe the HS model will be more accurate right out of the box because the McMillan will probably need a full bedding job. HS may need a miner Skim bed job.

Savage has done "Good Job" listening to it's customer base and has been leading the way for the last few years.


Savage 10FCP With McMlllan stock. They run about $1000

new_10FP-LE2.jpg



Here is the review on Sniper Central

http://www.snipercentral.com/sav10fcpmcm.htm



GC
 
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I prefer the HS Stocks but Savage does offer the 10FCP with a nice McMillan stock. I believe the HS model will be more accurate right out of the box because the McMillan will probably need a full bedding job.
Click to expand...

My comment of "too bad the Savage has the HS Precision stock" has nothing to do with the QUALITY of the item in question.... It has to do with HS Precision recently hiring Lon Horiuchi as a marketing spokesperson.

If you don't know who Lon Horiuchi is... he's the FBI sniper who shot and killed Vicki Weaver and baby at Ruby Ridge. A more disgusting act I cannot imagine. Horiuchi is also reputed to have fired on unarmed people trying to escape the flames at Waco as the Branch Davidian compound was torched.

This is the person HS PRecision has speaking for them now.....

This subject has been discussed recently on other threads. Search "Horiuchi" or "HS Precision" on this and other boards.

I for one... cannot and would not purchase any HS Precison product until HSP both fires Horiuchi and then APOLOGIZES for it's mistake.

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever
 
get the mosin sniper rifle spend the rest on ammo :D
http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/p/mosin-nagant-91

that will get you similar performance to an L42 sniper rifle the I started with for a fraction of the price then practice practice and more practice.
Think shooting something classic like that up to 800yards is more than enough challenge
remember drink lots of vodka and practice shouting wolverines:D
 
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